Memphis Grizzlies vs. Portland Trail Blazers Total Pick

Memphis Grizzlies (2-1 SU, 3-0-0 ATS) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (1-2 SU, 1-2-0 ATS)

When: Wednesday, Oct. 27th, 2021, 10:00 pm (ET)

Where: Moda Center, Portland, OR

TV: ESPN

Point Spread: MEM +2.5/POR -2.5 (Opened at -3) (BetAnySports – Bet this game and ALL your NBA picks at reduced odds -105 EVERY day at BAS!)

Total: 235.5 (Opened at 234)

Money Line: MEM +108/POR -130

Power Rating: POR -2.5

Probable Starting Lineups

Memphis Grizzlies: PG Ja Morant, SG De’Anthony Melton, SG Desmond Bane, PF Jaren Jackson Jr., C Steven Adams

Portland Trail Blazers: PG Damian Lillard, SG CJ McCollum, SF Nassir Little, PF Robert Covington, C Jusuf Nurkic

Key Injuries

Memphis Grizzlies: Dillion Brooks *Out* (Hand/Thigh)

Portland Trail Blazers: Norman Powell *Out* (DTD w/ left patellar), Tony Snell *Out* (Foot)

Recent Form

The Memphis Grizzlies are off to a great 2-1 start to their season and one free throw away from a potential perfect start. After beating the Clippers and going toe to toe with the Lakers, this Grizzlies squad is picking up where they left off last season by proving they are once again playoff contenders in the West. Young star Ja Morant once again rises as the heart and soul of this team and currently leads the NBA averaging 35 points per game. On the defensive side, acquiring center Steven Adams from the Oklahoma City Thunder has already shown dividends, as Adams is in the top 5 averaging 13 rebounds per game.

The Portland Trail Blazers are off to a 1-2 start after losing to the Clippers in a 116-86 outing. Damian Lillard has started the year slow on the offensive side, averaging just 17 points per game, as CJ McCollum leads the team with 27.3 points per game. This Blazers team still has an all-pro caliber backcourt, but in the high scoring NBA of today, they will need to have someone step up offensively after losing Carmelo Anthony to the Lakers.

A Slow Start

Judging by the success of Damian Lillard and this Trail Blazers squad in past seasons, it may be a little early to hit the panic button on their 1-2 start. Nonetheless, in a loaded Western Conference, it will be easy to fall behind if they can’t put together stretches of wins early. As mentioned above, Lillard is only averaging 17 points a game to start the year, which is uncharacteristic of him, given he has averaged 25+ points a game the past five seasons and near that 25 points mark his entire career. Luckily for the Blazers, McCollum is picking up the slack, averaging 27 points per game, which would be a career-high if he can sustain it. Besides McCollum, the lack of offensive firepower in this 1-2 start can be pointed at two things: no Norman Powell (injury), and Carmelo Anthony moved to the Lakers. Now, this isn’t to say it’s the only two reasons, but Powell has been good for 15-20 points a game for this Blazer team, and Anthony, though older in his career, is a bucket from the corner three and has shown glimpses of his younger days in his few games with the Lakers this year. I don’t think this slow start will last forever, as Lillard is going to heat up eventually. On top of that, Norman will be back soon as he is day-to-day with his injury, and acquisitions Larry Nance Jr. and Cody Zeller will show value once they mesh with this Blazers team and game plan.

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Pace of Play

Through the first few games of the year, we have seen two different styles of play. The Portland Trail Blazers are currently in the top 5 of possessions per game, averaging 108.7. The Memphis Grizzlies play a faster game averaging 103.4 possessions a game. Look for the Grizzlies to come out fast and build a lead before the Trail Blazers adjust to try and slow the pace of the game. Given Portland’s slower pace, they will look to keep the ball out of Morant’s hands-on Wednesday night, but given the efficiency, he’s had to start the year, that may not matter in the end.

Morant for MVP

Ja Morant, at just twenty-two years old and in his third NBA season, has started the year in MVP fashion. Coming out of Murray State, Morant stepped into a starting role and immediately went to work, getting this team back in the playoff conversation. Averaging 35 points per game and 58% from the field, you can’t help but mention his name as an early MVP favorite. Though listed as a point guard, Morant can do it all as he regularly shows up on the highlight reel for his explosive dunks. He is also averaging eight assists a game, which is currently top 10 in the league, so Morant is also showing off his good court vision and getting other opportunities to score. Again, we are only a few games into this young NBA season but look for Morant to keep his hot start going against a Trail Blazers team that still looks to be figuring things out.

The Historicals

Last season, these two teams faced each other three times. In all three matchups, the road team walked away victorious. Though this may be a head-scratching stat, remember that last year had fewer fans with Covid regulations, making home court advantage less of a factor. Looking back at the shortened 2020 season, though, the home team won each of those games, which in most cases had zero fans.

How the Public is Betting the Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers

The early betting action shows that 61% are betting the Trail Blazers against the spread and on the Over/Under
54% are wagering on the game to go OVER the posted total of 235.5.

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• The Memphis Grizzlies are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games as a road underdog.
• The Portland Trail Blazers are 4-9 ATS in their previous 13 games as a home favorite.
• The Portland Trail Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last five games.
• The Portland Trail Blazers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games playing on one day’s rest.
• Over is 8-0 in the Memphis Grizzlies’ past eight games.
• Over is 6-1 in the Portland Trail Blazers last seven home games.
• Over is 5-0 in the Memphis Grizzlies’ last five road games.

Collin’s Pick to Cover the Spread

Due to the tight spread on this game, picking either side ATS could be a risky move, so I’m gonig to pass on that and bet on the total. It’s a small sample size, but given the recent trends of the over being successful in recent games for both the Grizzlies and Trail Blazers, I’m banking on this game to go OVER (235.5). Look for Damian Lillard to have his first breakout game of the year and Ja Morant to continue his scoring spree, resulting in a high-scoring game Wednesday night. Want more? Check out tonight’s Hawks vs. Pelicans Prediction!