Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 2/10/2023

Time: 8 p.m. ET

Venue: FedEx Forum, Memphis, TN

Where to watch: Bally Sports SE-MEM, Bally Sports North

DraftKings: Grizzlies -8.5

FanDuel: Grizzlies -9

BetMGM: Grizzlies -8.5

Caesars: Grizzlies -9

Timberwolves: 30-28

Grizzlies: 33-21

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Timberwolves: won 143-118 at Jazz

Grizzlies: won 104-89 vs. Bulls

The Minnesota Timberwolves are entrusting a new change at point guard to help get them into the playoffs and provide a deep run. Whether elder statesman Mike Conley is really the answer there remains to be seen, but we’ll find out when the Timberwolves take on the Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum on Friday.

The Timberwolves were a part of that blockbuster three-way trade in which they sent D’Angelo Russell back to the Los Angeles Lakers to get Conley from the Utah Jazz, while Utah took back Russell Westbrook (which should end up in a buyout for Westbrook to sign anywhere he wants). In losing Russell, they move on from a capable 20-point scorer and former All-Star that just didn’t gel much with Karl-Anthony Towns (albeit injured) and Anthony Edwards. For Minnesota, it’s all about the capital they get back. They get Conley and young forward Nickeil Alexander-Walker, along with three second-round picks. 

But the Timberwolves are coming off a 143-118 win over the Jazz in the first game since the trade, which the world was reminded that Anthony Edwards is still a beast. He finished with 31 points, seven rebounds and eight assists while Minnesota shot an astounding 57 percent from the floor and 23 of 43 from behind the 3-point line. Jaylen Nowell also had a career night with 30 points and six made 3-pointers as the starting point guard in place of Russell.

Luka Garza had a career-high 25 points in 24 minutes off the bench.

"It was definitely strange," Garza said about the big trade. "But I don't want to ever look back in my time in the NBA and be like, 'I didn't make the most of what was my childhood dream.'"

Because we’re not sure where the Timberwolves are in adding Conley and how that offense will look, Minnesota is getting as much as 9 points in this matchup against the struggling Grizzlies. Memphis, who is 2-6 since big man Steven Adams went down with a PCL sprain that is expected to keep him out for most of the second half of the season, is coming off a 104-89 win over the Chicago Bulls at home to end a three-game winning streak.

Ja Morant had 34 points and seven assists, and Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 24 points and five blocks to stifle an inconsistent offense based in Chicago. The Grizzlies shot 48 percent from the floor.

"This was an important game to get because we kind of battled back in that fourth quarter," Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said.

In addition to struggling beyond belief, the Grizzlies have failed to cover in seven of their last 10. The fact that they’re favored as high as they are in this one would scare me, even if it’s against an unknown backcourt in Minnesota. They still have to deal with Edwards and Rudy Gobert, so it’s not like it’s a full-on-bad team.

This will be the third straight game where the Timberwolves are underdogs by at least 8 points after winning once and getting blown out by the Denver Nuggets. With Memphis’ struggles, I do wonder if they can take advantage of the weak post game with the absence of Adams. Timberwolves 116, Grizzlies 114

Timberwolves are 11-15 ATS on the road this season.

Timberwolves are 7-6 ATS off a road division win this season.

Grizzlies are 26-11 ATS after two straight non-conference games this season.

PG: Mike Conley

SG: Anthony Edwards

SF: Jaden McDaniels

PF: Kyle Anderson

C: Rudy Gobert

PG: Ja Morant

SG: Desmond Bane

SF: Dillon Brooks

PF: Jaren Jackson Jr.

C: Brandon Clarke

Timberwolves: Rudy Gobert (groin, questionable), Karl-Anthony Towns (calf, out)

Grizzlies: Steven Adams (PCL, out)

Points: Anthony Edwards -- 24.7

Rebounds: Rudy Gobert -- 11.4

Assists: Anthony Edwards -- 4.6

Points: Ja Morant -- 27.4

Rebounds: Steven Adams -- 11.5

Assists: Ja Morant -- 8.3