Jazz, with NBA's worst shot defense, visit Grizzlies Wednesday

The Utah Jazz (22-60), whose defense allowed the league's worst shooting last season, visit the Memphis Grizzlies (25-57) and their 25th-ranked offense on Wednesday, October 21, at 8:00 PM ET.

All numbers here are from last season, with this season's rosters. Utah's opponents posted a 57.8% effective field goal percentage, the league's highest, and the Jazz ranked 29th in defensive rating. Memphis shot 53.3% effective, 24th, so the Grizzlies must turn open looks into makes.

Pace raises the stakes for both defenses. Utah played the league's third-fastest pace at 104.3 and Memphis the fifth-fastest at 103.6, which means more possessions for two teams that gave up plenty of good shots.

Memphis grabbed 70.9% of available defensive rebounds, 29th. Utah's offensive rebounding rate of 26.2% ranked 11th.

Lauri Markkanen led Utah at 26.7 points a game and shot 89.6% at the line. Isaiah Collier averaged 7.2 assists. For Memphis, Jerami Grant scored 18.6 points a game and Cam Spencer handed out 5.6 assists.

Utah is thin up front. Jusuf Nurkic, who averaged 10.4 rebounds, is out until Wednesday, November 4. Blake Hinson, Tony Bradley and Trey Alexander are also out, with Friday, October 23 as their expected return.

Memphis lists one player. Isaiah Stewart, who blocked 1.6 shots a game, is day-to-day and has Wednesday as his expected return date.

Both teams went 1-9 over their last 10 games last season. The Grizzlies ended it on eight straight losses, and the Jazz with a 107-131 defeat at the Lakers.

Sportsbooks' prices give Memphis a 52% chance to win. Keel's projection, built from the players available, gives the Grizzlies 58%, by 2.6 points.