The Minnesota Timberwolves just took down the Detroit Pistons in a surprisingly close game last night. The Wolves needed to use Rudy Gobert for 38 minutes, which, to me, suggests a chance the veteran rests in the second leg of another back-to-back. Let’s dive into the Anthony Edwards player prop odds to identify the best bet for Thursday’s Grizzlies-Timberwolves matchup. If you’re hungry for more action, check out the rest of our guide to NBA player prop betting as well!
Anthony Edwards Player Prop: Best Grizzlies-Timberwolves Bet Today
Grizzlies-Timberwolves Player Prop Pick: Anthony Edwards O/U 25.5 Points
The Memphis Grizzlies are kind of a corpse with Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart and Ja Morant all on the shelf. Sure, they put together an impressive showing versus the Golden State Warriors earlier in the week, but the Warriors are an 18-22 team. The Timberwolves are 29-11 and rank atop the Western Conference. It’s one thing to look good against a conference bottom-dweller, it’s another to look good against the conference leader.
Despite Memphis’ recent plucky showings, struggles against high-usage guards have plagued them. The Grizzlies have allowed the most points per game to point guards over the last seven games (29.6) but the fewest to shooting guards (17.9). Since Edwards plays both guard spots, it’s important to clarify that this sample skews toward point guards and small forwards as the higher-usage options.
Memphis’ recent games saw big games from Stephen Curry (26), Paul George (37), Kyrie Irving (33) and Luka Doncic (31). It’s also worth noting that this seven-game sample still includes a few that Smart, Bane and Morant played. With that no longer the case, Edwards should draw plenty of minutes against lower-quality, less experienced defenders, allowing him to either cut to the rim or take perimeter shots with greater ease.
I’m trusting Minnesota’s high-usage star to cook the Grizzlies tonight. Although Edwards has struggled in a three-game sample without rest this year, scoring only 23 points per game, he scored 24.9 points without rest year despite his overall lower scoring production and usage rate. Edwards averaged only 24.6 points per game last year. He is averaging 26 points per game this year, so I trust him to put together at least an average showing versus the shorthanded Grizzlies. I’m also buying him to score 30-plus for +180 at FanDuel.
Grizzlies-Timberwolves Player Prop: Anthony Edwards Over 25.5 Points -115 at Fanatics
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