2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #6 Minnesota Timberwolves vs #7 Golden State Warriors (GSW leads 1-0)

[___Rand___]

GSW is basically a smaller version of the Lakers. If the play Draymond that Wolves can play Gobert. Wolves are more well rested and with home court advantage. GSW did beat TWolves 3 out of 4 time in regular season and win both games in Minnesota. Both Curry+Buddy played well. Still, I think it's going to be Wolves win in 6.

How did Warriors beat Wolves?

[___Rand___]

How did Warriors win the regular season series 3-1 over Wolves?

Because it was all early in the season when the team was adjusting to life after a massive trade on the eve of training camp.

You mean right after training camp. ok.

[___Rand___]

From what I've seen Wolves should dominate Warriors, but given the dubs won regular season series, and you can't ever count out Kerr, 1st game should be fireworks. I'm going to watch game 1, and if Wolves dominate warriors like I think they can, I will get my sleep the rest of the series! lol

[AbeVigodaLive]

I like Minnesota in 7. I'd feel better about that if they had a 9-man rotation rather than 8. The Warriors seem deeper, although their depth may not be the most talented.

Why?

Rotations tend to shrink in the playoffs. 8-man rotations are very common in the playoffs. 7-man rotations are common late in series. You think 20 - 25 mpg is going to wear down Divincenzo, Naz Reid, Alexander-Walker or Conley or something?

The Timberwolves leaned in HARD on the 8-man rotation even during the regular season, often to the detriment of young guys like Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon and Jaylen Clark.

Should they need to expand the rotation... Clark was a bit of a revelation especially on defense. And Shannon showed some chops as a 24-year-old rookie.

The Wolves claim to have "8 starters" which gives them pretty good flexibility to mix-and-match lineups like they did vs. the Lakers. As a result, guys like Naz Reid or Divincenzo might get only 19 min. one night... and 30+ min. another night. And NAW has an even wider gap (10 - 30 mpg).

[AbeVigodaLive]

GSW is basically a smaller version of the Lakers. If the play Draymond that Wolves can play Gobert. Wolves are more well rested and with home court advantage. GSW did beat TWolves 3 out of 4 time in regular season and win both games in Minnesota. Both Curry+Buddy played well. Still, I think it's going to be Wolves win in 6.

How did Warriors beat Wolves?

They started guys like...

Gui Santos
Kyle Anderson
Dennis Schroder
Trayce Jackson-Davis
Jonathon Kuminga
Andrew Wiggins

Not too optimistic that having those guys back in the rotation (or even on the team) is the best strategy for Golden State in this series though.

[phanman]

The Wolves are going to need Conley, NAW or DDV to break out of their shooting slump to win against the Dubs. I feel like Donte is going to have a big series against them as he is accustomed to shooting in that arena.

The Randle matchup against Jimmy & Draymond is going to be fun to watch.

[HotRocks34]

I like Minnesota in 7. I'd feel better about that if they had a 9-man rotation rather than 8. The Warriors seem deeper, although their depth may not be the most talented.

Warriors are deeper but not as talented? I have no idea what you're saying

What I'm saying is that the Warriors seem to use 9+ guys, but I don't know if #9+ are super talented, in general.

[HotRocks34]

I like Minnesota in 7. I'd feel better about that if they had a 9-man rotation rather than 8. The Warriors seem deeper, although their depth may not be the most talented.

Why?

Rotations tend to shrink in the playoffs. 8-man rotations are very common in the playoffs. 7-man rotations are common late in series. You think 20 - 25 mpg is going to wear down Divincenzo, Naz Reid, Alexander-Walker or Conley or something?

The Timberwolves leaned in HARD on the 8-man rotation even during the regular season, often to the detriment of young guys like Rob Dillingham, Terrence Shannon and Jaylen Clark.

Should they need to expand the rotation... Clark was a bit of a revelation especially on defense. And Shannon showed some chops as a 24-year-old rookie.

The Wolves claim to have "8 starters" which gives them pretty good flexibility to mix-and-match lineups like they did vs. the Lakers. As a result, guys like Naz Reid or Divincenzo might get only 19 min. one night... and 30+ min. another night. And NAW has an even wider gap (10 - 30 mpg).

