The Portland Trail Blazers look to continue their recent success as they take on the Southwest Division leaders the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday in a battle between teams that are expected to make the playoffs this season.
Both teams currently sport identical 15-11 records and are ranked next to each other at sixth and seventh in the Western Conference team standings.
After losing six out of seven games, the Portland Trail Blazers seem to have their focus back as they have won back to back games. The Blazers manhandled the Phoenix Suns 108-86 on Thursday and then outdueled the Minnesota Timberwolves 113-105 two days later. But after that successful two game homestand they will go on the road for a pair of games beginning with Tuesday’s contest against the Houston Rockets.
Portland has the 10th best scoring average among NBA teams at 112.3 points per game this season. They also rank 2nd in rebounding at 49.5 boards grabbed per contest but they are third to the last in assists with just 20.9 dimes per outing. As to scoring defense, the Blazers allow 110.4 points per game, 15th best in the entire league.
Portland Trail Blazers vs Memphis Grizzlies 12/12/18
Moneyline Odds: Blazers +135, Grizzlies -155
Odds from getbets.eu as of 12/12/18
After winning three out of four games, the Memphis Grizzlies have now lost two in a row. They were held to their second lowest output of the season by the Lakers last Saturday at 88-111 and the Grizzlies were limited to 99 points during their loss to the Denver Nuggets in their last outing. Despite back to back losses, Memphis is still on top of the Southwest Division with their 15-11 record
Mike Conley is Memphis’ main man, averaging 20.2 points and 6.5 assists per game this season. Marc Gasol lead the team with 8.8 rebounds per game while also scoring 16.2 points and dishing off 4.0 assists per game. Gasol also leads Memphis with 1.4 steals per game while rookie Jaren Jackson leads the team in shot blocks with 1.8 per game while also contributing 13.0 points per game. Joakim Noah is averaging 6.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game.
The Blazers and Grizzlies have played a total of 85 times during the regular season and the Blazers have beaten the Grizzlies a total of 48 times with Memphis coming out victorious in the other 37 games played between them. The Blazers have won five out of their last eight meetings against the Grizzlies but Memphis has won four out of the last six games played at their home floor.
The Blazers are 3-6 SU in their last 9 games played and 1-4 SU in their last five road games. The Grizzlies are also 3-6 SU in their last 9 games played and are 8-4 SU in a dozen home games played so far this season. Head to head, Memphis is 17-8 SU in their last 25 games against Portland. The Grizzlies are also 10-3 SU in their last 13 home games against the Blazers.
The Grizzlies have been a solid play at home while the Blazers are really struggling right now as they’ve lost seven out of their last 10 games. Worse, they are playing on back to back road games here. After the loss in Houston on Tuesday, there may be no time to regroup while traveling to Memphis. The Grizzlies are coming off back to back losses but had a one day rest and are playing at home. Memphis also has Portland’s number according to the trends.
We’re picking the Memphis Grizzlies to beat the Portland Trail Blazers on 12/12/18.
Portland is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games played and 0-5 ATS in their last five games played on the road. Memphis is 3-6 ATS in their last nine games played and 8-4 ATS in 12 home games played so far this season. Head to head, the Blazers are 4-2 ATS in their last six meetings with the Grizzlies in Memphis but Portland is only 8-15-2 in their last 25 game overall.
Portland Trail Blazers vs Memphis Grizzlies 12/12/18
Spread Odds: Blazers +3 (-109), Grizzlies -3 (-109)
Odds from gtbets.eu as of 12/12/18
The Blazers are coming off a loss to the Rockets where they blew a 15 point first half lead. Portland has now lost four out of its last five games. Worse, they will travel to Memphis right away to face the Grizzlies. The Blazers have struggled ATS on the road and I don’t think they’ll have enough time to recover playing in back to back games.
Prediction: Grizzlies -3
The total has gone over in 14 out of the 26 games played by the Blazers this season. The over is also 5-1 in the Blazers’ last six road games. On the other hand, the total has gone under in four out of the last five games played by the Grizzlies and the under is 7-5 in their 12 home games played so far this season. Head to head, the over and under are at an even 5-5 in their last 10 meetings but the total gone over in two out of the last three games played,
Portland Trail Blazers vs Memphis Grizzlies 12/12/18
Over/Under Odds: Over 205.5 -109, Under 205.5 -109
Odds from gtbets.eu as of 12/12/18
The Grizzlies are a low-scoring and tough defending team. They also use the fewest possessions of any team in the league with a pace of 97.9 possessions per game. I’m not expecting a shootout here.
Prediction: Under 205.5
The Miami Heat look to take a 2-0 series lead against the Milwaukee Bucks in…
The New York Mets head to Yankee Stadium to open a three-game series against the…
The Minnesota Twins play Game 2 of a three-game set against the New York Yankees…
The OKC Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans meet at the Smoothie King Center on Wednesday…
The No.8 Atlanta Hawks visit the No. 7 Miami Heat in the first play-in tournament…
The OKC Thunder visit the Utah Jazz at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt…