The Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies will meet for Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals on Tuesday night. It's time to continue our NBA betting odds series with a Timberwolves-Grizzlies prediction and pick.
The Timberwolves went into Memphis and stole Game 1 from the Grizzlies with a 130-117 victory. Now, Minnesota hopes to snag Game 2 and take a commanding 2-0 series lead heading home.
Anthony Edwards went off for 36 points in Game 1. He shot 12-for-23 from the field, including four conversions from beyond the arc. In addition to Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns contributed 29 points with 13 rebounds. D'Angelo Russell produced 10 points and nine assists. Patrick Beverley chipped in 10 points. Furthermore, the starters had plenty of firepower from the bench. Malik Beasley scored 23 points, including four 3-point conversions. Additionally, Jaden McDaniels scored 15 points and produced seven rebounds. The bench players as a unit churned out 43 points.
Meanwhile, Ja Morant scored 32 points with eight assists. He went 8-for-18 from the field but didn't hit a 3-pointer. Dillon Brooks had 24 points on 7-for-14 shooting. Desmond Bane scored 17 points on 6-for-15 shooting. However, Jaren Jackson struggled. He scored 12 points on 4-for-13 from the floor. Additionally, he went 0-for-5 on 3-pointers. The Memphis bench mustered 32 points. The Grizzlies will be hoping for a better performance defensively as they allowed 130 points. Furthermore, Memphis allowed Minnesota to score 41 points in the first quarter and will need to make adjustments to win Game 2.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Timberwolves-Grizzlies Game 2 odds.
NBA Odds: Timberwolves-Grizzlies Game 2 Odds
Timberwolves: +6.5 (-108)
Grizzlies: -6.5 (-112)
Over: 241 (-110)
Under: 241 (-110)
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Why The Timberwolves Could Cover The Spread
Minnesota came out strong in Game 1 and never faltered. The Wolves did this by shooting better, winning the battle on the boards, and converting their free-throw attempts. Additionally, the bench supported the Wolves, continuing a pattern set during the season.
The Timberwolves have two megastars in Towns and Edwards. Minnesota also has Russell, who can handle the ball as well as anyone in the NBA. The Wolves have the combination of muscle and finesse to allow them to control the pace and frustrate the Grizzlies. It allowed them to win the rebounding battle 46-35 in Game 1. Additionally, their ability to convert free throws was an enormous reason they won the first game. The Wolves hit 88.9 percent, while the Grizzlies converted only 74.4 percent.
Minnesota will cover the spread if it jumps out to a strong lead early. This forces Memphis to play on its heels and mount a comeback attempt. It relieves some pressure off the bench and allows players to play more loosely. Because of this, it gives players like Beasley and McDaniels the opportunity to shine without worrying about forcing terrible shots. The Wolves have the big men needed to take the battle of the boards. Scoring early, controlling the boards, and converting on free-throw attempts will help Minnesota cover the spread. It may help them steal Game 2 to take the lead back to Minnesota.
Why The Grizzles Could Cover The Spread
Memphis still has one of the most talented squads in the NBA. However, the Grizzlies have struggled to put the Timberwolves away all season. Their two wins came by less than 10 points, but barely enough to cover what the spread would be for Game 2. How do they rise to the challenge and cover in Game 2?
It all starts with stopping Edwards and Towns. The Grizzlies have to play better defense on their end and contain the two most dangerous players on the Wolves. In addition to that, Memphis needs Jackson to perform better. He has been the cog in the engine to support Morant all season long. Now it is the playoffs, and he must recover from a subpar Game 1 performance.
The Grizzlies have struggled from beyond the arc all season, and it happened again in Game 1. Memphis shot 25.9 percent from beyond the arc. That stat has to improve if the Grizzlies are to keep pace with the Wolves and put them away. Converting free-throw attempts would go a long way toward helping Memphis win. Lastly, they must control the battle on the boards.
Memphis will cover the spread if its star players perform better. Also, the Grizzlies have to prevent Edwards and Towns from dominating the game. The Grizzlies must come out ready to convert on opportunities from the charity line and rebound the ball better, and getting a better performance from Steven Adams would help.
Final Timberwolves-Grizzlies Game 2 Prediction & Pick
The Grizzlies have to come out with much more energy than in Game 1. Memphis has the talent and the scheme to stop Minnesota. However, the lingering question is if they can accomplish the feat. The Grizzlies might come out with more resilience. However, it is difficult to trust Memphis to win anything other than a game that goes down to the wire.
Final Timberwolves-Grizzlies Game 2 Prediction & Pick: Timberwolves: +6.5 (-108)
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