After taking Game 1 of this first-round Western Conference playoff series on the road the seventh-seeded Timberwolves go looking for more when they again challenge the second-seeded Grizzlies in Game 2 Tuesday night in Memphis.
The Grizz were favored by 6.5 points for Game 1 and lost. Now they’re favored by seven for Game 2.
Here’s how we homeworked this game, with our free NBA playoffs betting pick.
NBA Betting Odds
The NBA playoffs betting lines opened Memphis as a seven-point favorite for this Game 2, with an over/under of right around 242. Early betting action then dipped that total to 241.
Timberwolves-Grizzlies Betting Preview
Minnesota stole home-court advantage for this series by taking Game 1 in Memphis Saturday 130-117. The Timberwolves, playing as 6.5-point underdogs, led by 13 after one quarter, fell down by a bucket in the second but led 65-62 at the half. Minnesota pushed its advantage to 10 midway through the fourth quarter, let the Grizzlies get within five with three minutes left but held on for the upset victory.
The T-Wolves also cashed in at a price of +215 on the NBA betting money line.
Also, Sunday’s game played over a total of 238.
Minnesota shot 50 percent from the floor Saturday, hit 16/41 from 3-point land and 24/27 from the free-throw line and out-rebounded Memphis 46-35.
Stretching back about six weeks and including a win/cover against the Clippers in a play-in game last Tuesday Minnesota is 16-7 SU, 14-9 ATS over its last 23 games.
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, are 1-4 SU, 1-3-1 ATS their last five times out.
The Grizz finished 10 games ahead of the T-Wolves in the regular-season standings but Minnesota managed to split the season series with Memphis two games apiece. So the Timberwolves are now 3-2 both SU and ATS against the Grizzlies this season.
NBA Betting Trends
- Minnesota played 20-21 SU, 20-20 ATS on the road this season.
- Memphis played 30-11 SU, 27-15 ATS at home this season.
Totals Report
- The overs are 51-32 in Timberwolves games this season, which are averaging 228 total points.
- The overs are 44-38 in Grizzlies games, which are averaging 225 points.
- The overs are 3-2 in Timberwolves-Grizzlies games this season, which are averaging (without overtime) 233 points.
