Memphis Grizzlies vs Portland Trail Blazers Picks and Predictions for Thursday October 29 2026
Portland just put 136 on the Lakers, and now everybody wants to talk about how good the Blazers look. Fair enough. They’ve won three straight, they’re scoring like crazy, and they’re back home Thursday. But I’ve got a question. What happens when they run into somebody who actually makes them work for their shots? Because Memphis has been doing that to everybody.
The Grizzlies head to Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, Thursday night for a 10:00 PM ET tipoff. Both teams are unbeaten. Memphis is 4-0, Portland is 3-0, and neither wants to be the first one to lose. I’m going with the Grizzlies on the moneyline. Portland might be the more exciting team to watch right now, but I’d rather have the club that’s been getting stops when it needs them. Get ready for all the action with our free NBA picks.
Memphis Grizzlies Are Winning Games They Used to Lose
Memphis is 4-0, and three of those wins came on the road. That’s what caught my attention. The Grizzlies went into Golden State and won 111-108. Then they beat Sacramento 123-112 before heading to Utah and winning 110-105 Monday. Nothing fancy about that last one. They scored enough, made a few important stops and went home with another win. Last season, Memphis lost 57 games. This is already looking like a different bunch.
Here’s what I like. The Grizzlies are scoring 116.8 a night and allowing 107. They don’t need to get into a shooting contest to win. Against Golden State, they held on in a three-point game. Against Utah, they won despite scoring only 110. And they’ve been rebounding well, grabbing nearly 50 a night. Portland wants to get moving, take threes and make you play faster than you’re comfortable playing. Memphis has shown it can win without getting dragged into that kind of game.
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Ty Jerome has been terrific, averaging 29.8 points and 6.5 assists. He’s shooting better than 50 percent from the floor, too. That’s not somebody just throwing up shots. Cameron Boozer is averaging 14.8 points and 10.5 rebounds, and Jaylen Wells has been giving them another 14.8 points a game. Memphis has gotten contributions from different guys instead of asking one player to carry everything. The latest matchup reports haven’t listed any major absences, although I’d still check the final injury report before tipoff.
Portland Trail Blazers Have Been Lighting Everybody Up
Portland is 3-0, and I won’t pretend those wins weren’t impressive. The Blazers beat Golden State 128-106, handled Utah 124-97 and then went into Los Angeles Tuesday and beat the Lakers 136-129. That’s a pretty good start. Beating the Lakers on the road is one thing. Scoring 136 while doing it is another. Portland has been getting whatever shots it wants, and opponents haven’t been able to slow things down.
The Blazers are averaging 129.3 points and shooting better than 50 percent. They’re also making 17 threes a game. That’s a lot of points coming from outside, and when those shots are falling, Portland can bury somebody in a hurry. But Memphis has been allowing only 107 a night. There’s the matchup. The Blazers want this game moving fast, and the Grizzlies would probably be happy to make them play in the half court. Portland’s defense has been good so far, allowing 110.7, but I think Memphis can score against them without needing to run up and down all night.
Portland has been doing all this while missing Shaedon Sharpe, who’s out with a meniscus injury. Scoot Henderson has also been dealing with an ankle problem, and Branden Carlson has been in concussion protocol. That’s some missing depth. It hasn’t hurt much yet, but Memphis is going to make Portland earn its points. The Blazers can’t count on hitting 17 threes every night, and if those shots aren’t falling, somebody has to find another way to score.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Portland Trail Blazers Picks and Predictions
Memphis Grizzlies Moneyline
I’m taking Memphis. You can have Portland’s 129 points a game. I’ll take the Grizzlies holding teams to 107. That’s not a knock on the Blazers, because they’ve been terrific. But Memphis has already won three road games, including a close one against Golden State, and I trust that defense when the game gets tight. Portland can absolutely win if the threes keep falling. Seventeen makes a night will beat just about anybody. I just don’t expect the Blazers to keep shooting like that forever. Memphis has enough scoring to stay with them, and I think the Grizzlies make a few more stops late. That’s where I’d put my money.
Under 235.5 Points — Target Total
I’ll take Under 235.5, although Portland’s offense makes me a little nervous. The Blazers have scored 128, 124 and 136. If they get rolling again, this could turn into a long night for anybody holding an Under ticket. But Memphis hasn’t allowed more than 112 points in a game. Four games, and nobody has gotten past that number. I think the Grizzlies will make Portland work longer for its shots and keep the pace from getting completely out of hand. Memphis doesn’t have to slow the game to a crawl. It just needs to avoid giving Portland easy baskets every time down the floor. I can see the Grizzlies winning something like 116-112.
Final Picks: Memphis Grizzlies Moneyline and Under 235.5 Points (target total)
Preview revised October 28, 2026.
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