Grizzlies v. Trail Blazers

Who will WIN this matchup?

Memphis Grizzlies (32-33)

Portland Trail Blazers (29-37)

Current odds:

Memphis Grizzlies: (+135)

Portland Trail Blazers: (-155)

• The line for this game is Blazers by 2.5 points.

• The Memphis Grizzlies are in good position for a playoff berth as they begin play in the NBA restart on Friday with a crucial game against the Portland Trail Blazers in the “bubble” environment near Orlando. Memphis is also striving to hold off the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings — also 3 1/2 games out — over the eight contests it will play in the restart. The Grizzlies have been energized by Rookie of the Year frontrunner Ja Morant, who has electrified the attack while averaging 17.6 points and 6.9 assists.

• Portland is in a desperate position as it trails the eighth-place Grizzlies by 3 1/2 games for the final Western Conference playoff spot.Portland star guard Damian Lillard has been bothered by a foot ailment but intends to play against the Grizzlies and the Trail Blazers need him as they have no games to waste. “There’s no question, we’re ready,” Portland coach Terry Stotts told reporters. “We had a lot of practice time and did a lot of things that we wanted to get done in practice. So, the games were more about just playing games.”

• Memphis understands the scenario it is in and coach Taylor Jenkins has seen the type of mindset he desires while the team has been in the Orlando area. “I think our guys are not looking too far ahead,” Jenkins said in a media availability. “… Just giving them a good base of knowledge of what they need to do out there. Our guys will be locked in and dialed in.” Morant’s youth will allow him to play more minutes and Jenkins lauded the 20-year-old’s conditioning work during the hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

• Center Jusuf Nurkic will play for the first time since badly breaking his left leg 16 months ago and power forward Zach Collins (shoulder) also will be back after being injured in October. The timing is solid as starting center Hassan Whiteside is dealing with Achilles soreness and will have his minutes limited, so all three players should have plenty of opportunities to contribute. “It’s a relief,” Whiteside told reporters of Nurkic and Collins being available. “It’s good though, it’s good to have those guys back there. To have that backup (and) that help, I always got that help out there, so it breeds confidence.

• PF Brandon Clarke matched his career best of 27 points on 12-of-14 shooting as the Grizzlies defeated the visiting Trail Blazers 111-104 on Feb. 12.

• Portland SF Trevor Ariza opted-out of the restart due to family reasons.

• Memphis backup PG Tyus Jones (knee) will miss at least one week, while SF Justise Winslow (hip) is done for the season.