Memphis Grizzlies vs Minnesota Timberwolves betting tips and predictions for Tuesday’s NBA Western Conference Playoff game on TNT. With the series tied at 2-2, the Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves meet up for a pivotal Game 5 at FedEx Forum. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Memphis Grizzlies
It wasn’t the best of games by the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 4 as they reverted back to their old habits from Game 1 which cost them the series opener. Ja Morant had a miserable game with just 11 points as he went 4-for-13 from the field.
Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks did their best to lead the way with 34 and 24 points, however, the defense just wasn’t there for Memphis as they allowed 119 points on the night. The good news is they are headed home for Game 5, at the FedEx Forum they’ve gone 11-2 SU over their last 13 games and this entire season they were one of the most reliable teams covering the spread in 28 of 43 games played so far. In games against the Timberwolves at home, they’ve covered 6 times in the last 7 meetings, so that is also encouraging.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Karl-Anthony Towns responded well after a poor showing in Game 3 with 33 points in Game 4 as he asserted himself a lot more in the win than in the previous game where he took just 4 shots from the field total. Anthony Edwards followed the lead with 24 points and the rest of the starting line-up all chipped in with double-digit points. A complete team effort is the only way these Timberwolves stand a chance at upsetting the #2 seeded Grizzlies.
These 2 teams have now played each other 8 times this season and each team has 4 wins. A lot of people are writing Minnesota off before Game 4 and the odds aren’t on their side. They’ve covered the spread just 5 times in the last 18 meetings and come into Tuesday’s game with just 4 wins in the last 14 games vs Memphis.
Neither of these two teams has a ton of experience in the postseason, in games like this that tends to be crucial in determining the winner. Both teams are very young, but what separates Memphis is their coaching. They are just a well oiled machine that has been doing good things all season long and I can definitely see them winning Game 5 at home and putting the Timberwolves on the brink of elimination. Back the home team cover.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Minnesota Timberwolves Predictions & Odds
This and the Golden State vs Denver series have been the two highest scoring series in the postseason so far. The total has gone 2-2 so far on the O/U, however the projected total has been lowered by the oddsmakers in each of the last 3 games which is a good indicator that the pace is getting slower and slower here as the games get more important. Game 5 is a pivotal one so I think every possession will count.
In both wins, Memphis’s defence played a key role as they held their opponent to under 100 points. There’s no doubt they are a better all around team here, they just have to show it more consistently. I’m expecting a bounce back game from Ja Morant, he really struggled in Game 4 from the field.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 33 in the win on Sunday, however he has shown a few times already this season that he can shrink in the biggest of moments, so I’m not sure what to expect from him in this game. Even though these teams rank in the top 3 when it comes to pace, I think backing the under is the way to go for Game 5.
