.jpg "Timberwolves-at-Warriors-(TNT)")
The Minnesota Timberwolves have turned a lot of heads this season, playing well enough to slide in between the San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets in the standings. While they are an up-and-comer, the T-Wolves are still a long way from a legitimate contender. The Golden State Warriors are still the class of the NBA and will look to show that when they host Minnesota in a game this week.
The Timberwolves would love to grab the No. 3 seed in the West to avoid Golden State in the second round of the playoffs. A road upset of the Warriors this week would be a big boost as they attempt to hold off the Spurs, but it won’t be an easy task.
Golden State is rolling along once again and will be a heavy home favorite to take care of business.
This war on the floor will go down Thursday, January 25, 2018, at 10:30 p.m. ET at Oracle Arena. The game will be televised live on TNT.
We'll have NBA odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the NBA Thursday schedule.
Odds Analysis
The Timberwolves are 31-18 straight up and 24-23-2 against the spread. Minnesota has gone on the road 24 times and covered in 12 of those with one push. The T-Wolves have covered in nine of 16 tries as the underdog.
The Warriors are 37-10 straight up and 21-25-1 against the spread. Golden State has gone 9-12-1 against the spread at home on the season. The Warriors have been favored in every game this year and that won’t change in this one.
Key Stat
4. That’s the number of All-Stars named for Golden State this season. It is the second straight season Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green have been named All-Stars. This is the first time in NBA history that a team has had four All-Stars for two consecutive years.
Curry is averaging a team-high 27.4 points per game with 6.5 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. He is shooting 48.9 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from three-point range. He will be an All-Star starter.
Durant is pouring in 26.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists on the year. He is shooting 51.2 percent from the field, 41.1 percent from three-point range and will also be a starter. Thompson and Green were named as All-Star reserves.
Thompson is averaging 20.6 points while shooting a blistering 45.3 percent from three-point range. Green is averaging 11.3 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists per contest.
Player to Watch
Karl-Anthony Towns —One of two Timberwolves All-Stars along with Jimmy Butler, Towns is having a huge year. He is averaging 20.0 points, 12.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. The big man’s growth is a big reason why the team has taken a step forward this year.
The Timberwolves have had young talent for several years but needed to find a franchise cornerstone and Towns has fit that bill. He has registered 13 consecutive double-doubles, proving to be an impact player on both sides of the court.
Golden State has the talent advantage but if Towns can put together a solid performance, it could keep Minnesota somewhat close in this one.
Free NBA ATS Picks
The Timberwolves have found a nice groove and are definitely playing like one of the better teams in the West. This is a really tough trip, however. The Warriors have one of the finest collections of talent of any squad in NBA history and are playing at home.
Golden State’s offense is going to overwhelm the Timberwolves to get this win in Oakland.
NBA Odds: Warriors 116, Timberwolves 106
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
