Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 11/11/2022

Time: 9:30 p.m. ET

Venue: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN

Where to watch: ESPN

DraftKings: Grizzlies -4.5

FanDuel: Grizzlies -4.5

BetMGM: Grizzlies -4.5

Caesars: Grizzlies -4.5

Timberwolves: 5-7

Grizzlies: 8-4

Recent form

Timberwolves: lost 129-117 vs. Suns

Grizzlies: won 124-122 (OT) at Spurs

It may not be the Golden State Warriors, but this is a team the Memphis Grizzlies likely will want revenge out of. The Minnesota Timberwolves and Grizzlies will meet for the first time since last year’s first round series that ended up going 6 games in favor of Memphis. But the Timberwolves have obviously made some changes to the roster since that exit, but so far, nothing has changed for the Wolves.

Minnesota is 5-7 to start the year despite the addition of Rudy Gobert. Clearly, the twin towers in Minnesota isn’t working right now. The Wolves have lost four of five and are coming off a 129-117 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. Minnesota went 1-3 during its homestand with losses to New York, Phoenix and Milwaukee. One of these things clearly doesn’t belong here.

Gobert actually led Minnesota in scoring with 25 points and 11 rebounds, but that’s the problem. Gobert was the leading scorer. Jaden McDaniels had 24 points on an efficient 10 of 14, and D’Angelo Russell had 20 points, six assists, and one Shaqtin play that will live on all year. But it was Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns combining to shoot 7 of 19 for 22 points (11 points each) and absolutely fell apart when needed.

"We just got to come out with a lot of effort," Edwards said. "Last year, when we turned it around, we came out going at teams. I think we got to a point where we was like, 'Man we done losing.' I think it's going to happen, man, it's going to come. What are we now? 5-7? It's OK. We going to turn it around, don't worry about it."

The problem is, the Wolves have to worry about it when they’ve gone all in with the hope that Gobert is the missing piece to get them over the hump. Problem also is, the Wolves are giving up in excess of close to 115 points per game over the last five and that’s not the kind of defensive standpoint they need to be making.

And that also means the onus is on Towns to play like a star. There’s no reason why he should be scoring 11 points on some nights. He needs to be a lot better going forward.

And the Grizzlies aren’t any easier of an opponent as one will see. When it’s the Ja Morant show, things get electric in Memphis. Tack on the emergence of Desmond Bane as a star and perfect backcourt mate to Morant, and the Grizzlies have some things going well for them right now. Memphis is coming off a 124-122 overtime win over the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio on Wednesday. Morant and Bane had 32 points each and Dillon Brooks had 13 points. Steven Adams grabbed 19 reboounds, because of course he did.

"Early in the season for us to have a couple games where we go down the stretch or go into overtime and being able to still come out with a win is big time for us," Morant said. "We know every game is not going to be a blowout. So, having these reps helps us a lot."

The Timberwolves are a joke and not to be taken seriously right now. Morant is an MVP candidate and has the Grizzlies like he’s playing like one. Memphis in a rout. Grizzlies by 15

Wolves are 49-57 ATS as an underdog the last three years; 0-2 this season.

Wolves are 22-17 ATS after losing four or five of their last six the last three years.

Grizzlies are 56-44 ATS the last three years as a favorite.

Grizzlies are 53-36 ATS at home the last three years.

PG: D'Angelo Russell

SG: Anthony Edwards

SF: Jaden McDaniels

PF: Karl-Anthony Towns

C: Rudy Gobert

PG: Ja Morant

SG: Desmond Bane

SF: Dillon Brooks

PF: Santi Aldama

C: Steven Adams

Statistical leaders

Points: Karl-Anthony Towns -- 21.3

Rebounds: Rudy Gobert -- 13.6

Assists: D'Angelo Russell -- 5.7

Points: Ja Morant -- 28.8

Rebounds: Steven Adams -- 11.6

Assists: Ja Morant -- 6.9