The second-round NBA playoff series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors is set to begin on Tuesday night with Game 1. The Timberwolves have had six days of rest after eliminating the Lakers last week. The Warriors, conversely, are playing just two days after their hard-fought Game 7 victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday.
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards shone brightly against the Lakers in the first round, averaging 26.8 points per game. Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid, and Rudy Gobert also made significant contributions to their series win. Stephen Curry led the way for the Warriors in their series against the Rockets.
Looking ahead, the Timberwolves are favored to win the series with -190 odds, and most experts (four out of six) have picked Minnesota to advance to the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year.
Timberwolves vs. Warriors Game 1 Information
Location: Target Center, Minneapolis
TV channel: TNT
Live stream: Max
Odds (via Caesars): Timberwolves -6.5, Over/Under 210.5
Timberwolves vs. Warriors Game 1 Best Bet
Julius Randle was spectacular in the series against the Lakers, but it`s crucial to note that this came against a team with virtually no effective rim protection. In his two previous playoff appearances prior to that, he struggled significantly with his shooting percentages, posting 34.4% from the field and 28.3% from 3-point range. Now, his primary defender will be the formidable Draymond Green.
In the first round, Alperen Sengun shot only 23-of-59 (39%) when guarded directly by Green. Green possesses numerous defensive strengths, but his ability to consistently hold his ground and contest shots near the basket against any NBA player is particularly relevant in this matchup. Green is likely to force Randle to take more jump shots, and unless Randle has an exceptionally hot shooting night, this defensive pressure will severely limit his potential scoring output.
The Pick: Julius Randle Under 20.5 Points
Jasper Hawthorne