MEM vs MIN Dream11: The Play-in tournament is over and the horn is blaring for the Playoffs to start. The start of the Playoffs signify that with each day, we will accelerate towards the title race. The Western Conference Playoffs picture is clear, the Suns take on the Pelicans, the Warriors take on the Nuggets, and the Mavericks take on the Jazz. And in this game, the Memphis Grizzlies will host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The exciting Grizzlies finished with the second-best record in the league during the Regular Season and they have played some beautiful brand of basketball. They are perhaps the deepest teams in the league and some of their starters are capable of becoming starters on other teams. Can this depth spell a long Playoff run?
The Timberwolves are no less exciting and their ability to put up shots early in the shot-clock allows them to be one of the highest-scoring teams in the league. While they are not as deep as the Grizzlies, they can still put a dent in the oppositions’ defense. Can they put up a solid fight versus the Grizzlies?
Host: Memphis Grizzlies
Visitors: Minnesota Timberwolves
Match Timing: 17 April, @ 01:00 AM (+05:30 UTC)
Venue: Fed Ex Forum
High-speed chase
Both teams have shown the ability to exchange in an uptempo style of basketball. What makes Grizzlies special is their ability to get a ton of steals and blocks, which makes up for a fast-break style. While matching against the Grizzlies, it is essential to take care of the passing lane as they have players that can get their hands at a quick rate to the ball. The challenge for the Timberwolves is that even if they force a shoot-out here, the Grizzlies can respond in kind. However, that is not the only challenge for them.
The other trouble is that all Grizzlies starters bring different forms of offense. While Morant and Adams can pass from multiple angles, Brooks and Bane can nail their jumpers and also drive to the lane. The Timberwolves have three strong scorers in Russell, Edwards, and Anthony-Towns, all capable of scoring in multiple ways, having a more than decent outside offensive game and also finishing close to the rim, all three are capable passers but the two other starters in Vanderbilt and Beverley are not consistent scorers.
But the Timberwolves became a better team because they acquired Beverley, who gave them the needed defensive intensity at the perimeter. It will be vital for Beverley to give quality defense as Russell is not a pesky presence on the defensive end. The Grizzlies will need to match up against the up-tempo style of the Wolves, something that keeps the team in the game. However, they can afford to give the rest of their starters and bring fresher bodies in Melton, Clarke, Jones, and Anderson off the bench to share the load. The Wolves can find it tough to keep Steven Adams off the boards, and that can play a key role in this game.
Fantasy related speculations
The ace player for Grizzlies is likely to be Ja Morant, who brings elite scoring, and playmaking, and can also rack up steals. For the Timberwolves, Anthony-Towns has been the scoring and rebounding leader but Russell and Edwards are not far behind them. I see these three playing at least 35 minutes each unless someone is in foul trouble or this is an early blowout. For the Grizzlies, Bane brings scoring but not much rebounding and playmaking whereas Jaren Jackson brings elite shot-blocking, scoring, and rebounding too. Steven Adams can rack up rebounds whereas Dillon Brooks usually is a decent scorer. Clarke, Melton, Beasley, and Vanderbilt can act as decent filler-type of players and the same goes for Beverley.
Performance Predictions
Highest scorer: Ja Morant: 34
Highest rebounder: Steven Adams: 14
Top assists maker: D’Angelo Russell: 9
Score Prediction: Grizzlies 121 Timberwolves 108
Memphis Grizzlies News
Grizzlies Expected Starting Five
Defensive Specialist: PF: Jaren Jackson Jr
Rebounding Specialist: C: Steven Adams
Two-way Wing: SF: Dillon Brooks
Scoring Guard: SG: Desmond Bane
Leading Scorer and Playmaker: PG: Ja Morant
BENCH: Brandon Clarke, DeAnthony Melton, Tyus Jones, John Konchar, Yves Pons, Xavier Tillman, Ziairie Williams, Jarrett Culver, Tyler Terry.
Minnesota Timberwolves Teams News:
Timberwolves Expected Starting Five
Athletic Wing: SF: Anthony Edwards
Rebounding specialist: PF: Jarred Vanderbilt
All-around Star Center: C: Karl Anthony-Towns
Scoring and Playmaking Guard: PG: D’Angelo Russell
Defensive specialist/all-around Guard: PG: Patrick Beverley
BENCH: Jaden McDaniels, Malik Beasley, Naz Reid, Taurean Prince, Jordan McLaughlin, Josh Okogie, Jaylen Nowell, Nathan Knight, Jake Layman.
Anthony Edwards(MIN)
Edwards has become an effective scorer and has one of the best driving skills right now, and against the Grizzlies, he will need to up the gears. I expect a 17-23 points and 4-6 rebounds range here.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 25-35
Ja Morant(MEM)
Ja had a prolific season and if not for so many injuries, he would have been a frontrunner for the MVP award. The athletic guard can supply scoring and playmaking while reading the lanes well, and I expect a 29-37 points, 5-8 assists, and 2-3 steals range from him. He can be chosen as a Star/Pro Player in the Dream 11 NBA Fantasy scenario.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 40-55
Karl Anthony-Towns(MIN)
Anthony-Towns was in huge foul trouble against the Clippers in the last game but he will be ready to get going here as a versatile scorer, rebounder, and help defender. I expect a 22-26 points, 8-13 rebounds, 3-5 assists, and 1-2 blocks/steals range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 36-50
Jaren Jackson(MEM)
Power Forward Jaren is one of the contenders for the Defensive Player of the Year Award and he also brings tremendous scoring and rebounding to the fray. I expect 13-19 points, 5-8 rebounds, and 3-5 blocks range from the athletic player.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 25-35
D’Angelo Russell (MEM)
Lefty guard Russell has one of the sweetest looking jumpers in the league and he has been responsible for the Playoff run when it comes to the Wolves. He provides quality shooting and playmaking and I expect a 14-19 points and 8-10 assists range here.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 27-44
Steven Adams(MEM)
Center Adams is one of the elitist rebounders in the league and his passing has also improved exceptionally. The tough middle player can be in 5-9 points, 10-15 rebounds, 3-5 assists, and 1-3 blocks/steals range.
Expected Fantasy Points Range: 20-30
MEM vs MIN Dream11 Team
(Most recommended)
PG: P Beverley, T Jones, J Morant(SP)
SG: M Beasley
SF: D Bane
PF: D Brooks
C: K Towns(PP), S Adams
(Alternate)
PG: T Jones, J Morant(SP)
SG: A Edwards
SF: J McDaniels
PF: J Vanderbilt, B Clarke
C: K Towns(PP), S Adams
Wouldn’t you love to see Ja Morant’s high-flying dunks and an intriguing physical battle between Anthony-Towns and Steven Adams? In a not-so-encouraging piece of news for Indian NBA fans, this match can’t be seen through the official streaming services. The two official Indian streaming platforms Voot and JIOTV are going to showcase this game. This is why the most viable method to get plugged into all the NBA games is by purchasing the annual subscription to the NBA League Pass which gives you access to all the live streams and full game replays too. To learn the scores, stats, and news, go to the official website of the NBA.
