
Bettors have been blessed with an end of the season NBA late-night showdown featuring the Minnesota Timberwolves (46-33, 23-17 away) and the Memphis Grizzlies (47-32, 25-14 home).
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Tonight marks a crucial game for both squads, given the playoffs are peeking around the corner. The Memphis Grizzlies hold the current no.6 seed, while the Timberwolves are a Play-In tournament team at No. 8. Given the Grizzlies have a mere one-game lead over the Grizzlies for a playoff spot, it's a tight race between these two teams and the Golden State Warriors
Set to face off for their third and final time in the regular season, the Timberwolves are slim 2.5 point spread favorites on the road. Memphis has a 2-0 series lead over Minnesota. Given the recent firing of former head coach Taylor Jenkins, can the Grizzlies continue their hot streak?
If you're looking to bet on the Timberwolves vs Grizzlies matchup, welcome! This is one of the more anticipated games of tonight, and every matchup matters.
The Timberwolves have a clean bill of health, which may help in their favor. The Grizzlies will continue to be without Jaylen Wells, who suffered a devastating injury and fall last outing against the Hornets.
With an 18-9 NBA betting record in March, I am up nearly three units betting on the NBA in April. Keeping bank roll management in mind, I decided to forgo the parlays, and place each play as a straight bet.
Here are my top player prop and best bets for today's matchup featuring the Timberwolves and Grizzlies. Best of luck to my followers and anyone reading this tonight!
Are you looking to bet Timberwolves vs Grizzlies? Here at Ballislife Bets, we've gathered a complete list of the best sports betting offers here.
MONEYLINE
SPREAD
OVER/UNDER (TOTAL)
PPG: 23 | FG: 45.5 % | FT: 83.1% | 3PT : 40.3 % | REB: 4.2 | AST: 7.3 | STL: 1.2 | BLK: 0.3
One of my favorite player props for today, I placed one unit on Grizzlies star Ja Morant to record over 29.5 points and rebounds vs the Timberwolves.
I'm aware Morant has been in hot water with the NBA regarding gestures. As of now, he's been fined and a suspension may be on the way.
There's no doubt the Grizzlies need this victory. Coming off three straight wins, Morant has been hooping. That's not to say I don't agree with the celebrations.
Morant's been on an absolute scoring tear, averaging 30.4 points per game over the last 10 outings. Known to be a bit streaky from the 3-point line, he's been on fire, shooting 40.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Morant has been scary good, no matter how you slice it. Averaging 31.3 points in April, he's scored 25+ points in four straight games. Erupting for 44 points vs a stingy Cavaliers defense, Morant has now scored 30+ points in three of the last five games.
Known for his highlight reel dunks, Morant is so much more than that. A crafty, versatile, and athletic guard, his ability to hit consistently from deep makes this prop that much stronger.
One could argue Morant can soar over this player prop line from a points perspective alone. Listed as 6 foot 2, Morant is one of the vertically gifted athletes in the NBA.
Dipping below five rebounds just once in six games, Morant is averaging 5.8 boards over that span. In two games against Minnesota, Morant tallied five and four rebounds against the Timberwolves. Limited to 12 and 19 points, tonight won't be an easy feat.
The Timberwolves are defensive juggernaut of a team, ranking No.6 in defensive rating. Led by former Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert, one would think Minnesota is elite in protecting the boards.
This couldn't be further from the truth. The Timberwolves allow the eighth most rebounds to point guards, and remain an average team on the boards (44.2 RPG).
Scoring wise, Morant will have a tough matchup against Anthony Edwards and defensive menace, Jaden McDaniels. Given they allow the fourth least points to guards (23 PPG), Morant will have his work cut out for him.
Aside from that, bettors have continue to witness Morant light up teams, no matter their record or defensive prowess.
Eclipsing over 29.5 points and rebounds in nine of the last 10 outings Morant is averaging an insane 35.4 points and assists over that span.
Overall he's competing at an extremely high level and against elite teams. That includes over points and rebounds against the Cavaliers, Lakers, Celtics, and Warriors.
PPG: 11.7 | FG: 41.8 % | FT: 77.8 % | 3PT : 39.4 % | REB: 3.7 | AST: 3.6 | STL: 1.2 | BLK: 0.3
My second best bet for this matchup, I'm taking Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo to record over 2.5 made threes against the Grizzlies.
