Memphis’ Game 1 loss to Minnesota sure looked like a fluke Tuesday, as the Grizzlies romped to a blowout victory over the Timberwolves to even the series at 1-1. The Grizzlies also secured an easy Game 2 cover in the NBA playoff odds market.
Memphis, the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, is now -270 at Wynn Las Vegas to win the best-of-7 series against No. 7 Minnesota (+220). The Grizzlies also are favored on the road for Game 3 on Thursday.
Props.com grabs insights from multiple oddsmakers on NBA playoff odds for Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves Game 3. Check back for updates through Thursday’s tipoff.
NBA Playoff Odds and Betting Action
No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies vs No. 7 Minnesota Timberwolves (7:30 p.m. ET)
UPDATE 5:15 P.M. ET THURSDAY: The Grizzlies opened as 2-point favorites at PointsBet USA, and the line has gone up to 2.5, with 74% of bets and 76% of money on Memphis. The line moved from 2 to 2.5 (-105) to 2.5 flat to 2 (-115) today, before returning to 2.5. The total opened at 236.5 and is now 237.5, with 54% of bets on the Under but 74% of money on the Over. The total has pinged between 237 and 237.5 several times today.
UPDATE 6:30 P.M. ET WEDNESDAY: After suffering 130-117 upset loss in Game 1, the Grizzlies on Tuesday looked like the team that had the NBA’s second-best record (56-26) during the regular season. Memphis broke open a close contest after the first quarter and rolled to a 124-96 victory in Game 2, easily cashing as 7-point home chalk. The game stayed Under 239.5 after the series opener soared past the 238-point total.
Star guard Ja Morant paced the Grizzlies with 23 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists. Neither team shot well from long range (Memphis was 11-for-34 from 3-point range; Minnesota 11-for-38). However, the Timberwolves made a dismal 39.5 percent of their overall field-goal attempts, compared with the Grizzlies’ 47.8 percent.
The Grizzlies were the NBA’s most profitable team this season at 52-29-1 ATS. The Timberwolves finished the regular campaign on a 4-6 SU/2-8 ATS slide, but they were 2-0 SU and ATS in the playoffs — including a play-in game victory over the Clippers — before Tuesday’s loss.
The teams have now split their six meetings this season both on the court and at the betting window, with the home team going 5-1 SU/ATS (the lone exception being Minnesota’s Game 1 victory). Going back several years, though, Memphis is 16-5 ATS in its past 21 meetings against the TWolves.
Despite Game 2 staying Under, Minnesota went strongly to the Over in the regular season at 52-30 (best Over record in the NBA).
Morant is listed as questionable for Game 3 with a leg injury, but there is no indication that he won’t play.
The Grizzlies opened as 2.5-point road favorites at WynnBet for Game 3, but the line has dropped to -1.5, with 79% of early bets and 59% of early money on Memphis. The total opened at 238 and dipped to 237.5, with 58% of bets/93% of money on the Under.