It’s Lottery Watch Friday as the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies square off in a basement battle tonight.
Both teams are eyeing a Top 5 draft pick, yet one of them has to be favored in the NBA odds here. The injury-ravaged Grizzlies get that honor — barely — despite going 2-10 in February. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 33 points on Wednesday but Memphis still lost 110-101 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Trail Blazers have fared even worse, with a winless month adding up to nine straight losses. Portland pushed the Miami Heat early on Tuesday but fell away in a 106-96 defeat.
Check out my free NBA picks for Trail Blazers vs. Grizzlies for a closer look at this Friday, March 1 matchup.
Trail Blazers vs Grizzlies odds
Trail Blazers vs Grizzlies predictions
If slick, flawless basketball is your thing, this probably isn’t the game for you. We’re going to see mistakes from inexperienced rotations, but valuable reps for young players are about the only thing left to gain from this season for either franchise.
But that doesn’t mean the NBA player props market is a stayaway here. In fact, there are some appealing options given that the offensive leaders on both teams will have a bright green light to fire up shots.
With that logic, I’m picking one of the more proven scorers on show tonight and taking the Over on the Jerami Grant odds for his points prop.
He and Anfernee Simons are going to dominate the touches for the Portland Trail Blazers, and Grant hit the Over on this 22.5 number four times last month despite the Trail Blazers’ woeful stretch. He’s also likely to see big minutes as one of the few reliable weapons that Chauncey Billups can lean on.
This prop looks a little better with Jackson Jr. ruled out for the hosts. That clears room around the rim for Grant to operate, while teammate Deandre Ayton’s likely absence with a hand injury should further clear the paint.
I expect Grant to be aggressive here. He’s been getting to the charity stripe regularly, including 20 free throw attempts in the overtime win over the Detroit Pistons on February 8, and he shot 41% on triples last month too.
Against a young, vulnerable Memphis Grizzlies defense, I see Grant taking full advantage tonight.
My best bet: Jerami Grant Over 22.5 points (-112 at BetRivers)
Trail Blazers vs Grizzlies same-game parlay
While I see Grant thriving, it’s hard to have confidence in the overall shot-making in this matchup. The Trail Blazers had an ugly 80-point outing against the Charlotte Hornets last weekend, shooting a miserable 35% from the field, and their bench is painfully short on NBA talent.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies will be cobbling together an offense without Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart and Jackson Jr.
These teams are rock-bottom in points per game and field goal percentage, making the Under a safer play, even with the line as low as 208.5. It’s hit in three of the past four meetings between these teams, and there will be fewer scoring options on the floor tonight.
Portland limped from loss to loss in February, so a new month is a welcome sight. Though the visitors haven’t covered the spread in any of their last seven contests, I’m optimistic about their chances here.
It’s time for Grant and Simons to shine as two of the few established NBA scorers in this matchup, and the Blazers should take some encouragement from hanging with the Heat in the first half in midweek.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Trail Blazers vs Grizzlies spread and Over/Under analysis
Take your pick — Portland is 6-22 on the road, and Memphis is 7-22 at home. With both rosters depleted by injuries, this has all the makings of a tight, scrappy contest that comes down to the final minutes.
The Trail Blazers won’t get a better chance to snap their losing streak, but the visitors still arrive at FedExForum as slight underdogs.
These teams split the two meetings earlier this season in Portland and they’ll meet again tomorrow night, but the injury spree makes it tough to take much from the historical trends. You could certainly put together an impressive lineup with the players set to be in street clothes tonight.
I’ve already tipped my hand in liking the Portland moneyline in this spot, and it feels reasonable to question where Memphis’ points are going to come from. The hosts are staring at a reality where Santi Aldama and GG Jackson, who’s questionable, might be their most skilled offensive options among the available roster.
An Over/Under line of 208.5 says it all. We’ve got a rockfight on tap here, with the Grizzlies scoring 101 points or fewer in their last three contests and the Trail Blazers falling short of 100 points four times in February.
Looking back further, both teams have leaned towards the Under this season. It’s 33-25-1 for Memphis and 26-31 for Portland.
Trail Blazers vs Grizzlies betting trend to know
The Grizzlies have hit the team total Under in 26 of their last 34 home games. Find more NBA betting trends for Trail Blazers vs. Grizzlies.
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Trail Blazers vs Grizzlies game info
Location: | FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN |
Date: | Friday, March 1, 2024 |
Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
TV: | Bally Sports SE-MEM, ROOT SPORTS |
Trail Blazers vs Grizzlies latest injuries
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