As we know, the Nova Knicks were dismantled, and Julius Randle and DiVincenzo were shipped off to Minnesota. Now with his fourth team in four seasons, DiVincenzo's points production has dipped below last year's threshold. However, he's still shooting a respectable 39.4 percent from beyond the arc.
Known for one of the best sharp shooting journey men in the NBA, I'm yet again rolling with DiVincenzo . Even amongst a deep talented roster, DiVincenzo is hovering around 20-25 minutes per game. His usage isn't as high as it once was with the Knicks, however, this player prop line is too juicy to pass up.
The former Villanova star has been shooting the lights out from deep, 39.7 percent to be exact over the last ten games. Coming off a 24-point performance in the Timberwolves 110-103 loss to the Bucks, I'm amped. 6-10 from three-point, DiVincenzo was the second leader in three-point attempts, behind Anthony Edwards.
Although No.5 in scoring, DiVincenzo ranks second on the Timberwolves roster, behind Edwards with 2.8 3-pointers per game. Combine that with 7.1 attempts per game and at 39.4 percent? This line should be way higher than 2.5.
The Grizzlies are a competitive team in the west, however, their defense is a bit underwhelming to say the least. We are talking about a Memphis team that allows opponents to shoot 36.1 percent from deep. Specifically, they allow the highest 3-point percentage in the NBA to guards at more than 34 percent.
With seven three-pointers in the last two games, DiVincenzo is shooting 57.8 percent from three over that span. Plus, with 13 3-pointers against Memphis over the last three games, this makes me love this prop even more.
Overall, we know guarding the perimeter isn't the Grizzlies strong suit. Now with Taylor Jenkins gone, I doubt interim head coach Tuomas lisalo will be able to instill defense this late into the season. In fact, this Memphis team allows the third most 3-point attempts of any team in the NBA.
If DiVincenzo can keep up the confident and volume, he should have no problem shooting the lights out of the arena against Memphis.
Exploding for 27 points on 6-11 3-point shooting in the lone game against Memphis, DiVincenzo got a rare start over Mike Conley for the Timberwolves. Either way, he should be heavily involved in a must-win game tonight.
The Timberwolves get a tough matchup on the road tonight, where they have a 23-17 record. As 2.5 point spread favorites, I really like the Timberwolves to win the moneyline outright vs the Grizzlies.
Given both matchups have been decided by two points or less, the Grizzlies hold a 2-0 series lead. Winners of five of their last six games, Minnesota get's a Grizzlies team that's won three straight.
Mind you, victories against Charlotte, Detroit, and Miami aren't all that impressive. We've seen the Grizzlies take some tumbles against the Celtics, Warriors, Lakers, and Thunder. 0-4 against the top four teams in the league, do I really think the Grizzlies will win tonight? I know they have home court advantage, but the Timberwolves, to me, are the superior team right now.
Both teams are aware what's at stake tonight Either the Grizzlies could keep their No. 6 seed, or they can slide to a Play-In Tournament team at No. 8. Either way, losing Jaylen Wells is terrible news for the Grizzlies. Awake and alert out of the hospital, the entire basketball world sends their best wishes to Wells. With that said, Memphis loses a consistent scoring option who's known for his defensive prowess.
With the No. 8 best record in the NBA post all-star break at 23-15, the Timberwolves are trending in the right direction. Victories over the Nuggets (twice), Thunder (twice), and Rockets have proven this team can hang. Compare them to the Grizzlies, who have a 11-14 record post NBA All-Star break.
In that span, the Grizzlies have been one of the least efficient teams around the perimeter (34.7 %), and hold the No. 8 worst field goal percentage in the NBA (46.5 %).
While overall offense hasn't been an issue, they've allowed 119 opponent points per game after the break. To put it lightly, that's the seven worst defensive efficiency in the league.
Tonight, the Grizzlies face a healthy Timberwolves team, who's established themselves as a top ten offensive and defensive team since the break.
Overall, there's plenty of news swirling around Ja Morant and the firing of Tyler Jenkins. Just 3-3 since the firing, it's still unknown why there was a coaching change. Either way, I'll take Chris Fink any day.
With the stakes as high as ever, each of these teams can rank as high as No.4 or as low as the No. 8 seed. The Timberwolves have a 37-23 moneyline record as the favorite, and Grizzlies 7-19 as the underdog.
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