The Minnesota Timberwolves will be kicking themselves if they can’t find a way to rally from a 3-2 series deficit against Memphis. The Grizzlies erased sizable Minnesota leads to take Games 3 and 5 and are now on the cusp of advancing in the NBA playoffs.
Memphis, the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, is -700 at Caesars Sportsbook to win the best-of-7 series against No. 7 Minnesota (+500), and the Grizzlies are slight favorites to finish off the Timberwolves on the road in Game 6.
Props.com grabs insights from multiple oddsmakers on NBA playoff odds for Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves Game 6. Check back for updates through Friday’s tipoff.
NBA Playoff Odds and Betting Action
No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies vs No. 7 Minnesota Timberwolves (9 p.m. ET)
UPDATE 7 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Two hours before tipoff, the Grizzlies are 1.5-point favorites on TwinSpires Sportsbook’s Friday NBA playoff odds board. That matches the opening number, after this matchup spent some time at pick ’em. The Timberwolves are taking 52% of spread tickets, while the Grizzlies are seeing 52% of spread dollars.
“Great two-way action. Liability is right down the middle,” TwinSpires director of retail sports Zachary Lucas said.
The total toggled from 229 to 229.5 and back, with the Over landing 56% of tickets/58% of money.
UPDATE 7 P.M. ET THURSDAY: The Grizzlies trailed by 11 entering the fourth quarter of Game 5, but Ja Morant scored Memphis’ last 13 points, including a layup with one second left, to earn a 111-109 victory Tuesday. The Timberwolves still covered as 6.5-point underdogs and are 3-2 ATS in the series.
Morant finished with 30 points and 13 rebounds, and Desmond Bane had 25 points. Karl-Anthony Towns had 28 points and 12 rebounds for Minnesota. The Grizzlies won the rebounding battle 53-42 to help them survive shooting only 25% on 3-pointers (7-of-28) and missing 13 free throws (26-for-39).
Game 5 was a second brutal loss for Minnesota in the series after the Timberwolves blew a 26-point lead in Game 3.
The teams have been evenly matched all season on the scoreboard and at the betting window. The Grizzlies lead the season series 5-4 SU, and the Timberwolves are 5-4 ATS after Game 5, which was the first meeting all year in which the winner didn’t also cover the spread. The Under cashed in Game 5 and is 3-2 for the playoff series and 5-4 for the season series.
Memphis opened as a 2-point favorite at WynnBet for Game 6 and dropped to -1. Underdog Minnesota is taking 59% of early bets and 78% of early money. The total opened at 229 and has stayed there, with 77% of bets on the Under but 65% of money on the Over.
