If the Golden State Warriors play like they care – and in recent games they don’t always seem to – they should have no problem winning Friday night at Minnesota.
One would expect the Warriors players to be motivated the rest of the season to get the West’s top seed, but even Coach Steve Kerr has admitted the top seed isn’t as important as staying healthy. Plus, Golden State proved last year it didn’t need to be the No. 1 to win the Western Conference.
Minnesota is simply playing out the string on a disappointing season that saw Coach Tom Thibodeau fired. It remains to be seen if interim coach Ryan Saunders has done enough to warrant the full-time job. Reports are that he likely will get it. He’s the son of former Wolves coach Flip Saunders and has a good relationship with star Karl-Anthony Towns. That’s really what the NBA is about these days for a coach: Strong bond with the team’s best player.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Warriors-Timberwolves hasn’t been much of a rivalry for a while as Golden State has won 28 of the past 34 overall and 15 of the previous 18 in the Twin Cities. The Dubs go for the four-game sweep on Friday, winning each of the first three by at least eight points.
Steph Curry is averaging 34.0 points vs. Minnesota in 2018-19 with Klay Thompson at 25.3 and Kevin Durant 24.0. Towns is putting up 23.3 points and 14.3 rebounds vs. Golden State. Toronto native Andrew Wiggins 20.7 points and 5.7 rebounds.
Golden State is 1-4 ATS in its past five at Minnesota.
Golden State Warriors
When the Warriors are engaged, they remain clearly the best team in the NBA and they come off a 15-point victory in Memphis on Wednesday. Durant made his first 10 shots and finished 12-for-13 for 28 points. It was his most overall attempts with one miss or fewer in Durant’s Hall of Fame career. The guy can’t be guarded. Curry is another future Hall of Famer who doesn’t get too many double-doubles because he’s primarily a shooter but he had one vs. the Grizzlies with 28 points and 10 rebounds.
This is the fifth consecutive season the Warriors have won at least 25 road games. The only other franchises in the NBA to match that streak in league history are the Lakers and SuperSonics. Golden State is 3-10 ATS in its past 13 after a win.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Considering it benefits the Wolves to lose as much as possible the rest of the way to improve their chances of winning the draft lottery, they already have shut down injured Derrick Rose, Jeff Teague and Robert Covington for the year. Covington and Dario Saric came over early in the season from Philadelphia in the Jimmy Butler trade.
Wiggins has had a disappointing campaign – clearly isn’t going to ever reach superstar status — in averaging 17.7 points and shooting a career-low 40.4 percent from the field. He does carry in a streak of four straight 20-point games, however. Minnesota has lost six of its past seven. The Wolves are usually tough to beat at home (23-12 SU), but they are atrocious on the road (10-29).
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 29 Mar 3:33am | GS | -9.5 -110 | O +230 -110 |
| Closing 29 Mar 7:33pm | GS | -10 -110 | O +228.5 -110 |
Injuries
Kevon Looney (C)
Kevon Looney (C)
Andre Iguodala (SF)
Shaun Livingston (PG)
Andre Iguodala (SF)
Kevon Looney (C)
Andre Iguodala (SF)
Shaun Livingston (PG)
Draymond Green (PF)
DeMarcus Cousins (C)
Jerryd Bayless (PG)
Taj Gibson (PF)
Derrick Rose (PG)
Jeff Teague (PG)
Andrew Wiggins (SF)
Luol Deng (SF)
Jeff Teague (PG)
Gorgui Dieng (C)
Derrick Rose (PG)
Andrew Wiggins (SF)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevon Looney (C) | Prob Thurs | Collarbone - 11 / 06 / 19 | 0-1 | 0-2 | + - |
|
Looney is expected to play in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors despite leaving the last game after aggravating his right first costal cartilage non-displaced fracture. |
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| Kevon Looney (C) | Ques Fri | Collarbone - 02 / 06 / 19 | 1-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Looney suffered a right first costal cartilage non-displaced fracture to his collarbone and it is unknown if he will return against the Raptors in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Andre Iguodala (SF) | Prob Sun | Calf - 31 / 05 / 19 | 1-3 | 4-2 | + - |
|
Iguodala is nursing left calf soreness but it is likely he will play against the Raptors in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. |
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| Shaun Livingston (PG) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 27 / 05 / 19 | 1-3 | 4-2 | + - |
|
Livingston is expected to play against the Raptors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore left knee. |
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| Andre Iguodala (SF) | Prob Thurs | Calf - 19 / 05 / 19 | 2-4 | 5-3 | + - |
|
Iguodala is dealing with tightness in his left calf but is expected to be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors. |
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| Kevon Looney (C) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 15 / 05 / 19 | 4-4 | 6-4 | + - |
|
Looney is likely to partake in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Trail Blazers despite left knee soreness. |
