Opening Western Conference Eighth Seed Play-In Game Odds Favor Trail Blazers Over Grizzlies

• After a dramatic Thursday survival against the Nets, the Portland Trail Blazers and Memphis Grizzlies will meet in the play-in game(s)
• The Grizz struggled desperately in the bubble, while Portland and Damian Lillard were red-hot
• Get the early odds, betting discussion and a pick below

There was much discussion about a potential play-in. It ended up being more exciting than anyone could have reasonably imagined, with four teams in contention as the final round of seeding games began. Wins for the Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers secured their place in the play-in game, with Portland taking the eight seed.

Memphis needs to win consecutive games against the Blazers to take the final playoff spot. Portland can eliminate the Grizz with a win on Saturday.

The opening Memphis Grizzlies vs Portland Trail Blazers odds heavily favor Dame Lillard and the Blazers.

Portland Trail Blazers vs Memphis Grizzlies Play-In Game Odds

Odds taken August 14th

Dame Time

Patrick Beverley and Paul George mocked Lillard when he missed two crucial free throws at the end of the Blazers’ game with the Clippers. Portland lost and were under pressure to win out. Lillard went supernova.

He scored 154 points across the final three games, leading Portland to three wins. It’s been Dame Time over and over again.

The Blazers went 6-2 in the seeding games. Jusuf Nurkic’s return was important and Carmelo Anthony was useful, hitting crucial buckets. Defensively they left plenty to be desired, however. Their 120.4 defensive rating in Orlando was the third-worst in the league – only the depleted Nuggets and nothing-to-play-for Mavericks ranked worse on the defensive end.

Most shots made in a season from 30 feet or more in NBA History

Damian Lillard – 54 at 42.5%

Trae Young – 38 at 36.5%
Trae Young – 24 at 34.3%
Stephen Curry – 21 at 46.7%

It’s Dame then daylight pic.twitter.com/Ae3aX06HYo

— Stevie Cozens (@StevieCozens) August 14, 2020

It’s all about the offense for Portland. Lillard obviously leads the way, but in CJ McCollum, Nurkic, Gary Trent Jr. and Anthony, he has plenty of players around him who can step up. Crucially, there are others who can carry the offensive burden if Memphis choose to double Lillard as Brooklyn did on Thursday.

Memphis’ Struggles

The schedule was tough for the Grizz. If anything, they were a bit fortunate to finish 2-6. They beat the Thunder without Steven Adams and faced the Bucks in their final game. Giannis Antetokounmpo was suspended and Mike Budenholzer didn’t give his starters many minutes. Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez and Eric Bledsoe all played 20 or fewer.

See you soon, @trailblazers

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) August 14, 2020

Losing Jaren Jackson Jr. to injury was a huge blow. He’s a major part of their offense, a 17-point per game scorer who shoots almost 40% on threes. Jackson is versatile on the offensive end. Memphis struggled to score – their offensive rating of 107.1 was fifth-worst in the seeding games.

The defense was solid enough, but it’s a huge ask to slow down Portland at the moment.

Leaning to Portland

The seven-point spread feels about right for this one. It seems unlikely it will move drastically before tip-off, though the performances of Lillard down the stretch could see it drift towards 7.5 or 8.

Carmelo Anthony just passed @paulpierce34 and moved into 15th on the NBA all-time scoring list 🙌 pic.twitter.com/zbATCxqFM2

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) August 9, 2020

Hot streaks obviously come to an end at some point, but Lillard is capable of prolonged runs of this Wilt-level scoring. He’s pretty much unstoppable right now. If he does begin to cool off, Portland have the depth of talent to more than make up for it.

Jackson’s absence is a real shame, but there will be plenty more opportunities to see Ja Morant in the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Grizz, 2020 will not be one of them.

Pick: Portland Trail Blazers -7 (-110)