Golden State Warriors Betting Preview
The Golden State Warriors are now battling to stay alive and avoid a fourth straight defeat after getting stopped in their tracks by the Timberwolves in a 117-110 home defeat in Game 4 on Monday. Jonathan Kuminga led the team with 23 points on six of 13 shooting, Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler each scored 14 points, while Buddy Hield chipped in with 13 points.
As a team, the Warriors shot 43 percent from the field and eight of 27 from the 3-point line as they fought hard in the first half to take the narrow lead. Only to get completely blown out in the third quarter by 39-17 to trail by as many as 21 points. Brandin Podziemski had another rough outing as he shot just three of 14 for his 11 points, while Kuminga was the only bench player to score more than eight points.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves are now just one win away from advancing to the second round after running past the Warriors in a crucial 117-110 road win on Monday. Julius Randle led the team with 31 points on 11 of 21 shooting, Anthony Edwards added 30 points with five assists, while Jaden McDaniels chipped in with 10 points and 13 rebounds.
As a team, the Timberwolves shot 49 percent from the field and 16 of 34 from the 3-point line as they kept pace with the Warriors in the first half. Before they broke free with 39 points in the third quarter to take a 21-point lead and cruise to victory. Mike Conley had yet another poor game with just 11 points on two of nine shooting, Donte DiVincenzo scored just nine points off the bench while Naz Reid had just five points with five turnovers.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Timberwolves have won eight of their last nine games at Target Center.
- The Warriors have lost seven of their last eight games at Target Center following a home loss.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in seven of their last eight home games against Western Conference opponents that held a winning record.
- The Warriors have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight Western Conference Semifinals road games.
Why the Golden State Warriors will win
- The Warriors have won five of their last six playoff games as road underdogs following a loss.
- The Timberwolves have lost four of their last five playoff games as home favorites against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Warriors have covered the spread in each of their last six road games against Northwest Division opponents following a loss.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five playoff games as home favorites against Western Conference opponents following a win.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Rudy Gobert ranks 1st in the Western Conference amongst qualified players for FG% (66.9%) this season.
- Anthony Edwards ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (4.1) this season.
Golden State Warriors Player Facts
- Draymond Green is one of only three qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.0 threes, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks this season.
- Jimmy Butler has recorded three career playoff triple-doubles.
Timberwolves vs Warriors Prediction
The Warriors are still shorthanded, with Stephen Curry targeting Game 6 as his earliest return date, while the Timberwolves are coming in with a full squad once again. The Warriors were able to hang tough with the Timberwolves in a tightly contested first half on Monday, but they just didn’t have the firepower to respond after getting rocked in the third quarter.
The absence of Curry was truly felt in the Game 4 loss, as the Warriors might have been able to pull off the upset at home, but they had to rely on role players like Kuminga and Green for offense. This is tough against a defensive minded Timberwolves. The Timberwolves now have a big opportunity to seal the deal at home in Game 5. I think they get the job done, but this line just seems too hefty for this contest, so I will take the Warriors with the points.