The Minnesota Timberwolves and the San Antonio Spurs do battle at the Frost Bank Center in Game 2 of the West Semifinals on Wednesday night. Here’s a Spurs vs. Timberwolves Prediction. This article will include a Spurs vs. Timberwolves Pick.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
The Minnesota Timberwolves headed into this series with plenty of momentum after beating the Nuggets in a six-game series in the 1st Round and now they are in position to take a 2-0 series lead after outlasting the Spurs in a 104-102 road win in Game 1 on Monday.
Julius Randle led the team with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Anthony Edwards was expected to miss the first two games of the series but he played and added 18 points on eight of 13 shooting off the bench while Jaden McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. each scored 16 points. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 46 percent from the field and 10 of 26 from the 3-point line as they
San Antonio Spurs Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs came into this series fully rested and ready to go after dismissing the Trail Blazers in a five-game series in the 1st Round, but they fell back down to Earth with a 104-102 home defeat to the Timberwolves on Monday. Victor Wembanyama led the team with a triple-double of 11 points with 15 rebounds, five assists and 12 blocks. Dylan Harper scored 18 points off the bench while Julian Champagnie and Stephon Castle each scored 17 points.
As a team, the Spurs shot 45 percent from the field and 10 of 36 from the 3-point line as they fought hard all game to take the narrow lead midway through the fourth quarter, but the Spurs allowed the Timberwolves to go on a pivotal 14-4 run late in the game, which cost them in the end. Check out tonight’s other game between the Knicks and 76ers.
Why the San Antonio Spurs will win
- The Spurs have won each of their last nine games following a loss.
- The Timberwolves have lost 12 of their last 14 road games against Spurs teams that held a winning record.
- The Spurs have covered the spread in each of their last nine games following a loss.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games as road underdogs after winning as underdogs.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Timberwolves have won each of their last seven games against Southwest Division opponents.
- The Spurs have lost four of their last five Western Conference Semifinals games as favorites against Northwest Division opponents.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last six games as underdogs against the Spurs.
- The Spurs have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four Western Conference Semifinals games against Northwest Division opponents.
Total Points: Facts
- Each of the Spurs’ last four home games has gone UNDER the total points line.
- Four of the Timberwolves’ last five games have gone UNDER the total points line.
San Antonio Spurs Player Facts
- Victor Wembanyama ranks 1st amongst qualified players for blocks per game (3.1) this season.
- Luke Kornet has recorded 40 games with 1+ assists and zero turnovers this season—most of any player in the league.
Minnesota Timberwolves Player Facts
- Rudy Gobert ranks 1st amongst qualified players for FG% (68.2%) this season.
- Anthony Edwards ranks 3rd amongst qualified players for points per game (28.8) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Spurs rank 1st in the league for Q1 points per game this season (31.9).
- The Spurs rank 1st in the league for H1 points per game this season (62.2).
- The Timberwolves rank 1st in the league for opponent three-point field goals made per game this season (12.1).
- The Timberwolves have used only 14 different starting fives this season—the fewest in the league.
Spurs vs Timberwolves Prediction
The Timberwolves are keeping an eye on Ayo Dosunmu and Anthony Edwards, who are both listed as game-time decisions, while the Spurs are keeping an eye on Carter Bryant, who is questionable. The Timberwolves were able to steal home-court advantage in the series opener despite the Spurs’ Wembenyama dominating most of the game to finish with an NBA Playoff record 12 blocks in the game.
The pressure is now on the Spurs to respond and avoid falling into a deeper hole, but with Edwards back in the lineup, the Timberwolves are looking much more dangerous than they did just a few nights ago. I do think the Spurs will bounce back with a win at home to square things up, but the line just seems a little too hefty so I will lean with the Timberwolves and the points in this spot.