PREMIUM
***NATIONAL TV WINNER** >> Rogers' BIG TIME BLOWOUT (Total)
(NBA) Golden State vs. Minnesota,
Total: 225.00 | -110.00 Over
Result: Win
Total: 225.00 | -110.00 Over
Result: Win
The set-up: The Golden State Warriors lost for the first time since the All-Star break in a 125-108 loss at Portland on Friday. The defending champions were playing the second night of a back-to-back against the Blazers without star Stephen Curry (26.3-5.1-6.2), who is also not making the trip to Minnesota (ankle). Meanwhile, Minnesota looked like a safe bet for the No. 3 spot in the West but when Jimmy Butler ( 22.2-5.4-5.0) went down with a knee injury that will keep him out until next month and the team's 117-109 loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday leaves them 2-3 since he's been out of the lineup. Minnesota is currently the No. 6 seed in the West but is just 1 1/2 games ahead of the No. 9 seed (which would leave them on the outside looking in come playoff time) than it is to the No. 3 seed (2 1./2 games back).
Golden State: The 51-15 Warriors are battling the 51-14 Rockets for the top seed in the West and sit a half-game back after both teams fell on Friday. Kevin Durant (26.4-6.7-5.4) is trying to carry the team in Curry's absence and followed up a 37-point effort in a win over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday with 40 on 12-of-21 shooting in Portland on Friday. However, the Warriors aren't just missing Curry, as Andre Iguodala (wrist), David West (arm) and Jordan Bell (ankle) all sat out Friday and are all day-to-day.
Minnesota: "We have to understand how hard and physical you have to play," Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters after the loss to Boston. "That's the difference right now in us being a really good team and a good team. I looked at them and the physicality with which they play, it's the difference. We can score. We score plenty. It's the defense. Until we get figured out, it's going to be tough." Minnesota isn't missing much offensively in Butler's absence thanks to the continued progression of forward Nemanja Bjelica. He scored a career-high 30 points in Thursday's setback while going 11-of-16 from the floor, including 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. Bjelica has averaged 12.9 points and 7.9 rebounds in Butler's absence. However, Minnesota misses Butler badly, as he's the team's best defender.
The pick: Both team's have plenty of offensive weapons but Tom Thibodeau's team was struggling long before the injury to Butler, as the T-wolves come in just 2-9 ATS their last 11. No Curry (and maybe a few more Warriors, as well) plus Minnesota knowing its playoff position is far from safe with Butler out, makes the Under an 8* play in this one.
Golden State: The 51-15 Warriors are battling the 51-14 Rockets for the top seed in the West and sit a half-game back after both teams fell on Friday. Kevin Durant (26.4-6.7-5.4) is trying to carry the team in Curry's absence and followed up a 37-point effort in a win over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday with 40 on 12-of-21 shooting in Portland on Friday. However, the Warriors aren't just missing Curry, as Andre Iguodala (wrist), David West (arm) and Jordan Bell (ankle) all sat out Friday and are all day-to-day.
Minnesota: "We have to understand how hard and physical you have to play," Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters after the loss to Boston. "That's the difference right now in us being a really good team and a good team. I looked at them and the physicality with which they play, it's the difference. We can score. We score plenty. It's the defense. Until we get figured out, it's going to be tough." Minnesota isn't missing much offensively in Butler's absence thanks to the continued progression of forward Nemanja Bjelica. He scored a career-high 30 points in Thursday's setback while going 11-of-16 from the floor, including 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. Bjelica has averaged 12.9 points and 7.9 rebounds in Butler's absence. However, Minnesota misses Butler badly, as he's the team's best defender.
The pick: Both team's have plenty of offensive weapons but Tom Thibodeau's team was struggling long before the injury to Butler, as the T-wolves come in just 2-9 ATS their last 11. No Curry (and maybe a few more Warriors, as well) plus Minnesota knowing its playoff position is far from safe with Butler out, makes the Under an 8* play in this one.
