NBA Picks & Predictions: Timberwolves vs. Spurs (Tuesday)
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has a single game on Tuesday night’s slate. The Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs meet in Game 5 at Frost Bank Center at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. Let’s build our bankroll with our best NBA picks & predictions for Tuesday, May 12th.
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Tuesday’s Best NBA Picks & Predictions
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All bets are for 1 unit
Minnesota Timberwolves (+315) at San Antonio Spurs (-400) | O/U 218.5 (-115/-105)
The Timberwolves and Spurs head into Game 5 all tied up 2-2. Many talking heads, including me, expected a rather brief series between Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, but the Timberwolves have put up quite the fight, and this one has been the opposite of the other Western Conference series, where the Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Los Angeles Lakers.
Minnesota picked up a 114-109 victory as 5.5-point underdogs in Game 4 at Target Center in Minneapolis, and things turned when Wembanyama was ejected from the game early in the second quarter for a nasty elbow to the neck of Naz Reid. The absence of Wembanyama was great news for Rudy Gobert, who piled up 11 points and 13 rebounds without the big Frenchman gumming up the paint.
It was a rather even game in terms of shooting, as San Antonio hit 48% (41-of-86) from the field, while Minnesota shot 45% (42-of-94). The Timberwolves were a little better from long distance, shooting 37% (10-of-27), while the Spurs were just 23% (6-of-26) from the perimeter. The Wolves were 91% (20-of-22) from the free-throw line, while the Spurs were a little cooler at 78% (21-of-27).
With no Wembanyama for the second half, Minnesota ended up +8 in rebounding, including +2 on the offensive glass. While the Spurs showed off good hands with 13 steals to just 5 for the Timberwolves, San Antonio was +3 in total turnovers. The poor three-point shooting and missteps at the free-throw line were the difference.
Dylan Harper actually had a strong game for the Spurs, serving as the unsung hero, keeping the Spurs in the game with 8-of-11 shooting and 24 points, seven boards and three steals. De’Aaron Fox also did a good job, tying Harper with a team-best 24 points.
It was the Anthony Edwards show, however. He had 36 points on 13-of-22 shooting, including three triples, while going for six boards. Reid had 15 points and nine rebounds, seemingly energized by the controversial elbow from Wembanyama. All five Minnesota starters had double-digit point totals.
Going back home, it’s hard not to feel Wembanyama is going to be on a mission. First off, he is rested, after his unexpected full half of rest. And, he should bounce back with a message-sending effort in Game 5, as he looks to help the Spurs shake off the pesky Spurs.
With that said, Edwards is also on a mission, and Minnesota should be able to keep this game to single digits. The over has cashed in each of the past three meetings in the series, since Minnesota’s stunning Game 1 win. Let’s back the over until defense starts to pick up.
Picks: Timberwolves +9.5 (-105) & Over 218.5 Points (-115)
Joe Williams is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Joe, check out his archive and follow him @winwithjoe