Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves NBA Playoffs Game 3 Odds, Preview and Best Bets (Archive)
The Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves take their series to Minnesota tied at 1-1. After the Timberwolves landed the opening blow by winning Game 1, the Memphis Grizzlies fought back and dominated Game 2. Now the series backdrop switches to Minnesota.
Can the Timberwolves take advantage of their home court and be the winning NBA pick?
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Thursday, April 21, 2022 – 07:30 PM EDT at Target Center
Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies came out flat in game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Grizzlies gave up 41 points in the first quarter and could never recover. They rectified those mistakes and came out with an intense attitude and got the easy win over the Timberwolves in game 2 to even the series.
The 124-96 win for the Timberwolves was the largest margin of victory for the Grizzlies in a playoff game in their franchise history. Ja Morant was one rebound away from a triple-double with 23 points, 10 assists, and 9 rebounds. Morant had to leave the game with what looked to be a thigh contusion but that he was able to return was an encouraging sign for Grizzlies fans.
Ziaire Williams
The Memphis bench was strong in the win, outscoring the Minnesota bench 62-43. It was a team effort with 7 Memphis players scoring at least 10 points. Particularly encouraging was the play of rookie Ziaire Williams. Williams went for 13 points and put forth a solid defensive effort.
If the athletic youngster out of Stanford can be a positive contributor for the Grizzlies during the playoff run, it gives Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins an extra option off the bench. The Grizzlies are built on strong, athletic, team defense, and another young athletic player to add to the fold can only help the Grizzlies' cause.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves won straight up in an upset as 7-point underdogs in game one. Unfortunately, they could not keep the momentum going as they fell to the Grizzlies in Game 2. Anthony Edwards had 36 points in game 1 and only had 20 points in Game 2.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 15 points and 11 rebounds, down from his 29 and 13 the game before. After an absolutely fantastic performance in game 1, the Minnesota Timberwolves came back to Earth in game 2. Now they head home looking to regain momentum with the support of their home crowd.
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The Timberwolves struggled from the 3-point line, which was the difference in their performance. They hit 16 3-point shots in the game 1 win but were 11-38 (28.9%) in Game 2. Timberwolves point guard D'Angelo Russell has yet to shoot the ball well in the series. He is 5-22 from behind the arc so far.
Patrick Beverley has set the tone on defense for the Timberwolves. Beverly's intense attitude is contagious. Beverly has been a particularly good influence on Anthony Edwards, who has all the skills and athleticism to be a lockdown defender.
As Beverly continues to mentor Edwards on the defensive side of the floor, the Timberwolves' young star moves closer to becoming one of the top players in the NBA.
Key Matchup
Ja Morant vs. Anthony Edwards
This series has the potential to be Anthony Edwards coming out party. Ja Morant's consistently strong performances moved him into the conversation for MVP and being regarded as a top-five player in the NBA. Anthony Edwards has all the skill and ability to get there, he just needs the seasoning, court experience, and accomplishments. Edwards has a great chance to do that here tonight and in this series.
Anthony Edwards' 36-point performance in game 1 was an exciting preview of what he can do. Edwards failed to match that performance in Game 2, but heading back home he should have an excellent chance to get back on track and replicate his Game 1 performance. Edwards has also been tasked with being the primary defender on the Grizzlies Ja Morant.
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That is one area in which he excels over Morant. The Grizzlies often put Morant on their opponent's weaker offensive options, while Edwards draws a top assignment for his team.
If Edwards can make an impact on both ends of the floor, score the basketball, and slow down the Grizzlies' primary weapon, the Timberwolves have a great chance to get the win. If Morant is able to completely outshine Edwards as he did in game 2, the Grizzlies have a strong chance to get the road win.
Best Bets
Minnesota will bounce back after their emphatic loss on Tuesday night. Minnesota has the better athletes, and being a young team, the home-court advantage will give them more of a boost than a veteran team.
Players such as Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Jaden McDaniels will all benefit from the home-court advantage. This will be a back-and-forth series, and I expect Minnesota to land the next blow tonight. Our first bet for tonight's NBA Game 3 is the Minnesota Timberwolves +1.5.
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I liked the 'under' in the last game and I like it again here tonight. First of all, for a game to go over it needs to be close, and there's a good chance that Minnesota returns with another blowout victory. Second, as the playoffs continue, the level of defensive intensity will continue to rise.
These players are continuing to learn each other's tendencies, and the defense is only going to get more tailored to particular sets, players, and schematic actions. Two great coaches, Chris Finch and Taylor Jenkins will dive in and create new schemes to counter the successful actions of each other.
The proper counters and the level of intensity are going to continue to lower the total score. Our second-best bet for tonight's game is the Memphis Grizzlies/Minnesota Timberwolves 'under' 236.5 available at the NBA odds board.
NBA Picks:
Minnesota Timberwolves +1.5 (-110) with BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
Under 236.5 (-110) with Heritage Sports (visit our Heritage Sports 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.