Free NBA Pick: Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies NBA Odds
Looking for Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Timberwolves taking on the Grizzlies on Saturday, April 16th, 2021 at FedExForum. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Timberwolves Grizzlies matchup.
2022 NBA Playoffs Handicapping Round 1
(0-0) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies (0-0)
Date: Saturday, April 16th
Time: 3:30 PM EST
Venue: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee
NBA Moneyline Odds: Timberwolves +280 | Grizzlies -235 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Grizzlies -6.5
NBA Betting Total: 236.5
On Saturday, April 16th, the seventh-place Minnesota Timberwolves, and second-place Memphis Grizzlies open their first-round Western Conference playoff series.
The teams split their four games this season with Memphis winning on November 8th (125-118) in overtime and January 13th (116-108) while Minnesota won the November 20th (138-95) and February 24th (119-114) matches.
Minnesota owns the slim one-game (51 wins) edge all-time of the 101 regular-season matches played. This series marks the first time the franchises are playing in the postseason.
Minnesota Timberwolves
As great as it was to see my preseason dark horse win the play-in and prove me right I’m going to pump the brakes as they hit the postseason.
And, it’s not because I’ve lost faith in their ability – if anything I feel even stronger about their potential. The problem — which was ALWAYS the problem in my opinion is attitude.
We can overlook the dramatic display from the Wolves beating the Clippers. Patrick Beverley wanted that win bad and while he was over the top it’s something anyone who has ever been overlooked can understand.
Rather, I’m referring to comments made since that match. Karl-Anthony Towns who had a couple of very rough years personally and professionally was in a position where everyone was ready to pull for his success.
Then he makes a ridiculous statement that the Grizzlies and Timberwolves are probably the next NBA dynasty teams. I’m with Perk on this one — a dynasty requires multiple wins (typically at least three) before the “D” word would even be in the conversation.
Let’s not forget the Wolves have played in ONE playoff series in the previous 17 seasons and won a single game in that series. That KAT is putting the seventh place Wolves in the same conversation as dynasty teams just prove how little this group has learned about team culture.
That said, I do agree with Towns that Anthony Edwards and Ja Morant are two of the most exciting youngsters in the NBA.
KAT needs to focus on his own performance because he easily would’ve been the scapegoat had Edwards, D’Angelo Russell, and Pat Bev not orchestrated the comeback victory versus the Clippers.
Taurean Prince (knee) is questionable for Saturday.
Memphis Grizzlies
While the main question out of Memphis was how healthy Ja Morant is – he seemed to quell those concerns in the second last game of the season returning to the hardwood and looking no worse for the time off.
Sure, he was a bit rusty but it took him only a half to shake that off and the knee looked fine.
This team hasn’t gotten anywhere near as much shine as the Suns and mostly because of their youth but it’s hard to deny the copious statistical categories they lead or are in the top five.
Unlike their opponents – the confidence that exudes from Memphis feels entirely different – because it’s been earned plus the individuals aren’t putting the cart before the horse.
Killian Tillie (back) is out Saturday in the opening game of the series.
NBA Betting Trends:
- Minnesota is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Memphis’ last 5 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 6 games.
- Memphis is 12-4 SU in their last 16 games.
- The Timberwolves are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games as an underdog.
- The Grizzlies are 14-3 ATS in their last 17 games as a home favorite.
Free Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies NBA Prediction:
Having bravado is great, particularly for a young team but there is a fine line between a confident swagger based on success versus being overconfident without a track record.
In my opinion, that’s the key difference between these two clubs. One upset the Warriors in the play-in last year and spent this season showcasing continuity of system regardless of who played registering 56 victories (10 more than the Wolves).
The other is a team on the rise with the potential to become a perennial playoff seed. Or they could just as easily buy their own hype and become next year’s struggling Hawks who overestimated their initial success.
I was so high on the Timberwolves as my dark horse but the lack of humility displayed by KAT and other Wolves is worrisome.
It has me wondering if a gentleman’s sweep might be best to serve as a gentle reminder of how difficult winning consistently is and provide the appropriate motivation for a strong offseason of development.
The key entering the series is the one knock on the Grizzlies’ postseason chances centered on pace and how teams slow to half-court sets in the playoffs. Memphis won’t need to worry about that until the next series since the Wolves run the fastest pace in the NBA.
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