The Memphis Grizzlies (34-39) meet the Portland Trail Blazers (35-39) in the first and possibly final game of a play-in series for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET in the bubble at Lake Buena Vista, Fla., and will be nationally televised on ABC. We analyze the Grizzlies-Trail Blazers NBA betting odds and lines, with picks and best bets.
Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers: Key injuries
Grizzlies
- PF Jaren Jackson Jr. (knee) out
- PG Tyus Jones (knee) doubtful
- SF Justise Winslow (hip) out
Trail Blazers
- SF Trevor Ariza (personal) out
- SG Rodney Hood (Achilles) out
- SF Nassir Little (dehydration recovery) doubtful
- PF Caleb Swanigan (personal) out
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Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 4:35 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Grizzlies 116, Trail Blazers 108
Moneyline (ML)
The GRIZZLIES (+200) squandered a 3½-game lead on the Trail Blazers (-250) heading into the restart, setting up this unique play-in series. After going 2-6 in the bubble, the Grizzlies fell to ninth place and now must beat the eighth-place Trail Blazers twice to advance and earn the No. 8 seed and a date with the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers. The Trail Blazers just need to win once.
If Memphis wins Saturday, the two teams will play Sunday at 4:30 p.m. (on ESPN) in a single-elimination game.
Memphis took care of business in its last game, beating the Milwaukee Bucks 119-106 Thursday, but the Bucks were without PF Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was serving a one-game suspension. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies received an all-in effort from PG Ja Morant and C Jonas Valanciunas, who both had triple-doubles in the win.
Portland pulled a 134-133 win over the Brooklyn Nets out of its keister Thursday thanks to a 42-point performance out of Damian Lillard in its last game.
The Grizzlies and Trail Blazers met once in the bubble with Portland pulling out a 140-135 overtime win. Memphis won the one regular-season meeting 111-104 in February.
Missing PF Jaren Jackson Jr. is a huge loss for Memphis, but PF Brandon Clarke could step up in his place given how well he’s played against the Trail Blazers. He’s averaging 24 points, on .864% field-goal shooting, and 6.5 rebounds in the two games vs. Portland.
Valanciunas matches up well with Portland’s C Jusuf Nurkic and is 6-2 against him in his career. He holds Nurkic to .432% shooting and only 11.3 points per game in those meetings.
Memphis is going to put forth the effort it needs to extend its season another day. I “LIKE” GRIZZLIES (+200) on a small bet to upset the Trail Blazers.
New to sports betting? A $50 bet on the Grizzlies (+200) earns a $100 profit if they win.
Also see:
- Memphis Grizzlies rumors (HoopsHype)
- Portland Trail Blazers rumors (HoopsHype)
- HoopsHype – The latest NBA coverage
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
We need insurance on our moneyline wager so let’s TAKE the GRIZZLIES +6 (-110). Memphis is relying on youth and it’s not inconceivable that Portland and Lillard wins a close game. The Trail Blazers are 9-3 in games decided by three or fewer points and the Grizzles are just 3-4 in such games.
Each team has alternated covers over the last six meetings with Portland winning outright and against the spread in the last game. Since we are taking the Grizzlies to win, I say it’s their turn to at least cover the number.
Over/Under (O/U)
If this game goes Over the total of 232.5, Memphis is screwed. The Grizzlies need to control the pace and avoid a shootout with a red-hot Lillard and the Trail Blazers.
I am only going to “lean” toward the UNDER 232.5 (-110) because playing totals is less than profitable for me.
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