Warriors vs. Timberwolves Best Bets: Can Golden State Survive Without Stephen Curry in Game 2?
The Golden State Warriors are big underdogs on Thursday night after pulling the Game 1 upset over the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this week. That's because they'll be without Steph Curry, so how should you go about betting this unique matchup in Game 2? Jason Radowitz has you covered, and explains the injury impact in his Warriors vs. Timberwolves best bets for Thursday, May 8.
Jason Radowitz - May 8, 2025, 8:15 AM EDT
5 minWarriors vs. Timberwolves Best Bets: Can Golden State Survive Without Stephen Curry in Game 2?
The Golden State Warriors will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in a standalone NBA Playoff game tonight.
The Warriors won Game 1 despite Stephen Curry leaving the game with a strained hamstring in the first half. Buddy Hield, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler each contributed to the Warriors' holding on in Game 1.
But it wasn't the offense that got the job done for the Warriors. Golden State held the Timberwolves to 88 points on the road. Ultimately, Minnesota shot 39.5% from the floor and hit only 5-of-29 from downtown. That was the difference.
On the other hand, the Warriors shot 42.9% from downtown on 42 three-point attempts and added seven more assists in the game. Golden State wasn't effective from the field, but the perimeter defense saved them. Will that be the key to success in tonight's Game 2 matchup?
Below, I've listed a couple of best bets you'll want to consider for tonight's lone NBA Playoff matchup between the Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves.
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Warriors vs. Timberwolves Game 2 Odds
Warriors vs. Timberwolves Game 2 Date, Time, Where to Watch
- Date: Thursday, May 8, 2025
- Game Time: 8:30 PM ET
- Where to Watch: TNT, truTV, Max
Click here for complete Warriors vs. Timberwolves Game 2 Odds
Warriors vs. Timberwolves Game 2 Prediction
Best Spread Bet: Golden State Warriors +10.5 (-110) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
The Warriors have one of the best defenses in the NBA. It hasn't shown much during the postseason, but the Warriors have still performed above average.
Golden State has limited teams to 111.5 points per 100 possessions in the playoffs. They've also held their opponents to a 50.9% effective field goal percentage, including the Play-In matchup. In addition, the Warriors have added 15.6% of turnovers per game.
On the other hand, the Timberwolves have shot a 49.8% effective field goal percentage. It's one of the worst rates in the NBA Playoffs. Ultimately, the Timberwolves have still scored 114.4 points per 100 possessions, but that's only because they've grabbed nearly 35% of offensive rebounds per game in the playoffs.
Minnesota will stick around with foul shots and second chances. But as long as the Timberwolves continue to shoot a weak effective field goal percentage, it's hard to imagine them pulling away against the Warriors.
Best Total Bet: Over 201.5 Total Points (-108) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
With Stephen Curry out, nobody expects much scoring in tonight's showdown. However, we're not asking for too much. The current total is at 201.5.
The Warriors still scored 99 points despite shooting just 39.1% from the floor in Game 1. The Warriors have a bunch of lethal shooters. Draymond Green even chipped in with four threes in Game 1! While the Warriors will hit many shots, I'd expect the Timberwolves to work the offensive glass, earn second chances, and score more at the foul line.
The Timberwolves have added a free throw rate of 20.6 in the postseason, while the Warriors have allowed a 23.6 free throw rate. In addition, the Warriors have also allowed 34.4% of offensive rebounds per game in the postseason.
The Timberwolves dominated in the rebound category against a Lakers team that didn't have a center for most of the series. The Warriors are in the same boat. Golden State has refused to play Kevon Looney, Trayce Jackson-Davis, or Jonathan Kuminga for a large chunk of minutes. They've instead relied on Draymond Green to play center.
That's where the Timberwolves can take advantage on the offensive end. Green is a terrific defender, but the Timberwolves have so much more length with Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels, and so forth.
I'll side with the Over 201.5.
Warriors vs. Timberwolves Game 2 Best Bets
- Golden State Warriors +10.5 (-110)
- Over 201.5 (-108)
NBA ODDS
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