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The Portland Trail Blazers return home to the Moda Center on Friday night in a bit of a tailspin, having lost six consecutive games to fall to 23-28 on the season. The primary headline for the Blazers is the long-awaited season debut of point guard Scoot Henderson. The third-year guard has been sidelined since training camp with a torn left hamstring and is expected to be on a strict minutes restriction tonight. Portland’s defense has been non-existent during this skid, allowing 118.1 points per game, and they could be shorthanded again as All-Star forward Deni Avdija deals with a nagging lower back strain.
The Memphis Grizzlies travel to Portland for the first of two straight games in what feels like the dawn of a new era. The Grizzlies dominated the trade deadline headlines earlier this week by shipping franchise centerpiece Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz in an eight-player blockbuster. While Memphis reportedly shopped star guard Ja Morant as well, the two-time All-Star remains on the roster but is currently sidelined with a left elbow injury. Despite the roster upheaval, Memphis has shown some grit lately, winning back-to-back games including a 129-125 road victory over Sacramento on Wednesday.
This matchup features two teams heading in opposite directions philosophically. Memphis is pivoting toward a youth movement centered on draft assets, while Portland is desperately trying to integrate their young core to salvage a play-in spot. With both teams ranking in the top six in pace, expect a track meet in the Pacific Northwest as the new-look Grizzlies try to prove they can still compete without their defensive anchor in the middle.
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Portland Trail Blazers vs Memphis Grizzlies Odds
The betting markets opened with Portland as a moderate home favorite, reflecting the massive void left by Jaren Jackson Jr. and the absence of Morant. However, bettors should monitor the latest NBA odds closely, as the official status of the Grizzlies’ newly acquired players could shift the Portland Trail Blazers vs Memphis Grizzlies odds before tip-off.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Portland Trail Blazers | -295 | -7.0 (-112) | U 235 (-110) |
| Memphis Grizzlies | +240 | +7.0 (-110) | O 235 (-110) |
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Portland Trail Blazers Betting Form
Portland’s six-game losing streak has been defined by defensive inconsistency and an inability to close out tight games. The Blazers rank 23rd in points allowed and have struggled to contain perimeter penetration. The return of Scoot Henderson provides a psychological boost and much-needed playmaking, but his impact might be limited in his first game back from a major hamstring tear. In his absence, Shaedon Sharpe has carried the offensive load, averaging 21.8 points over his last 20 outings.
The Blazers’ strength lies in their rebounding, where they rank 7th in the league. Rookie Donovan Clingan has been a bright spot, averaging a double-double and providing the rim protection that Memphis now lacks. If Portland can dominate the glass and capitalize on second-chance points, they should be able to dictate the terms of this game. More details on their season-long trends can be found on the Portland Trail Blazers schedule and stats page.
The status of Deni Avdija is the biggest variable for Portland bettors tonight. Avdija leads the team in scoring and his absence would leave a massive void in their wing production. The Portland Trail Blazers injury report currently lists him as questionable, and his availability likely determines whether this spread moves toward the double digits or stays in the mid-single range.
Memphis Grizzlies Betting Form
Memphis is currently the most unpredictable team in the league following their trade deadline teardown. The departure of Jackson Jr. leaves a massive hole in their rim protection, which was evident as they allowed 58 points in the paint to Sacramento. However, the offense has found an unlikely spark in Ty Jerome. The veteran guard has been sensational since returning from a calf injury, averaging 22.3 points and 7.0 assists over his last three games. Jerome’s efficiency has allowed the Grizzlies to maintain a high-octane attack even without their primary stars.
The Grizzlies’ betting value currently lies in their pace and the emergence of young wings like Cam Spencer and Jaylen Wells. Memphis ranks 2nd in the NBA in possessions per game and 5th in assists, suggesting they aren’t going to slow down despite the roster changes. You can track their evolving rotation and splits on the Memphis Grizzlies stats and results page.
Injuries continue to be the main story for coach Tuomas Iisalo. Beyond Morant, the team is missing Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke, leaving the frontcourt incredibly thin. Be sure to check the Memphis Grizzlies injury report to see if trade acquisitions like Kyle Anderson or Taylor Hendricks are cleared to suit up.
Portland Trail Blazers vs Memphis Grizzlies Matchup Breakdown
This game is a collision of two high-tempo systems that struggle to defend. Memphis plays at the 6th fastest pace in the league, while Portland isn’t far behind. Without Jaren Jackson Jr. to erase mistakes at the rim, the Grizzlies’ defense is significantly more vulnerable to the types of drives Portland likes to generate through Sharpe and Henderson.
The interior battle is where this game could be won or lost. Portland’s Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III have a significant size advantage over the depleted Memphis frontcourt. If Portland can exploit the paint the way Sacramento did on Wednesday, they could run away with this. However, Memphis has been surprisingly resilient, and their 29 assists per game show a team that is moving the ball better than it has all season. For more on how to handicap these transition-heavy matchups, visit our advanced NBA betting strategies.
- Ty Jerome is averaging 22.3 points in his last three games for Memphis.
- Portland ranks 5th in the league in free-throw attempts per game.
- Memphis has won the last four head-to-head meetings.
- The Trail Blazers are winless ATS in their last three games as favorites of 7 or more points.
Portland Trail Blazers vs Memphis Grizzlies Predictions and Best Bets
The 7-point spread feels high for a Portland team that hasn’t won a game in two weeks. While the Grizzlies are “tanking” on paper, the players actually on the floor are playing for their NBA lives. Memphis has covered in two of their last three games and seems to be thriving in this underdog role where teams underestimate their remaining offensive talent. Portland’s defense is simply too porous to trust with a multi-possession spread right now.
Regarding the total, 235 is a high number, but these teams are built to go over. Both allow over 117 points per game and both rank in the top eight in pace. With Memphis lacking any real rim protection and Portland gaining a playmaker in Scoot Henderson, we are likely looking at a high-scoring affair where neither team wants to play defense in the half-court.
I like Memphis to keep this game within the number. They play hard for Iisalo, and the Blazers’ lack of defensive identity makes it difficult for them to pull away from anyone. Perhaps Portland wins the game on the back of their superior size, but the Grizzlies have enough shooting to hang around until the final whistle.
Best Bet: Memphis Grizzlies +7.0 (-110).
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