The Memphis Grizzlies got their mojo back in Game 2 to even the series looking a lot like the team that finished with the second-best record during the NBA regular season. A near triple-double from Ja Morant led the Griz to an easy 124-96 payout victory on Tuesday. Despite a 10-game difference during the regular season, the season series was remarkably close. The teams split four games with three of them decided by eight points or less. The exception was Minnesota’s 138-95 home win back in November. Making their first playoff appearance in four years and only their second since 2004, the Wolves looked like experienced veterans in the series opener winning 130-117.
The NBA Playoff game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves will air live on ESPN with tip off at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 23, 2022 from Target Center in Minneapolis, MN. BookMaker.eu will have betting options for every game on the NBA schedule.
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Odds Analysis
Closing the season on a sour note the Griz were hoping the playoffs would flip a switch. It took one game, but the light did come on. They dropped three of their final four games going 1-2-1 ATS and the malaise carried over to the series opener. Including the Game 1 setback, their last three losses were all by at least 13 points where they allowed an average of over 130 points. That was quite concerning since they were good during the season allowing less than 110 points per game. And the cold spell caught backers by surprise since the Griz were the best NBA bet during the regular year going 52-29-1 ATS. So for Memphis fans it was good to see the Game 2 results on the floor and at the betting window. The Griz covered the 7-point line for their second payout in the last five series games.
I guess there is something to be said about competing in the play-in tournament. While the higher seeds took a week off after a demanding season, the Wolves beat the Clippers in the play-in keeping their game sharp. Each game is its own entity, but any confidence or momentum the Wolves got from their surprising Game 1 victory quickly evaporated. Now with things a little more even in terms of playoff games, we should see the better team rise up. And while that appears to be Memphis according to their higher finish during the season, the Wolves held their own and then some against the second-best team in the NBA. With the NBA’s two highest scoring teams we saw the total reach 240.5 for Game 2, the second time in three meetings it got that high. The UNDER prevailed both times and is 3-1 in the last four encounters
Memphis Grizzlies
The Griz showed they are more than Ja Morant winning a bunch of games when he was out injured. But let’s face it they’d much rather have him on the floor. And Morant’s been his usual self so far dropping 32 in the opener and going for 23 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds in Game 2. With Morant dropping 27.4 points per game during the regular season, the Griz averaged 115.6, second best in the Association.
They are also athletic on the defensive end and that was key in Game 2. They kept Anthony Edwards off-balance and harassed Karl-Anthony Towns enough to limit his effectiveness. KAT also had foul trouble that kept him off the floor. But it was good to see a strong defensive effort after getting scorched in Game 1.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The game is all about adjustments, and making shots, and playing defense. Actually there’s a lot that goes into it and most of it has be performed well to win. The Wolves did that in Game 1 with Edwards dropping 36 points as one of six players to reach double figures. The outcome wasn’t as good in Game 2.
The Wolves like to play fast but they were beaten at their own game on Tuesday. Memphis went on a few substantial runs to close the first and had a bigger binge in the third quarter, essentially putting the game away with a 27-point margin. It’s not a good sign when your strength isn’t strong enough.
Grizzlies at Timberwolves NBA Odds Pick
Minnesota is building a solid foundation and should be competitive for years. The Grizzlies are there now and ready to take the next step after a first round exit last season. Memphis is versatile enough to play any style, and if the Wolves want to slow things down after getting run off the floor, the Griz can do that, and do it well, and that’s why I’m backing the visitors.
NBA Odds Prediction: Memphis Grizzlies / UNDER
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