The Memphis Grizzlies play host to the Portland Trail Blazers at the FedExForum on Saturday night. Here’s a Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers Prediction.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers have been in terrible shape lately, but they will be feeling much better after putting an end to an ugly nine-game losing streak with a 122-92 road win over the Grizzlies last night. Jabari Walker and Dalano Banton led the team in scoring with 19 points each, Duop Reath added 18 points while Keegan Murray chipped in with 14 points. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 52 percent from the field and 13 of 31 from the 3-point line as they struggled to get going and managed just 17 points in the first quarter, before they clicked into gear and dominated the rest of the game to finish with one of their best wins of the season. The Blazers will meet the Timberwolves, Thunder, and Rockets after this one.
Memphis Grizzlies
Meanwhile, the Memphis Grizzlies have been ice-cold lately as they’ve lost 13 of their last 15 games overall and they will be hoping to put a halt to a four-game slide after getting run over by the Trail Blazers last night. Jake LaRavia led the team with 21 points off the bench, Lamar Stevens added 19 points on seven of 12 shooting while Jordan Goodwin chipped in with 10 points. As a team, the Grizzlies shot just 44 percent from the field and nine of 24 from the 3-point line but with all of their best players out injured, the Grizzlies struggled for points and never looked in the contest after allowing 40 points in the third quarter. The Grizzlies will face the Nets after this game.
Memphis Grizzlies Team Facts
- The Grizzlies have won each of their last 11 games as home favorites against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in each of the last six games between the Trail Blazers and Grizzlies at FedExForum.
- Each of the Grizzlies’ last four games against Northwest Division opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Portland Trail Blazers Team Facts
- The road team has won each of the Trail Blazers’ last eight games.
- The road team has covered the spread in each of the Trail Blazers’ last 10 games.
- Seven of the Trail Blazers’ last eight road games following a road win have gone UNDER the total points line.
Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers Prediction
The Trail Blazers are still shorthanded with Malcolm Brogdon, Deandre Ayton and Scoot Henderson all out, while the Grizzlies are still missing Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke and Desmond Bane among many others. We saw the Trail Blazers dominate last night from the second quarter onwards, but it really was a battle of the reserves with both teams having to use makeshift starting lineups with all the injuries involved. It’s always tough to beat the same team twice in a row, but while this is a game I’m looking to stay away from, I think the Trail Blazers can get the win again if they play even half as good as they did last night.