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| Andre Iguodala (SF) | Prob Wed | Knee - 07 / 05 / 19 | 4-7 | 7-5-1 | + - |
|
Iguodala has a hyperextended left knee but is expected to play in Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Rockets. |
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| Shaun Livingston (PG) | Prob Wed | Hip - 07 / 05 / 19 | 4-7 | 7-5-1 | + - |
|
Livingston is battling soreness in his left hip but is likely to suit up against the Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference second round. |
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| Draymond Green (PF) | Prob Wed | Wrist - 21 / 04 / 19 | 7-10 | 11-7-1 | + - |
|
Green is nursing a right wrist injury but is projected to suit up against the Clippers in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round. |
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| DeMarcus Cousins (C) | Prob Thurs | Quadricep - 16 / 04 / 19 | 8-11 | 12-8-1 | + - |
|
Cousins will be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors after recovering from a tear in his left quadriceps. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jerryd Bayless (PG) | Out Wed | Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19 | 2-1 | 2-1 | + - |
|
Bayless has been absent from the lineup during the past two games due to a right ankle contusion and will not suit up Wednesday against the Nuggets. |
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| Taj Gibson (PF) | Out indefinitely | Calf - 19 / 03 / 19 | 5-7 | 5-7 | + - |
|
Gibson suffered a left calf strain and there is no timetable for return. |
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| Derrick Rose (PG) | out for season | Elbow - 12 / 03 / 19 | 6-9 | 6-9 | + - |
|
Rose has been shut down for the remainder of the season due to a chip fracture and loose body in his right elbow. |
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| Jeff Teague (PG) | out for season | Foot - 12 / 03 / 19 | 6-9 | 6-9 | + - |
|
Teague is nursing inflammation in his left foot and will not return for the remainder of the season. |
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| Andrew Wiggins (SF) | Prob Thurs | Quadricep - 09 / 03 / 19 | 6-11 | 8-9 | + - |
|
Wiggins has been held out of the past three games with a left quadriceps contusion but it is not expected to impede his status for Thursday's matchup against the Jazz. |
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| Luol Deng (SF) | Out indefinitely | Achilles - 27 / 02 / 19 | 8-14 | 12-10 | + - |
|
Deng has been held out of action due to a sore left Achilles and it has yet to be determined how long the ailment will keep him idle. |
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| Jeff Teague (PG) | Prob Thurs | Knee - 25 / 02 / 19 | 9-14 | 13-10 | + - |
|
Teague has sat out the past two games with a sore left knee but is likely to be available for Thursday's matchup versus the Pacers. |
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| Gorgui Dieng (C) | Out indefinitely | Personal - 21 / 02 / 19 | 11-14 | 14-11 | + - |
|
Dieng has been away from the team due to a personal matter and it is unclear when he will rejoin the lineup. |
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| Derrick Rose (PG) | Prob Wed | Ankle - 12 / 02 / 19 | 13-14 | 16-11 | + - |
|
Rose is expected to suit up against the Rockets on Wednesday despite right ankle soreness. |
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| Andrew Wiggins (SF) | Prob Fri | Illness - 11 / 02 / 19 | 13-14 | 16-11 | + - |
|
Wiggins has been held out of the past two games due to an illness but is expected to return Friday against the Knicks. |
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-
WARRIORS
118 -
TIMBERWOLVES
114
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 29 Mar 3:33am GS -9.5 -110 O +230 -110 Closing 29 Mar 7:33pm GS -10 -110 O +228.5 -110 -
Injuries
Kevon Looney (C)
Prob Thurs Collarbone - 11 / 06 / 19Kevon Looney (C)
Ques Fri Collarbone - 02 / 06 / 19Andre Iguodala (SF)
Prob Sun Calf - 31 / 05 / 19Shaun Livingston (PG)
Prob Thurs Knee - 27 / 05 / 19Andre Iguodala (SF)
Prob Thurs Calf - 19 / 05 / 19Kevon Looney (C)
Prob Thurs Knee - 15 / 05 / 19Andre Iguodala (SF)
Prob Wed Knee - 07 / 05 / 19Shaun Livingston (PG)
Prob Wed Hip - 07 / 05 / 19Draymond Green (PF)
Prob Wed Wrist - 21 / 04 / 19DeMarcus Cousins (C)
Prob Thurs Quadricep - 16 / 04 / 19Jerryd Bayless (PG)
Out Wed Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19Taj Gibson (PF)
Out indefinitely Calf - 19 / 03 / 19Derrick Rose (PG)
out for season Elbow - 12 / 03 / 19Jeff Teague (PG)
out for season Foot - 12 / 03 / 19Andrew Wiggins (SF)
Prob Thurs Quadricep - 09 / 03 / 19Luol Deng (SF)
Out indefinitely Achilles - 27 / 02 / 19Jeff Teague (PG)
Prob Thurs Knee - 25 / 02 / 19Gorgui Dieng (C)
Out indefinitely Personal - 21 / 02 / 19Derrick Rose (PG)
Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 02 / 19Andrew Wiggins (SF)
Prob Fri Illness - 11 / 02 / 19Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Kevon Looney (C) Prob Thurs Collarbone - 11 / 06 / 19 0-1 0-2 + - Looney is expected to play in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors despite leaving the last game after aggravating his right first costal cartilage non-displaced fracture.
