On Saturday, 05/10, the Golden State Warriors (1-1) will host the Minnesota Timberwolves (1-1) in Game 3 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals. The Timberwolves captured a robust 24-point win (117-93) in Game 2, a performance reminiscent of their first-round dominance. Can the short-handed Warriors respond emphatically at home? Read the preview, total predictions, and player props here.
The Warriors feel the Curry void
Game 2 was a perfect example of the Warriors’ helplessness without their ace, Stephen Curry. The team had a slow 15-29 start because their tonesetter was absent. The Wolves kept consolidating the lead and outscored the Dubs by 3-4 points during the rest of the quarters.
Overall, the Warriors made just 9 triples, and surely not having their sharpshooter, who makes 4-5 triples a game, hurt them a lot. The Timberwolves outflanked the Dubs by a 16-9 margin from the three-point line. For the Timberwolves, Donte DiVincenzo, Naz Reid, and Nickeil-Alexander Walker contributed 10 of these long-range bombs off the bench. It once again illustrated their tremendous bench strength.
Julius Randle continued his stellar postseason form to contribute 24 points to lead all scorers. The Warriors lacked such an X-Factor, especially when Jimmy Butler’s 17-point effort was never going to be enough. Apart from that, Draymond Green, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, and Brandin Podziemski combined for 2/15 shooting from deep.
At any rate, Curry won’t be returning soon, and the Warriors should make the most out of Buddy Hield, who made 4 triples in Game 2 and has been more consistent than ever in the postseason setting. Apart from that, Jonathan Kuminga made a case for extended minutes with an 18-point performance. On the other hand, Minnesota now knows how to exploit the Curry-shaped hole in the opposition.
Timberwolves Expected Starting Lineup
PG: Mike Conley | SG: Anthony Edwards | SF: Jaden McDaniels | PF: Julius Randle | C: Rudy Gobert
Key bench players: SG: Donte DiVincenzo, SG: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, C: Naz Reid
Injuries/Updates: Nothing significant to report
Warriors Expected Starting Lineup
SG: Brandin Podziemski | SG: Buddy Hield | SF: Jimmy Butler | SF: Jonathan Kuminga | PF/C: Draymond Green |
Key bench players: SG/SF: Moses Moody, PG: Gary Payton II, C: Quinten Post
Injuries/Updates: Stephen Curry is OUT.
The series has been on the low-scoring side thus far. The Dubs have yet to touch the 100 points mark, whereas Minnesota would be buoyed after scoring 117 in Game 2. During Game 2, the bookmakers projected a score of around 202, which was a tad lower than the overall score of 210.
Will the series return to sub-200 scores or see an uptick? I see a grueling battle here with the score going tad lower than 200.
Jimmy Butler III to score over 22.5: Jimmy G Buckets had a 6-13 shooting night in Game 2, accounting for 17 points. He needs to attempt over 15 shots and get to the line more often for the Dubs to have a better chance. I expect him to do so here.
Draymond Green to dish over 5.5 assists: Green dished 5 assists in Game 2, following a 6-assist performance in Game 1. He has handed over 5 or more assists in four straight games. I expect him to dish at least 6 here.
Main pick: Jimmy Butler O 22.5 points for -120 at BetMGM
The Dubs look hollow without Curry. They don’t have a loaded lineup anyway and lack a reliable 25+ points scorer like their marksman. But apart from that, they also lack the frontline depth of the Timberwolves, which is their major Achilles heel.
Thus, they need to pull something special out of the hat. Draymond Green’s aggression is a motivator, but he will need to rein in himself and focus on being a bigger offensive option here.
Overall, I can’t bet against the Wolves considering their overwhelming edge in multiple positions, but there is a sense of fight in the Warriors especially at their home floor. I see the closest game of the series here. Slightly hesitant to pick Golden State for covering the spread of +5.5, but will back them to do it because of the loud and proud Chase Center.
Safe Spread Pick: Warriors +5.5 for -110 at BetMGM
Betting Lines:
Spread: Timberwolves: -5.5: -105. Warriors: +5.5: -110
Total: 200.5: 0:-110. U: -11-0
Player Props: Points: Julius Randle: 19.5. O: +100. U: -130
Photo Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
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