Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves NBA Odds, Preview and Prediction (Archive)
The Minnesota Timberwolves resume play this Thursday as an easy NBA pick when they host the Memphis Grizzlies. Here’s a look at this matchup.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Thursday, February 24, 2022 – 08:00 PM EST at Target Center
Let the mayhem begin. The 2022 NBA All-Star Game is in the books, which means it’s time to start the unofficial second half of the regular season – except each team only has about 20-25 games left before the playoffs. It’s going to be a dogfight from here on in; at least everyone should be well-rested coming out of the break.
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If you’re the Memphis Grizzlies (41-19 SU, 40-20 ATS), maybe you didn’t want to put your season on pause. They’ve been the most profitable NBA pick of the litter, but can they keep their momentum going this Thursday when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves (31-28 SU, 29-28-2 ATS)?
The Grizzlies may have bitten off more than they can chew after opening as 2-point road faves, then moving to –2.5 at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review) as we go to press.
Styles Clash
It’ll take some intestinal fortitude to fade Memphis. They’re one of the very best teams in the league, ranking sixth overall in offensive efficiency (110.4 points per 100 possessions) and seventh in defense (106.0 points allowed/100). Ja Morant is an absolute gem at point guard. Desmond Bane has stepped it up this year, and there’s tons of talent in their supporting cast.
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This particular Wolves team isn’t anything to sneeze at, though – as long as they’re healthy, which they are now. Minnesota’s starting five can compete with anyone, especially with Karl-Anthony Towns manning the middle.
It’s a toss-up whether Towns or Morant will be the best player on the floor Thursday night, but as the big man of the two, Towns will probably get more of a chance to show off against the Grizzlies frontcourt, while Morant will have to deal with pesky perimeter defenders like Patrick Beverley.
Gin And Juice
Given the matchup on the floor and the way Morant and the Grizz have started to catch the attention of bettors, this looks like a good spot to “sell high” on Memphis. The computers agree; FiveThirtyEight project Minnesota to win by two points, giving us a very healthy 4.5-point gap between the projections and the actual NBA odds.
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How many units do you want to fire at this bad boy? Two? Maybe three? Let’s temper that enthusiasm just a bit. ESPN’s Basketball Power Index sees things differently, giving Memphis a 51.7-percent chance of winning Thursday’s contest; that’s effectively a pick’em, but the Wolves are still a bargain at +2.5 according to the Worldwide Leader.
Throw in some extra old-school motivation for Minnesota in their first home game after the break, and yes, we’re going to ride with the underdogs again. Did we mention we’re getting –105 juice at BetOnline? Mmmmm... juice.
NBA Pick: Timberwolves +2.5 (-105) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.