Grizzlies vs Timberwolves Picks & Odds Today: Bet On The UNDER

The NBA regular season keeps rolling on Saturday night with a Western Conference matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies (24-14) and Minnesota Timberwolves (20-17). After losing three of their last four games, the Grizzlies will look to bounce back with a road challenge against the Timberwolves, who have won three straight. Can Ja Morant lead his team to a get-right win? Or will Anthony Edwards help the Wolves maintain momentum? Let’s dive into the matchup and find out.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Odds

Preview: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves, 8:10 p.m. ET

Team	Spread	Money	Total
Memphis Grizzlies	+2.0 (-110)	+116	O 231.5 (-110)
Minnesota Timberwolves	-2.0 (-110)	-136	U 231.5 (-110)

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Expert Picks

Under 231.5 (-110)

The common narrative in the NBA these days is that nobody plays defense anymore, but don’t tell that to these teams. The Memphis Grizzlies (5th) and Minnesota Timberwolves (6th) boast top-six defenses in defensive rating. Memphis forward Jaren Jackson Jr. has had an excellent season on that end, and the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year will be critical on Saturday, offering rim protection against the high-flying Anthony Edwards.

The Wolves have struggled to replace the offensive impact Karl-Anthony Towns made last year, and their bench has been inconsistent at best regarding scoring. However, Edwards is making a strong case for All-NBA consideration with 25.7 points per game on 44-43-82 shooting. The Wolves will also run the offense through Julius Randle and Naz Reid in the frontcourt, where Jackson Jr. will be asked to defend.

Marcus Smart is still week-to-week with a finger injury, but the Grizzlies can rely on rookie Jaylen Wells to hold his own against Edwards. In a recent matchup against the Kings, Wells helped hold De’Aaron Fox to 23 points on 7-23 shooting. Against the Suns, Devin Booker was held to 16 points on 4-20 shooting. In December, the Grizzlies held Steph Curry to 2 points on 0-7 shooting with Wells as a primary defender.

After a troubling 2023 season, Ja Morant has picked up where he left off with 21.5 points and 7.7 assists per game. His shooting efficiency hasn’t been quite as pristine as prior years, but he’s still the same high-flying locomotive engine of the Memphis offense. Luckily for the Timberwolves, they have the personnel to slow him down.

Jaden McDaniels remains one of the league’s premier wing defenders, with the length and foot speed to keep Morant in front of him. When Morant does blow by, he’ll be met by one of the best rim protectors in the NBA, Rudy Gobert. If Morant isn’t having sustained success getting downhill, this could be a game where Desmond Bane steps up - he’s scored 22+ points in four of his last five games.

After a down year, the Grizzlies are back to playing like a real contender in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves will hope to stymie them on Saturday as they strive to maintain their standing as one of the premier teams out west. In this primetime battle, the under looks like the best bet between two excellent defenses well-equipped to contain the opposing team’s premier scoring guard.

Memphis grizzlies vs minnesota timberwolves Prop Bet: rudy gobert OVER 10.5 Rebounds (-128)

The Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert remains among the best defensive-minded big men in the NBA, and he’s having a tremendous rebounding season, ranking 9th with 10.7 rebounds per game. Gobert’s minutes have fluctuated at times, with the Timberwolves opting to play Naz Reid and Julius Randle at the same time for more offensive upside.

However, this matchup should be one where Gobert’s playing time remains high, barring foul trouble. The Wolves will need his elite rim protection against Ja Morant, while his size will be required against rookie Zach Edey, who stands 7’4”, 300 lbs. Gobert has cleared 10.5 rebounds in 16 of 23 games this season (70%) with 30+ minutes played.