Charlie Cummings gives his prediction and pick for tonight’s NBA matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers.

UPDATE: Deni Avdija (back) ruled out

The dust of the trade deadline has settled, and we’re ready for the stretch run. The Portland Trail Blazers are ready to lock in on their quest to make the playoffs, while the Memphis Grizzlies have all but bowed out. Will Portland take another meaningful step toward climbing out of the rebuild? Or will the new-look Grizzlies get in their way?

Portland is a -8.5 favorite, and Memphis is a +270 underdog, with the total set at 233.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook.

Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers Prediction

After the trade deadline, it’s always important to check on injury reports. You never know how things will look for a team like the Grizzlies, who shook things up in a major way over the past week. They’re missing Ja Morant, Santi Aldama, Zach Edey, and a handful of others for this matchup. But they’re not the only team feeling the injury bug here.

Shaedon Sharpe, Portland’s No. 2 scorer, will be out for tonight’s matchup with calf soreness. He joins a long list of injured players that the Blazers have managed all season long, and their depth has been thoroughly tested. But they are potentially getting their All-Star, Deni Avdija, back in the lineup. And that would be a major boost to the offense.

Avdija will be in charge of the offense. He’s an elite driver and free-throw generator, but a lot will be on his shoulders. The bigger question is who takes charge of Memphis’ offense?

Despite Morant’s absence, the Grizzlies have a few backcourt cooks in the kitchen. Ty Jerome is expected to play tonight and has been excellent since his return. They also have Cam Spencer, who will be a true tank specialist down the stretch, and Walter Clayton Jr. in the lineup. The shooting potential is there, and there’s enough passing in this backcourt to keep things moving.

Both teams are seeing their depth tested. Can the Blazers win on the strength of Avdija? Or will it be the Grizzlies spoiling the party with their newfound collection of players?

Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers Pick

The problem here for Memphis is the lack of play finishers. With Jaren Jackson Jr. gone, they’re running low on guys who can capitalize in the paint. Edey remains out, Brandon Clarke is sidelined, and Aldama has been dealing with injuries as well. They don’t even have a Jock Landale to count on. This team is going full small-ball tonight, and I don’t see it ending well.

Perhaps GG Jackson or Jaylen Wells can knock down enough shots to make up for a lack of an interior presence. But Donovan Clingan will run riot in the paint on both ends of the floor. On top of that, Avdija will be living in the paint against zero rim protectors. That’s going to be the difference.

Best Bet: Portland Trail Blazers -9.5 (-105)