Memphis Grizzlies vs Portland Trail Blazers Prediction, 8/15/2020 NBA Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: Memphis Grizzlies vs Portland Trail Blazers

Date: Saturday, August 15, 2020

Location: HP Field House in Orlando, Florida

TV: ABC

Odds/Point Spread: Portland -6

Total/Over-Under: 233.5

Jonas Valanciunas and the Memphis Grizzlies (34-39, 3rd in the Southwest Division) are headed to HP Field House on Saturday where they'll meet the Portland Trail Blazers (35-39, 4th in the Northwest Division) in the Western Conference play-in game. Memphis opens this contest as 6-point underdogs. The O/U has been set at 233.5.

The Grizzlies are covering the spread 50.0% of the time, having gone 36-36-1 ATS. Portland is covering 45.1% of the time, going 32-39-3 against the spread.

Key Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

08/04/20 F Jaren Jackson Jr. Knee is out for season
07/29/20 PG Tyus Jones Knee is out indefinitely
07/21/20 SF Justise Winslow Hip is out for season

Key Portland Trail Blazers Injuries

12/06/19 SG Rodney Hood Achilles is out indefinitely
08/13/20 SF Nassir Little Dehydration is questionable Saturday vs Memphis
06/28/20 SF Trevor Ariza Personal is out for season

Player Spotlight

Jonas Valanciunas comes into this contest averaging 14.9 points per game while playing 26.4 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 11.3 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 59% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 74%. Ja Morant averages 17.8 points per game in 31.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 7.3 assists per contest and 3.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 48% for the year while his free throw percentage is 78%.

Player Spotlight

CJ McCollum averages 22.2 points per game while playing 36.5 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.2 rebounds per game and has 4.4 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 76%. Damian Lillard averages 30.0 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.5 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.3 rebounds per contest and 8.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 89%.

Useful Team Statistics

Memphis averages 112.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 14th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -1.1 and their shooting percentage is 47% as a team, which has them ranked 9th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 24th in the league. They average 46.5 rebounds per game and 26.9 assists per game, which ranks them 5th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 8th with 15.2 per game. The Grizzlies allow 113.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 21st in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 37% average from behind the arc, ranking them 9th and 24th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 44.9 rebounds a game which ranks 15th and they give up 24.8 assists per contest, which puts them in 18th place in the league. They force 14.8 turnovers per game which ranks them 19th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

Portland is 6th in the league with 115.0 points per game this year. They are 14th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -1.2. They shoot 38% from 3-point range, which is good for 3rd in the NBA. They are 11th in the league in rebounding with 45.3 boards per game, and 30th in assists per contest with 20.6. The Blazers are 28th in turnovers per game with 12.8. The Blazers surrender 116.1 points per contest, which ranks them 26th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 46% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 29th in those defensive statistics. They rank 19th with 24.9 assists allowed per contest and 27th with 46.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Blazers are 4th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.9 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Grizzlies are 20th in the league in defensive rating with 110.3, and their offensive rating of 109.2 is ranked 15th. They are 6th in the NBA in pace with 102.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 20th. As a unit they are 21st in the league in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 26th in the NBA. Memphis is 10th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.7 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 52%, which is 21st in the NBA.

Advanced Statistics

Portland is 30th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11.2 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 53%, which is 16th in the league. The Blazers are 3rd in the NBA in offensive rating with 113.7, and their defensive rating of 114.8 is ranked 28th. In terms of pace they are 13th in the league with 100.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 13th. As a team they are 13th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 57% and they shoot 3-pointers on 37% of their shots, ranking 16th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Grizzlies/Blazers NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Memphis +6

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here