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The Portland Trail Blazers ended a seven-game road losing streak last time out with an improbable comeback win at the Memphis Grizzlies but saw starters Jusuf Nurkic and Jerami Grant get injured in the victory. Nurkic will not play tonight at Washington and Grant is likely on the wrong side of questionable. Thus, the Wizards are 4.5-point favorites on the NBA odds.

Nurkic, who was probable entering Wednesday’s game with left calf soreness, aggravated the injury after just two minutes of action and was ruled out for the remainder of the contest. The team hasn’t placed a timetable on the 28-year-old center’s return to action but with the All-Star break around the corner, it may play it safe and keep him out until after. Nurkic is averaging 13.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. The Wizards won’t mind Nurkic sitting as he has recorded double-doubles in his last three games against Washington.

Backup center Drew Eubanks had a strong performance in place of Nurkic, recording 11 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block in 23 minutes against the Grizzlies and should start tonight.

At this stage of his career, Nurkic is an ineffective rim deterrent due to his lack of quickness and verticality. Teams target him, and he’s averaging a career-high 3.7 fouls per game. Blazers coach Chauncey Billups has started favoring Eubanks in close games. Eubanks provides more consistent energy than Nurkic, but he’s smaller, so Portland is even weaker on the glass. Eubanks is also a much better fit on offense. Of the 44 bigs to attempt at least 50 shots in the restricted area, Eubanks ranks second in field goal percentage (83.8 percent), behind only New York‘s Jericho Sims (84 percent).

Grant exited Wednesday’s win over the Grizzlies early due to concussion symptoms. If Grant sits out, more minutes could be in store for Nassir Little, Jabari Walker, Trendon Watford and others. In his first season in Portland after being acquired in an offseason trade with the Pistons, Grant is averaging 21.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game on .488/.422/.797 shooting through 48 contests (35.8 MPG)

The Blazers recently offered Grant a four-year, $112 million extension and he turned it down. It was the most the team could offer right now under the collective bargaining agreement. If he becomes an unrestricted free agent, the 28-year-old would be eligible for a deal worth up to a projected $233MM+ over five years from Portland. He has until June 30 to decide whether to accept Portland’s current offer, so there’s no rush to get anything done during the season.

Washington isn’t listing any key players on the injury report tonight as they meet the Blazers for the first time this season. Portland swept last season. In 18 career games against the Wizards, Damian Lillard has scored 30-plus points seven times, including four of his last five matchups.

The road team has claimed victory in nine of the last 11 games between these two teams. Washington has not defeated Portland at home since Jan. 16, 2017 (120-101). The Wizards’ +19 margin of victory in that game is tied for the seventh-highest in series history and is the largest win over the Trail Blazers since the 2007-08 season. The Wizards have scored 110+ points against the Blazers in four consecutive games.

Wizards star Bradley Beal is averaging 22.0 points on a career-best .512 clip from the floor this season. If he finishes averaging at least 20 points this season, Beal would pass Elvin Hayes (6) for the most 20+ point per game seasons in franchise history with seven.

Kristaps Porzingis is one of only three players in the league to average at least 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 block during the 2022-23 NBA season. Kyle Kuzma is averaging career-highs in points (21.8) and assists (3.9). He has scored 20+ points in 26 of his last 34 appearances and his 32 games with 20+ points are the most in a single season in his career.

Wizards vs. Trail Blazers Game Time and How to Watch

Game Day: Friday, February 3, 2023
Game Time: 7:00 PM ET
TV Channel: NBC
Location: Washington D.C.
Arena: Capital One Arena

Wizards vs. Trail Blazers Point Spread Trends

Washington Wizards have not hit the Point Spread in 5 of their last 9 Away games
Washington Wizards have not covered the Point Spread in 11 of their last 20 games
Washington Wizards have not hit the Point Spread in 6 of their last 11 Home games
In the last 5 of 9 Home games, the Portland Trail Blazers have not covered the Point Spread bet
Portland Trail Blazers have covered the Point Spread in 8 of their last 11 Away games
Portland Trail Blazers have hit the Point Spread in 11 of their last 20 games