Grizzlies Clawing Towards Postseason, Face Portland

Trail Blazers Hope to Snap Three-Game Losing Streak, Escape Funk

· Apr 23 - 3 minutes read

The Memphis Grizzlies (29-28) have lost two straight games, but they took the Nuggets to double overtime along the way. In the game before that, the Grizz tore up the Bucks 128-115 in Milwaukee, dominating in the paint. Memphis is on the tail-end of a seven-game road trip, and has had to dig deep. The Grizzlies are currently in eighth place in the West, and would love to climb higher before the season ends.

The Portland Trail Blazers (32-26) have dropped three consecutive contests, and are losers in five-out-of-six. The Blazers just lost a close one to the Nuggets as well, falling 106-105 after blowing a substantial lead. Portland superstar Damian Lillard was frustrated after the game, being quoted as saying, “We’ve got a bad habit of working hard and putting possessions together and putting stretches together and then we relax.”.

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts to an officials call during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum — Stacy Revere/Getty Images/AFP

Lillard scored 22 points in 37 minutes, after missing three games with right hamstring tendinopathy. The Blazers hung their heads as they walked off of their home court, having suffered another heartbreaking loss that theoretically could have been avoided.

The bookmakers apparently expect Portland to bounce back vs Memphis, as our sportsbook shows the Blazers favored by 3½ points. Remember to check out all of our NBA betting odds before finalizing your betting slips. Portland and Memphis tip off at Moda Center at 10:00 p.m. EST.

Memphis is Excellent ATS, Portland Absolutely Average

Only the N.Y. Knicks have a better record ATS than the Memphis Grizzlies this season. The Grizz are 36-21 against the spread, while the Trail Blazers are a pedestrian 29-29. Memphis is 16-12 on the road SU, while having an 11-6 mark ATS as a road dog.

This is a great spot to bet the Grizzlies +3½, because it’s highly unlikely that the Blazers will magically transform. Memphis is a gritty team, and we can expect the Grizz to pounce early and claw to stay on top. The +140 moneyline is quite attractive as well. Betting $50 on the Grizzlies’ moneyline wins you $70 when the upset is complete.

A Trail Blazer sounds a lot like a hiker to me, and hikers don’t usually fare well against grizzly bears. Who wants a grizzly in their backyard? I don’t, and neither does Portland. Seriously though, look for the Grizzlies to have the Blazers on the run in this one.