NBA In-Season Tournament: West Group A Teams & Game Previews

Nov. 3: Grizzlies at Trail Blazers, 10:00 p.m. ET

The Grizzlies and Trail Blazers will start things up for Group A on Friday night. Memphis will travel out West and steal a win on the road to start group play. Meanwhile, the Blazers will have plans of their own as they look to defend home court and prove they’re more than just a rebuilding team. The matchup will be interesting. Portland’s Scoot Henderson will likely be shadowed by former NBA DPOY Marcus Smart, while Deandre Ayton will have a tough matchup with Jaren Jackson Jr. defending him. The winner of this game will probably be determined by the Grizzlies’ defensive ability to slow down a quick and explosive young Blazers team.

Phoenix Suns (+125 to win Group A)

The Phoenix Suns are favorites to win this group and the tournament but also enter the year as a favorite to win the NBA championship. With the team’s offseason additions highlighted by Bradley Beal and Jusuf Nurkic, the Suns have as much firepower as anyone in the league. A big three of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Beal will be a nightmare to defend against opposing defenses. However, starting the season, Phoenix has already been hit with the injury bug, seeing Beal and Booker miss time. While neither injury is expected to be long-term, if the Suns enter group play injured, it may allow other teams to steal a win or two. Not to mention, if the team stars do come back during group play, it may take time to develop chemistry on the court. Regardless, Phoenix is the team to beat in Group A.

Los Angeles Lakers (+220 to win Group A)

It seems fair to say that as long as LeBron James is on the Lakers, the team will always be in the mix to win, regardless if it’s a championship, a tournament, or a regular-season game. Rob Pelinka has done an excellent job putting together the Los Angeles roster and building around LeBron and Anthony Davis. Thanks to Pelinka, the Lakers are another team with a deep bench that can compete with any team in the league. Winning the first ever in-season tournament in NBA history is an accomplishment every team will be chasing. And with the history of the Lakers franchise, it would only be fitting to write their name alongside another accomplishment in the history book. And LA has the talent to do just that, but it all starts with the group play.

Memphis Grizzlies (+330 to win Group A):

The Grizzlies have had a rough beginning to the season, starting the year 0-4. Memphis will also be starting group play without their young star, Ja Morant, who has been suspended for the first 25 games of the season. In addition to Morant, the Grizzlies will also be without starting center Steven Adams for the rest of the season due to a knee injury. Two tough absences to begin group play. Nonetheless, the Grizz grabbed some insurance for these issues this offseason, and the addition of Marcus Smart alone adds to an already talented roster. It’s shocking to say the least to see the Grizzlies start this slowly, but if and when the team gets their first win, it won’t be a surprise if the team continues to build off of it. And with Taylor Jenkins running the show, it’s a safe bet to say that Memphis will be a tough matchup for each team in the group play, especially as they continue to develop chemistry.

Utah Jazz (+1000 to win Group A)

The Jazz don’t have the talent or firepower these other teams do, but by no means should they be counted out. Will Hardy has this young Jazz team competing hard, and with Lauri Markkanen developing into a star, the Jazz have shown the potential to beat any team on any given night. Utah has done a great job building a young and competent roster early in their rebuilding stage. Now, the Jazz have their sights set on defying the odds and putting themselves back into the postseason. While it would be a bit of a surprise for Utah to come out on top of Group A, you can’t count them out.

Portland Trail Blazers (+1600 to win Group A)

The Trail Blazers finally initiated their long-overdue rebuild before the start of the season. With a new face of the franchise in Scoot Henderson, the Blazers aren’t setting expectations for their new young group. In addition to the young guys, Portland managed to bring in plenty of talent through the trades of Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday. And just because the team has no expectations doesn’t mean they won't look to prove their doubters wrong. The Blazers will bring a young and scrappy team to group play, and sometimes those squads can do damage, especially if they’re being overlooked. Only time will tell, but for now, Portland enters Group A as the underdog.

Nov. 3: Grizzlies at Trail Blazers, 10:00 p.m. ET

The Grizzlies and Trail Blazers will start things up for Group A on Friday night. Memphis will travel out West and steal a win on the road to start group play. Meanwhile, the Blazers will have plans of their own as they look to defend home court and prove they’re more than just a rebuilding team. The matchup will be interesting. Portland’s Scoot Henderson will likely be shadowed by former NBA DPOY Marcus Smart, while Deandre Ayton will have a tough matchup with Jaren Jackson Jr. defending him. The winner of this game will probably be determined by the Grizzlies’ defensive ability to slow down a quick and explosive young Blazers team.