The struggling and reeling Memphis Grizzlies get set to take on the upstart Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.  Bookmaker has installed the Timberwolves as a - 12.5 point favorite. 

The Timberwolves have enjoyed a ton of success this season and many did not believe that they could have the staying power to play this well this deep into the season. But their mix of young players with some veterans have turned this recently struggling franchise around and now they appear to be making a march into the playoffs. 

They rely on a great 1-2 punch of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, who have both played at a very high and consistent level. Edwards is netting 26 points per game while Towns is chipping in with 22 a night. They do a nice job of rebounding as well, but their best player around the rim in that regard is veteran center Rudy Gobert who is pulling down a team-high 12.7 boards while adding in 13.7 points per night. 

Minnesota is a team that will look to push the pace and really force the ball inside because they have several players that can score around the rim. The fans like the style and play of the Timberwolves and they have played well against the number this season. They are 30-25-2 overall against the number. 

The Grizzlies have had a ton of issues this season and they have not been able to really get anything together on the court. They have not been a very consistent team and they have been hit hard with a ton of major injuries and the overall loss of Ja Morant has really hindered their offense. 

Morant was averaging close to 25 points per game and since he is lost for the remainder of the season, role players and bench players have to step up and make plays and contribute to their offense. 

Jaren Jackson Jr. has to be the primary ball handler and scorer with Morant and Desmond Bane who is lost due to a left ankle injury. It is deemed a sprain and he will miss some time. He was averaging 24 points per game and now it is Jackson's turn to get into the fold.

Jackson is contributing 22 a night for Memphis, which is averaging 106 points per night. If Jackson can go off and they play solid defense and limit transitional buckets and opportunities by Memphis they have a shot at covering this game and keeping it close even though they are a depleted team. 

Minnesota is 4-1 in their last five games and 4-1 in their last five games against the number too. They are 16-14 in their road games against the spread. The totals have gone over in two out of their last five games. The Grizzlies are 2-3 in their last five games and 4-1 in their last five games against the number and a solid 16-13 in their road games against the number too.