Memphis Grizzlies at Portland Trail Blazers Betting Preview/Player Prop

The 2021-22 NBA season is just getting underway, but there continue to be some great matchups each day. The Portland Trail Blazers host the Memphis Grizzlies in one of these matchups in a big Western Conference clash.

Memphis has won two of its first three games this season, and they are trying to take the next step as a franchise. The Grizzlies were a playoff team a season ago, but they want to be viewed as a true playoff threat.

Portland has a new coaching staff in place this season, and it might take them some time to get things going. The Trail Blazers are just 1-2 on the year, and their latest loss was a 30-point defeat to the Clippers.

The Portland Trail Blazers are 2.5-point favorites over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.

Morant Leading Memphis Charge

Ja Morant has been on a tear so far this season, and he has the talent to continue putting up big numbers all season long. Morant is shooting close to 60 percent from the field and is averaging 35.0 points per game.

Memphis has scored at least 118 points in each of their three games this season, and they will be looking to push the tempo in this one. There are some concerns on the defensive end of the floor, but the offense can make up for a lot of that.

This is a team that has been building to become a contender again in the Western Conference, and they need to start picking up impressive road wins to leave their mark.

Portland Struggling on Defense

The Portland Trail Blazers have been a perennial playoff contender over the past decade, but they might have some work to do this season. Portland has given up at least 105 points in each game, and that has put too much pressure on the offense.

Damian Lillard has also gotten off to a slow start for Portland, and he has struggled to find his shooting stroke. Lillard will eventually figure that part of it out, but the Trail Blazers have some other flaws that need to be corrected.

Finding a way to stop Ja Morant will be the biggest key in this game, but Portland must also make some shots.

Grizzlies Get Past Trail Blazers

This should be a high-scoring affair on Wednesday night, and there will be plenty of star power on the floor. Memphis has been the better team so far this season, but the Trail Blazers are always tough to beat in Portland.

Ja Morant has been on a tear, and he will be looking forward to putting on a show against Damian Lillard. The fact that the Trail Blazers have struggled to get defensive stops is going to hurt them in this game.

There is not much separation between these teams, but it will be the road team pulling off a slight upset. Forget about just taking the points in this game and bet on the Memphis Grizzlies moneyline as they find a way to pick up a big win on the road.

Player Prop

Ja Morant (-120) Over 33.5 Points+Assists

If they handed out an MVP award for the first week of the season, this year’s would likely go to Morant. Known more for his ability to distribute the ball, the Memphis point guard is scoring at a Steph Curry-type clip in the early going.

Through the first three games, Morant is averaging a league-leading 35.0 ppg on 58 percent shooting. That includes 44 percent from beyond the arc from a guy that averaged just 30.3 percent last year and 32.2 percent for his career.

And the scoring increase doesn’t look to have taken away from his ability to get others involved. His 8.0 assists per game rank ninth in the league and are also above his 7.3 career average.

His ability to hurt teams was on full display on Sunday against the Lakers as he scored 40 points and dished out 10 assists against a championship contender. Against a Portland team that has been allowing an average of 115.0 points and 47.1 percent shooting from the field, Morant should have an opportunity for another big night.

We’ll take Morant (-120) to stay hot tonight and combine for over 33.5 points+assists versus the Blazers.

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