PREVIEW: The Minnesota Timberwolves arrive in Memphis as formidable favorites, armed with elite rim-attacking efficiency ranked sixth league-wide and a stingy perimeter defense allowing just 38.9% of three-point attempts. Fresh off a dominant 131-114 road victory where Anthony Edwards poured in 33 points and Julius Randle added 27 with seven assists, Minnesota seeks its fifth consecutive win. The Grizzlies, meanwhile, rank second in post-up shot frequency but allow opponents to launch three-pointers at the league's worst rate at 43.7%, a concerning defensive liability heading into this rematch. Memphis enters the contest severely undermanned on the interior and riding a devastating six-game losing skid after surrendering 131 points in their previous encounter. The Grizzlies' frontcourt injuries—headlined by absences of leading rebounders Zach Edey and Santi Aldama—have created a structural problem that's snowballed into a struggling defense in the paint during their current skid. With the Timberwolves favored by 7.5 points and a 228.5-point total set for Monday evening's affair, the matchup presents an intriguing test for Minnesota's consistency on the road. While Minnesota excels with efficient attacks on the rim and pressures opponents from beyond the arc, Memphis compensates with excellent passing and quick offensive tempo ranked sixth in pace. Both rosters carry injury concerns entering tipoff, with Minnesota monitoring Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle as questionable while Memphis has ruled out multiple players and lists Jaren Jackson Jr. as day-to-day, making lineup confirmations essential before the opening tip.