Warriors vs. Timberwolves | NBA Analysis, Odds, & Best Bets (5/8)

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are officially underway and today we’re here to talk about Game 2 of this second round series between the Warriors and Timberwolves.

For additional information on picks, props, money lines and more on today’s slate, take a look at our NBA Picks Page or our NBA Odds Page, here. 

Warriors vs. Timberwolves | Game 1 Recap

Final Score: Warriors (99) – Timberwolves (88)

After almost blowing a 3-1 lead to the Houston Rockets, the Warriors came into Game 1 and shocked the NBA World. Stephen Curry came out hot, he scored 8 points in the first quarter and finished with 13 points in 13 minutes before he hurt his hamstring. The moment it happened, you could see Steph was in pain.

Steph came out of the game just 4 minutes into the 2nd quarter, having already helped the Warriors attain a 10-point lead. From that point on, despite missing their superstar, the Warriors would only add to their lead. The two teams went into the half with the Dubs up 13 and then into the 4th quarter with Wolves down 20-points.

Anthony Edwards has shot 34% from the field over his last two games, he’s made just 1 of his last 16 3-point attempts and he didn’t make his first shot from the field until 4-minutes into the 3rd quarter of Game 1. If the Timberwolves hope to even up the series tonight, they’ll need more from their young superstar.

Dog Day Afternoon

The Dogs have been barkin’ in Round 2.

Through the first 7-games of this year’s semi-finals, we’ve seen the road teams (underdogs) go 6-1 with the Thunder being the only team so far to win a game on their home floor. The Celtics watched back to back 20-point leads evaporate right in front of them and the Cavaliers gave up a 7-point lead with under 40 seconds left in the game.

This year’s postseason has been one of the most memorable in recent years and now with Steph missing at least a week, tonight presents a unique opportunity for the rest of his team.

Warriors vs. Timberwolves | Game Information

Matchup Information

• Location: Target Center; Minnesota, Minneapolis
• Date: Thursday, May 8th, 2025
• Tipoff: 8:30 PM EST

(7) Golden State Warriors vs. (6) Minnesota Timberwolves| Regular Season Matchups

• Warriors (116) @ Timberwolves (115) – 1/15/25
• Warriors (113) @ Timberwolves – (103) – 12/21/24
• Timberwolves (106) @ Warriors (114) – 12/08/25
• Timberwolves (107) @ Warriors (90) – 12/06/24

Betting Odds

Odds via BetOnline, an industry leader in the sports betting world.

Our Best Bets in Game 2 between the Warriors and Timberwolves

Jimmy Butler  o37.5 PRA (-120 via BetOnline)

Jimmy Butler, also known as Playoff Jimmy. Tonight the Warriors are without their leader, their leading scorer and their best player; it’s time for Jimmy Buckets to take that roll. Butler’s averaging 19/7/5 in the postseason so far and he’s cleared this line in 4 of his 6 games so far; 4 of 5 if you exclude the game he left with injury.

Jimmy missed just one game for a hip contusion after taking a fall against the Rockets and immediately came back to score 27 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 9 assists. Tonight, still in Minnesota, against the very team that traded him away after a single season; solely because they refused to pay him.

Jimmy’s contract negotiations with the Timberwolves is something no basketball fan forgets. The infamaous Timberwolves practice; where Jimmy walked in picked up the bench guys to scrimmage and proceeded to beat down the Timberwolves starters. He left the practice and was being interviewed about it within hours.

Butler was traded within the month, playing just 10-games for the Timberwolves that year and finishing his season in Philadelphia. Tough to imagine Jimmy’s forgotten about his time in Minnesota.

Buddy Hield o14.5 Points (-110 via BetOnline) | Buddy Hield o3.5 3s (+140 via BetOnline)

This ones probably more obvious, but we’re going to Buddy Hield. Jaden McDaniels was heard making comments at practice saying Buddy’s a lot easier to guard than Steph. With no Steph it should be a lot easier. The Wolves allowed the Warriors to take 25 wide open 3s in Game 1 and it was something they struggled with against the Lakers in Round 1.

Currently, Minnesota’s giving up the 4th most wide open 3-point attempts of all playoff teams and it’s something that Hield should take advantage of tonight. Buddy played 40 minutes in Game 1 and tonight he should see north of 35 minutes. In games where Buddy’s played 28+ minutes this year, he’s cleared this line in 17/20 games, averaging 18.8 PPG and 4.3 made 3s per game.

In these 20 games, Buddy’s shooting 47% from the field and 46% from beyond the arc. When on the road, he’s cleared this in 11 of 14, shooting 46% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc.

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