Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies Prediction and Odds for Game 2 (Trust Memphis to Bounce Back)

The upset of the weekend came on Saturday when the Minnesota Timberwolves traveled to Memphis and beat the No. 2 seed Memphis Grizzlies to take a 1-0 series lead.

The Grizz are now playing from behind in this series against an upstart Wolves team that is hitting on all cylinders, namely 2021 No. 1 pick Anthony Edwards, who scored 36 in his playoff debut.

How do we assess this matchup as we turn to Game 2. Can the Grizzlies respond? Or is Minnesota rolling after coming back to win in the play-in game and can take a commanding 2-0 series lead on the road?

Here are the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook:

Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies Odds, Spread, Total

Spread:

• Timberwolves: +7 (-110)
• Grizzlies: -12 (-110)

Moneyline:

• Timberwolves: +240
• Grizzlies: -300

Total: 241.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies Prediction and Pick

While the Timberwolves are more live to win this series than the initial series price indicated, Game 2 is setting up for a big Grizzlies performance.

Big thanks to Raheem Palmer for pointing out this trend and I'll play it in this case. Memphis only got 24 minutes from defensive ace Jaren Jackson Jr. in Game 1 due to foul trouble, and that let Karl-Anthony Towns go off. Towns had 29 points on 11-of-18 shooting and was a plus-16 in 42 minutes.

While Edwards is a threat to go off, I believe we can see some regression on the margins from Minnesota, who got 30 minutes and 23 points from Malik Beasley, eating into poor defender D'Angelo Russell's minutes in Game 1. I don't believe Minny's role players will keep it up and I think we see a more calculated effort from the Grizzlies, who can't trust Steven Adams as much in Game 2.

Memphis shot 32-of-43 from the free throw line, which hurts, but I'm going to run with this trend and believe we see a stronger, more calculated outing from the Grizz. If JJJ is able to stay on the floor, I think we KAT take a step back and Memphis can win with some margin.

The Wolves got the job done in Memphis, they may let go of the rope in Game 2 and the Grizz win with margin.

PICK: Grizzlies -7

You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!