The Golden State Warriors (64-15) can extend a 15-game home winning streak when they meet the Minnesota Timberwolves (16-62). Action begins at 10:30 pm ET on Saturday, Apr. 11 and can be seen on FSN-N and CSN-BA.
The Warriors played well in their last game, topping the Trail Blazers 116-105 on Thursday. Stephen Curry played a pivotal role, recording his 23rd double-double of the season with 45 points and 10 assists. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after the deflating 116-91 loss against that same Trail Blazers squad on Wednesday. Andrew Wiggins had a game-high 29 points.
The Warriors could have their way today, as their prolific offense faces off against one of the league’s worst defenses. They currently rank third in the NBA in offensive efficiency while Minnesota ranks 30th in defensive efficiency. Furthermore, the 26th-ranked offense of the Timberwolves (offensive efficiency of 99.9) will face a tough test against the first-ranked defense of the Warriors (defensive efficiency of 98.3).
The Warriors have emerged victorious in all three games against the Timberwolves this year, escaping with a narrow 94-91 victory the last time these teams met. In the victory, Curry led all scorers with 25 points.
The odds for Golden State and Minnesota are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable as of now. The Warriors come into this game 64-15 Straight Up (SU) and 47-31-1 Against The Spread (ATS). Over their last 10 games, they have had success covering the spread (7-3). The Warriors have no trouble scoring as they lead the league in offense with 109.7 points per game. The Warriors are one of the best in the NBA in terms of three-point field goals, making 10.7 shots per game from beyond the arc. The rebounding edge goes to the Warriors in this matchup, who are one of the top rebounding teams in the league with an average of 44.8 boards per game. Golden State is one of the most disciplined teams in the league with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.95. Golden State’s defense can be considered for best in the league, allowing an NBA-best .426 opponent field-goal percentage. Golden State’s defenders rank fourth in the NBA in steals with 9.3 per game. Golden State is the league’s top scoring team off turnovers with an average of 19.4 points per game.
As for their opponent, the Timberwolves have a record of 32-44-2 ATS and 16-62 SU. Minnesota has not performed well ATS during its last 10 games, earning a 3-7 record. The Timberwolves get to the line and convert their free throws at a high volume, ranking third in the league with 1,536 made (19.7 per game).
With the Warriors’ last win against Minnesota, their SU record is now 9-1 over the Timberwolves in the last 10 games. Furthermore, the Warriors hold the advantage ATS with a record of 6-4. Golden State held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers four times, while Minnesota was never able to do so in their most recent 10 games.
Predictions: SU Winner – GS, ATS Winner – GS
Notes
On average, Minnesota puts up 97.6 points per game (ranked 23rd), while Golden State gives up 99.4 points per game (ranked 14th).
Minnesota ranks 16th in points per away game with 98.4 points, while Golden State ranks 12th in points allowed at home with 97.7.
When Golden State gives up fewer than 100 points, the team has a perfect 40-0 record. In games where it scores fewer than 100 points, Minnesota has an abysmal 6-40 record.
When allowing at least 100 points, the Warriors are 24-15 on the season. When the Timberwolves hit the century mark, they are a poor 10-22.
Ranked third, the Warriors have an offensive rating of 108.4. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, rank 30th with a defensive rating of 108.6.
On average, Golden State has 101.1 possessions per game and scores 1.084 points on each possession. Minnesota has both fewer possessions (97.8) and scores fewer points during those possessions (.999).
The Golden State Warriors have one of the best effective field goal percentages this season, ranking first in the league with an EFF% of 53.9%. When their opponents record a similar or higher EFF%, the Minnesota Timberwolves have an abysmal 3-36 record.
The Golden State Warriors, with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.95, rank second in the NBA. The Minnesota Timberwolves have a lower A/TO (1.51), ranking 21st.
The Golden State Warriors are one of the top rebounding teams in the league with an average of 44.8 per game (ranked fifth). The Minnesota Timberwolves are one of the worst rebounding teams with 40.9 rebounds per game (ranked 27th).
Golden State ranks among the best in the league in defensive rebounds at third, while Minnesota is a top-10 team in offensive rebounding (ranked eighth).
On average, the Timberwolves force a turnover rate of 15.1%, ranked ninth in the NBA. When the Warriors turn over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a superb 18-5 record.
