Grizzlies @ Wizards

Who will WIN this matchup?

Memphis Grizzlies (5-3)

@ Washington Wizards (5-3)

Current odds:

Memphis Grizzlies: (+115)

Washington Wizards: (-135)

• The line for this game is Wizards by 2 points.

• After the franchise’s best start in 16 years, the Washington Wizards will try to shake off a two-game losing skid Friday at Washington, D.C., hosting a Memphis Grizzlies bunch coming off back-to-back wins.

• Memphis played two straight at home Monday and Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets, winning 106-97 and 108-106. Ja Morant recorded 18 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals in Wednesday’s win, while Jaren Jackson Jr. went for 22 points and eight rebounds.

• Jackson is coming off a 2020-21 in which he missed all but 11 regular-season games due to injuries. The fourth-year forward has scored in double-figures in six of the Grizzlies’ first eight games, and Wednesday marked his second outing with 20-plus points.

• Second-year wing Desmond Bane is elevating his play early on, helping fill the void with Dillon Brooks sidelined due to a broken hand. Bane is shooting better than 41 percent from beyond the 3-point arc on almost eight attempts per game.

• Morant is setting the pace for Memphis early with a 27-point per game average thus far. The 2019-20 rookie of the year scored 26 points in Monday’s win, and 30 points in an Oct. 28 victory over Golden State in overtime.

• The Grizzlies are winners in three of their last four coming into Washington, which roared to its best start since the 2005-06 season at 5-1. Since then, the Wizards dropped a 118-111 decision Monday at Atlanta and a 109-100 contest Wednesday against visiting Toronto.

• Washington never recovered from a 30-19 second-quarter deficit in the loss. The Wizards also struggled with the backcourt tandem of Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby, who scored 33 and 21 points respectively. The Wizards can expect a similar test Friday from Morant and Bane.

• Neto was one of three Wizards to score in double figures off the bench, posting 14 points. Montrezl Harrell registered 15 points and 10 rebounds as a reserve, a role in which the offseason acquisition from the Los Angeles Lakers has thrived. Harrell is averaging 18 points and 9.9 rebounds per game with just two starts.

• Washington comes into Friday’s matchup with some potential hits to its depth. Rui Hachimura and Thomas Bryant have not yet played this season and neither has a clear timetable to return. Davis Bertans is out indefinitely with an ankle injury, and Kyle Kuzma is questionable for Friday after leaving Wednesday’s game with an arm injury.