The Minnesota Timberwolves (1-1) and Golden State Warriors (1-1) will face off in Game 3 of their second round NBA Playoff series tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California. The game will broadcast live on ABC.
The Wolves are 5.5-point favorites over the Warriors on the spread (Timberwolves -5.5), with the over/under set at 200.5 total points. Minnesota is a -230 favorite to win outright, while Golden State is +190 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Timberwolves vs. Warriors predictions and NBA picks on Saturday, May 10.
Timberwolves vs Warriors Prediction, Picks for NBA Playoffs Game 3
My Warriors vs. Timberwolves Game 3 best bet is on Golden State to cover the spread, with the best line currently available at BetMGM. But as always, make sure to shop for the best price using our live NBA odds page.
My Pick: Warriors +5.5 (-110)
Timberwolves vs Warriors Betting Odds for Saturday, May 10
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -110 | 200.5 -110 / -110 | -230 |
| Warriors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -110 | 200.5 -110 / -110 | +190 |
- Timberwolves vs. Warriors spread: Timberwolves -5.5
- Timberwolves vs. Warriors over/under: 200.5 total points
- Timberwolves vs. Warriors moneyline: Timberwolves -230, Warriors +190
- Timberwolves vs. Warriors best bet:Warriors +5.5 (-110)
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Golden State Warriors Game 3 Preview
The Warriors had a 97.9 offensive rating in their first game without Steph Curry against the Wolves. That is abjectly horrible. It’s not “throwing bricks in a trashcan outside of a sewage treatment facility” like the Rockets’ offense, but it’s pretty bad.
However, role players shoot better at home, goes the adage, and that gives the Warriors hope they can steal another win.
Just one more win guarantees the Warriors a Game 6 at home with Curry possibly coming back to extend the series.
Is it more reasonable for the Warriors’ offense to improve with their available weapons or the Timberwolves to continue to improve offensively?
At some point, the Warriors’ defense and ability to muck things up has to be appreciated.
The Warriors don’t have a gravity threat with Steph sidelined, outside of Buddy Hield. But before the Timberwolves separated with a run in the late third quarter, they were still hanging around in the previous matchup.
If the Warriors are going to will their way to a win with defense, it’s likely going to be in Game 3 tonight, but it's a steep uphill climb in terms of talent.
The Warriors are throwing seemingly random lineup combos out at Minnesota. Jonathan Kuminga went from 0 minutes to 26 minutes.
I make this game a pick‘em for Golden State, even with Curry’s injury.
So, I’ll reluctantly take the points with the Warriors in what I think is their best chance to steal another game in this series before Steph's return.
Timberwolves vs Warriors Game 3 Betting Predictions
Over 200.5
Either the Warriors’ role players hit some three-pointers or the Minnesota offense regresses to normal.
Either way, one of these teams will score over 110 and get this to the over.
The worry is that the losing team will only score 85 or something to kill the over. But since I don’t feel comfortable trusting the Warriors’ offense or the Wolves’ role players, I can’t find a team total angle to take.
Golden State barely went under their team total in the previous game. At home, their chances of getting some shots to fall increases, but Minnesota has also underperformed offensively.
I’ll — again, tentatively — take the over here.
Jaden McDaniels Under 1.5 Three-Pointers Made
McDaniels’ home/road playoff splits have been rough the last three years, and I’m expecting the Warriors to pay more attention to him in Game 3 tonight.
Timberwolves vs Warriors Best Bets for Game 3
- Warriors +5.5 (-110)
- Over 200.5 (-110)
- Jaden McDaniels Under 1.5 Three-Pointers Made (-135)
Warriors vs. Timberwolves Betting Trends
For the latest on NBA injuries, be sure to check out our NBA Injury Report page.
