Who’s playing
Portland Trail Blazers @ Memphis Grizzlies
Current records: Portland 15-42, Memphis 20-39
How to watch
- When: Friday March 1, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET
- Or: FedExForum – Memphis, Tennessee
- TV: Bally Sports Southeast Memphis
- Follow: CBS Sports app
- Online broadcast: fuboTV (Try for free. Regional restrictions may apply.)
- Ticket cost: $1.87
What there is to know
The Trail Blazers have played seven home games but will have to dust off their road jerseys soon. They will face the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday at 8 p.m. ET at FedExForum. Since both teams suffered a loss in their last match, they both have a little more motivation heading into this match.
Defenses reigned supreme when the Trail Blazers and Heat played Tuesday, rewarding bettors who took the risk on the low of 212.5 points. Portland took a 106-96 hit in the loss column at the hands of the Heat. The Trail Blazers jumped out to an early lead (up by 15 with 3:56 left in the first quarter), but unfortunately, they were unable to maintain that momentum.
Jerami Grant had a good effort for the losing team scoring 24 points along with seven rebounds and six assists. He didn’t help the Trail Blazers’ cause much against the Hornets on Sunday, but the same can’t be said for this game. Kris Murray’s dreadful 0-5 three-point shooting was less helpful for the Trail Blazers.
Even though they lost, the Trail Blazers broke the offensive glass and finished the game with 15 offensive rebounds (they are ranked fifth in total offensive rebounds per game). They easily outscored their opponents in this department as the Heat only managed six offensive rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies’ recent rough patch got a little tougher on Wednesday after their third straight loss. They fell 110-101 to Minnesota. The Grizzlies have struggled against the Timberwolves recently, with their Wednesday game being their fourth straight loss.
Jaren Jackson Jr. had a good effort for the losing team, posting a double-double with 33 points and 13 rebounds. He didn’t help the Grizzlies’ cause much against the Nets on Monday, but the same can’t be said for this game.
Portland hasn’t been great recently as the team has lost 11 of its last 13 games, which took a major dent in its 15-42 record this season. As for Memphis, they dropped their record to 20-39 with this loss, which was their fifth straight on the road.
The Trail Blazers are hoping to defy the odds on Friday as experts believe they are headed for a loss. This contest may not be the best time to bet them against the spread since they have let bettors down the last seven times they have played.
The Trail Blazers fell short against the Grizzlies in the teams’ last game in November 2023, losing 112-100. Can the Trail Blazers avenge their defeat or is history doomed to repeat itself? We’ll know soon enough.
Odds
Memphis is a slight favorite with 1.5 points against Portland, according to the latest NBA Odds.
Oddsmakers had a good idea of the line for this one, as the game opened with the Grizzlies as 2.5-point favorites.
Oddsmakers are predicting a defensive matchup and setting the low/under at 208.5 points.
See NBA Pick for every game, including this one, from SportsLine’s advanced computer model. Get Picks Now.
History of the series
Portland has won 6 of its last 10 games against Memphis.
- November 5, 2023 – Memphis 112 vs. Portland 100
- November 3, 2023 – Portland 115 vs. Memphis 113
- April 4, 2023 – Memphis 119 vs. Portland 109
- February 1, 2023 – Portland 122 vs. Memphis 112
- November 2, 2022 – Memphis 111 vs. Portland 106
- February 16, 2022 – Portland 123 vs. Memphis 119
- December 19, 2021 – Portland 105 vs. Memphis 100
- December 15, 2021 – Memphis 113 vs. Portland 103
- October 27, 2021 – Portland 116 vs. Memphis 96
- April 28, 2021 – Portland 130 vs. Memphis 109
