Grizzlies to play Timberwolves in playoffs first round
The Memphis Grizzlies will play the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs, after the Timberwolves defeated the L.A. Clippers 109104 on Tuesday night at the Target Center.
Game 1 between the Grizzlies and Timberwolves will take place Saturday (2:30 p.m., ESPN) at Fedexforum.
Memphis and Minnesota split their four regular season meetings, with both winning on their home courts, and they have notable similarities.
Memphis leads the NBA in steals per game and Minnesota is third. They are also the top two scoring offenses in the NBA.
In the last meeting, Patrick Beverley had several trash talking moments with Grizzlies players. After the Timberwolves win, he tweeted at Grizzlies players.
“(Expletive) Memphis Grizz no dancing or talking crazzzy tonight huh awwww ok Good Luck rest of the way,” the tweet read.
D’angelo Russell averaged 31 points per game against the Grizzlies in the four meetings, but Dillon Brooks, the best Grizzlies perimeter defender, did not play in any of the meetings.
Ja Morant averaged 20 points per game against the Timberwolves.
He’ll likely be matched up against Beverley.
This will also be a meeting featuring two of the NBA’S most exciting young cores.
The Grizzlies will likely be favorites, but the Timberwolves are a formidable opponent.
TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’neal picked the Timberwolves to win the series, and Kenny Smith picked the Grizzlies.
Contact Damichael Cole at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com and on Twitter @damichaelc