The Golden State Warriors (53-37 straight up, 44-42-3 against the spread) advanced to the Western Conference semifinals thanks to Sunday’s 103-89 win at Houston as a 2.5-point road underdog in Game 7. The 192 combined points dropped ‘under’ the 206-point total.
Buddy Hield was the catalyst in the series-deciding game at Toyota Center, as he erupted for a game-high 33 points on 12-of-15 shooting from the field and an incredible 9-of-11 makes from 3-point range. He also had three rebounds, two blocked shots, one steal and three assists without a turnover in a nearly flawless performance.
Steph Curry was outstanding, too, finishing with 22 points, 10 boards, seven assists, two steals and a pair of blocked shots. Jimmy Butler had 20 points, eight rebounds and seven assists compared to only one turnover, while Draymond Green contributed 16 points, six rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal.
The Rockets had a 52-38 rebounding advantage, but they hit only 6-of-18 shots from downtown. Golden St. splashed the nets at an 18-of-43 clip (42%) from beyond the arc.
Amen Thompson had 24 points and nine rebounds in the losing effort. Alperen Sengun finished with 21 points, 14 boards and five assists, while Fred VanVleet had 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists.
As of late Monday morning, most books had Minnesota installed as a seven-point home favorite for Tuesday’s Game 1 vs the Warriors, who were +220 on the money line. The total was 208.5 points.
Most spots have the Timberwolves listed as -180 favorites to win the series and advance to the West finals. Golden St. is a +160 underdog in the best-of-seven set.
All four regular-season meetings between these teams took place in December and January before Steve Kerr’s team traded for Butler. Nevertheless, the Warriors went 3-1 both SU and ATS in the four encounters.
Minnesota won a 107-90 decision as a 1.5-point road favorite on Dec. 6, as the 197 combined points went ‘under’ the 220-point total. Anthony Edwards led the winners with 30 points and nine assists. Curry scored a team-best 23 points in defeat.
Two nights later at the same venue, Golden St. captured a 114-106 win as a 1.5-point home ‘chalk.’ The 220 combined points elevated ‘over’ the 216-point tally.
Curry led the way with 30 points and eight assists, while Hield added 27 points on 7-of-13 marksmanship from long distance. Edwards scored a team-high 27 points in the losing effort.
Golden St. won 113-103 at Minnesota as a four-point road underdog on Dec. 21. The 216 combined points slithered ‘under’ the 218-point total.
Curry had 31 points and 10 assists compared to just one turnover. Edwards had 19 points in defeat after making merely 6-of-20 field-goal attempts.
On Jan. 15 at Minnesota, the Warriors won 116-115 as seven-point road underdogs. The 231 combined points went ‘over’ the 217-point tally.
Curry had 31 points and eight assists to lead his team to victory. Donte DiVincenzo had 28 points, six rebounds and nine assists without a turnover for Timberwolves.
FanDuel has Minnesota with 15/1 odds to win the NBA Finals. Those are the fourth-shortest odds on the board behind Oklahoma City (+130), Boston (+190) and Cleveland (+600). The Warriors have 28/1 odds.