After the Minnesota Timberwolves stole Game 1 at FedEx Forum, the Memphis Grizzlies will look to even up this first-round series when the two clash in Game 2 tonight. This is a must-win game for the second-seeded Grizzlies, who can’t afford to be down 2-0 when they go on the road.
Will Minnesota find a way to win back-to-back road games in what is one of the more exciting series of the entire NBA playoffs? Check out our NBA betting picks and predictions for the Timberwolves versus Grizzlies to find out.
Timberwolves vs Grizzlies odds
This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.
After opening as a 7.5-point underdog, the Timberwolves are already as low as 6.5-point underdogs by this writing. Meanwhile, the total opened absurdly high at 241.5, and you can now find it as low as 240.5. However, there are still sportsbooks that have it at either 241 or 241.5.
Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.
Timberwolves vs Grizzlies predictions
- Prediction: Timberwolves +7 (-106)
- Prediction: Over 240.5 (-120)
- Best bet: Russell Over 2.5 threes (+130)
Predictions made on 4/19/2022 at 2:00 a.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Timberwolves vs Grizzlies game info
• Location: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN
• Date: Tuesday, April 19, 2022
• Tip-off: 8:30 p.m. ET
• TV: NBA TV
Timberwolves vs Grizzlies series odds
Timberwolves: +105.
Grizzlies: -125.
Timberwolves vs Grizzlies betting preview
Key injuries
Timberwolves: None.
Grizzlies: Killian Tillie C (Questionable).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Over is 42-18 in Minnesota’s last 60 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies.
Timberwolves vs Grizzlies picks and predictions
Our side and total predictions are based upon our analysis of the line and total in this game. Our best bet is our favorite pick across all markets.
Spread analysis
The Timberwolves were tied for sixth in the NBA in offensive rating during the regular season, and they showed why in their Game 1 win over the Grizzlies. Memphis, which was tied for fifth in defensive rating this year, had no answer for Minnesota’s dynamic duo of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns. The two combined to score 65 points, showing that they weren’t intimidated by playing on the road.
The Grizzlies have one of the best coaches in basketball in Taylor Jenkins, so they should be better prepared for a must-win Game 2. But it’s hard to see them completely turning around and shutting down Minnesota here.
Even if Edwards and Towns come crashing back down to earth, the Timberwolves should get a better performance out of D’Angelo Russell. The guard, who averaged 18.1 points and 7.1 assists this year, had just 10 points on 2 of 11 shooting in Game 1. He quickly recognized that Minnesota needed him to be more of a facilitator, but he’ll attack offensively if he senses his offense getting a little stagnant.
Defensively, Minnesota did enough to contest shots and just get in the right positions, which is half the battle against an explosive Memphis offense. Patrick Beverley had some trouble defending Ja Morant during the regular season, but he was great on the Grizzlies star in Game 1. Morant was just 8-for-18 from the field and 0-for-2 from deep in that one.
Morant did end up scoring 32 points, but Minnesota will be really happy with his lack of efficiency. If Beverley can keep disrupting Morant's groove for the rest of the series, then Memphis could actually get bounced from the playoffs.
All in all, the Grizzlies should find a way to pull out a win in Game 2, and some improved play from Jaren Jackson Jr. would go a long way in them doing so. However, there isn’t much that separates these two teams, and we still expect Minnesota to show up, keep it close, and give Memphis a run for its money.
Prediction: Timberwolves +7 (-106 at FanDuel)
Over/Under analysis
It’s a really tough ask for two teams to go out and combine to score at least 241 points, but these aren’t two ordinary squads. Not only were the Timberwolves sixth in the NBA in offensive rating this season, but the Grizzlies were even better at fourth. On top of that, these were two of the fastest teams in basketball this year.
Minnesota ranked first in pace of play, while Memphis wasn’t far behind at fourth. Both teams will continue to play the way they did during the year, and that means there will be a ton of points scored in this one.
As previously mentioned, the Over has hit in 42 of the last 60 games that the Timberwolves have played, and it’s also 8-3-1 in the last 12 Grizzlies games where Memphis is coming off a double-digit loss.
If that’s not enough for you to root for the points, the Over is also 31-11-1 when Minnesota has played on the road this year. It’s also 20-2 in the games in which the Timberwolves have faced opponents that shoot at least 46% from the field in the second half of the year this season.
Prediction: Over 240.5 (-120 at BetMGM)
Best bet
In Game 1, Russell was able to sense that Edwards and Towns had it going, so he did what any good floor general would do and prioritized feeding them the basketball. Russell only ended up taking 11 shots in the game, and he took only three shots from behind the three-point line.
Given how well Minnesota played offensively, it’s hard to say he made the wrong choice in doing so. Russell will, however, need to be a bit more aggressive as a scorer as this series progresses, and you shouldn’t be surprised if he comes out firing here.
Russell averaged 31 points per game in four meetings with the Grizzlies during the regular season, so this has been a matchup that has been rather kind to the guard. He also averaged 4.8 made threes in those contests, attempting 10.3 per game in the process.
We like him to take quite a few shots from deep tonight, and getting plus-money for him to hit three seems like great value.
Pick: D’Angelo Russell Over 2.5 made threes (+130 at Unibet)
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