Memphis Grizzlies vs. Portland Trail Blazers Odds, Preview, Prediction

Article Image

Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers Odds

Grizzlies Odds +2.5
Trail Blazers Odds -2.5
Over/Under 234
Date Wednesday, Oct. 27
Time 10:00 p.m. ET
TV ESPN

On Wednesday evening, the Memphis Grizzlies and the Portland Trail Blazers will battle at the Moda Center. Memphis enters play having won two of their first three games of the young season, but is coming off of a three-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers earlier this week. Portland has only one win in three tries, including an embarrassing 30 point loss to the Los Angeles Clippers this past Monday. Nevertheless, oddsmakers anticipate the Trail Blazers turning in a better performance tonight, pricing Portland as 2.5 point home favorites on the spread.

Let’s take a closer look at the matchup between the two teams and see where NBA bettors can find value at sportsbooks for this late-night game in Portland.

Memphis Grizzlies

Ja Morant has been sensational to begin the new campaign, averaging 35.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 8.0 assists with a 34.43 PER, which ranks second-best in the entire NBA. He is shooting an unsustainable 58.0 percent from the floor and 44.4 percent from beyond the arc, but the important thing to note is that he has clearly worked on his game during the offseason, and appears poised to have his best season to date. Though Morant is the unambiguous alpha of this roster, he has a number of solid supporting players. Desmond Bane, De’Anthony Melton, Jaren Jackson, and Steven Adams are each averaging 13.0 points or more per contest this season. Adams has also secured 13.0 rebounds per game, which ranks fifth-best in the league.

Through three games, Memphis is scoring 121.3 points per 100 possessions, which is 7.2 points more than the next most efficient offense. Unfortunately, the Grizzlies are also surrendering 117.1 points per 100 possessions, which ranks dead-last. Memphis is outstanding on the offensive end of the floor, but they will unquestionably need to make a stronger commitment on defense if they want to be taken seriously as a contender.

Portland Trail Blazers

Portland’s rough start to the year is attributable in no small part to the struggles of their best player, Damian Lillard. In three games, Lillard is averaging only 17.0 points and 7.3 assists, while shooting an abysmal 36.0 percent from the field and 8.3 percent from the perimeter. C.J. McCollum has been excellent, posting 27.3 points per game, but the Trail Blazers need strong numbers from both members of their backcourt if they hope to be competitive on a nightly basis. Norman Powell, Anfernee Simmons, and Jusuf Nurkic are all averaging double-figures in points as well, but there is a lack of scoring ability from Portland’s second unit, which could be problematic as the season progresses.

Last year, Portland had the best offensive efficiency rating of any team in basketball over the final 15 games of the regular season. Yet, below average defense resulted in them earning the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs. The Trail Blazers have continued to struggle on the defensive end of the floor to start the new campaign, and the struggles of Lillard on offense have only magnified this issue. The Trail Blazers are likely to struggle to slow down the NBA’s best early season offense this evening.

Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers Picks

If not for a Morant missed free throw in the closing seconds of their last game, Memphis could be entering action tonight undefeated. The Grizzlies have an incredibly favorable matchup tonight, pitting their electric offensive attack against one of the NBA’s most defensively-challenged teams. At plus-money, Memphis is a play that bettors should strongly consider in this one.

The total also has a small amount of value in this contest. After opening at over/under 233, this line has been bet up slightly at most sportsbooks. To have a game approach 240, both teams need to shoot the ball well and play at a blazing fast pace. Last year, Memphis and Portland both ranked in the top-11 in the NBA in pace. Through three games this season, Portland has played at the league’s fastest pace, and Memphis ranks 13th in pace with the NBA’s worst defensive efficiency. Expect a fast-paced, high-scoring affair between these two teams. Take the over.

PICKS: Grizzlies ML (+118), Over 234 (-110)

Image Credit: Imagn

About the Author

nickgalaida
Nick Galaida (nickgalaida)

A failed high school pitcher, Nick Galaida discovered that he has a higher aptitude for analyzing and writing about sports than he does playing them. To his friends, he is better known as “The Commish.” When he’s not organizing a fantasy league, placing a bet, or writing an article, he’s probably nose-deep in a book—further illustrating the point that his niche in this world is as a nerd rather than an athlete. Follow Nick on Twitter – @CommishFilmRoom