Golden State Warriors Face Long Odds in Series Against Timberwolves, Marking a Rare Position as Underdogs
Warriors Face Underdog Role in NBA Playoffs for First Time Since 2014
The Golden State Warriors, who have been favourites in every postseason series since 2015, find themselves in an unfamiliar position as underdogs in their Western Conference semifinal matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
According to the latest betting odds, the Timberwolves have a slightly higher chance of winning the series. The odds for the Timberwolves to win the series are -180, and for the Warriors to win are 150. The odds for a 4-0, 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, or 4-2 series win for either team have been provided, with the Timberwolves having slightly better odds across all scenarios.
Entering the postseason, the Warriors were just the second No. 7 seed favored over a No. 2 seed. This is the first time since the 2014 NBA playoffs that the Warriors are series underdogs.
The Warriors have won three regular-season games against the Timberwolves, all before the acquisition of Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards. In Anthony Edwards' 41 minutes off the court, the Warriors' bench outscored Minnesota by 25.6 points per 100 possessions.
Since Butler's debut, the Warriors have a 27-11 record and the NBA's No. 1 defensive rating. This strong performance suggests that the Warriors have adapted well to their new opponents.
The series schedule is as follows:
- Game 1: May 6, TNT, 9:30 p.m. ET
- Game 2: May 8, TNT, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 3: May 10, ABC, 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 4: May 12, ESPN, 10 p.m. ET
- Game 5: TBD
- Game 6: TBD
- Game 7: May 20, ESPN, 8:30 p.m. ET
For those interested in betting on the series, the best sports betting site offers a welcome bonus of up to $1,000 for betting on the Warriors vs. Timberwolves series.
It remains to be seen if the Warriors can buck the odds and advance to the next round. The 2024-25 NBA season saw the Warriors as underdogs at some point in their playoff run, but they were not champions that year, suggesting they were likely underdogs at some point in their playoff run. This series marks the first time since the 2014 NBA playoffs that the Warriors are series underdogs, and it promises to be an exciting matchup.
- In their Western Conference semifinal matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Golden State Warriors, who have been the favorites since 2015, now take on the underdog role, a position they last held in the 2014 NBA playoffs.
- As per the latest sports betting odds, the Timberwolves, contrary to the Warriors, have a slightly better chance of winning the series, with odds of -180 for a Timberwolves series victory and 150 for a Warriors win.
- Notably, the Timberwolves have better odds across all scenarios of the series, including a 4-0, 4-1, 4-2, 4-3, or 4-2 series win for either team, according to the spread provided by sports betting sites.
- For those looking to wager on the series, a popular sports betting site offers a welcome bonus of up to $1,000 for betting on the Warriors vs. Timberwolves series, providing an opportunity to capitalize on the underdog Warriors or the favorite Timberwolves.
- In basketball parlance, the Warriors are the underdogs, and the series against the Timberwolves can be seen as a moneyline wager, where a bet on the Warriors could potentially yield a higher profit, given their underdog status and potential as the undisputed comeback kings of the NBA.
- With the first game set to tip off on May 6, basketball fans and sports betting enthusiasts eagerly await the outcome of this exciting playoff series, where the underdog Warriors might just pull off an unexpected victory and further cement their legacy in the annals of NBA history.
