Memphis Grizzlies vs Portland Trail Blazers NBA Betting Odds and Prediction

The Memphis Grizzlies open the bubble tournament with a matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Memphis heads to this contest as the 8th seed in the NBA’s Western Conference and they are currently 3.5 games ahead of three teams who are chasing them. The Blazers are one of those teams and although Portland is happy that a play-in tournament is available should they keep a four-game distance with the 8th seed, the Blazers would prefer to snatch that 8th seed and head to the postseason outright. Rookie sensation Ja Morant is expected to figure in a showdown with Portland’s Damian Lillard who is known to be a big-time clutch performer. With what’s at stake here, expect fireworks from the two explosive playmakers on Friday night.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies were supposed to be on a rebuild this season after ending the Grit and Grind era. However, rookie Ja Morant has turned out to be a gem and he has fast-tracked that rebuild and built the Grizzlies into serious playoff contenders. Memphis is currently occupying the final playoff spot in the West but there are three teams within 3.5 games of them. One of those teams is Portland, and Memphis will be looking to create some separation on Friday night.

Ja Morant led Memphis 17.6 points and 6.9 assists per game. Jaren Jackson was having his best year at 16.9 points and 1.6 blocks per contest while Jonas Valanciunas averaged a double-double at 14.9 points and 11.1 rebounds per game. Dillon Brook was a steady contributor at 15.7 points per game.

The Grizzlies rank 13th in the league in scoring at 112.6 points per game but they are only 20th in scoring defense at 113.7 points per game conceded. Memphis is the 6th best rebounding team in the NBA at 46.7 boards grabbed per contest and they are also 2nd in passing at 27.0 assists per game.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers made it to the Western Conference Finals last season. But with big man Jusuf Nurkic out of action, the Blazers struggled for form this year and have been out of the playoff picture most of the season. However, they are just 3.5 games behind the Grizzlies and with the play-in tournament feature, they have been given a new lease on life.

Damian Lillard was having another spectacular year. Dame was putting up 28.9 points and 7.8 assists per game for Portland. Backcourt partner C.J. McCollum also averaged 22.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game while Hassan Whiteside led the team in rebounding at 14.2 while also scoring 16.3 points per contest.

Portland was the 8th best scoring team in the NBA at 113.6 points per game but they only ranked 26th in scoring defense at 115.2 points per game allowed. The Blazers were 10th in rebounding at 45.5 boards grabbed per contest and they were also dead last in passing at only 20.2 assists per outing.

Who Wins?

Memphis is 4-6 SU in their last six games played. The Grizzlies are 2-4 SU in their last six games played on the road. Portland is also 4-6 SU in their last 10 games played. The Blazers are 1-3 SU in their last four games played away from home. Head to head, the Blazers have won four out of their last five meetings with the Grizzlies.

The Blazers have a new lease on life with the play-in tournament and I think that is going to spark them in this contest. Portland has a very experienced team and will be getting their starting center back for the first time this season. Nurkic should be 100% healthy and should be a factor in this game.

Memphis has been a surprise this year and I expect Ja Morant to continue to deliver for the Grizzlies. However, the main difference in this game will be Damian Lillard who is known to be a big-time clutch player who delivers for Portland when they need him most. I think this 8-game seeding phase is going to be Dame Time and the Blazers will make a serious run at the playoffs. Give me the Blazers here.

Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers (-135)

Other Bets to Make

The Grizzlies are 2-4 ATS in their last six games played. Memphis is also 2-4 ATS in their last six games played on the road, 1-6 ATS in their last seven games against the Western Conference, but 5-0-1 ATS in their last five games played against the Northwest Division. Portland is 4-8 ATS in their last 12 games played. The Blazers are 2-2 ATS in their last four games played on the road, 1-5 ATS in their last six games played against the Western Conference, and 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games against the Southwest Division.

The Blazers have outscored the Grizzlies by an average of 2.7 points per game in their last 10 meetings and 3.67 points per game in their last three head to head encounters. Portland lost two out of their last three meetings but remember the Nurk didn’t play for Portland this season. With Nurkic back, the Blazers should be able to dominate the paint here and win by at least three points.

Prediction: Blazers -2 (-115)

The total has gone under in eight out of the last 10 games played by the Grizzlies. Memphis has seen the total go under in five out of their last six games played on the road. The total has gone over in 12 out of the last 18 games played by the Blazers. The over is also 5-0 in their last five games played on a Friday. However, the under is 3-1 in Portland’s last four away games.

These teams have combined to score an average of 204.7 points per game in their last 10 meetings and 217.0 points per game in their last three head to head games. None of their last 10 meetings have produced a total of at least 222 points and the closest was 221 on January 27, 2017. Both these teams rank in the Bottom 11 in scoring defense but this is the first regular-season game for both teams in four months. I expect some rust from both ends and despite the presence of an explosive scorer like Lillard, I don’t think these teams will hit a total of 222 points.

Prediction: Under 222.5 (-110)

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