NBA Game Preview: Memphis Grizzlies (20-29) vs. Portland Trail Blazers (23-28)

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The Memphis Grizzlies, fresh off a two-game winning streak but reeling from a blockbuster trade sending Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, face the Portland Trail Blazers in the first of a back-to-back series. Portland aims to snap a six-game losing skid at home, where they’ve gone 13-13 this season. This Western Conference matchup highlights Memphis’s revamped roster against Portland’s defensive struggles, but injuries on both sides could lead to a gritty, low-scoring affair.

  • Venue: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
  • Tip-Off Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
  • TV/Streaming: FanDuel Sports Network Southeast-Memphis (FDSSE), KUNP (Blazers broadcast), NBA League Pass

Moda Center has seen Portland post a 13-13 home record, but they’ve struggled lately, losing their last three at home by an average of 19 points.

Injury Report

TeamPlayerStatusInjury/ReasonExpected Return
GrizzliesSanti AldamaOutRight Knee Injury ManagementTBD
GrizzliesBrandon ClarkeOutRight Calf StrainTBD
GrizzliesZach EdeyOutLeft Ankle Stress ReactionTBD
GrizzliesEric GordonOutNot With TeamTBD
GrizzliesTy JeromeOutRight Calf Injury ManagementTBD
GrizzliesJa MorantOutLeft Elbow UCL SprainTBD
GrizzliesScotty Pippen Jr.QuestionableLeft Great Toe Surgery RecoveryTBD
GrizzliesKyle AndersonQuestionableIllnessTBD
Trail BlazersDeni AvdijaQuestionableLow Back StrainTBD
Trail BlazersScoot HendersonProbableLeft Hamstring TearN/A
Trail BlazersDamian LillardOutLeft Achilles Tendon Injury ManagementSeason
Trail BlazersKris MurrayOutLumbar StrainTBD
Trail BlazersMatisse ThybulleOutRight Knee TendinopathyTBD

Memphis, without Morant (20.1 PPG pre-injury) and the traded Jackson Jr. (21.5 PPG), relies on Ty Jerome (recent 28 PPG average) and GG Jackson (double-doubles in wins). Portland misses Lillard’s scoring (season-ending Achilles tear) but could see Avdija (15.2 PPG) return, forcing more from Shaedon Sharpe (22.5 PPG) and Donovan Clingan (10.8 RPG).

Player Matchups to Watch

  • Ty Jerome (MEM) vs. Scoot Henderson (POR): Jerome (28 PPG in last win, 7 APG) steps up sans Morant, but Henderson (if probable, 14.5 PPG) could exploit Memphis’s thin backcourt with his speed.
  • GG Jackson (MEM) vs. Donovan Clingan (POR): Jackson (recent 8 RPG) fills the void left by Jackson Jr., facing Clingan (15 RPG in last loss) in a rebounding battle that could control the glass.
  • Cedric Coward (MEM) vs. Jerami Grant (POR): Coward provides wing depth post-trade, while Grant (23 PPG in recent loss) tests Memphis’s defense (allowing 118 PPG lately).
  • Cam Spencer (MEM) vs. Shaedon Sharpe (POR): Spencer (20 PPG, 5 APG) emerges as a scorer, but Sharpe (31 PPG high) could dominate if Portland’s offense clicks.

Memphis’s depth is tested without seven key players, while Portland’s home crowd could boost their perimeter game.

Team Recent Forms

  • Memphis Grizzlies: 10-17 on the road. They’ve won two straight but are 3-7 in their last 10, with a -4.2 net rating. Memphis averages 111.5 PPG recently but allows 120.8 PPG in losses.
DateOpponentResultScore
Feb 4@ SACW129-125
Feb 2vs MINW137-128
Jan 31vs MINL114-131
Jan 29@ NOPL106-114
Jan 27vs CHAL97-112
  • Portland Trail Blazers: 13-13 at home. They’re on a six-game losing streak and 1-9 in their last 10, with a -8.5 net rating. Portland averages 110.2 PPG but has defensive woes (allowing 124.8 PPG in skid).
DateOpponentResultScore
Feb 4vs PHOL125-130
Feb 2vs CLEL111-130
Jan 31@ NYKL97-127
Jan 28@ WASL111-115
Jan 26@ BOSL94-102

Memphis’s recent wins show offensive spark (133 PPG average), while Portland’s losses highlight rebounding issues (outrebounded by 12 per game).

Series History

Portland leads the all-time series 60-49, but Memphis has won three of the last four meetings, including a 119-96 victory on Dec. 7, 2025. Recent games average 215.5 points, with the Under hitting in seven of the last eight at Moda Center. Memphis holds a 4-1 playoff edge from their 2015 first-round series.

Betting Trends

  • Key Trends:
    • Grizzlies: 21-28 ATS overall; 3-8 ATS as 7.5+ underdogs; Over in 6 of last 10 road games.
    • Trail Blazers: 27-24 ATS; 0-3 ATS as 7.5+ favorites; Under in 17 of last 24 games (+9.3 units ROI).
    • Series: Under in 13 of last 17 meetings (including 7-1 at Moda Center); Grizzlies 5-5 ATS in last 10 vs. Portland.

Game Odds

Memphis Grizzlies                          232.5

Portland Trail Blazers                     – 8.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, February 5, 2026