Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
The Minnesota Timberwolves needed to respond after dropping the series opener against the Warriors and they did just that with a 117-93 win in Game 2 on Thursday. Julius Randle led the team with 24 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists, Anthony Edwards and Nickeil Alexander-Walker each scored 20 points while Jaden McDaniels chipped in with 16 points on seven of 10 shooting.
As a team, the Timberwolves shot 50 percent from the field and 16 of 37 from the 3-point line, but they set up this win with their defense. They were always in control after limiting the Warriors to just 15 points in the first quarter. Mike Conley scored just six points on two of five shooting while Rudy Gobert finished with just five points but they were hardly needed as the Timberwolves cruised at home in a game in which they never trailed.
Golden State Warriors Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors will be hoping for a better effort after coming out flat against the Timberwolves in a demoralizing defeat in Game 2. Jonathan Kuminga led the team in scoring with 18 points off the bench, Jimmy Butler III added 17 points with seven rebounds and four assists, Buddy Hield and Trayce Jackson-Davis each scored 15 points. Brandin Podziemski chipped in with 11 points, six rebounds, and six assists.
As a team, the Warriors shot 44 percent from the field and nine of 32 from the 3-point line as they fell behind right away, and they could never find their footing without Stephen Curry on the court to spread the floor out. The Warriors still did a decent job of winning the rebound battle, but they shot themselves in the foot with 20 turnovers, which meant they could never get on any sustained run to threaten the Timberwolves.
Why the Golden State Warriors will win
- The Warriors have won each of their last 12 playoff home games against Northwest Division opponents.
- The Timberwolves have lost four of their last five playoff games as favorites against Western Conference opponents following a win.
- The Warriors have covered the spread in each of their last six games against Northwest Division opponents following a loss.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games as road favorites following a win.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Timberwolves have won each of their last six games following a home win.
- The Warriors have lost nine of their last 12 Game 3s of a Western Conference Semifinals series.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last five games as road favorites against Pacific Division opponents.
- The Warriors have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven games at Chase Center.
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.
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.
Warriors vs Timberwolves Prediction
The Timberwolves are coming in with the same squad once again, while the Warriors are still missing Stephen Curry, who remains without a timetable for his return. With the series shifting back to the Chase Center, you would expect the Warriors’ role players like Podziemski, Moody, and Hield to step up. But what is concerning is that the Timberwolves won Game 2 so easily despite a quiet game from Edwards, who can go big on any night. The Warriors are tempting as the underdogs at home, but they aren’t nearly as dangerous without Curry on the court, so I will stick with the Timberwolves to take the lead in this series.