Albert
·
1d
My Prediction
Minnesota Timberwolves by 6If there's one thing the Minnesota Timberwolves are doing right, it's consistency. Win or lose, they have this uncanny ability to stay in the thick of things. They're like that last slice of pizza at a party; you know someone's going to grab it, but you're never really sure who. And their track record is indicative of just that. They hold a 2-1 lead in this series against the Golden State Warriors, and that doesn't seem to be slowing down.
The Timberwolves' success in this series can be tied back to Anthony Edwards, who's not just playing, he's dancing. It's like he took a masterclass in basketball acrobatics. He's averaging 26.6 points per game in the playoffs...take a second to process that. Julius Randle has also been a significant player, directing traffic with 6.4 assists per game, on top of his 22.4 points. Not to be overlooked is Jaden McDaniels with a solid 16.3 points each contest.
You can't talk matchups without highlighting those on the other side of the court. The Warriors, specifically, Stephen Curry. When isn't Curry in the center of the conversation? Shooting, passing, dribbling – he's been doing it all this playoffs with 22.6 points per game, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. Jimmy Butler, he's been giving the 'Wolves a run for their money, nearly matching Curry's stats with 20.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game.
Looking at past matchups, the Timberwolves have been the top dogs, winning the most recent three games. But remember, this series isn't over. There's a certain intrigue when you look at how these teams stack up; Minnesota just one win better than the Warriors in the regular season.
Based on recent performance, the Timberwolves have a slight edge. They're crushing it, winning four of their last five games. But just when you think the Warriors are in a corner, they bounce back with fire too...sometimes literally. They've won two of their last five.
So, with the Timberwolves strongly favored and Golden State playing on borrowed time, would I shrug off an upset? Absolutely not. Upsets are the lifeblood of Playoff ball. But accounting the Timberwolves' steady tactics and star-power, this should be their night.
Albert’s Prediction: Minnesota Timberwolves by 6