Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies Prediction, NBA Odds
The Grizzlies enter the postseason as the No. 2 seed in the West after going 56-26 during the regular season, equaling a franchise record. However, the club closed out their schedule with just one win in their final three contests. The Timberwolves return to the playoffs for the first time since 2018 after claiming the No. 7 seed with a 109-104 victory over the LA Clippers in play-in tournament action, but ride an eight-game road losing streak in postseason action.
The Grizzlies have faded slightly to 6.5-point favourites to win on the NBA odds since opening as 7-point chalk despite attracting 61 per cent of the betting action. The T-Wolves have improved to +215 moneyline underdogs. There has been plenty of movement on the total, which opened at 235, and dipped to 233.5 before rebounding to its current position at 236.
Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies NBA Betting Odds
Saturday afternoon’s matchup at FedExForum marks the first ever postseason meeting between these clubs. The two teams split a four-game regular season series, with home teams prevailing straight up and against the spread in each of those contests. However, the Grizzlies have historically dominated when facing the T-Wolves, winning 14 of their past 19 meetings, including eight of nine on home hardwood. High scoring has been commonplace in recent head-to-head clashes, with the total topping 230 in four of their past five. However, it has been the UNDER that has paid out in each of their past two matchups.
The Timberwolves face a huge task to flip the script on a dismal playoff narrative. Minnesota has reached the postseason on just one previous occasion since 2004, when they tallied the only two playoff series wins in franchise history. The club has compiled just 12 total wins over nine previous First Round appearances, and is winless in their past seven First Round series openers played on the road. Memphis has bowed out in the First Round in four of their past five postseason appearances, and sport a meagre 3-7 record in their past 10 playoff home games. However, the Grizzlies have nine of their past 11 as home chalk during the playoffs, and are 3-1-2 against the spread in their past six when favoured by at least six points.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl-Anthony Towns powered the Timberwolves attack during the regular season, racking up a team-leading 24.6 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game. Towns maintained that pace down the stretch, averaging 26 points over his past four appearances and recording double-doubles in each of his past three. He also averaged 23.3 points and 9.3 boards in four dates with the Grizzlies this season.
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies’ bid to bury their recent playoff failures will likely hinge on the health of Ja Morant. The rising star was limited to just 57 regular season appearances, and missed nine straight games due to a knee injury before returning for last Saturday’s 141-114 win over New Orleans. Morant averaged 27.4 points per game this season, but has produced mixed results versus Minnesota, averaging 15.7 points over his past three dates with the T-Wolves.
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