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After earning a dominant road win in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series, the Minnesota Timberwolves laid an egg in Game 2 in Memphis against the Grizzlies. They were hammered 124-96. That came on the heels of a fantastic offensive performance. The Timberwolves managed to drop 130 points against the elite Grizzlies defense just a couple nights prior. Minnesota will look to get back to what they did successfully to begin the series in Game 3 back home in Minneapolis Thursday night.
Memphis certainly is not going to make it easy. They were a great road team all year and will enter this game with momentum on their side. Minnesota is going to need contributions from their stars, but their bench as well. So, let's reveal the three bold predictions for the Timberwolves in Game 3 vs. the Grizzlies.
3 Bold Predictions for Timberwolves in Game 3 of NBA First Round Playoff Series vs. Grizzlies
1. Minnesota with much better showing in the paint in Game 3
In Game 1, the Timberwolves crushed Memphis on the glass. They out-rebounded them 48-35 and hammered them on second chance points with 11 offensive rebounds. However, in Game 2, the Grizzlies turned the tables. They won the rebounding battle, 48-40. That led to a 19-8 second chance point differential for Memphis. Ja Morant seemingly got whatever he wanted in the paint all night.
I believe the Timberwolves will get back to what got them the series lead. Minnesota will make a concerted effort to work the ball down low, creating shots close to the basket for Karl-Anthony Towns, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and Anthony Edwards.
It's no secret. Generally, the more shots you take close to the basket, the more likely they are to go in. At times during Game 2, Minnesota looked lost offensively and was just jacking up contested three-pointers. That's not going to be the case Thursday. Expect the Timberwolves to once again win the rebounding margin and shoot a better percentage.
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2. D'Angelo Russell gets going offensively
The most consistent through line from either team in both games one and two was the play of Timberwolves point guard D'Angelo Russell. Russell was held to just 2-11 from the field in Game 1 for 10 points. But Minnesota didn't need him as Edwards went off and Malik Beasley dropped 23 points off the bench. In Game 2, he continued to struggle with his shot. He knocked down just three of 11 shots for 11 points. He has also been poor from beyond the arc, going 3-13 from downtown.
Sometimes, all you need is a little home cooking to get going. I believe that will be the case here. During the regular season, Russell averaged better than 18 points per game. Despite his overall production not being as great at home this season, the team plays at another level when the Timberwolves point guard is on the court.
When D’Angelo Russell played this season:
39-26 overall
21-8 at homeI M P A C T
F L O O R G E N E R A L pic.twitter.com/jn96lO8mmi— Ben Stinar (@BenStinar) April 11, 2022
Minnesota was 21-8 at home with Russell played. They were just 5-7 in home games he did not play in. That's a good omen for Timberwolves fans. Expect Russell to be the floor general fans have come to expect.
3. Timberwolves bench makes big impact
Anytime a series is tied at one win a piece, Game 3 is typically a strong indicator on how the series will play out. In order for Minnesota to keep up with Memphis in this series, they need their bench to produce, particularly at home.
It's long been a known sentiment in the NBA playoffs. Your bench is more likely to show up in home playoff games. On the road, that's when you need your superstars to step up and win games for you. That's what made Beasley's 23-point Game 1 performance so surprising.
I would expect more of that from him in this game though. But he won't be alone. Backup center Naz Reid got going off the bench in the Game 2 loss, with 12 rebounds and seven rebounds. As I mentioned previously, I think the Timberwolves will do a good job controlling the paint, and Reid should be a part of that success.
But McDaniels might be the key player off of the bench for Minnesota in this one. He was solid in Game 1 before falling flat on his face in Game 2. He can stretch the floor and knock down shots from the outside, but can also finish near the rim. He hits free throws at a decent clip and can spell the starters down low.
This is going to be a difficult game to win. The Grizzlies are coming to make a statement. But if these three predictions come to fruition, the TWolves are likely to take a series lead.
