Memphis Grizzlies vs Portland Trail Blazers Predictions, Free NBA Picks 3/12/2020

Game: Memphis Grizzlies vs Portland Trail Blazers

Date: Thursday, March 12, 2020

Location: Moda Center in Portland, OR

TV: NBC Sports Northwest

Odds/Point Spread: Portland -4

Total/Over-Under: 232

Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies (32-33, 3rd in the Southwest Division) go to Moda Center on Thursday where they'll meet the Portland Trail Blazers (29-37, 4th in the Northwest Division). Memphis opens this matchup as 4 point dogs. The total opens at 232.

The Grizzlies are covering the spread 53.1% of the time, having gone 34-30-1 ATS. Portland covers the spread 42.2% of the time, going 27-37-2 against the spread.

Key Memphis Grizzlies Injuries

03/06/20 SF Justise Winslow Back is out indefinitely
02/25/20 PF Brandon Clarke Hip is out 2-3 weeks
02/23/20 F Jaren Jackson Jr. Knee is out 2-3 weeks
01/27/20 SG Grayson Allen Hip is out for season

Key Portland Trail Blazers Injuries

12/25/19 PF Zach Collins Shoulder is out indefinitely
12/06/19 SG Rodney Hood Achilles is out indefinitely
10/19/19 C Jusuf Nurkic Leg is out indefinitely

Player Spotlight

Jonas Valanciunas averages 14.9 points per game in 26.3 minutes per contest. He averages 1.8 assists per contest and 11.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 59% for the year while his free throw percentage is 73%. Ja Morant comes into this contest averaging 17.6 points per game while playing 30.0 minutes per night. He pulls down 3.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 6.9 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 49% while his free throw percentage is at 77%.

Player Spotlight

Damian Lillard averages 28.9 points per game and he sees the court an average of 36.9 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.3 rebounds per contest and 7.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is 89%. CJ McCollum averages 22.5 points per game while playing 36.0 minutes per contest. He grabs 4.1 rebounds per game and has 4.3 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 45% and his free throw percentage is at 75%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Grizzlies allow 113.7 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 20th in the league. They also allow a 45% shooting percentage and a 36% average from behind the arc, ranking them 9th and 21st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.0 rebounds a game which ranks 14th, and they give up 24.8 assists per contest which puts them in 20th place in the league. They force 14.6 turnovers per game which ranks them 18th in the league. Memphis averages 112.6 points per contest this season, which ranks them 13th 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 20th in the league. They average 46.7 rebounds per game and 27.0 assists per contest, which ranks them 6th and 2nd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 8th with 15.3 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Blazers surrender 115.2 points per contest, which ranks them 26th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 45% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 10th and 27th in those defensive statistics. They rank 18th with 24.7 assists allowed per contest, and 30th with 47.5 rebounds surrendered per game. The Blazers are 4th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 12.7 per game. Portland is 8th in the league with 113.6 points per game this year. They are 16th in the league in shooting at 46%, while their average scoring margin is -1.6. They shoot 37% from 3-point range, which is good for 5th in the NBA. They are 10th in the league in rebounding with 45.5 boards per game and 30th in assists per contest with 20.2. The Blazers are 27th in turnovers per game with 13.0.

Advanced Statistics

The Grizzlies are 20th in the NBA in offensive rating with 109.4, and their defensive rating of 110.4 is ranked 16th. In terms of pace they are 7th in the league with 102.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 14th. As a team they are 21st in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 26th in the league. Memphis is 11th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.2 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 20th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

Portland is 27th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 11.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 11 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 17th in the league. The Blazers are 10th in the NBA in offensive rating with 112.5, and their defensive rating of 114.1 is ranked 27th. In terms of pace they are 12th in the league with 100.7 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 15th. As a team they are 15th 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?

Josh's Pick: Take Memphis +4

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