Memphis Grizzlies vs Portland Trail Blazers Preview (11/2/22): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds
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The red-hot Portland Trail Blazers host the injury-riddled Memphis Grizzlies in a Western Conference showdown. This matchup preview covers the expected starting lineups, current odds, updated injury report, and my prediction. Check it out below!
Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Portland Trail Blazers Betting Odds
Memphis is a two-point road favorite against the Blazers, a team that few would have predicted to start the 2022-23 regular season this hot. The Grizzlies won’t have Jaren Jackson Jr, Danny Green, or Ziaire Williams back from their respective injuries and have multiple players listed as questionable heading into this matchup. Portland lost Damian Lillard early in the season to a calf injury, but he should be back soon. Gary Payton II is also listed as out, while Josh Hart is questionable after entering the concussion protocol last Friday.
Memphis Grizzlies Vs. Portland Trail Blazers Prediction
Portland may have been able to take care of the Houston Rockets without Damian Lillard, but this matchup against the Grizzlies is going to be much more difficult, although they have looked awful on the defensive end. Memphis will still be without Jaren Jackson Jr and Ziaire Williams, but it will have its dynamic duo of Desmond Bane and Ja Morant, who can go for 30+ points on any given night.
The Blazers have been red-hot this season, setting high expectations for the rest of the year; however, they are currently overperforming, and I expect obvious regression, especially with Damian Lillard out. Keep an eye on the injury report, as Memphis has a lot of players listed as questionable or day-to-day, but barring anything unexpected, I’ll take the Memphis Grizzlies against the spread; they won’t lose three games in a row on the road.
Betting Trends
- Memphis is 1-3-1 ATS on the road in 2022-23
- Portland is 3-1 ATS at home in 2022-23
Key Matchups
The key matchup in this bout between the Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers belongs to Ja Morant and Anfernee Simons, two explosive, high-scoring guards who will be centerpieces of their respective franchises for years to come. See the analysis below on which player I believe will have the advantage.
Ja Morant vs. Anfernee Simons
Ja Morant has had his fair share of monstrous games in the NBA, including a 44-point, 11-assist night against the Portland Trail Blazers in February. Morant has averaged over 33 points, six assists, and five rebounds per game in six games this season on a magnificent 55/56/86 shooting split.
The bad news for Morant is the Trail Blazers have allowed the sixth-fewest points to opposing points guards. The good news is that Ja Morant is still Ja Morant. It would shock me if Morant didn’t post 30+ points once again in this game, especially with Damian Lillard out; however, he does have a formidable matchup against Anfernee Simons, one of the league’s up-and-coming young guns.
In that same game in February of this year, Anfernee Simons posted 31 points and six assists on 61% shooting from the field and 50% from deep on ten 3PA (three-point attempts.) While Morant has the advantage, considering he is one of the ten best players in the league, look for Simons to flex his offensive prowess in this one. Advantage: Morant.
Memphis Grizzlies Starting Lineups
PG: Ja Morant
SG: John Konchar
SF: Desmond Bane
PF: Santi Aldama
C: Steven Adams
Portland Trail Blazers Starting Lineup
PG: Anfernee Simons
SG: Shaedon Sharpe
SF: Josh Hart
PF: Jerami Grant
C: Jusuf Nurkic
Key Injuries
Memphis Grizzlies Injuries: Jaren Jackson Jr (Out), Ziaire Williams (Out), Desmond Bane (Q), Danny Green (Out), Steven Adams (Q), Jake LaRavia (Q), Brandon Clarke (Q)
Portland Trail Blazers Injuries: Damian Lillard (Out), Gary Payton II (Out), Josh Hart (Q), Trendon Watford (Out), Olivier Sarr (Out)
