The Memphis Grizzlies (31-22) challenge the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves (17-37) at the FedExForum. The game gets underway at 8:00 pm ET on Friday, Feb. 19 and can be seen on FxS, FNo, #0 and C+D.
The Grizzlies enter this game hoping for similar success after blowing out the Nets 109-90 in their last matchup. Mike Conley was the team’s high scorer with 20 points on 7-for-13 shooting. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, are coming off a 117-112 win against the Raptors in their last outing. Karl-Anthony Towns had a good game, accumulating 35 points and 11 rebounds to claim his 30th double-double of the season.
Conley has been playing at a high level recently for the Grizzlies, averaging 17.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.6 three-pointers over the last five games. On the other side, the Timberwolves have quite a few players that have been hot in that same span. The best out of the bunch has been Towns, who averaged 22.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 2.0 blocks. While Andrew Wiggins (24.6 PTS, 2.6 REB, 1.6 AST, 0.6 STL, 1.4 BLK, and 0.8 3PM) and Gorgui Dieng (16.2 PTS, 10.2 REB, 4.4 AST, 0.6 STL, and 0.6 BLK) have also been notable.
The physical Timberwolves offense may see plenty of chances from the free throw line in this one. They rank second in the league at getting to the stripe (free throw attempt rate of 33.4), while Memphis gets whistled quite a bit (giving up a 28th-ranked free throw attempt rate of 31.6).
Both teams have won a game in the season series. The Timberwolves had the upper hand in the most recent game, a 106-101 win. Ricky Rubio put up a double-double in the victory with 15 points and 12 assists.
The Grizzlies have gone 30-22 Straight Up (SU) and 23-26-3 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last 10 games, they have had success covering the spread (7-3). The Grizzlies have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 107.3 points during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 98.2 points per game. The Grizzlies are a dangerously accurate shooting team from the line with a .790 free throw percentage, one of the highest marks in the NBA. Memphis’s defense is doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 109.4 points per game, well above their season average of 99.1. Not making mistakes with the ball is a staple of Memphis’s offense, which averages just 12.5 turnovers per game.
In the other locker room, Minnesota has a SU record of 17-37 and an ATS record of 24-29-1. Minnesota has records of 17-37 SU and 24-29-1 ATS against the West. The Timberwolves get to the line and convert their free throws at a high volume, leading the league with 1,162 made (21.0 per game).
Minnesota beat Memphis in their most recent meeting this season, but the win was not enough to overtake Memphis in the most recent head-to-head series. Its record is now 4-6 SU over the last 10 meetings. On the other hand, with a 6-4 record, the Timberwolves have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – Mem
Notes
Minnesota ranks 21st in points per game with 100.4, while Memphis ranks sixth in points allowed with an average of 99.1 given up.
Minnesota scores an average of 101.2 points per away game (ranked 12th). Memphis ranks 16th in points allowed per home game with 100.4.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Memphis Grizzlies are a formidable 22-7. In games where they fail to hit triple digits, the Minnesota Timberwolves have an underachieving record of 4-21.
At 9-15, the Memphis Grizzlies have a losing record when their opponents score at least 100 points. The Minnesota Timberwolves are 13-16 when they put up triple digits.
The Timberwolves have a defensive rating of 106.7 (ranked 25th). The Grizzlies rank 19th for their offensive rating of 102.9.
Minnesota beats Memphis in both possessions per game and points per possession. The Timberwolves average 96.8 possessions and 1.037 points per possession, while the Grizzlies average 95.4 possessions with 1.029 points per possession.
Memphis has an average effective field goal percentage of 48.1%. Minnesota is a subpar 8-31 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
The Memphis Grizzlies attempt 17.0 three pointers per game, and the Minnesota Timberwolves attempt 15.0 per game on average. When attempting at least 25 three pointers this season, Memphis has a split record (1-1) and Minnesota has an undefeated record (1-0).
Memphis has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.70 this season (ranked 11th), while Minnesota ranks lower at 16th with an A/TO of 1.58.
Memphis ranks 29th in rebounds per game with 40.9, while Minnesota ranks 25th with 42.2 per game.
The Minnesota Timberwolves rank 19th in offensive rebounding, while the Memphis Grizzlies rank 29th in defensive rebounding.
Memphis is one of the top teams in forced turnovers, with opponents averaging a TOV% of 16.4% (ranked first). Minnesota has a poor record of 6-13 SU this season when its TOV% reaches 16.4% or greater.
