Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves Preview (2/1/23): Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds

On Wednesday night, the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves face off for a positioning battle in a tight Western Conference. Below, we cover an in-depth analysis of this bout, including our betting picks and predictions, projected starting lineups, current injury news for both teams, and updated odds.

Golden State Warriors Vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Odds

The Golden State Warriors are three-point road favorites over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Golden State and Minnesota are healthy for the most part, as Karl Anthoy-Towns, Jordan McLaughlin, and Andre Iguodala will likely be the only players to miss this game. However, there is always the possibility of a late scratch.

Golden State Warriors Vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction

Only half of a game separates the fifth-place Golden State Warriors and the ninth-place Minnesota Timberwolves; these are the games in the last third of the NBA season that matter, as the middle-of-the-road teams in the Western Conference battle for positioning.

Golden State has been much better on the road recently after a historically bad start away from Chase Center. It is difficult to put into words why the Dubs have struggled so much on the road considering they have won championships with this core group of guys and have had to win in hostile environments in order to do that.

Luckily, improvements have been made; they are 3-1 in their past four road games, with their only loss coming against the Boston Celtics by three points.

The Warriors have put together a three-game winning streak since Jordan Poole hit a game-winning layup against the Memphis Grizzlies. Could this be the moment that helps them get over the hump and play winning basketball consistently?

Meanwhile, Minnesota has begun to turn its season around, despite being without Karl Anthony-Towns for most of it. The Timberwolves have won five of their past seven games, with an overtime loss to the Kings and a bad home game against Houston being their only two blemishes.

Improved play from D’Angelo Russell (22 points, seven assists, and three rebounds in his past seven), Rudy Gobert (14 points, 14 rebounds, and two blocks in his past five), and Anthony Edwards (34 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals in his past six) is the main reason why Minnesota has been on a roll.

All things considered, Minnesota is the play in this spot. I still don’t trust the Warriors to cover on the road (8-16 ATS record and -6.0 net rating), and the T’Wolves have won six of their past eight home games; the Jazz beat them by one point and Sacramento had to go to overtime with them to win.

Betting Trends

• Golden State is 8-16 ATS on the road in 2022-23
• Minnesota is 15-14 ATS at home in 2022-23
• The combined over record of these two teams is 53-48-2 in 2022-23

Key Matchups

Steph Curry and the Minnesota Timberwolves backcourt make up the two sides of our key matchup. Take a look and see which side has the relative advantage!

Steph Curry vs. Timberwolves’ Backcourt

The Golden State Warriors have been inconsistent this season, but Steph Curry has been the opposite. Curry is averaging 30 points in 2022-23 and has posted 34 points per game in his past six. The addition of Jordan Poole into the starting lineup has not altered Curry’s momentum at all!

As far as recent performances against Minnesota go, Curry posted 25 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in their last meeting. Curry has eclipsed 30 points in six of his past ten games against the Timberwolves.

For Minnesota, its defense against opposing point guards is fairly horrendous. It has allowed the fifth-most points, fourth-most rebounds, and fourth-most three-pointers to opposing point guards. D’Angelo Russell has played well recently, as mentioned above, but he stands little chance of keeping Curry in check. Advantage: Curry.

Golden State Warriors Starting Lineup

PG: Steph Curry
SG: Jordan Poole
SF: Klay Thompson
PF: Andrew Wiggins
C: Draymond Green

Minnesota Timberwolves Starting Lineups

PG: D’Angelo Russell
SG: Anthony Edwards
SF: Jaden McDaniels
PF: Kyle Anderson
C: Rudy Gobert

Key Injuries

Golden State Warriors Injuries: Andre Iguodala (Out)

Minnesota Timberwolves Injuries: Karl Anthony-Towns (Out), Jordan McLaughlin (Out)