MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES VS. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — January 20, 2025

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES VS. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — January 20, 2025 — Greetings, basketball fans. Welcome back to our NBA coverage here at Godzilla Wins. One of the games on tap from today’s slate features the Memphis Grizzlies (27-15 SU, 28-14 ATS) hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves (22-20 SU, 16-26 ATS).

Here is a look at which squad has the edge going into this matchup and why.

Tipoff

When: Monday, January 20, 2025 @ 2:30 PM ET

Where: FedExForum, Memphis, TN

TV: TNT, FDSSE, truTV, and MAX

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Odds

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves — Regular Season Stats & Betting Trends

Grizzlies Look To Extend Win Streak To Three Games

Following a 120-118 setback against the Houston Rockets on Jan. 13, the Grizzlies have posted wins in their last two outings, including a 140-112 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night. Three starters reached double figures in that contest, headlined by a solid effort from Desmond Bane. He finished with 22 points, 14 assists, six rebounds and three steals.

Jaylen Wells added 22 points and three rebounds, while Jaren Jackson Jr. chipped in with 19 points and four assists. Memphis also got a whopping 56 points from its second unit. Santi Aldama led this group with 29 points and eight rebounds. San Antonio led 64-62 at the break but could not sustain its momentum the rest of the way. Memphis outscored the Spurs 78-48 in the second half, including a 40-18 advantage in the third quarter. Defeating the Spurs for the second straight game in as many nights, Memphis outscored San Antonio 156-100 in the second halves of both games.

Timberwolves Look To Bounce Back From Loss Against The Cavaliers

Meanwhile, the Timberwolves enter this matchup on the heels of a 124-117 loss against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who enter Monday’s action with the league’s top record at 35-6. In the seven-point loss to Cleveland, four starters reached double figures. Anthony Edwards led the pack with 28 points and five assists.

Julius Randle posted an impressive stat line with 20 points, 14 boards, and nine dimes. Rudy Gobert finished with 17 points and 12 rebounds, while Jaden McDaniels contributed 13 points and five rebounds. The teams played to a 60-60 stalemate in the first half, and Cleveland led by just four points late in the third quarter. But thanks to six consecutive points from reserve guard Ty Jerome, the Cavaliers led by 10 points heading into the final frame, and Minnesota never recovered.

The Timberwolves won all four matchups between these teams last season. However, Memphis defeated the Timberwolves 127-125 when they faced off a little over a week ago. Can Minnesota bounce back from its loss against Cleveland, or will the Grizzlies extend their winning streak to three games? Now that we have set the stage for the Western Conference showdown, let’s examine the betting trends for both teams.

Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves Spread Analysis

The Grizzlies enter this matchup as a 4.5-point favorite (per OddsShark.com). Here is a look at how both teams have fared against the spread this season.

• The Grizzlies are 5-1 ATS in their last six outings.
• Memphis has covered the spread four times in its previous five matchups against Western Conference opponents.
• In their last five January games, the Grizzlies are 4-1 against the spread.
• The Timberwolves are 1-4 ATS in their previous five contests.
• Minnesota is 1-5 ATS in its last five outings against Western Conference teams.
• The Timberwolves have covered the spread thrice in their previous 10 January games.

Prediction: Memphis Grizzlies (-4.5)

Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves Over/Under Prediction

The projected scoring total for this matchup is 234 points (via OddsShark.com). Here is why going with the “over” is the intelligent choice.

• The total has gone OVER five times in the Grizzlies’ last six matchups against Minnesota.
• The OVER total is 7-3 in Memphis’s previous 10 games against Northwest Division opponents.
• The total has gone OVER four times in the Timberwolves’ last five games.
• In Minnesota’s previous 16 contests against Southwest Division teams, the OVER total has prevailed 12 times.

Prediction: OVER 234 points

Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves Player Prop Bet

With Ja Morant’s uncertain status for this game, Jaren Jackson Jr. — who leads the team in scoring, steals, and blocks — is the key player to watch for the home team in this contest. He currently has -105 odds of scoring more than 21.5 points and -125 odds of finishing with less than 21.5 points (via DraftKings.com).

Here is a look at how his numbers stack up against the projected points total for this matchup.

• During the season, Jackson is averaging 22.6 points per game.
• In the previous matchup between these teams, Jackson scored 33 points and grabbed eight rebounds on 13-for-24 shooting from the field.
• Jackson has suited up in 20 home games this season. In those contests, he averages 21.6 points per contest.
• Across his last four starts, Jackson has put up 22.0 points per game, exceeding the points total for this matchup once during that stretch.

Prediction: Jaren Jackson Jr. OVER 21.5 points