Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies Preview
The Minnesota Timberwolves, currently sitting at 30-19 and ranked seventh in the Western Conference, will take on the struggling Memphis Grizzlies, who are at 18-28 and placed 12th, in a much-anticipated matchup in Memphis, Tennessee, on Saturday at 8 p.m. EST. According to the latest line from BetMGM Sportsbook, Minnesota is favored by 7.5 points with an over/under set at 229.5.
Team Performance and Statistics
The Grizzlies are eager to halt their current five-game losing streak. They have had a mixed performance against Western Conference opponents, managing a record of 14 wins against 16 losses. One notable aspect of their gameplay this season is their assist statistic, where they rank fifth in the league by averaging 28.9 assists per game, with Cam Spencer leading the squad at 5.6 assists per game.
On the other side, the Timberwolves have had a respectable 17-14 record against the same conference and are known for their strong offensive capabilities, averaging 119.0 points per game, which gives them a scoring advantage of approximately 4.9 points over their competitors.
When it comes to shooting, the Grizzlies have excelled beyond the arc, sinking an average of 13.3 three-point shots per game — slightly more than the 12.3 that the Timberwolves allow. Minnesota has been effective from the field as well, with a shooting percentage of 48.1%, outpacing their opponents, who shoot at 46.3%.
Previous Encounters
This matchup marks the second meeting between these two teams this season; in their previous encounter on December 18, Memphis managed to secure a victory with a score of 116-110. Jaren Jackson Jr. was a standout for the Grizzlies in that game, scoring 28 points, while Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 21 points.
Individual Performances
Examining individual performances, Cedric Coward has made a notable impact for Memphis, shooting 46.9% and scoring an average of 13.9 points per game. Over the last decade matchups, Jaren Jackson Jr. has contributed significantly, averaging 20.5 points. Conversely, for Minnesota, Anthony Edwards is showcasing an impressive run, averaging 29.3 points, along with 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Randle is also performing well, putting up 22.2 points and 6.1 rebounds while shooting 48.4% in the same period.
Recent Game Trends
Looking at the past ten games, the Grizzlies hold a record of 2-8, putting together averages of 110.5 points, 44.9 rebounds, 28.2 assists, 7.7 steals, and 5.8 blocks while maintaining a shooting rate of 44.9%. Their opponents, however, have scored an average of 115.0 points. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have gone 5-5, scoring 114.2 points, securing 46.5 rebounds, and dishing out 25.7 assists per game while shooting at 46.7% from the field, opposing teams averaging 110.2 points against them.
Injury Report
In terms of injuries, the Grizzlies will be without several key players: Scotty Pippen Jr. is out due to a toe injury, Ja Morant is sidelined with an elbow issue, and Santi Aldama is questionable with a knee concern. Zach Edey and Brandon Clarke are also out with ankle and calf injuries, respectively, while Ty Jerome‘s status is uncertain due to a calf issue. For the Timberwolves, Terrence Shannon Jr. will miss the game due to a foot injury.
