The Golden State Warriors are dangling from the cliffs of playoff elimination on just a finger, but they still have a chance to turn things around in this series versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. Will the Warriors live to fight for another game? Or, will the Timberwolves get the job done and howl in victory?
Catch this game live on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 9:30 AM, Manila time.
Away: Golden State Warriors (1-3)
Projected Starting Five:
- Brandin Podziemski
- Jimmy Butler III
- Buddy Hield
- Draymond Green
- Trayce Jackson-Davis
The fate of the Warriors this Thursday will be decided without the help of Stephen Curry. The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player has already been ruled out for Game 5 with a hamstring injury, leaving the Warriors without their undisputed best offensive weapon. Golden State has an offensive rating of 108.5 in the playoffs, but in their last three games, with Curry sidelined, that number has gone down to 102.7.
If the Warriors are to survive Game 5 and extend the series, they need Jimmy Butler to be “Playoff Jimmy,” which he clearly wasn’t in Game 4. In the 117-110 loss to Minnesota on Tuesday, Butler scored just 14 points on 5-for-9 shooting. Meanwhile, Draymond Green had more attempts (14) than Butler from the floor. One bright spot for the Warriors of late is Jonathan Kuminga, who’s averaged 26.5 points on 54.8 FG% in the last two games.
Home: Minnesota Timberwolves (3-1)
Projected Starting Five:
- Mike Conley
- Anthony Edwards
- Jaden McDaniels
- Julius Randle
- Rudy Gobert
The Timberwolves can smell it. Blood is on the water in Minnesota, with Anthony Edward and company looking to finish off the Warriors, who have been clearly outmatched in the last three games. Over that stretch, the Timberwolves averaged 112.0 points with a 42.9 3-point shooting percentage, while holding the Warriors to just 100.0 points, 43.8 FG% and 32.9 3FG% in the same span.
Edwards and Randle have been joining forces in leading the Timberwolves in dismantling Golden State, just like they did in Game 4. Randle had 31 points on 11-for-21 shooting despite a sinus issue, while Edwards torched the Warriors for 30 points on 11-for-21 shooting. Without having to worry about Curry, the Timberwolves’ defense can afford to gamble more on the perimeter and play closer to the rim, hurting the chances of Butler and company to score baskets in the paint.
Picks
Spread: Minnesota Timberwolves (-11.0)
Over/Under: Over (202.0)
