Indiana Pacers vs. Utah Jazz - 10/31/15 National Basketball Association Pick, Odds, and Prediction

Sharon Brown covers the Grizzlies and National Basketball Association for Amico Hoops. The inside one-two punch of Marc Gasol and , who each scored 12 in the season debut, will try to take advantage of a new Indiana front line that needs time to develop. They're content to walk the ball up - they ranked in the bottom five in pace1 each of the last three years, and dead last twice. Lou Williams hit a 3-pointer with 31 seconds left to trim Minnesota's lead to one point, and Martin missed a jumper for Minnesota before Williams missed a leaning 4-footer at the buzzer.

Last night's game was something of an anomaly. But his shooting numbers might be more frustrating After going 4 of 17 from the field in the season opener, he was 5 of 15 Thursday.

Late in the evening's festivities, those fans who had stayed got to witness Bongo Lady vs. Vanilla Gorilla, the shirtless college-age fan who made his fame at th University of Memphis football games, on the huge video board.

George, and all involved, must keep in mind that the season will be like the games: it isn't about the start, it's about the finish. They still have capable defenders, and in fact are quicker and more agile than in the past, so they believe they should be able to defend well. Add to that Jeff Green's clutch 3-pointer in the fourth quarter and the Griz were good enough to earn a 112-103 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The over has also been profitable, hitting in nine of the last 10 games played in Memphis between these two teams.

ABOUT THE JAZZ (1-1): Utah began the season with a 92-87 loss at Detroit on Wednesday, but bounced back nicely by draining 7-of-13 from 3-point range and forcing 19 turnovers against the 76ers. What is left to predict if the "Grit & Grind" era is returning for its sixth straight season?

George finished with 17 points (on 17 shot attempts), to go along with twelve rebounds and eight assists in the L. They've given up 94 points in the paint in two games, an alarming number, and have been outscored 41-25 on second-chance points.

It's been a simple case of the Cavs outplaying the Grizzlies, which may be due in part to the teams' strengths overlapping. They haven't got it going yet. Timofey Mozgov is among the few in the league who approximates both Gasol's height and girth. He shouldn't defer the Gasol, Randolph or Conley when he's open.

Jamal Crawford added 15 points off the bench as the Clippers (2-0) prevailed in their home opener. He has been a bright spot in the first couple of games and the Pacers need to continue letting him go to work on the offensive end of the court.