Memphis was one of the few teams that ensured its main core of players was not on restrictions in exhibitions. This included Ja Morant, who played 29 minutes in Tuesday’s exhibition finale against Miami. Portland, on the other hand, went 0-3 in exhibitions and did not burden its players. Look for the Blazers to be the looser team. Grab Portland.

With the Pelicans losing a heartbreaker on Thursday, this becomes the biggest game of the season for Portland. The Blazers have big time life if they win this game. The Grizzlies were the best story in the NBA this year, but they have gone from the hunter to the hunted as they currently sit in that No. 8 spot. Portland is rested, healthy and dangerous. Rip City rolls.

The model has the total in Grizzlies-Blazers going Under 222.5 in 60 percent of the simulations as both clubs could be rusty playing their first game since the restart and in an unusual Orlando location. The Under was 6-1 in Memphis' final seven games before the shutdown and 4-1 in the past five meetings in this series. Portland will be without starting forward Trevor Ariza as he has opted-out of the restart. Carmelo Anthony likely takes his spot.