Good and fair points.

I just hope that the Wolves don't wear down. I doubt that they will, I just hope that they don't.

I have similar concerns with Denver in the OKC series. It's not the same situation but I don't think Denver is going to use any more than 8 guys.

[runtmc]

Poll and general public seem to be heavily favoring Minny -- apparently the spread opened at -4.5 and moved to -7.5. The moneyline was at -300 for a bit, seems to be around -275 now, and yet still 75% of bets are on Minny. Taking Minny at a 1:3 payout or while giving up 7.5 points seems exceptionally optimistic in my eyes -- but I suppose its been influenced heavily by the public's perception of the previous round for both teams.

Personally, I think GS should actually be a pretty solid favorite in this series -- probably something on the order of 65/35. For tonight, on their homecourt, and with how much more rest they have, Id think it would be close to a toss-up, or a slight Minny favorite, like say -120 to -150, but -300 seems excessive to say the least. It wouldnt shock me if Minny won the series, but I would be more than a bit surprised.

I suspect if there's anything that GS really needs to worry about it's Minny getting hot from 3 -- they were top 5 in 3PA and 3P%. That or there being another absurd FTA swing like there was in the HOU series. If MIN wants to go inside with Randle or Gobert, Im all for it, just means fewer 3s being attempted.

[Twinkie defense]

Adams just played big and impactful minutes against the Warriors and he is less mobile, less of a rim protector and not as good of a rebounder as Gobert. Can you explain how Gobert can't be played yet Adams was one of the Rockets best players in the series?

Two VERY different players. Adams is an immovable mountain of a man and an offensive rebounding machine. Warriors did take him out though by going zone.

[phanman]

I like Minnesota in 7. I'd feel better about that if they had a 9-man rotation rather than 8. The Warriors seem deeper, although their depth may not be the most talented.

Warriors are deeper but not as talented? I have no idea what you're saying

What I'm saying is that the Warriors seem to use 9+ guys, but I don't know if #9+ are super talented, in general.

Dubs are really 7 deep regularly, the 8th guy who plays just depends on matchups. I don't think JK and Post will get into the rotation as I think Looney will be crucial against Minny.

[HotRocks34]

Warriors are deeper but not as talented? I have no idea what you're saying

What I'm saying is that the Warriors seem to use 9+ guys, but I don't know if #9+ are super talented, in general.

Dubs are really 7 deep regularly, the 8th guy who plays just depends on matchups. I don't think JK and Post will get into the rotation as I think Looney will be crucial against Minny.

It's pretty amazing to me to see how far Kuminga's stock seems to have fallen. Hope he can figure it out in the future.

[TimberKat]

It would be low-key embarrassing for the wolves to lose the series!

My Warriors are old and tired.

Yes, as we see in the previous round two games, there is no guarantee (that is why I am not betting on games ). The real pressures seems to be on the home team and it feels like a must win first game for Wolves (never mind the series).

[TimberKat]

From what I've seen Wolves should dominate Warriors, but given the dubs won regular season series, and you can't ever count out Kerr, 1st game should be fireworks. I'm going to watch game 1, and if Wolves dominate warriors like I think they can, I will get my sleep the rest of the series! lol

For those of us that watches Wolves on a regular basis, they are playing much better since all star break, especially after Randle came back from injury where he had time to 'see' the game. He is more integrated, instead of him and Ant take turn on 1 on 5 basketball. They don't turn the ball over as much as early in the season. Their role players like Clark and TSJ are more ready to step in. We see a better version of Gobert. The two games at Target Center was close. Can the Wolves revert back to start of the season? Yes, possible. I would wait until after game two before rest easy, even if Wolves dominant tonight.

[Loaf_of_bread]

How did Warriors win the regular season series 3-1 over Wolves?

Was earlier in the season. Wolves were playing terribly. Julius didn't understand his role. Jaden and Ant weren't playing all that hot. Naz and Julius didn't figure out how to play together. Finch seems slow to get results from losing/adding key players.
Even a bit of tension going on from within.

