Timberwolves vs Warriors NBA Pick: Will Minnesota Bounce Back In Game 2? (May 8)

• The Minnesota Timberwolves produced another poor effort from 3-point range in their Game 1 defeat.
• Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors stole another Game 1 on the road, but could be in trouble following an injury to one of their star players.
• These squads last played on May 6, with the Warriors claiming an 11-point victory.

The lone contest on Thursday’s NBA slate features the Minnesota Timberwolves hosting the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of a second-round Western Conference playoff series. Will Minnesota get back on track in our Timberwolves vs Warriors pick?

Timberwolves-Warriors Game 1 Recap

Coming off a convincing 4-1 series win in the postseason’s opening round, the Timberwolves were served a rude awakening when the Warriors defeated them 99-88 in Game 1 of the conference semifinals.

Buddy Hield, who poured in 33 points in Game 7 against the Houston Rockets, led the way again with a 24-point, eight-rebound effort. He also shot 5-for-8 from beyond the arc.

Jimmy Butler III had a solid, all-around game, finishing with 20 points, 11 boards, and eight dimes. Draymond Green added 18 points, eight rebounds, and six assists for a Warriors squad that converted just 39.1 percent of its shot attempts.

On the other side of this matchup, the Timberwolves were led by Anthony Edwards, who scored 23 points and hauled in 14 rebounds.

Naz Reid added 19 points off the bench, and Julius Randle chipped in with 18 points and six assists.

The Timberwolves trailed by 13 points at the break and by an 80-60 margin heading into the final frame. Minnesota won the scoring battle in the fourth quarter, 28-19, but the late effort was not enough to overcome another abysmal effort from 3-point range.

In the closeout game against the Lakers, they were 7-for-47 from deep. In Game 1 of this series, they were 5-for-29 from distance.

Timberwolves vs Warriors Pick: Can Minnesota Avoid a 0-2 Deficit?

All of the higher seeds have dropped the opener in the second round. And for whatever reason, they are all huge favorites for the next contest. Minnesota is no exception as this group is a 10.5-point favorite after losing Game 1, according to BetOnline. Here are a few betting trends for both sides looking ahead to Game 2.

• The Timberwolves are 12-3 straight-up (SU) in their last 15 games.
• Minnesota has covered the spread 10 times in its previous 15 outings.
• The Warriors are 13-6 overall in their last 19 contests.
• Golden State is 14-6 against the spread in its previous 20 Thursday night matchups.

The Warriors have now taken four of the previous five matchups between these franchises. On the flip side of the narrative, Stephen Curry sustained a Grade 1 hamstring and is expected to be sidelined at least through Game 4.

This recent development should tip the scales in the Timberwolves’ favor not only for the next matchup but also for the rest of the series.