Predicting Each Total for Wednesday’s NBA Playoffs Games

• The Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers total projects to go under 225.5 if Ja Morant doesn’t play.
• Giannis Antetokounmpo’s upgrade from doubtful to questionable gives value to the over at 220.5.
• Despite a combined score of 189 in Game 1, recent matchup history projects the Timberwolves and Nuggets total to go over 222.0.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers have good value to score less than their total set at 225.5 based on the Grizzlies scoring numbers without Ja Morant.

Memphis Grizzlies vs Los Angeles Lakers

• Over 225.5 -110
• Under 225.5 -110

Ja Morant is listed as a game-time decision for their pick em Game 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.

With the Los Angeles Lakers point total sitting at 112.5 on NBA sportsbooks, the Grizzlies would need to score more than 114 for the over. The Grizzlies scored 114 or less points in 10 of their 21 games this season without Ja Morant.

In the lone matchup between the two squads without Ja Morant, the Lakers and Grizzlies combined for 215 points. Although the two teams are top 10 in scoring this season, the potential absence of Ja Morant favors the under.

The Hopeful Return of the Greek Freak

Giannis Antetokounmpo got upgraded to questionable and appears to be ready for Game 2 after two full days of rest. The MVP-candidate potentially returning to the floor means well for the over which sits at 220.5.

Milwaukee Bucks vs Miami Heat

• Over 220.5
• Under 220.5

The biggest risk for the over is the Miami Heat offense, who rank last in the league in points per game this season. The Heat shot their highest three-point percentage of the season in Game 1’s over but can still go over the total for Game 2 with a poor scoring effort.

In the teams’ February 24th matchup, Giannis only played six minutes before exiting and the Heat shot an abysmal 22.5% from three-point range. Still, the two teams combined for 227 points and look to go over their 220.5 total for Game 2 of the NBA Playoffs.

Nuggets vs Timberwolves Total Will Bounce Back

The Denver Nuggets held the Minnesota Timberwolves to 80 points in Game 1, their lowest point total all season. In their regular season series, the average point total was 240.

Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves

• Over 222.0
• Under 222.0

The low-scoring performance of 189 combined points in Game 1 is an outlier compared to their other matchups. The Timberwolves were completely outclassed but have proven they can compete with the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference by splitting their regular season series at two games apiece.

The Nuggets were able to let off the gas after a 32-14 third quarter rout that put them up 29 heading into the final 12 minutes. If the Timberwolves can get even a single player to score over 20 points in their game 2 matchup, the over has good value on online sportsbooks despite the Game 1 blowout.