Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers: Prediction, Team News and Ja Morant

Memphis traded Ja Morant to Portland on 29 June. Four months later he faces the Grizzlies for the first time, and neither team has lost a game.

The Grizzlies are 4-0 and the Trail Blazers 3-0. Morant is averaging 16.3 points and 6.3 assists in 27 minutes. Ty Jerome has carried Memphis, and he goes into this Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers game averaging 29.8.

How to watch Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers in Canada

No Canadian network had listed this game when we checked. If it isn’t on TV where you are, our how to watch the NBA in Canada page covers the streaming route.

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers odds

This game hadn’t been priced by a Canadian book at the time of writing. A US number may not match what you’ll see here, so we’ve left the odds out. See our NBA betting in Canada page for the licensed options by province.

Memphis has won four on the road and at home

The Grizzlies beat Utah twice, won 111-108 at Golden State and won in Sacramento. Jerome scored 45 on 17-of-25 against the Jazz, then 28 and 31. He shot 4-of-15 on Monday, and Memphis won anyway. Utah managed 105.

Jerami Grant, who came back in the Morant trade, averages 9.8 off the bench. He spent four seasons in Portland. Zach Edey, the Toronto-born centre, starts and plays about 21 minutes. Cameron Boozer averages 14.8 points and 10.5 rebounds as a rookie.

How they compare

Rates from last season, with Morant still in Memphis for part of it. Portland was 5.5 points per 100 possessions better.

Portland has scored 124 or more every night

The Trail Blazers beat Phoenix by 41 at home, won in Sacramento and won 136-129 at the Lakers on Tuesday. Deni Avdija averages 22.3 points, and Damian Lillard is at 21.7 after missing all of last season.

Morant scored 23 on 9-of-13 against the Lakers. It was his best game yet. Shaedon Sharpe, from London, Ontario, is out for about six months with a torn meniscus.

Portland won three of four last season

Two of Portland’s wins came on back-to-back nights at the Moda Center in February.

Recent form

Team news

Memphis had no one listed this morning. Portland’s list is Sharpe and a two-way player, and the official NBA injury report will confirm both before tip-off.

For the other 28 clubs, our NBA injury report has the full list.

Probable starting fives

Players to watch

Ja Morant, Portland. Twenty-seven minutes a night so far, with eight and seven assists in his first two games.

Ty Jerome, Memphis. At least 28 in three of four games. Portland’s guards are the toughest group he has faced this season.

Score prediction

Trail Blazers 119-111 Grizzlies. Last season’s ratings and home court put Portland about eight points ahead. Memphis has had two days off and Portland one, which narrows it a little.

Grizzlies vs Trail Blazers prediction

Memphis’ four wins came against Utah twice, Golden State and Sacramento. Portland has beaten Phoenix and the Lakers, scored 124 or more every time out, and has more players who can take over a night when Lillard or Avdija is quiet.

Our pick: Portland to win, the Trail Blazers at -7.5 or shorter. We’ll leave the total alone. Portland’s attack points over, Memphis’ defence points under, and the line already sits between them.

Our player prop is Zach Edey under 8.5 points. He has scored 6, 8 and 4 in about 21 minutes a game, and Jerome takes most of the shots. It’s a three-game sample, so keep the stake small. Covers’ NBA prop board had 8.5 at 7:51 a.m. ET.

Check the NBA games tonight board for Thursday’s other games. It is rebuilt every day.

19+ (18+ in AB, MB and QC). Picks are opinion, not advice, and odds change constantly. Availability varies by province. Please play responsibly. ConnexOntario: 1-866-531-2600 for Ontario residents; see your province’s helpline for resources elsewhere.