Grizzlies vs. Timberwolves playoff preview: Minnesota’s crucial task at slowing Ja Morant among top storylines

Two younger, proficient groups within the Western Convention go head-to-head within the first spherical of the 2022 NBA playoffs because the No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies tackle the No. 7 Minnesota Timberwolves. The Grizzlies (56-26) are contemporary off top-of-the-line common seasons in franchise historical past, whereas the Wolves (46-36) earned their spot within the collection by besting the Los Angeles Clippers within the play-in event. 

With Karl-Anthony Cities, Anthony Edwards and D’Angelo Russell on Minnesota and Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. on Memphis, the collection boasts no scarcity of star energy, and as such it ought to show to be extraordinarily entertaining, For what it is price, the groups break up their 4 regular-season matchups, with each groups successful twice. Here is what you have to know in regards to the collection together with three key storylines.

(2) Memphis Grizzlies vs. (7) Minnesota Timberwolves

All occasions Japanese

• Sport 1: Timberwolves 130, Grizzlies 117
• Sport 2 (at MEM): Tuesday, April 19 | 9:30 p.m. | TV: NBATV
• Sport 3 (at MIN): Thursday, April 21 | 7:30 p.m. | TV: TNT
• Sport 4 (at MIN): Saturday, April 23 | 10 p.m. | TV: ESPN
• Sport 5* (at MEM): Tuesday, April 26 | TBD | TV: TBD
• Sport 6* (at MIN): Friday, April 29 | TBD | TV: TBD
• Sport 7* (at MEM): Sunday, Could 1 | TBD | TV: TBD

*If essential

1. Anthony Edwards’ playoff debut

The Timberwolves’ second-year sensation Anthony Edwards makes his postseason debut within the collection towards Minnesota. Edwards had a stellar second season for Minnesota, as he posted averages of 21.3 factors, 4.8 rebounds and three.8 assists per efficiency. Alongside the best way, Edwards seemed a complete lot like a future All-Star. Gamers are really examined within the postseason, although, as that is the place reputations — and legacies — are made. Will probably be extraordinarily fascinating to see how Edwards fares in his first style of postseason play. 

2. How will Minnesota gradual Ja Morant?

The Grizzlies are a deep crew, however on the subject of Memphis, Ja Morant is clearly the top of proverbial snake. When he is out on the ground, Morant is the catalyst for Memphis’ offense and the crew largely goes as he goes. Thus, Minnesota’s method to defending him will probably be vital. If the Wolves can put constant stress on Morant, and even drive to ball out of his arms at occasions and make different gamers to beat them, they need to give themselves alternative to win. Nevertheless, if Morant is ready to constantly go off towards Minnesota’s protection, it could possibly be an extended collection for the Timberwolves. 

3. A battle of high-powered offenses 

Each the Grizzlies and Timberwolves have potent offensive assaults, and that would end in a particularly high-scoring collection. Throughout the common season, Memphis had the NBA’s fourth-highest rated offense, whereas the Wolves had the seventh. The 2 groups additionally averaged probably the most factors per recreation league-wide in the course of the common season, with the Wolves scoring a median of 115.9 factors per efficiency, and the Grizzlies proper behind them with 115.6. In different phrases, each groups can put up factors in bunches. Because of this whichever crew is ready to play some strong protection and restrict the opposite crew’s manufacturing will give themselves a terrific probability of successful the collection.