Warriors vs. Timberwolves Game 2: Odds, Key Stats, and Bold Predictions for May 8 Showdown

Crunch Time: Warriors' Strong Start vs. Timberwolves’ Urgent Response

The playoff energy spikes in Minneapolis as the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves face off for Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Coming into this matchup, the Warriors hold a 1-0 series lead, their gritty 99-88 victory still fresh in everyone’s mind. Game 1 showed just how dangerous Golden State can be even on a tough shooting night—they made only 39.1% of their field goals but were red-hot from deep, sinking 18 threes on 42 attempts. That lethal perimeter shooting is a storyline Minnesota can't afford to ignore.

Many will point to the Warriors’ shooting as the X-factor, but their impact on the glass and their defense deserve just as much credit. Grabbing 51 rebounds—including 18 offensive—Golden State created numerous second-chance opportunities and threw Minnesota off their rhythm with 16 forced turnovers and 10 steals. Stephen Curry led the way offensively with his typical blend of crafty shot-making and playmaking (22.6 PPG, 5.1 APG on the season), while veterans like Jimmy Butler and Buddy Hield chipped in.

Odds, Trends, and What to Expect in Game 2

Flip to Minnesota’s side, and you’ll find a team with something to prove. Despite strong rebounding numbers (41 boards, 12 on offense) and decent free-throw shooting (15-for-17), the Timberwolves couldn’t find their range from three, hitting just 5-of-29. That was the biggest gap between these two teams in Game 1. If Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards can’t help Minnesota recover from deep, the Warriors could build on their road momentum. But keep in mind: the Timberwolves are favored by as much as 11 points, with Vegas setting the over/under right around 201.5–202—indicators that the experts expect this one to look a lot different than Game 1.

Betting markets are leaning hard toward Minnesota. That may seem bold since the Warriors have won 9 of their last 11 games away from home—a road toughness that's rare in the playoffs. Still, the spread reflects a belief in the Timberwolves’ ability to adjust defensively. They’ll need to run shooters off the line and crash the glass better to keep Golden State from pulling away. Minnesota’s crowd could become a huge X-factor if they get momentum early.

• The Warriors’ game plan revolves around three-point volume and quick defensive rotations, so if Curry finds his stroke again, it’s trouble for Minnesota.
• For the Timberwolves, controlling rebounds and protecting the arc will be their top priorities. They’ll need Towns to draw defenders and Edwards to attack in transition to put pressure on Golden State’s defense.
• The trends hint at a fast-paced, high-scoring game—both teams averaging over 100 points this year, and both comfortable in transition.

Both teams are built differently, but they share one goal: getting the upper hand before the series shifts again. The Warriors want to keep their outside shooting flowing and force turnovers, while the Timberwolves are hoping a shift back to their home arena is the spark they need for a bounce-back.