MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — December 21, 2024

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS EXPERT PICK AND PREDICTIONS — December 21, 2024 — Greetings, basketball fans. Welcome back to our NBA coverage here at Godzilla Wins. One of the games on tap from today’s slate features the Minnesota Timberwolves (14-12 SU, 11-15 ATS) hosting the Golden State Warriors (14-12 SU, 15-11 ATS).

Here is a look at which squad has the edge going into this matchup and why.

Tipoff

When: Saturday, December 21, 2024 @ 8:00 PM ET

Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

TV: NBCS-BA, FDSNX, and KARE 11

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors Odds

Odds courtesy of DraftKings

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors — Postseason Stats & Betting Trends

Timberwolves Look To Bounce Back From Disappointing Showing Against The Knicks

Following a four-game losing skid that dropped the Timberwolves to 8-10, they have responded with a 4-2 record in their last six games. Unfortunately, their recent two-game winning streak ended with a 133-107 loss to the New York Knicks on Thursday night. Julius Randle paced the team’s offense with 24 points and five rebounds. He also shot an efficient 4-for-8 from beyond the arc.

Anthony Edwards added 17 points, five rebounds, and seven assists in a losing effort and offered this blunt assessment.

“We don’t have any (offensive) identity,” Edwards said after the game. “We know I’m going to shoot a bunch of shots. We know (Julius) Randle is going to shoot a bunch of shots. That’s all we know. We don’t really know anything else.

In addition to Edwards’ comments about lacking an offensive identity, the Timberwolves weren’t sharp from a defensive standpoint, either. New York scored 73 points in the first half en route to shooting 51.5 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from 3-point range.

Warriors Hope To End Three-Game Skid

Meanwhile, the Warriors have had their fair share of struggles as well. Following a 12-3 start, the Dubs have produced just two wins across their last 11 games. Not only that, but they also enter this matchup amid a three-game losing skid, including a 144-93 shellacking at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday night. Anthony Wiggins scored a team-high 19 points and knocked down four 3-pointers. Unfortunately, the rest of the starting unit scored just nine points.

No one struggled against Memphis more than Stephen Curry. Although he leads the team with a 22.0 PPG scoring average, he shot 0-for-7 from the field and 0-for-6 from long range, finishing with a season-low of two points. In light of the team’s worst loss of the season thus far, is it time to hit the panic button yet?

“I don’t like the ‘panic’ word,” Curry said via CBS Sports. “I like, ‘Accept where you are and try to chance the momentum of the season.’ Panic kind of means you don’t have an answer. I think we do have answers. Obviously (we need) a sense of urgency, for sure.”

Will the Warriors bounce back from a horrific 51-point loss two nights ago, or will the Timberwolves hand them their fourth consecutive defeat? Now that we have set the stage for the Western Conference showdown, let’s examine the betting trends for both teams.

Timberwolves vs. Warriors Spread Analysis

Minnesota opened as a four-point favorite, but the line has recently moved to 3.5 points (per OddsShark.com). Here is a look at how both teams have fared against the spread this season.

• The Timberwolves are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games.
• In its previous six Saturday outings, Minnesota is 4-2 against the spread.
• The Warriors are 6-1 ATS in their last seven matchups against Northwest Division opponents.
• At the same time, Golden State is 2-4 ATS in their previous six games against Minnesota.

Prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves (-3.5)

Timberwolves vs. Warriors Over/Under Prediction

The projected over/under total for this matchup is 213.5 points (via OddsShark.com). Here is why going with the “under” is the intelligent choice.

• The total has gone UNDER seven times in the Timberwolves’ last nine games.
• The UNDER total is 7-1 in Minnesota’s previous eight matchups against Western Conference opponents.
• The total has gone UNDER 11 times in the Warriors’ last 14 contests.
• In Golden State’s previous 12 outings against Western Conference foes, the UNDER total has prevailed 10 times.

Prediction: UNDER 213.5 points

Timberwolves vs. Warriors Player Prop Bet

Fresh off his 17-5-7 performance against the Knicks, Anthony Edwards is the key player to watch for the home team in this contest. He currently has -115 odds of scoring more than 25.5 points and -115 odds of finishing with less than 25.5 points (via Bet365.com).

Here is a look at how his numbers stack up against the projected points total for this matchup.

• During the season, Edwards is averaging 25.9 points per game.
• He has averaged 28.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per outing in the two regular-season matchups between these teams.
• Minnesota has played 13 home games this season. In those contests, Edwards averages 24.7 points per contest.
• Edwards has put up 24.6 points per game across his last five starts, exceeding the points total for this matchup three times during that stretch.

Prediction: Anthony Edwards OVER 25.5 points