These franchises will meet twice in the next 10 days. The Memphis Grizzlies (24-14; 24-14-0 ATS) and Minnesota Timberwolves (20-17; 15-21-1 ATS) have the first in Target Center. Saturday's clash is scheduled to tip off at 8:00 p.m. EST. Last season, the Timberwolves won all four matchups with Memphis. Can the Grizzlies strike back this weekend?
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A Western Conference battle is on deck. Check out our Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves prediction.
Memphis Trying to Make Up Ground
The Grizzlies have not been sharp lately, losing four of their past six. Their latest defeat came by four against Houston. Despite battling injuries, Memphis has the fourth-best net rating in the league. Led by Ja Morant (21.5 ppg, 7.7 apg), this team is second in scoring and fifth in offensive rating. Memphis is fourth in rim efficiency, 10th in three-point percentage, and sixth in true shooting. No team averages more free throw attempts than the Grizzlies, and only one team has a higher offensive rebounding rate. This team's greatest offensive flaw is their turnover rate, which is ranked 27th. Will Memphis hide that hole and get back in the win column?
Meanwhile, Memphis is also ranked fifth in defensive rating. They're top-five at forcing misses from all three scoring levels. These Grizzlies also force the fifth-most turnovers per contest. Memphis is active on the defensive end. Their defensive rebounding rate (20th) can get them in trouble. The Grizzlies allow the second-most free throw attempts per game, which also tends to bite them. How will this trip to Minnesota treat the Grizzlies?
Key Injuries - GG Jackson (out); Marcus Smart (out); Cam Spencer (out); Vince Williams Jr. (out)
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Minnesota Has Been a Mess
The good news for the Timberwolves is that they've won three in a row. What's unfortunate is that this has happened a few times this season, and a three-game losing streak tends to follow. Minnesota has been unsteady during this campaign, although Thursday's 104-89 win flexed the league's sixth-best defensive rating. Rudy Gobert may be patrolling the paint but this defense's highlight is the third-lowest three-point percentage allowed. They're also surrendering the sixth-fewest free throw attempts and forcing turnovers at the eighth-highest rate. The Timberwolves are 18th in defensive rebounding rate. Will their recent dominance return home with them?
Scoring has been the issue in Minneapolis, as the Timberwolves are 21st in offensive rating. Outside of three-point shooting (7th in attempts, 5th in percentage), Minnesota's offense is undeniably shaky. The Timberwolves are 19th in rim efficiency. This offense is 17th in offensive rebounding rate, 24th in turnover rate, and 25th in free throw attempts per game. Their major offseason trade has not paid off on this end of the floor. Does Minnesota have enough in them to overcome Memphis?
Key Injuries - Rob Dillingham (out)
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Best Bets for Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
The Timberwolves aren't reliable enough offensively to compete in this game. Memphis holds teams to the fourth-lowest three-point percentage and anywhere inside the arc is where opposing teams want Minnesota to shoot. The Grizzlies will stifle them there too. Memphis' defense will force a ton of turnovers to end Minnesota's possessions early.
Entering this game, the Grizzlies have scored more than 110 points in five straight. Minnesota has gone four straight games without reaching that mark. Memphis' offensive rebounding will earn them crucial second chances that help them outscore the Timberwolves. Take the visitors on Saturday night.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
With the way that these offenses turn the ball over, getting shots up will be a challenge. That's before considering each defense is top 10 in turnover rate. Minnesota will do everything to slow the pace at home, and Saturday's game will be a defensive struggle.
The Timberwolves have gone 23 games without scoring more than 115 points. They won't do it against a Grizzlies defense that can neutralize their three-point shooting. Meanwhile, Minnesota will keep Memphis off the free throw line, force turnovers, and disrupt their offense as much as possible. The Timberwolves have held two opponents under 100 points, and the other under 110, during this winning streak. Take the under between elite defensive squads.
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