The Golden State Warriors strutted out of Target Center on Tuesday night with a 99-88 win despite Stephen Curry playing only 13 minutes. Shocking!
But was it really?
After dropping the first meeting against the Minnesota Timberwolves back in early December, the Warriors won the next three head-to-head meetings, and those were all without Jimmy Butler in the mix.
Minnesota was held under 100 points only four times during the regular season. Tuesday’s 88 points were a season-low.
Both teams shot 39% from the field on Tuesday, but Golden State was 18-of-42 from downtown while Minnesota was only 5-of-29. In addition, Golden State had 18 offensive rebounds and won the battle of the boards, 51 to 41.
The big news for Game 2 is that Curry has already been ruled out, but the Warriors have already proven that they can win without him. That said, it’s going to be difficult replicating the Game 1 magic, especially when Minnesota will likely bounce back in a big way.
In the Houston series, Golden State took the first game in Houston before the Rockets came back in Game 2 and won 109-94.
DraftKings Sportsbook has MIN -10.5 over GSW at home with the total at 201.5.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA Showdown $400K Shootaround [$100K to 1st] (GSW at MIN)
Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves
Captain’s Picks
Rudy Gobert ($12,000 CP): Gobert only played 26 minutes in Game 1, finishing with 28.25 FPTS. There were some things during that game, though, that Minnesota may try and exploit more often in Game 2. Mainly, feeding Gobert when the Warriors switch a smaller player on him could be a focal point. He overpowered Jimmy Butler for a dunk. Minnesota was down by over 20 points on Tuesday, but I expect this game to be much closer, which would likely see Gobert playing 30+ minutes. He’s going to grab rebounds and block some shots. The scoring is the swing category, but he’s shown the ability when given the opportunity. In the series clincher with Los Angeles, Gobert bullied the smaller Lakers for 27 points on 12-of-15 shooting. During the regular season, Gobert put up 41 FPTS against the Warriors. Gobert should be low-owned as a captain and I think he can put up another 40-burger.
UTIL Plays
Buddy Hield ($7,600): I kind of hate this recommendation because it feels like chasing. Much will depend on the projected ownership numbers. If they aren’t too high, then it’s hard to get away from Hield due to the recent form and expected usage. Now, Hield will never be a 30% usage rate player as he’s more of a catch-and-shoot threat. The usage rate was 20.9% and 22.8% in the last two games, but it’s the volume that is most important for him with 19 and 15 shots across those contests. With Curry out, he should approach 20 shots again.
Kevon Looney ($2,600): Looney is my cheapie. He played 14 minutes in Game 1. If I’m thinking that Gobert gets busy in the paint, then it only makes sense that Steve Kerr would insert the big-bodied Looney into the game to counter. Looney put up 15.5 FPTS on Tuesday.
Anthony Edwards ($12,000): Despite shooting 9-of-22 from the field in Game 1, Edwards still finished with 52 FPTS due to 14 rebounds and three steals. As the alpha of the Timberwolves pack, I expect Edwards to have a big game on Thursday. He’s going to be highly-owned for sure, but I think many will slot him in at captain.
Fades
Draymond Green ($12,600): Green shot 6-of-13 from the field on Tuesday and 4-of-10 from downtown. He’s on a mini-heater, as he shot 7-of-15 in the clincher with Houston. Green shot 42% from the field during the regular season and 32% from downtown. I don’t expect the heater to continue. I also think there’s risk of foul trouble, as I expect Julius Randle to be very aggressive in this one. Green is always in play to put up 30 FPTS due to his all-around game, but the floor is somewhere in the teens, something he did twice in the Houston series.
THE OUTCOME
Aawoooo. I’m expecting a Michael J. Fox-esque metamorphosis for Minnesota in Game 2 — though into a band of basketball bezerkers instead of werewolves — resulting in the series being tied heading back to the Bay.
Final Score: Timberwolves 105, Warriors 93
