Minnesota came crashing back to Earth in Game 2 against Memphis. The Timberwolves may have needed a dose of reality after riding an emotional feeling to a stunning victory in the series opener.
Sports betting guides show Minnesota faded after halftime, allowing Memphis to coast to a 28-point victory in Game 2. The Timberwolves now head home with the pressure of protecting home court and trying to show Game 1 wasn’t a fluke.
Memphis, meanwhile, is eager to flex its muscles to show why it was the second seed in the Western Conference this season. Betting stats NBA show that it is important for the lower-seeded team to protect home court. Winning on the road in the NBA playoffs is hard enough, the Grizzlies will want to put the pressure on the seventh-seeded Timberwolves.
Last Games Records
Memphis beat Minnesota 124-96 April 19 at home. The Grizzlies were 56-26 in the regular season, while the Timberwolves were 46-36.
Matchup Information
Grizzlies at Timberwolves Betting Analysis
Memphis Betting Analysis
After falling on their faces in the series opener, the Grizzlies responded with a ferocious team effort in Game 2. Memphis had seven players score in double figures in Game 2. Grizzlies guard Ja Morant scored 23 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds.
Memphis was able to get back in the series by playing at a torrid pace on offense. The Grizzlies were able to attempt 92 field goals and made 47 percent of their attempts. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane each tied for the second-highest points for Memphis by contributing 16 points apiece. Memphis didn’t shoot a great percentage from the 3-point line, making 32.4 percent (11-of-34) of its attempts from beyond the arc.
The Grizzlies were dominant in the paint, holding a 60-34 advantage in points in the paint. Memphis also did an excellent job moving the ball, handing out 29 assists on 44 made field goals. The Grizzlies also forced Minnesota into 19 turnovers.
Minnesota Betting Analysis
When it comes to offensive output, it would be difficult for Minnesota to shoot as poorly in Game 2. The Timberwolves shot well below their season average from the perimeter, making 28.9 percent (11-of-38) of their shots from beyond the arc. However, Minnesota’s offensive issues didn’t stop at the perimeter.
From the field, the Timberwolves were held to more than percent below their season average 39.5 percent. Minnesota forward Anthony Edwards scored a team-high 20 points. Karl-Anthony Towns, who recorded a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, also wasn’t effective inside.
Minnesota was effective at getting to the free-throw line, earning 28 trips to the charity stripe. The Timberwolves made 89.3 percent of their attempts.
Updates
Memphis power forward Santi Aldama has been ruled out from Game 3 with a knee injury.
- Minnesota is 34-47-3 against the spread.
- Memphis is 48-34-2 against the spread.
- The over is 38-44-2 in the Jazz’s games this season.
- The over is 32-50-2 in the Mavericks’ games this season.
- Memphis is 19-32-1 against the spread following a win.
- Minnesota is 16-17 against the spread following a loss.
Grizzlies at Timberwolves Betting Preview
NBA betting odds have Memphis as a two-point favorite. The Grizzlies are -124 on the moneyline, while the Timberwolves are +102. For anyone looking to make a different kind of NBA pick, the over/under is set at 236.5.
Grizzlies at Timberwolves Betting Prediction
Memphis showed why it was the No. 2 seed in the second game of the series. The Grizzlies clamped down on defense and made life difficult for Minnesota. The Timberwolves were riding the wave of momentum from when they won an emotional home victory in the play-in tournament. Now, Minnesota will need to show it can dig in and protect home court.
The Timberwolves have shown that when they can get the ball inside and score effectively, they could have success against Memphis. However, the Grizzlies held an advantage in rebounding and scoring points in the paint in Game 2. Minnesota will have to once again discover the formula to make sure it can dominate in the post. Playing in front of a raucous home crowd should help the Timberwolves.
This game will all boil down to which team can play better defense. Memphis seemed to find the formula in the last game, but can they replicate the formula on the road? The Grizzlies have a lot of work to do to grab a 2-1 lead. Minnesota will regain the lead by winning its first game of the series at home.
Bet Timberwolves +2.
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