Highlights

Could the Warriors’ Same Game Parlay Unlock an Unexpected Victory in Game 2 Against the Timberwolves?

Could the Warriors’ Same Game Parlay Unlock an Unexpected Victory in Game 2 Against the Timberwolves?

Isn’t it something how the Golden State Warriors can lose their greatest weapon—a Steph Curry hamstring injury early in Game 1—and still come away with a comfortable 99-88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves? It’s almost as if the basketball gods enjoy throwing us curveballs just to keep things spicy. But here’s the real kicker: even without Curry for at least a week, the Timberwolves suddenly find themselves bigger favorites to take this series than they were before tip-off. Curious how a loss can actually boost a team’s odds, huh? As we head into Game 2 with Minnesota favored heavily, I’m throwing down what I call a “Pizza Bet”—a little same-game parlay just to sprinkle some extra fun over the action, not a pile of cash. Pace is slow, defenses are locked in, and without Curry’s gravitational pull on defenders, the Warriors’ shooters and rebounders will have to hustle like mad to keep up. Will the Wolves’ Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards bring the energy their coach demands? And can Naz Reid stay as cool from deep as he’s been at home? The chess match of adjustments promises plenty of intrigue. So grab a slice, settle in, and let’s see which way this series tilts next.

LEARN MORE

Even after losing Steph Curry to a hamstring injury in the second quarter, the Golden State Warriors still trounced the Minnesota Timberwolves 99-88 in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2025 NBA Playoffs. Because Curry will be out for at least a week, the T-Wolves are bigger favorites to win this series despite losing Game 1 than pre-series. 

Tip-off for Warriors-Timberwolves Game 2 is 8:30 p.m. ET Thursday and Minnesota is massive favorites to even the series. However, since I don’t see an edge betting on one of these teams winning, I’m putting a Pizza Bet on a Same Game Parlay (SGP) for Game 2, i.e., I don’t endorse wagering much money on this SGP. This is just something to spice up the viewing experience. 

Three of the five Warriors-Timberwolves meetings during the regular season and playoffs went Under the total, including Game 1. The series opener had a 91.6 pace. For context, Minnesota was 24th for pace in the regular season at 97.3 and Golden State was 17th at 98.7. These teams have a combined 5-9 Over/Under record in these playoffs, too. 

With Curry out, Hield is Golden State’s best 3-point shooter and Minnesota’s defense should focus on him more Thursday. Hield lit the Timberwolves up in Game 1, scoring a team-high 24 points on 62.5% shooting from deep (5-for-8). Plus, Edwards and T-Wolves wing Jaden McDaniels are two of the best on-ball defenders in the NBA. 

Granted, Hield went Over this number in two of his four meetings with Minnesota during the regular season and scored 27 points on 55.6% shooting in his only start vs. the Timberwolves. But, Curry, who has the most gravitational pull in NBA history because he’s the greatest shooter ever, also started that game. Sans Curry, all the Warriors will have tougher looks in Game 2. 

Edwards has gone Over this number in five of his six games in these playoffs and has grabbed more rebounds in four consecutive games. He hauled in a game-high 14 rebounds Tuesday. The Warriors will settle for 3-pointers in Game 2 instead of challenging Minnesota big Rudy Gobert at the rim. 

Furthermore, missed 3-pointers usually lead to long rebounds, and Ant-Man is a perimeter defender, so he should be in the area to pull in a bunch of rebounds. Lastly, T-Wolves head coach Chris Finch called Edwards’ lack of energy in Game 1, so he should get a motivated Edwards Thursday. 

Since Draymond Green, who stands at 6-foot-6, is their starting center, the Warriors will pack the paint to prevent Edwards and Timberwolves PF Julius Randle from attacking the basket and Gobert from catching easy lobs. This should leave Reid wide open. Reid had a 50.1% 3-point-attempt rate during the regular season and made 37.9% of those shots. 

He made three and four 3-pointers in his two home games vs. the Warriors in the regular season. Naz shot 64 percentage points higher at home compared to road games this season (40.9-34.5%). In Game 1, Reid went 3-for-7 on 3-balls, and he made at least two 3-pointers in four of six games this postseason. 

_____________________________

Follow me on X (or Twitter, whatever) @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my OutKick Bets Podcast for more betting content and random rants. I’ll add bets to my NBA 2024-25 betting record via X all season.

Post Comment

WIN $500 OF SHOPPING!

    This will close in 0 seconds

    GET YOUR FREE STREAMING PASSWORD!

      This will close in 0 seconds

      RSS
      Follow by Email