Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves: Predictions, Odds & Roster Notes

What: Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves

Where: Target Center in Minneapolis, MN

When: Friday, March 29th at 8:00 PM EST

How (TV/Radio): Fox Sports North and NBC Sports Bay Area | 830 WCCO and 95.7 The Game

Golden State Warriors (Away)

Head Coach: Steve Kerr {All-Time: 316-86 | GSW}

Expected Starting Five: (G) Stephen Curry – (G) Klay Thompson – (F) Kevin Durant – (F) Draymond Green – (C) DeMarcus Cousins

The Golden State Warriors currently sit at the top of the Western Conference. With a record of 51-23, the Warriors are not only first but hold a valuable half game lead over their rivals the Denver Nuggets. After a brilliant night by Durant, the Warriors will look to improve on their play before the post season.

The Golden State Warriors have put on a streak to help secure the Western Conference crown. In their last ten games, the Golden State Warriors are 7-3 with their only losses coming to Mavericks, Spurs, and Suns. They are looking to define their lead on the East before their fateful match with the Nuggets.

The Golden State Warriors face off against an already eliminated but always dangerous Minnesota Timberwolves team. The Timberwolves are a high-volume, paint attacking team. The Warriors must protect the paint, if they hope to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Minnesota Timberwolves (Home)

Head Coach: Ryan Saunders {All-Time 14-20 | MIN}

Expected Starting Five: (G) Trey Jones – (G) Josh Okogie – (F) Andrew Wiggins – (F) Dario Saric – (C) Karl-Anthony Towns

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been eliminated from the NBA Post-Season. They sit tenth in the NBA’s Western Conference with a record of 33-41. They will have to go back to the drawing board in the off-season, but have a eight games left in the season to finish strong.

Injuries plague the Minnesota Timberwolves at this point in the season, partially owing to their poor late season run. Over their last ten games the Minnesota Timberwolves have gone 5-5, which has helped them maintain their place at ninth in the West.

The Timberwolves are likely outmatched when they take on the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors seem to be shifting into another gear while the Timberwolves are struggling to compete. Overall the Wolves should have the advantage in the paint, so if they can establish themselves early they should have a good chance.

What’s At Stake?

The Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves have met a number of times in the history of their franchises. In 112 regular season meetings, the Warriors lead the Timberwolves 45-67.

A win for the Golden State Warriors would further secure their place in the West, giving them a one game lead over the Denver Nuggets in second place.

Regardless of the result, the Minnesota Timberwolves would stand pat in the Western Conference.

Questions to answer

Are the Warriors being overlooked?

What can the Timberwolves bench provide?

We are going to compare the Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves in an attempt to see who has the advantage in this matchup.

Nobody Is Talking About The Warriors

In an NBA season where Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden are taking the headlines, many seem to be overlooking the reigning NBA Champions. Papers won’t be ignoring them for long, as the Warriors have ramped up their performances at this point in the season.

The Warriors were dominant in their last match, led by Finals MVP Kevin Durant. In 35 minutes Durant contributed 28 points on an astounding 12-13 shooting. He was also joined by a 28 point, 10 assists double-double by Stephen Curry and had Thompson and Cousins contribute 13 points and 16 points respectively.

As the post-season draws closer the danger that the Warriors present becomes more and more apparent. They can score from anywhere on the court, share the ball expertly, and they also do a tremendous job defending the ball. They will be conscious of their health going into this match, but will overall be looking to dominate the Timberwolves.

The T-Wolves Went 12-Deep Last Game

The Timberwolves boast an unfortunate five key players who are out due to injury at this point in the season. Three of those players, Derrick Rose, Jeff Teague, and Robert Covington, are out for the remainder of the year. They may not be playing for anything, but the Wolves clearly want to put up a fight as the season comes to a close.

In an attempt to evaluate their assets, the Timebrwolves have given significant minutes to the likes of Keita Bates-Diop, Jerryd Bayless, and Gorgui Dieng. While none have played massive roles in the season to this point, their abilities on the court are still of value. If not to the Timberwolves, to other teams in the league whom the Wolves got bait via trade.

The prospects for the Wolves future was bright at the beginning of the year, but as the season went on it faded. Wiggins and Towns can still lead their team decently well, but with so many players in and out of the lineup it will be difficult for them to get a leg up on the Warriors. They will need not only efficiency, but significant production from their lesser used pieces if they want to succeed.

Golden State Warriors Roster Notes

C Damian Jones – 8 Mar 2019 – Out (Torn Left Pectoral) – Head coach Steve Kerr said its doubtful that Jones returns during the playoffs, according to a report from Anthony Slater of The Athletic.

Minnesota Timberwolves Roster Notes

F Robert Covington – 21 Mar 2019 – Out For Season (Ankle) – The Timberwolves announced Covington will miss the remainder of the season.

F Luol Deng – 25 Mar 2019 – Day To Day (Sore Left Achilles) – Deng is listed as OUT for Tuesday’s (Mar 26) game.

F Taj Gibson – 26 Mar 2019 – Day To Day (Calf) – Gibson has been ruled OUT for Tuesday’s (Mar 26) game.

G Jeff Teague – 21 Mar 2019 – Out For Season (Left Foot Inflammation) – The Timberwolves announced Teague is expected to miss the remainder of the season.

G Derrick Rose – 23 Mar 2019 – Out For Season (Right Elbow Soreness) – The Timberwolves announced Rose is expected to miss the remainder of the season following elbow surgery.

Head-to-Head: Quinn Cook (GSW) vs Jerryd Bayless (MIN)

Firepower off the bench is the factor when the Golden State Warriors and the Timberwolves face off. Quinn Cook has slowly taken more of a role in the Warriors offence and Jerryd Bayless is now the first backup with Derrick Rose out for the season. Their contributions will be a factor in their teams success.

Quinn Cook

Point Guard | 6-2, 179lb (188cm, 81kg) | Duke | Exp. 2 Years

6.2 PPG | 1.5 APG | 2.1 RPG | 1.5 SPG | 0.0 BPG | 0.6 TOV | .444 FG% | .380 3P%

Quinn Cook is a streaky shooter who has a penchant for getting hot and converting on shots in quick succession. In his last game Cook was 3-3 from three on the game in fifteen minutes of play. While the Warriors have a glut of offensive options, Cook’s contributions off the bench are always welcome in the event of an off night for the Warriors’ stars.

Jerryd Bayless

Point Guard | 6-3, 200lb (190cm, 90kg) | Arizona | Exp. 10 Years

5.8 PPG | 3.2 APG | 1.9 RPG | 0.5 SPG | 0.1 BPG | 1.0 TOV | .345 FG% | .287 3P%

Jerryd Bayless finds himself in the primary backup point guard role at this point in the season for the Timberwolves. Despite his veteran presence, Bayless maintains his inefficiencies shooting the ball. Despite that, he is still a capable playmaker despite his tendency to be a bit narrow-sighted. The Wolves will need regular contributions from him if they want to take this match.

Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves Predictions and Odds

The odds makers have the Golden State Warriors favoured over the Minnesota Timberwolves by 9.5, with an over/under of 110.

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