The Golden State Warriors (1-0) and Minnesota Timberwolves (0-1) will face off in Game 2 of their second round NBA Playoff series tonight. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m. ET at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The game will broadcast live on TNT.
The Timberwolves are 10.5-point favorites over the Warriors on the spread, with the over/under set at 201.5 total points. Minnesota is a -600 favorite to win outright, while Golden State is +425 to pull off the upset.
Golden State on the road? No problem. Steph Curry hurt and the offense can’t score at all? No problem. Can the Wolves figure out the solution and even the series? Can they make a single jump-shot at some point?
Let's get into my Warriors vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks on Thursday, May 8.
Warriors vs Timberwolves Prediction, Picks for NBA Playoffs Game 2
My Timberwolves vs. Warriors Game 2 best bet is on Golden State to stay under its team total, 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 Team Total Under 95.5 Points (-115)
Warriors vs Timberwolves Odds for Thursday, May 8
| Warriors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+10.5 -110 | 201.5 -110 / -110 | +425 |
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-10.5 -110 | 201.5 -110 / -110 | -600 |
- Warriors vs. Timberwolves spread: Timberwolves -10.5
- Warriors vs. Timberwolves over/under: 201.5 total points
- Warriors vs. Timberwolves moneyline: Warriors +425, Timberwolves -600
- Warriors vs. Timberwolves best bet:Warriors Under 95.5 Points (-115)
Warriors vs Timberwolves NBA Playoffs Game 2 Preview
The Warriors breezed to a win over Minnesota in the first matchup of this series, despite everything going wrong for them.
Now, with Steph Curry on the sideline with a hamstring strain in Game 2 tonight, the Warriors will have to find a way to once again shut off the water to Minnesota’s offense if they want to take a 2-0 lead back to the Bay.
So, let’s start here: the Timberwolves were better than Golden State in a lot of ways in Game 1.
The Wolves had a better expected eFG% based on where they got their shots from. They had more second chance points, almost doubled the Warriors in points in the paint, and had more fast-break points.
Minnesota just couldn’t shoot a lick in the series opener. According to Synergy Sports, the Timberwolves made nine jumpers in Game 1. Total. They were 9-of-36 (25%) on jump-shot attempts.
That’s preposterously bad.
Now, Curry is out. Curry made up a huge chunk of the Warriors’ offense, and since Golden State’s basic game plan is A.) defend like heckfire, and B.) have Steph make some jumpers while the rest of us jack up threes, missing him is a pretty big deal.
Yet, I still can’t get to this number. Even after docking the Warriors three points for the absence of Curry, I make this line Wolves -8.5. The market is just a little ahead here.
It’s projected to be a low-scoring game, demonstrated by the total sitting at 201.5.
Teams tend to smash in these bounce-back spots (Celtics and Cavaliers excluded), as you saw with Oklahoma City. However, the Wolves aren’t a top-two seed, and those teams have fared worse as double-digit favorites.
As a matter of fact, this is just the second time a team that isn’t a top-two seed has been a double-digit favorite after the first round.
Based on the number, I’ll play Warriors +10.5, but I don’t like Golden State enough to recommend it.
Warriors vs Timberwolves Betting Predictions for Game 3
Warriors Team Total Under 95.5 Points
Absolute rock fight, these two. The Timberwolves did a good job defending a mediocre offense from Golden State, even without Steph, and got burned by some Buddy Hield threes. Their attention to detail should be better in Game 2 tonight.
I don’t really want to play the combined total because the Wolves might blow them out, despite playing the +10.5.
I’d rather play the Warriors team total under, because the under has hit in all Warriors ATS wins this postseason (4-0).
If the Warriors win, they win 95-90. If they lose, they lose 120-90.
Brandin Podziemski Over 12.5 Points
Someone has to initiate offense who isn’t Jimmy Butler or Draymond Green, and it will likely be Brandin Podziemski.
Podz was wretched in the series opener, but while the Wolves will likely shoot better, Podz should too. I like him to hit a few three-pointers too.
Naz Reid Over 12.5 Points
Naz is in a great matchup here, able to attack the Warriors in different ways, and he was pretty much the only Wolves' player scoring at a proficient clip throughout Game 1.
It’ll be a good spot for him throughout this series until the Warriors adjust.
Gary Payton II Over 4.5 Rebounds
Gary Payton is going to play a much bigger role with Curry out as the Warriors go all-in on defense.
Payton had four rebounds in fewer minutes in the first matchup of this series, and will likely stay active on the offensive glass in an extended role in Game 2 tonight.
Warriors vs Timberwolves Game 3 Best Bets
- Warriors Team Total Under 95.5 (-115)
- Brandin Podziemski Over 12.5 points (-120)
- Naz Reid Over 12.5 Points (-110)
- Gary Payton II Over 4.5 Rebounds (+120)
Timberwolves vs. Warriors Betting Trends
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