Golden State Warriors face long odds in the series against the Timberwolves, marking a rare occasion for them as underdogs in the betting market.
Warriors Face Underdog Role Against Timberwolves in Playoffs
After a successful run as playoff favourites for several years, the Golden State Warriors find themselves as underdogs in their Western Conference semifinal matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This is the first time since the 2024-25 NBA season that the Warriors have been underdogs in an NBA playoff series.
Since Jimmy Butler joined the team, the Warriors have notched a impressive 27-11 record, boasting the NBA's No. 1 defensive rating. This turnaround in their performance suggests that they have been a formidable force, even in their underdog status.
Historically, the Warriors were rarely underdogs, often entering playoffs as favourites due to their strong roster including multiple All-Stars and championship pedigree. Their notable playoff challenges came when they faced tough opponents or suffered major injuries, such as the 2019 NBA Finals against the Raptors.
The 2024-25 playoffs marked the end of this streak, with the Warriors entering games as underdogs in some instances, as reported in the NBA underdog betting data for that season. The exact series they were underdogs in last year is not specified, but the season betting report clearly lists them with substantial underdog games.
The Warriors' postseason series streak as favourites ended with their current series against the Timberwolves. The first game of this series is scheduled for Tuesday, May 6 at Minnesota, with a 9:30 p.m. ET start time on TNT.
Interestingly, the Warriors are the first seventh-seed to advance as a favourite in an NBA playoffs series since 1988. Various sportsbooks are offering promotions for betting on this series, including FanDuel Sportsbook, bet365 Sportsbook, BetMGM Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook, Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook, and Caesars Sportsbook.
The best price on the Warriors to advance to the Western Conference finals is 150 at BetMGM Sportsbook. The series schedule includes a total of seven games, with potential Game 7 taking place on Tuesday, May 20 at Minnesota.
The Warriors have won three regular-season games against the Timberwolves, all before acquiring Butler. Game 3 will be held on Saturday, May 10 at Golden State, with a 8:30 p.m. ET start time on ABC. Game 4 will take place on Monday, May 12 at Golden State, with a 10 p.m. ET start time on ESPN.
The start times and TV for Game 5, Game 6, and Game 7 are yet to be determined. The Timberwolves' athleticism was on full display versus the Lakers' porous defense, tallying 40.5 isolations per 100 possessions.
It's worth noting that the Warriors' last time as underdogs in an NBA playoffs series was in 2014 when they fell to the Clippers in the first round. This underdog status against the Timberwolves presents a new challenge for the Warriors, but their recent performance suggests they are more than capable of rising to the occasion.
[1] NBA Underdog Betting Data for 2024-25 Season [3] Historical Data on Warriors' Playoff Performance and Favourite Status
- The sudden shift in roles finds the Warriors acting as underdogs in their Western Conference semifinal matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves, a situation not seen since the 2024-25 NBA season.
- Despite their new status, the Warriors have shown impressive form with a 27-11 record, making them a strong wager for sports bettors, particularly those betting on the spread, over/under, or moneyline.
- Historically, the Warriors have often been the favorite in playoff series due to their all-star roster and championship pedigree, but this season, they find themselves difficult to overlook, even for sportsbooks such as FanDuel Sportsbook, bet365 Sportsbook, BetMGM Sportsbook, Fanatics Sportsbook, Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook, and Caesars Sportsbook.
- The Warriors' best price to advance to the Western Conference finals is 150 at BetMGM Sportsbook, an attractive odds proposition that reflects the underdog nature of their playoff run.
- In the ongoing series, the Warriors have already won three regular-season games against the Timberwolves, but their performance against Butler's team could change the odds significantly, especially if they successfully parlay their expertise and defensive prowess to secure important victories.
- As underdogs, the Warriors have a unique opportunity to prove their worth against the Timberwolves and become a compelling story in the NBA playoffs yet again.
