Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies Predictions, Picks, Odds

First Round NBA Playoff action will resume Saturday mid-afternoon with a heavyweight Western Conference clash between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies. Coverage begins from FedExForum in Memphis at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

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Score Prediction

Grizzlies 118, Timberwolves 106

Best Bets

Under 236.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies Predictions

After finishing eighth in the West with a record of 38-34 SU last year, Memphis briefly kept that same ball rolling with another mediocre start to this season, as the Grizzlies opened with a relatively pedestrian 9-10 SU and 10-9 ATS skid – with nine of those losses coming by 10+ PTS.

However, Memphis has arguably been the hottest team in basketball since that opening skid, considering the Grizzlies closed out the regular season with an impressive 47-16 SU and 42-20-1 ATS run – while tallying 117.4 OPPG and allowing just 108.1 DPPG across that window.

On the other hand, Minnesota also posted a surprisingly start to the season, as the Timberwolves kicked things off with a disappointing 11-15 SU skid – while averaging just 107.7 OPPG during that period.

Minnesota has played excellent since mid-December though, considering the Wolves enter the postseason riding a sturdy 36-21 SU and 32-23-2 ATS stretch – while generating 119.4 OPPG and surrendering 116.9 DPPG across that window.

I’ll take the under here, as Tuesday’s Play-In victory over Los Angeles makes the Wolves 5-6 SU and 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games, while averaging 118.1 OPPG during that span – setting the stage for a relatively low-scoring battle against a Grizzlies squad that allowed just 112.3 DPPG across their 12-4 SU run to close out the regular season.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies Betting Odds

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Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies Betting Resources

• Matchup: Northwest vs. Southwest
• Date: Saturday, April 16, 2022
• Venue: FedExForum
• Location: Memphis, TN
• TV-Time: ESPN - 3:30 p.m. ET
• Injury Report
• NBA Playoff Betting Central

Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Analysis

• SU: 47-36
• ATS: 42-38-2
• O/U: 50-32

After last year’s lackluster 23-49 SU showing, Minnesota initially kept that same train rolling with another frustrating to this season, as the Timberwolves kicked things off with a frustrating 11-15 SU and ATS skid – with nine of those SU losses coming by 10+ PTS.

However, Minnesota has admirably flipped the script since December, considering the Wolves enter their first-round playoff matchup riding a solid 36-21 SU and 32-23-2 ATS stretch – despite getting tagged as underdogs in 23 of those contests.

Memphis Grizzlies Betting Analysis

• SU: 56-26
• ATS: 52-29-1
• O/U: 43-38-1

After finishing eighth in the West with a record of 38-34 SU last year, Memphis briefly flew under the radar by posting a 9-10 SU start to this season, which inevitably led to getting tagged as underdogs in seven-of-ten matchups to kick off December – but quickly stole the spotlight with a trio of upset victories and a 7-3 SU record across that window.

Memphis has absolutely dominated since that point though, considering the Grizzlies enter the postseason riding an impressive 47-16 SU and 42-20-1 ATS run – while racking up 117.4 OPPG and allowing just 108.1 DPPG during that timeframe.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies Head-to-Head

The Grizzlies swept a three-game regular-season set against Minnesota last year, with the first and third matchups soaring over the total at a lofty average of 249.5 PPG, while their second meeting stayed under with a score of 120-108 (U 232). However, Memphis and Minnesota split a four-game set 2-2 SU this season, with the first two matchups soaring over the total at an average of 238 PPG – while their most recent two affairs stayed under at an average of 228.5 PPG.

Key Players to Watch

• MIN: Karl-Anthony Towns - C (24.6 PPG, 9.8 REB, 3.6 AST)
• MIN: Anthony Edwards - SG (21.3 PPG, 4.8 REB, 3.8 AST)
• MEM: Ja Morant - PG (27.4 PPG, 5.7 REB, 6.7 AST)
• MEM: Desmond Bane - SF (18.2 PPG, 4.4 REB, 2.7 AST)

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies Betting Conclusion

After knocking off the Clippers in a thrilling home Play-In game on Tuesday night (109-104), the Timberwolves hit the road for Saturday’s first-round series opener as relatively steep underdogs against the Grizzlies at FedExForum – marking the fourth time Minnesota has been an underdog across their last nine contests.

I’ll take under here, as Memphis closed out the regular season with an impressive 12-4 SU and 9-6-1 ATS run, while tallying 122.6 OPPG and allowing just 112.3 DPPG during that span – setting the stage for a relatively low-scoring battle against a Wolves squad that’s averaging 118.1 DPPG across their current 3-8 ATS skid.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies Betting Trends

• The Wolves are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games.
• The Grizzlies are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games.
• The total has gone OVER in five of the last six Wolves' games.
• The total has gone OVER in four of the last five Grizzlies' games.
• The Grizzlies are 8-2 ATS in their last ten matchups against Minnesota.
• The total has gone OVER in five of the last eight matchups between Memphis and Minnesota.