PREVIEW: The Portland Trail Blazers enter this matchup riding a devastating six-game losing streak , desperately seeking momentum on their home floor against a Memphis team that has recently found its footing. The Grizzlies have responded impressively to their own struggles, stringing together consecutive wins over the Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings , signaling they could pose a serious threat despite being on the road. Both squads occupy playoff positioning in the Western Conference, making this a crucial battle for maintaining play-in hopes. The Blazers rank second in post-up frequency on offense but struggle defensively against rim attacks, while their three-point shooting remains inefficient despite elite volume attempts. Memphis counters with strong defensive discipline against rim attackers and efficient free throw shooting, though they allow opponents plenty of three-point opportunities from deep. Portland faces significant injury concerns with Damian Lillard unavailable for the season, while the Grizzlies are without their star point guard Ja Morant due to an elbow injury , forcing both teams to lean heavily on secondary options. The Blazers showcase elite offensive rebounding efficiency that could provide second-chance scoring, yet their ball-handling remains problematic with excessive turnovers and isolation-heavy offense . Expect a tightly contested game where bench depth and clutch execution will likely determine the outcome, with Portland's home advantage tested against a visiting team operating with newfound confidence.