The Memphis Grizzlies pay a visit to the Moda Center to take on the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies have yet to win a game this season and they will be hoping to arrest a five-game slide after getting routed by the Jazz in a 133-109 road loss on Wednesday. Desmond Bane led the team with 21 points, Jaren Jackson Jr added 19 points while Marcus Smart chipped in with 11 points, six assists and four steals. As a team, the Grizzlies shot a miserable 36 percent from the field and 14 of 54 from the 3-point line as they struggled to match the intensity of the Jazz from the start and quickly found themselves trailing by 79-46 going into halftime. Luke Kennard had a rough night as he finished with just three points on one of nine shooting off the bench.
Memphis Grizzlies Team Facts
- The Grizzlies have lost each of their last seven road games against Northwest Division opponents.
- The Grizzlies have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 10 road games against Northwest Division opponents.
- Eight of the Grizzlies’ last nine road games against Northwest Division opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Portland Trail Blazers
Meanwhile, the Portland Trail Blazers will be aiming for a third straight victory after taking down the Pistons in a 110-101 road win on Wednesday. Shaedon Sharpe led the team with 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists, Jerami Grant added 24 points while DeAndre Ayton chipped in with 16 points, 11 rebounds and five steals. As a team, the Trail Blazers shot 46 percent from the field and seven of 20 from the 3-point line as they suffered another slow start and trailed by as many as 18 points, before they dominated the second half by 63-42 to make it look easy in the end.
Portland Trail Blazers Team Facts
- The Trail Blazers have lost each of their last 11 games at Moda Center.
- The Trail Blazers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine night games at Moda Center.
- Each of the Trail Blazers’ last four games against Western Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for assists per game this season (19.4).
- The Trail Blazers rank 30th in the league for opponent steals per game this season (10.6).
- The Grizzlies rank 30th in the league for point differential per game this season (-11.4).
- The Grizzlies rank T1st in the league for opponent turnovers per game this season (17.6).
Peter’s Pick
The Grizzlies are shorthanded again as Brandon Clarke, Ja Morant and Derrick Rose are all still out, while the Trail Blazers are keeping an eye on Shaedon Sharpe who is day to day. The Grizzlies are still searching for their first win of the season and their confidence took another gut shot after getting thrashed by the Jazz, so I’ll go with the young Trail Blazers to get a surprising third straight win in this spot.
