Minnesota Timberwolves vs Memphis Grizzlies Preview (11/11/22): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds

By Andrew Norton | Nov 11, 2022, 2:02am

Contents

Friday night’s NBA slate features a matchup between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Memphis Grizzlies, two teams that battled it out in the playoffs last season. In this matchup preview, I will detail the key matchups, list the projected starting lineups, analyze the current odds, and discuss the injury report. Take a look!

Minnesota Timberwolves Vs. Memphis Grizzlies Betting Odds

The Grizzlies are five-point favorites at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This could be a new rivalry brewing after an intense playoff matchup last season! Memphis has the usual injury report, which includes Jaren Jackson Jr, Danny Green, and Ziaire Williams. When those three can return, it will be dangerous for the rest of the Western Conference. Minnesota will miss Naz Reid in this one due to illness; however, it is entirely healthy otherwise!

Minnesota Timberwolves Vs. Memphis Grizzlies Prediction

Memphis has been hot in its past five games, winning four despite not having Jaren Jackson Jr, one of the league’s premier interior defenders, and Ziaire Williams in the lineup. Once those two return, this team could be the most dangerous in the NBA!

For now, the Grizzlies are relying heavily on their offensive output, which is quite different than last season, when they were arguably a top-five defensive in the league. Part of that is due to Jackson’s absence, but they haven’t found that next gear on that end of the floor yet. Luckily, Memphis ranks in the top six in offensive rating in the league; it also stands at sixth in 3P% (three-point percentage) and points per game!

The combination of Desmond Bane and Ja Morant is lethal, especially with Morant’s improved three-point shooting. Bane could legitimately win Most Improved Player this season, one year after Morant did. Another player that holds a ton of importance yet is more of an unsung hero is Steven Adams. When Adams is on the floor, he can create a ton of space for Morant in the paint by keeping the opposing big man on his back, away from Ja. Despite being without JJJ and Ziaire, the Grizzlies boast an impressive 8-4 record and will look to continue to build on that.

Meanwhile, Minnesota has dropped two straight and five of its past six games; this team looks atrocious at the moment. The Timberwolves rank 16th in defensive efficiency and 21st in offensive efficiency; they don’t have the drive we saw at last season’s end. It’s not a complicated bet for me, and I will stick with the Grizzlies at home against the spread.

Betting Trends

Minnesota is 1-2 ATS on the road in 2022-23
Memphis is 3-2 ATS at home in 2022-23
The combined over record of these two teams is 10-13-1 in 2022-23

Key Matchups

The battle between the Minnesota Timberwolves’ defensive rebounding and Memphis Grizzlies’ offensive rebounding highlights the key matchup between these two teams. My analysis below details which team has the advantage in this key matchup and the game!

Timberwolves’ Defensive Rebounding vs. Grizzlies’ Offensive Rebounding

Interestingly enough, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been mediocre on the glass, despite having Karl Anthony-Towns and Rudy Gobert together on the floor. It makes no sense, and the only explanation is that there’s either no chemistry with this team yet, or they don’t have a lot of energy.

The Timberwolves rank 22nd in the NBA in defensive rebounding percentage, while Memphis ranks second in offensive rebounding percentage. Steven Adams and his endless effort on the offensive glass is a significant reason for the Grizzlies’ success in rebounding. Even though Gobert and KAT are great rebounders, Adams will cause issues. I like the Grizzlies to have the advantage here. Advantage: Grizzlies’ Offensive Rebounding.

Minnesota Timberwolves Starting Lineup

PG: D’Angelo Russell
SG: Anthony Edwards
SF: Jaden McDaniels
PF: Karl Anthony-Towns
C: Rudy Gobert

Minnesota Timberwolves Team Pages

Memphis Grizzlies Starting Lineups

PG: Ja Morant
SG: Desmond Bane
SF: Dillon Brooks
PF: Santi Aldama
C: Steven Adams

Memphis Grizzlies Team Pages

Key Injuries

Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries: Naz Reid (Out)

Memphis Grizzlies Injuries: Jaren Jackson Jr (Out), Ziaire Williams (Out), Desmond Bane (Q), Danny Green (Out), Steven Adams (Q), Jake LaRavia (Q)

Andrew Norton

Drew is one of the NBA Lead Writers at Lineups.com, specializing in betting content such as game predictions and player props. With a deep knowledge of players and prospects, Drew has an extensive edge in covering everything NBA.