Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs Game 2 Prediction, NBA Odds
The Minnesota Timberwolves again made a bold statement on the road in the playoffs. Thanks to 21 points and 10 rebounds from Julius Randle, and 18 points in a surprise appearance from injured superstar Anthony Edwards, the T-Wolves upset host San Antonio, 104-102, in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series Monday night.
The Spurs get a chance to even the series on Wednesday at home at 9:30 PM ET.
Edwards was expected to miss the first two games of the series after suffering a bone bruise and hyperextending his left knee during Game 4 of Minnesota’s first-round series win over the Denver Nuggets, but he came off the bench and had 11 of his 18 in the fourth quarter of Minnesota’s win Monday night.
San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama had a historic performance Monday night. With 11 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 blocks, he became just the third player since 1974 to post a playoff triple-double, including blocks. However, he also went just 5-for-17 from the field, including a cold 0-for-8 from beyond the arc.
Timberwolves vs. Spurs NBA Betting Odds
Despite the series-opening victory, the Timberwolves are listed as 9.5-point underdogs for Game 2 on the NBA odds board. They are +300 on the moneyline, while San Antonio is -380.
The over/under is listed at 215.5. The teams played to the under in Game 1, but played to the over in 2 of their 3 regular-season meetings.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota received contributions from all over the place Monday night. Jade McDaniels and Terrance Shannon Jr. had 16 points and five rebounds apiece, Naz Reid added 12 points and nine rebounds off the bench, and Mike Conley continued his defiance of Father Time as the 38-year-old had 12 points and six assists in 24 minutes. More importantly, the veteran guard had zero turnovers.
The Timberwolves’ victory is tempered by two considerable injury-related questions. Can Edwards summon the courage to replicate or even surpass his Game 1 performance? Can Ayo Dosunmu, who led Minnesota by averaging 21.8 points in the first-round series victory over the Nuggets, be able to return to the lineup after missing that series’ clincher and last night’s opener with calf soreness?
San Antonio Spurs
There’s no way around it; Monday’s loss was a gut punch for the Spurs. The franchise’s return to glory began with a 62-win regular season, followed by its first playoff series win in nine years.
The loss was just the second in the past 17 home series openers for the team. Now, San Antonio dropped a game at home against the Trail Blazers in the last round and did just fine, winning the series in five games.
But the Timberwolves took two of three against San Antonio this season, winning both home games. The Spurs are going to have to win on the road again after going 2-0 in Portland last series.
Dylan Harper led the team with 18 points. The rookie is acquitting himself well this postseason, averaging 13.5 points.
NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Timberwolves vs. Spurs?
That was a massive performance by Edwards and the Timberwolves. And yet it still went down to the wire against a Spurs squad that has won 34 home games this year.
San Antonio responded well to a loss in the first round. Look for the Spurs to do so again as Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox rediscover their offensive form with a 117-105 victory on Wednesday night.
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