The Grizzlies are desperate to snap the 11-game losing streak, while the Wolves are playing the second of back-to-back games. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and join the action at Get More Sports.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies
Spread: Minnesota Timberwolves -2.5 (-105) at BetDSI Sportsbook
Total: Over/Under 204 points (-105/-115)
The Wolves are hoping to end the two-game losing run against the Grizzlies
The Minnesota Timberwolves are playing the second of back-to-back matches after the Sunday’s home victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, 112:106. Minnesota is in a hot and cold form so far in the season, and they are currently in the 5th position in the Western Conference with the 14-10 record, and Tom Thibodeau’s side is locked in with Denver and Portland for the first place in the Northwest Division.
The Wolves weren’t great from the field (43.2%), but they made 28 out of 31 free-throws, and thanks to Jimmy Butler who hit 11 of those, Minnesota secured an important home victory. The hosts committed just seven turnovers in opposite to Los Angeles’ 16, and that played a huge part in the win. Jimmy Butler led the Wolves with season-high 33 points (10-20 FG, 2.4 3PT, 11-13 FT), eight rebounds, and four assists, while Taj Gibson posted his fourth double-double in five games with 20 points and 11 boards. Karl-Anthony Towns was limited from the field but managed to finish the encounter with a double-double of 15 points and 12 rebounds, Andrew Wiggins scored 12, Jamal Crawford, added 12, while Jeff Teague contributed with nine points, team-high ten assists, and game-high three thefts. KAT didn’t have plenty of opportunities to shine with DeAndre Jordan guarding him, but Wiggins disappointed with just 4-15 from the floor, and I expect him to bounce back in a matchup with Dillon Brooks on Monday. Towns will not have an easy hob again as he faces another defensive specialist Marc Gasol, so Butler and Gibson could turn out to be the leaders on the box score yet again. Teague’s duel with Tyreke Evans, who now plays at the point guard position, will be quite intriguing, and the former Atlanta Hawk could record display another 10+ assist performance, which would be third straight.
Tom Thibodeau cannot count on Nemanja Bjelica who is out with a foot injury and will miss the seventh consecutive game but should be back later in the week. With Bjelica sidelined, Gorgui Dieng and Taj Gibson will spend more minutes on the floor. The Wolves are scoring 107.92 points per contest on average (10th in the NBA), while they are allowing 107.33 points in return (20th in the NBA). Minnesota is among the top ten teams in the league (8th) when it comes to field goal percentage (46.83%), and the defense is among the best five (2nd) in allowing only 40.62 rebounds per game to the opponents. The Wolves’ offense is even better on the road as they are averaging 108.67 ppg, which is good enough for the sixth-best road offense in the NBA.
Place: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee
Date/Time: Monday, December 4th, 2017, 8 PM ET
TV Coverage: FOX SPORTS SOUTHEAST – MEMPHIS, FOX SPORTS NORTH
The Grizzlies are eager to end the horrible streak of 11 straight losses
The Memphis Grizzlies are in the worst form of all teams in the NBA as they suffered 11 consecutive defeats, and are without a home victory in the previous eight games. They do have two wins in a row over Minnesota, but that is far from encouraging prior to this clash, and the only thing that could help the hosts to win here is the fact that the Wolves are playing the second of back-to-back games. J.B. Bickerstaff’s side is in the 13th position in the Western Conference with the 7-15 record, and unless they improve fast, the Grizzlies will be out of the playoff picture soon.
Memphis put up the fight on the road against the Cleveland Cavaliers and fought bravely despite missing several players including Mike Conley and Chandler Parsons. The Grizzlies had excellent 51.2% from the field and hit 13 triples on 23 attempts (56.5%), and were better in rebounds (36-31) and assists (31-24), but in the end, the Cavs celebrated a 116:111 victory. Tyreke Evans was fantastic and he led Memphis with 31 points (10-20 FG, 5-7 3PT, 6-6 FT), 12 dimes, and seven boards, while Marc Gasol followed him with 27 points (12-23 FG), six rebounds, four dishes, game-high three thefts, and team-high two blocks. JaMychal Green added 16 points and seven boards, while Andrew Harrison scored 12 points along with a couple of steals. Evans played as a point guard, and he could continue filling that role until Mike Conley returns, so I am expecting the former Sacramento King to run the floor for the Grizzlies in a matchup with Teague. Tyreke should exploit the fact that he is much taller than Teague and use that advantage for easy layups and often trips to the foul line. Gasol is facing KAT and this matchup should provide plenty of excitement, but in any case, I think Gasol and Evans should contribute for at least 50 points on this one.
J.B. Bickerstaff will be without Mike Conley, who will miss the tenth straight match with an Achilles tendon injury, and the Minnesota will continue to suffer with him on the sidelines for approximately ten more days. Chandler Parsons was out in Cleveland and will also miss this encounter with a right knee and ankle soreness, while Brandan Wright is out with a groin injury. The Grizzlies are scoring 98.27 points per contest on average (28th in the NBA), while they are allowing 101.45 points in return (6th in the NBA). As it was the case in the few previous seasons, the Grizzlies again have the best home defense that allows just 42.19% from the field to the rivals.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies Trends & Prediction
The Wolves are 10-12-2 against the spread (6-5-1 away), while they are 12-11-1 on over/under (7-5 away), and even though Memphis’ home defense is extraordinary, Minnesota’s road offense is pretty good lately, so I am going with OVER here.
The Grizzlies are 7-14-1 against the spread (3-9 home), while they are 7-14-1 on over/under (2-9-1 home), and despite limiting the opponents to under 100 points in the last three home matches, I think Memphis will allow triple figures on this one. They should also score around 100, so I believe the best possible option for this clash is to play OVER.
My Pick: Pass
Total: Over 204 points (-105)
