The NBA’s post-trade deadline period kicked off with a compelling Western Conference clash on February 6, 2026, as the Memphis Grizzlies traveled to Oregon to face the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. Both teams entered the contest with much to prove—Memphis, after a seismic roster shakeup, and Portland, desperate to end a six-game losing skid and reignite their Play-In Tournament ambitions. The stakes? High. The intrigue? Off the charts.
For the Grizzlies, the night marked a new era. After weeks of speculation, Memphis had parted ways with Jaren Jackson Jr., a cornerstone of their defense and a multi-time All-Defense selection. The trade with the Utah Jazz netted Memphis a trio of future first-round picks and a couple of promising prospects, signaling a pivot toward a rebuild and a focus on youth. Yet, the franchise’s commitment to competitiveness was evident just two nights prior, when the retooled Grizzlies pulled off a gutsy 129-125 win over the Sacramento Kings in their first game without Jackson Jr.
Heading into the Portland matchup, Memphis held a 20-29 record, sitting 20th in NET rating at -1.7 and ranking sixth in pace. The Grizzlies’ offense averaged 115.3 points per game—good for 17th in the league—while shooting 53.4% from two-point range and 34.9% from downtown. They excelled at moving the ball, ranking fifth in assists per game (28.9) and sixth in rebounds (45.8 per contest), though the departure of starting center Jock Landale raised questions about their interior presence. On the defensive end, Memphis allowed 117.0 points per game, a figure likely to rise without Jackson Jr.’s shot-blocking and versatility.
Injuries continued to dog the Grizzlies. Ja Morant and Zach Edey remained sidelined with long-term ailments, while Santi Aldama (knee) was unavailable. The status of Kyle Anderson (illness) and Scotty Pippen Jr. (back) was uncertain as tipoff approached. Adding to the uncertainty, Ty Jerome—who had been a revelation since joining the rotation, averaging 22.3 points and 7.0 assists over his first three games—was ruled out with a calf injury. Cedric Coward (13.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists), Jaylen Wells (12.0 points), and sharpshooter Cam Spencer (11.9 points, 45.8% from three) were expected to shoulder a greater load. New addition Taylor Hendricks, acquired in the Jackson Jr. deal, was likely to make his debut, injecting even more youth into an already evolving lineup.
On the opposing bench, the Portland Trail Blazers were in damage-control mode. With a 23-28 record and a six-game losing streak, the Blazers’ hopes of climbing into postseason contention were hanging by a thread. The team ranked 22nd in NET rating (-2.8) and played at the eighth-fastest pace in the NBA. Offensively, Portland matched Memphis with 115.3 points per game (18th), but their defense was porous, surrendering 118.1 points per outing (23rd). Efficiency was a concern—Portland shot 54.5% from two (16th) and a league-worst 33.6% from beyond the arc, despite hoisting the third-most three-point attempts league-wide.
Portland’s injury woes mirrored Memphis’s. Damian Lillard was out for the season with an Achilles injury, and key contributors Kris Murray (lumbar) and Matisse Thybulle (knee) were also sidelined. The biggest question mark was All-Star forward Deni Avdija, who had emerged as the team’s engine with 25.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.7 assists per game but was questionable due to a lingering back strain. Shaedon Sharpe (21.8 points) and Jrue Holiday (14.4 points, 6.6 assists) provided support in the backcourt, while rookie center Donovan Clingan was a force on the glass, averaging a double-double (11.2 points, 11.2 rebounds) and leading the NBA with 4.6 offensive rebounds per game. Jerami Grant, coming off the bench, chipped in an impressive 18.7 points a night.
Bookmakers saw the Blazers as clear favorites. DraftKings Sportsbook listed Portland as 8.5-point home favorites, with -305 odds on the Moneyline. Memphis, despite their recent win and fresh faces, entered as +245 underdogs. The game’s total was set at 234.5 points, and betting splits revealed that 78% of straight wagers backed Portland to win, while 52% favored the under on total points. Other books, including those cited by The Athletic, had Portland as 9.5-point favorites, reflecting consensus around the Blazers’ edge—especially if Avdija suited up.
Statistically, the matchup was tight. Both teams averaged 115.3 points per game, and the difference between what each side scored and allowed was marginal—just 1.7 points separated Portland’s offense from Memphis’s defense, and vice versa. Memphis’s rebounding advantage (sixth in the league) was tempered by the loss of Landale and the likely interior dominance of Clingan, who had pulled down 15 or more boards in five of his last eight games.
Recent trends painted a mixed picture for the Grizzlies. They were just 6-12 against the spread in their previous 18 games and had struggled on the road, going 1-6 straight up in their last seven away contests. The total had gone over in seven of Memphis’s last ten games, but when facing Portland on the road, the under had hit in seven of the last eight meetings. Portland, meanwhile, was 27-23-1 against the spread for the season and boasted a 15-11 ATS mark at home.
With both teams navigating injuries and lineup changes, the game promised unpredictability. Would Memphis’s young core rise to the occasion, or would Portland’s desperate push for a win finally bear fruit? The betting community seemed to favor the latter, especially with the Blazers’ rebounding strength and home-court advantage.
As the Moda Center crowd settled in for the late tip, all eyes were on the new-look Grizzlies and the embattled Trail Blazers. With playoff implications, debut performances, and streaks on the line, the matchup was more than just another regular-season game—it was a litmus test for two teams at a crossroads.
With the action still unfolding, fans and analysts alike are watching closely to see which squad will seize the moment and chart a new course for the remainder of the NBA season.