Things are different now. Team has come together. Ant, Jaden, and Naz are very good playoff guys. Julius had a hell of a series vs. LAL.

Wolves are too defensively versatile for whatever adjustments GSW make.

Wolves are much longer, but as a whole not great at the fundamentals of rebounding. Shouldn't really matter though.

At the end of the day, when you watch these 2 teams play, the length, physicality, and athleticism of the Wolves will stand out as if watching a high school varsity team vs. the JV team.

The JV team though has the best shooter of all time, a try-hard, and a psychopath on their side.

Can the JV team pull off a singular win in a best of 7.. maybe, but that's about it.

[___Rand___]

From what I've seen Wolves should dominate Warriors, but given the dubs won regular season series, and you can't ever count out Kerr, 1st game should be fireworks. I'm going to watch game 1, and if Wolves dominate warriors like I think they can, I will get my sleep the rest of the series! lol

For those of us that watches Wolves on a regular basis, they are playing much better since all star break, especially after Randle came back from injury where he had time to 'see' the game. He is more integrated, instead of him and Ant take turn on 1 on 5 basketball. They don't turn the ball over as much as early in the season. Their role players like Clark and TSJ are more ready to step in. We see a better version of Gobert. The two games at Target Center was close. Can the Wolves revert back to start of the season? Yes, possible. I would wait until after game two before rest easy, even if Wolves dominant tonight.

A couple of teams started the season real slow unexpectedly. Like Pacers, Wolves. I am thinking it was deliberate and perhaps a new strategy to deal with the long season. I suspect they really didn't ramp up practice in pre-season training, and coaches didn't install a lot of their schemes until later on. It reduces wear and tear, and the team peaks later in the season.

[Wolfgang630]

Draymond will only pick on Gobert because he knows the other guys won’t back down to him

[___Rand___]

How did Warriors win the regular season series 3-1 over Wolves?

Was earlier in the season. Wolves were playing terribly. Julius didn't understand he is role. Jaden and Ant weren't playing all that hot. Naz and Julius didn't figure out how to play together. Finch seems slow to get results from losing/adding key players.
Even a bit of tension going on from within.

Things are different now. Team has come together. Ant, Jaden, and Naz are very good playoff guys. Julius had a hell of a series vs. LAL.

Wolves are too defensively versatile for whatever adjustments GSW make.

Wolves are much longer, but as a whole not great at the fundamentals of rebounding. Shouldn't really matter though.

At the end of the day, when you watch these 2 teams play, the length, physicality, and athleticism of the Wolves will stand out as if watching a high school varsity team vs. the JV team.

The JV team though has the best shooter of all time, a try-hard, and a psychopath on their side.

Can the JV team pull off a singular win in a best of 7.. maybe, but that's about it.

I mean yeah that's my expectation. Wolves would dominate Warriors. That's why I was surprised Dubs won the regular season. I understand why now.

[thunderdunk]

Read on Twitter

So instead, they drafted that "fireball of intensity" James Wiseman. SMH. Imagine how much better they would be if they drafted better?

[runtmc]

How did Warriors win the regular season series 3-1 over Wolves?

Was earlier in the season. Wolves were playing terribly. Julius didn't understand his role. Jaden and Ant weren't playing all that hot. Naz and Julius didn't figure out how to play together. Finch seems slow to get results from losing/adding key players.
Even a bit of tension going on from within.

Things are different now. Team has come together. Ant, Jaden, and Naz are very good playoff guys. Julius had a hell of a series vs. LAL.

Wolves are too defensively versatile for whatever adjustments GSW make.

Wolves are much longer, but as a whole not great at the fundamentals of rebounding. Shouldn't really matter though.

At the end of the day, when you watch these 2 teams play, the length, physicality, and athleticism of the Wolves will stand out as if watching a high school varsity team vs. the JV team.

The JV team though has the best shooter of all time, a try-hard, and a psychopath on their side.

Can the JV team pull off a singular win in a best of 7.. maybe, but that's about it.

You do realize GS won 3-1... without Jimmy. So while Minny certainly played better post ASB, GS's post ASB record and stats are all significantly better than Minny's.