Tip-off: Monday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Memphis -7.5, Total: 197

The Timberwolves try not to fall back under .500 when they head to south for a visit with the red-hot Grizzlies.

Minnesota has been an exciting team to watch this season with an explosive offense and some of the best young players in the game, but has played only .500 basketball, and lost its past two games SU and ATS. The first loss was a 23-point drubbing in Houston on Thursday, and the most recent game was a 7-point defeat to Phoenix on Sunday at home. The Wolves allowed a robust 128.0 PPG on 58% FG in the pair of losses. On the other hand, Memphis has been on fire in March, going 9-3 SU and 7-5 ATS. After a tight 5-point loss in Miami on Friday, the Grizzlies bounced back the next night with an impressive 82-71 home victory over Eastern Conference-leading Indiana, holding their opponent to 36.5% FG. Minnesota has tallied a strong 19-16 ATS road record this season, which is much better than Memphis' 15-21 ATS mark at home. This will be the third meeting between these two teams with the road team winning (SU and ATS) on both previous occasions. After the Wolves pulled out a 101-93 road win on Dec. 15, the Grizzlies returned the favor with a 94-90 victory on Jan. 31 at Target Center. Despite the split this season, Memphis has completely dominated this series over the past five seasons, going 15-2 SU (12-5 ATS) in the 17 meetings. On the injury front, Minnesota C Nikola Pekovic (ankle) is doubtful for Monday’s game, but PG Jose Juan Barea (foot) will likely play. The Grizzlies will continue to be without SF Quincy Pondexter (foot) for the rest of the season.

Can the Timberwolves keep the score close against the surging Grizzlies? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2012-13 season. The experts have posted a profitable 53% ATS mark (28-25) since March 9. StatFox Dave has a strong 56% ATS (45-35-1) Best Bets record since Dec. 1, while StatFox Brian remains hot, going 60% ATS (25-17-1) since Jan. 25 and 56% ATS (39-31-1) in Best Bets since Dec. 12. StatFox Gary is also heating up with a 56% ATS mark (14-11) since Feb. 13, while StatFox Zach is on an 8-2 ATS run since March 9.

Minnesota has one of the league's top offenses, scoring 106.5 PPG (4th in NBA) this season and 116.3 PPG over their past three contests. Although the team shoots a paltry 44.0% FG (6th-worst in league) and 34.3% threes (5th-worst in NBA), it turns the ball over just 13.0 times per game (4th-fewest in league) and dishes out 23.5 APG (6th in NBA). The Wolves defense has poor all season, allowing 103.5 PPG (7th-worst in league) on an NBA-worst 47.2% FG. Nine of their past 10 opponents have shot at least 48% from the floor. PF Kevin Love (26.7 PPG, 12.7 RPG, 4.3 APG) leads the league in double-doubles this season with 55 and nearly had a triple-double in the loss to the Suns on Sunday with 36 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists. Even Memphis’ tough defense has not been able stop Love from dominating, as over the past three seasons he has scored 28.3 PPG (52% FG) while grabbing 12.5 RPG in four games. SG Kevin Martin (19.4 PPG, 39% threes) has scored 20.9 PPG in 11 March games, but has made only 43% FG and 35% threes with a miniscule 2.3 RPG and 1.1 APG. Martin really had his struggles against the Grizzlies this season, averaging only 7.0 PPG (35% FG, 0-for-4 threes) over two games, but has done much better over 28 career games against them with 22.0 PPG (48% FG, 48% threes). PG Ricky Rubio (9.2 PPG, 8.6 APG, 4.5 RPG, 2.4 SPG) has turned it on of late with 14.5 PPG (53% FG), 10.3 APG, 5.3 RPG and 2.5 SPG over his past four games. But Rubio has just 9.0 PPG (31% FG), 6.0 APG and 3.5 TOPG in the two games against Memphis this season, and will need to play much better in order for the team to earn a win.

Memphis plays a very different game than the Timberwolves and boasts the third best defense in the league at 94.1 PPG allowed on 44.6% FG (10th in league) and 35.7% threes (13th in NBA). Those numbers have dropped considerably due to a miniscule 86.3 PPG (41.9% FG) over their past nine games. On offense, the Grizzlies are scoring 95.5 PPG (4th-lowest in league), but are shooting the basketball well at 46.2% FG (8th in NBA) and are committing the third-fewest turnovers in the NBA at 12.9 TOPG. A big reason for this low number is the play of PG Mike Conley (17.1 PPG, 6.0 APG, 1.5 SPG), who was incredible in the win over the Pacers with 21 points (9-of-15 FG), five rebounds and four assists. His 13.5 PPG (42% FG) and 6.0 APG over 23 career games against the Timberwolves are underwhelming, but he has done much better this season with 20.0 PPG (47% FG, 4-of-10 threes), 5.5 APG and 4.0 RPG. PF Zach Randolph (17.2 PPG, 10.2 RPG) has three consecutive double-doubles, averaging 21.3 PPG and 12.7 RPG in that time. He’s been dominant in this matchup this season too, scoring 23.0 PPG (46% FG) with 12.0 RPG and 4.5 APG over two contests. C Marc Gasol (13.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.4 BPG) has swatted away at least two shots in four of his past five games, but notched only nine points and six rebounds in the one game against Minnesota this season. He hasn’t been too much better over 18 career games against the Wolves either, averaging 11.7 PPG (51% FG), 7.7 RPG and 1.7 BPG.