In Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals, the Memphis Grizzlies will host the Minnesota Timberwolves. The match will take place on 20 April at 03:30 AM (+3 UTC). The Timberwolves took the Grizzlies by surprise in the first game and took a brilliant 117:130 victory as Anthony Edwards scooped up 36 points and Anthony-Towns scrapped up 28 points. Can the Grizzlies claim their supremacy back here?
Bet on Memphis Grizzlies - Minnesota Timberwolves
Best bets on Grizzlies vs Timberwolves
Win/Lose/Handicap: Bookmakers from 22bet favor the Grizzlies to win this game with the odds of 1.31. These are the same odds Grizzlies last time around and the bookmakers are not fazed despite the Grizzlies’ 13-points loss in Game 1. This is understandable considering the team came off a long rest and ran into a tightly-knit offensive unit. I am siding with the bookmakers here. I believe the Grizzlies will take care of business here and come with a 10+ points win at least. To be on the safe side, I’d suggest betting on the handicap of 9.5 which has the odds of 2.29. (Handicap 1 -9.5)
Player Props: Bookmakers at bet365 predict that the odds of Jaren Jackson going past 2.5 blocks(at least 3 blocks) are 1.95 here. Jackson is one of the best defenders in the league and had 7 blocks in the last game, so it is not a surprise if he breaches the 2 blocks mark again. I do see him being a huge factor on defense again and a bet on him swatting more than 2.5 shots is not a bad one. (Player Props: Player Blocks: Jaren Jackson Over 2.5)
Bookmakers at 1xbet suggest that the odds of the total being over 241.5 are 201. Not a surprise considering that the last battle between the two fetched 247 points, however, I see much more defense being played here and the Grizzlies especially keeping it tight. That is why think it will be Under 241.5. (Total Under 241.5)
Where to Watch Grizzlies vs Timberwolves
This game is available on the NBA League Pass.
Bet on Memphis Grizzlies - Minnesota Timberwolves
Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies did score 117 but shot just 25% from the three-point line, however, the biggest difference for me was an area where the Grizzlies have been terrific; rebounding. The Timberwolves grabbed 46 in comparison to the Grizzlies’ 35 and that surely made a world of difference. Other than that, the team allowed way too much leeway for Anthony Edwards who ended up 30+ points whereas Karl Anthony-Towns had one of his best games as he kept Steven Adams off the board, which is not easy. Steven Adams will need to be his usual self in this game while Jaren Jackson can’t afford to shoot below 33% against the high-scoring Timberwolves. In a positive, he did block seven shots whereas the team held Russell to a sub-par night. However, their work is cut out for the next game.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Timberwolves have shown that they are one of the hottest offensive teams and their multiple scorers can act in different capacities during different scenarios. The team made 16 threes whereas apart from Anthony-Towns and Edwards, Malik Beasley was coasting and scored 23 points. Jaden McDaniels scored 15 points and grabbed 7 rebounds in the last game and the Wolves bench massively outscored the Grizzlies one. Now, it will be a matter of getting it done on the defensive end like the last game but I am 100% sure that the Grizzlies will be coming with a much better effort. The Wolves allowed Morant to score 32 points and also gave away 43 free-throw attempts. Perhaps, the athletic Grizzlies can force another such scenario again.
Grizzlies vs Timberwolves: possible lineups
- Grizzlies most likely starting five: PG: Ja Morant | SG: Desmond Bane | SF: Dillon Brooks | PF: Jaren Jackson Jr | C: Steven Adams;
- Timberwolves most likely starting five: PG: D’Angelo Russell | PG: Patrick Beverley | SF: Anthony Edwards | PF: Jarred Vanderbilt | C: Karl Anthony-Towns.
