Minnesota Timberwolves vs Golden State Warriors Prediction, Odds & Injury Report (Friday, Dec. 6)

• The Timberwolves clash with the Warriors in a Friday night showdown at the Chase Center
• Golden State is a slight home underdog in the latest Timberwolves vs Warriors odds
• Read on for Timberwolves vs Warriors predictions, odds and injury news for Friday

The Minnesota Timberwolves will look to extend their three-game winning streak when they visit the Golden State Warriors on Friday night. Tip-off from the Chase Center is set for 10 p.m. EST on ESPN.

Golden State snapped a five-game losing streak by beating the Rockets 99-93 on Thursday without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. But the Dubs could get their two stars back in the lineup for this divisional clash.

The latest Timberwolves vs Warriors odds show Minnesota as a 1.5-point road favorite, with a total of 219.5. The Warriors opened as 2.5-point home favorites, but the line has shifted towards Minnesota amid the uncertainty surrounding Curry and Green.

Will the well-rested Wolves take advantage of a Warriors squad playing the second game of a back-to-back? Or can Golden State ride the momentum from their much-needed win over Houston?

Let’s break down my Timberwolves vs Warriors picks and predictions for Friday, December 6.

Timberwolves vs Warriors Predictions

Minnesota has looked like a different team over the last week, using lockdown defense to spark a three-game surge. The Wolves have held their last two opponents to just 80 points each in impressive road victories over the Clippers and Lakers.

That defensive intensity starts on the perimeter with Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, and ends in the paint with four-time Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert. Minnesota ranks 5th in the NBA in points allowed at 107.4 per game this season.

Rudy Gobert is going absolutely nuts right now, and it is so much fun to watch. pic.twitter.com/mURpkZGTvO

— Charlie Walton (@CharlieWaltonMN) December 5, 2024

The Wolves’ ability to get stops should loom large against a Warriors offense that mustered just 99 points without Curry on Thursday. Golden State is averaging only 105.7 points over their last six contests.

Even if Curry does suit up, it’s fair to wonder how effective he’ll be on a bad knee on the second night of a back-to-back. Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole will need to provide more scoring punch.

Steph Curry’s bilateral knee tendinitis is something he hasn’t dealt with before.

“It has the potential to be a nagging type thing if you don’t take care of it.”

“The deeper into your career, the more things pop up.”

Full soundbite pic.twitter.com/BAfrHwGLLx

— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 1, 2024

The Timberwolves, meanwhile, have gotten stellar play from their role players of late. Julius Randle is coming off a team-high 20 points against the Clippers and provides another scoring dimension at power forward. Naz Reid, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Donte DiVincenzo are also giving the Wolves a lift off the bench.

As slight road favorites, I like the value on Minnesota here, especially since Golden State is playing its third game in four nights and could be shorthanded once again. The Wolves have also won four straight games in this head-to-head matchup.

I expect the Wolves to win this one outright, so I don’t mind a play on their -120 moneyline. The NBA public betting trends show Minny getting 54% of the handle with only 42% of bets. There’s a reason this line has flipped completely.

For the total, I lean towards the under 219.5 points. Both teams rank in the top-10 in defensive rating, with the Wolves allowing just 84 points per game in their last three. The Warriors have also gone under in four straight and eight of their last nine overall.

Timberwolves vs Warriors Picks:

• Timberwolves ML (-120) 
• UNDER 219.5 (-115)

Latest Timberwolves vs Warriors Odds

The Timberwolves enter this matchup as 1.5-point road favorites at ESPN Sportsbook. Minnesota backers can get the Wolves at -105 odds to cover the short spread, while Golden State sits at -115 to cover as home underdogs.

On the moneyline, the Timberwolves are modest -120 favorites to win straight up. A $120 bet on Minnesota returns $100 in profit. Meanwhile, the Warriors are even-money (+100) on the moneyline, so a $100 bet returns $100 in profit if Golden State springs the upset.

The total for Friday’s contest is set at a modest 219.5 points, with the under juiced to -115. That indicates some early sharp action on a low-scoring game between these two defensive-minded teams.

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Odds current as of Friday, December 6 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN Sportsbook.

Timberwolves vs Warriors Injury Report

Both teams have some key names on the injury report heading into Friday’s Western Conference clash.

For Minnesota, Joe Ingles (calf) and Rob Dillingham (ankle) remain out. However, the Wolves are otherwise healthy, with all five starters expected to be available.

The story is quite different for Golden State, which could be without its best player for a second straight game. Stephen Curry (knee) is questionable after sitting out Thursday’s win over Houston. Draymond Green (calf) is also questionable after missing that contest, while Andrew Wiggins (ankle) is probable to play through a minor injury.

If Curry and Green can’t go, the Warriors will need big games from the likes of Wiggins, Jordan Poole and Jonathan Kuminga to keep pace with a Wolves squad that has hit its stride defensively. Kevon Looney would also be tasked with playing big minutes at center.