Kevon Looney (C) Ques Fri Collarbone - 02 / 06 / 19 1-3 3-2 + - Looney suffered a right first costal cartilage non-displaced fracture to his collarbone and it is unknown if he will return against the Raptors in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
Andre Iguodala (SF) Prob Sun Calf - 31 / 05 / 19 1-3 4-2 + - Iguodala is nursing left calf soreness but it is likely he will play against the Raptors in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
Shaun Livingston (PG) Prob Thurs Knee - 27 / 05 / 19 1-3 4-2 + - Livingston is expected to play against the Raptors in Game 1 of the NBA Finals despite a sore left knee.
Andre Iguodala (SF) Prob Thurs Calf - 19 / 05 / 19 2-4 5-3 + - Iguodala is dealing with tightness in his left calf but is expected to be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors.
Kevon Looney (C) Prob Thurs Knee - 15 / 05 / 19 4-4 6-4 + - Looney is likely to partake in Game 2 of the Western Conference finals against the Trail Blazers despite left knee soreness.
Andre Iguodala (SF) Prob Wed Knee - 07 / 05 / 19 4-7 7-5-1 + - Iguodala has a hyperextended left knee but is expected to play in Game 5 of the Western Conference second round against the Rockets.
Shaun Livingston (PG) Prob Wed Hip - 07 / 05 / 19 4-7 7-5-1 + - Livingston is battling soreness in his left hip but is likely to suit up against the Rockets in Game 5 of the Western Conference second round.
Draymond Green (PF) Prob Wed Wrist - 21 / 04 / 19 7-10 11-7-1 + - Green is nursing a right wrist injury but is projected to suit up against the Clippers in Game 5 of the Western Conference first round.
DeMarcus Cousins (C) Prob Thurs Quadricep - 16 / 04 / 19 8-11 12-8-1 + - Cousins will be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Raptors after recovering from a tear in his left quadriceps.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Jerryd Bayless (PG) Out Wed Ankle - 07 / 04 / 19 2-1 2-1 + - Bayless has been absent from the lineup during the past two games due to a right ankle contusion and will not suit up Wednesday against the Nuggets.
Taj Gibson (PF) Out indefinitely Calf - 19 / 03 / 19 5-7 5-7 + - Gibson suffered a left calf strain and there is no timetable for return.
Derrick Rose (PG) out for season Elbow - 12 / 03 / 19 6-9 6-9 + - Rose has been shut down for the remainder of the season due to a chip fracture and loose body in his right elbow.
Jeff Teague (PG) out for season Foot - 12 / 03 / 19 6-9 6-9 + - Teague is nursing inflammation in his left foot and will not return for the remainder of the season.
Andrew Wiggins (SF) Prob Thurs Quadricep - 09 / 03 / 19 6-11 8-9 + - Wiggins has been held out of the past three games with a left quadriceps contusion but it is not expected to impede his status for Thursday's matchup against the Jazz.
Luol Deng (SF) Out indefinitely Achilles - 27 / 02 / 19 8-14 12-10 + - Deng has been held out of action due to a sore left Achilles and it has yet to be determined how long the ailment will keep him idle.
Jeff Teague (PG) Prob Thurs Knee - 25 / 02 / 19 9-14 13-10 + - Teague has sat out the past two games with a sore left knee but is likely to be available for Thursday's matchup versus the Pacers.
Gorgui Dieng (C) Out indefinitely Personal - 21 / 02 / 19 11-14 14-11 + - Dieng has been away from the team due to a personal matter and it is unclear when he will rejoin the lineup.
Derrick Rose (PG) Prob Wed Ankle - 12 / 02 / 19 13-14 16-11 + - Rose is expected to suit up against the Rockets on Wednesday despite right ankle soreness.
Andrew Wiggins (SF) Prob Fri Illness - 11 / 02 / 19 13-14 16-11 + - Wiggins has been held out of the past two games due to an illness but is expected to return Friday against the Knicks.