Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies Game 5 odds, picks and predictions

Author:
SPORTSBOOKWIRE

The Minnesota Timberwolves (2-2) head back to the FedExForum Tuesday for Game 5 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series with the Memphis Grizzlies (2-2). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and airs on TNT. Below, we look at the Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies Game 5 odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

Minnesota evened the series by winning Game 4 119-118 Saturday in what was a redemption game for T-Wolves big Karl-Anthony Towns who scored just 8 points in 32:46 minutes of work in Game 3.

Grizzlies SG Desmond Bane and backup PF Brandon Clarke stepped up Saturday with Bane scoring a game-high 34 points and Clarke adding 15 points on 77.8% shooting off the bench.

The T-Wolves outperformed the Grizzlies in three of the “four factors” in Game 4, especially in free-throw attempt rate where Minnesota nearly doubled Memphis.

Timberwolves at Grizzlies odds and lines

  • Money line (ML): Timberwolves +205 (bet $100 to win $205) | Grizzlies -260 (bet $260 to win $100)
  • Against the spread: Timberwolves +6.5 (-120) | Grizzlies -6.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under: 231.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

Timberwolves at Grizzlies key injuries

Timberwolves

  • None

Grizzlies

  • None

Timberwolves at Grizzlies picks and predictions

Prediction

Grizzlies 116, Timberwolves 113

Money line

LEAN to the TIMBERWOLVES (+205) because of the fat payout and Minnesota is getting better play from their stars.

KAT got ripped for his Game 3 performance, and rightfully so, but he is averaging 21.3 points on 70.7% true shooting (.565/.417/.875) with 10.8 rebounds. T-Wolves SF Anthony Edwards is scoring a series-best 24.8 points on 65.4% true shooting (.485/.421/.864).

On the other hand Grizzlies PG Ja Morant, the league’s Most Improved Player, is struggling from the field with a 42.3% effective field goal shooting rate. PF Jaren Jackson Jr. has a minus-10 net rating and has gotten at least 5 fouls in three games this series.

The T-Wolves plus the points is a sharp play and I typically like sprinkling on an underdog’s ML when betting them to cover the spread.

These teams have similar identities but the Grizzlies are more efficient and the home team for a pivotal Game 5.

Hence LEAN TIMBERWOLVES (+205).

The prediction is an honest assessment of Game 5.