Bane and the Grizzles take on KAT's Timberwolves for the first time since the playoffs.
(Via David Berding, Getty Images)
Injury Report:
Memphis: Danny Green (Out, Knee), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Out, Foot), Kenneth Lofton Jr. (Out, 2-way Transfer), Zaire Willams (Out, Patellar Tendinitis)
Minnesota: Wendell Moore Jr. (Out, G League assignment), Luka Garza (Out, 2-way Transfer), Josh Minott (Out, G League assignment), Naz Reid (Out, Illness)
Projected Starting Lineups
Memphis: Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Dillon Brooks, Santi Aldama, Steven Adams
Minnesota: D'Angelo Russel, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Karl Anthony-Towns, Rudy Gobert
The last time these two teams met was in their heated playoff match-up in the 2022 NBA Playoffs.
The Timberwolves roster is a bit different than the last time these two teams met. Instead of Pat Bev, Malik Beasly, and Jarred Vanderbilt the Grizzlies now have to face off against Rudy Gobert. The early season hasn't been great for Minnesota as they are 5-7 through twelve games. Despite struggling a game against the team that ended your season last year after you felt like you just won the NBA Finals is some motivation for the Timberwolves. Let's get into some Keys of the Game.
The Steven Adams Way.
( Via Nzherald.co.nz )
One of the huge plot points in the series last season was how Minnesota forced Steven Adams to the bench as he struggled to be effective. Adams was asked with the strong task of guarding KAT and that got him into frequent foul trouble in the series the Grizzlies would rather have JJJ guard Vanderbilt in the corner but hover over the rim and protect it. With the Gobert trade Adams will have a much more favorable matchup in the paint. With that, this means that Aldama is going to have to step up big and guard KAT on the perimeter. I would be surprised if Jenkins does not match up Adam's minutes with Goberts.
The Three Ball Efficiency
Memphis has been letting it fly a lot more than last season as they have found more efficiency from beyond the arc. The Grizzlies' 34.5 three-point attempts per game are 38.6 percent shooting highs for the team over the last few seasons. Against Minnesota, the Grizzlies' shooting could prove to be even more important. Memphis will continue to utilize the PNR with Ja and Adams to try and torture whoever of Gobert or KAT is guarding Adams. With the Timberwolves' lack of speed because of their size, they'll likely cheat on defense and have whoever isn't guarding Adams move over to the paint and protect the rim when Ja attacks the rim. This will leave guys as Aldama and Brooks open on the outside. If those two, and two bench guys like Konchar and LaRavia, can hit the triple on open looks then it will force the Wolves to leave the paint open a little bit more which will create lanes for Ja.
Prediction:
Memphis 114, Minnesota 109
Game MVP: Steven Adams
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