NBA Playoffs Game 2 Preview: Warriors vs. Timberwolves Prediction, Betting Odds, and Expert Analysis on Thursday, May 8th
Gear up for an enjoyable night of hoops as the Golden State Warriors (1-0) square off against the Minnesota Timberwolves (0-1) in Game 2 of their second round NBA Playoff series. Tip-off is 8:30 p.m. ET at the pulsating Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with the action unfolding live on TNT.
Grab your popcorn because the Wolves are favored by 10.5 points against the Warriors on the spread (Timberwolves -10.5). The over/under is set at 201.5 total points, while Minnesota is a -500 favorite to take the win outright, with the Warriors hanging on as +375 underdogs.
What's the quintessential question lingering in the air? Can the Wolves crack the Warriors' sturdy defense and level the series, or will Golden State prove resilient yet again? Let's dive deep into our Warriors vs. Timberwolves predictions and provide you with top-tier NBA picks for May 8.
Crack open your bet slip right away and add Matt's 4 Picks for Game 2!
Warriors vs. Timberwolves Picks, Prediction for NBA Playoffs Game 2
Heading into our Timberwolves vs. Warriors Game 2 best bet, here's why we're rolling with Golden State to remain under its team total. Tasty target pricing on the best line can be found at BetMGM. Always remember to shop for the most appealing price using our updated NBA odds page!
Spread
My Pick:
Total
Warriors vs. Timberwolves Odds for May 8
Moneyline
| Warriors Odds || --- || Spread | Total | Moneyline || 10.5-110 | 201.5-110 / -110 | 375 |
| Timberwolves Odds || --- || Spread | Total | Moneyline || -10.5-110 | 201.5-110 / -110 | -500 |
10.5-110
BetMGM*NBA odds here Warriors vs. Timberwolves spread: Timberwolves -10.5* Warriors vs. Timberwolves over/under: 201.5 total points* Warriors vs. Timberwolves moneyline: Warriors +375, Timberwolves -500* Warriors vs. Timberwolves best bet:
201.5-110 / -110
Warriors vs. Timberwolves Game 2 Preview
375
The Warriors stormed their way to a victory over Minnesota in the initial contest of the series, despite the chaos erupting left and right.
Now, with Steph Curry out of the lineup due to a hamstring strain in Game 2, the Golden State squad will need to fashion a plan to smother the Timberwolves' offense if they hope to take a commanding 2-0 lead back to the Bay Area.
Let's take a gander at the moving parts: the Timberwolves were superior in multiple aspects to the Warriors in Game 1. They boasted a better expected eFG% based on their shooting locations. They nabbed more second-chance points and nearly doubled the Warriors' points in the paint. They also held a significant edge in fast-break points.
However, it was the Timberwolves' inability to make jump shots that cost them in Game 1. Synergy Sports reveals the Wolves connected on only nine jump shots, going 9-of-36 (25%) on attempts.
That's outlandishly poor.
Spread
With Curry's absence, the Warriors' offense takes a substantial hit, as he made up a significant portion of it. The Warriors' primary approach seems to be A.) lock down the defense, and B.) let Steph make some jumpers while the rest of them heave three-pointers. Missing their star shooter is a considerable issue.
Total
Yet, I'm reluctant to embrace this number. Despite docking three points from the Warriors' total for Curry's absence, I believe the number should be Wolves -8.5. The market's margin is merely a shade ahead here.
Moneyline
It's projected to be a low-scoring showdown, as demonstrated by the total sporting a hefty 201.5.
Historically, teams tend to experience a flurry of points in bounce-back spots (Celtics and Cavaliers being exceptions), as you saw with Oklahoma City. However, the Wolves aren't a top-tier seed, and such teams have struggled as double-digit favorites in the postseason.
-10.5-110
To be precise, this is only the second time a team outside of the top two seeds has been a double-digit favorite in the second round.
201.5-110 / -110
Based on the number, I'll plop a wager on the Warriors +10.5, albeit I don't have confidence in Golden State's overall abilities.
-500
- With Steph Curry out due to a hamstring strain in Game 2, the Warriors will need to find a new way to challenge the Timberwolves' offense if they hope to level the series.
- Despite the Timberwolves' dominance in Game 1, I'm cautious about this number; I'll wager on the Warriors +10.5, even though I'm not confident in their overall abilities.
