The Memphis Grizzlies aim to close out the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday evening in Game 6 of their first-round series in the 2022 NBA playoffs. Memphis won Game 5 in thrilling fashion, taking a 3-2 series lead. Minnesota now hosts the follow-up, and the Wolves are attempting to send the series back to Memphis for Game 7. Steven Adams (protocols) is out for Memphis, with Ziaire Williams (knee) listed as doubtful. The Wolves report no injuries for Game 6.
Caesars Sportsbook lists Memphis as a 1.5-point favorite for this 9 p.m. ET tipoff. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over-under, is 229.5 in the latest Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves odds. Before making any Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies picks, you need to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer simulation model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past three-plus seasons. The model enters the second full week of the 2022 NBA playoffs on a stunning 86-58 roll on all top-rated NBA picks, returning over $2,100. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Grizzlies vs. Wolves and just revealed its picks and NBA playoff predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and playoff betting lines for Wolves vs. Grizzlies:
- Grizzlies vs. Wolves spread: Grizzlies -1.5
- Grizzlies vs. Wolves over-under: 229.5 points
- Grizzlies vs. Wolves money line: Grizzlies -120, Wolves +100
- MEM: The Grizzlies are 4-5-1 against the spread in the last 10 games
- MINN: The Wolves are 4-6 against the spread in the last 10 games
Why the Grizzlies can cover
Memphis has taken the series lead with defense, holding Minnesota to fewer than 1.06 points per possession and forcing 19 turnovers per game. That holds true for a Grizzlies team that ranked near the top of the league in defensive efficiency this season, but Memphis is also explosive on offense. In the series, the Grizzlies are generating 34 free throw attempts per game and producing 26.2 assists per game. Memphis also maintains a stellar offensive rebound rate of 30.6 percent in the series, and the Grizzlies led the NBA in offensive rebound rate during the regular season.
Memphis finished as a top-five offense in the league in 2021-22, scoring more than 1.14 points per possession, and the Grizzlies also led the NBA in second-chance points, fast break points and points in the paint over a large sample. Memphis posted top-eight marks in assists per game and turnover rate, and the Grizzlies are facing a Minnesota defense that ranked in the bottom five of the NBA in defensive rebound rate, free throw prevention and assists allowed this season.
Why the Timberwolves can cover
The Wolves are performing quite well in the series, especially when compared to traditional No. 7 seeds. Minnesota is shooting 38.8 percent from 3-point range on offense, and the Wolves are making full use of the free throw line. They are taking 28.4 free throw attempts per game, an elite figure, and converting more than 83 percent of those shots. That boosts overall efficiency, and Minnesota is moving the ball well in assisting on 63.1 percent of field goals.
The Wolves have upper-echelon shot creators in Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, and Minnesota ranked in the top eight of the NBA in offensive efficiency, offensive rebounding, assists per game, second-chance points, free throw attempts and fast break points during the regular season. The Wolves also led the league in 3-pointers, making 14.8 per game, and Minnesota also has defensive strengths. Minnesota is blocking 8.4 shots per game in the series, and the Wolves ranked in the top three of the league in turnover creation, blocks per game and steals per game during the regular season.
How to make Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves picks
SportsLine's model is leaning under on the total, projecting 222 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50 percent of simulations. You can only see the model's Timberwolves vs. Grizzlies pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Grizzlies vs. Wolves? And which side of the spread hits in well over 50 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Grizzlies vs. Wolves spread you need to jump on Friday, all from the model that has crushed its NBA picks, and find out.
