The Minnesota Timberwolves had gotten solid reviews the past two seasons as a young team on the rise. However, they are in a funk right now, having dropped four of five, including a 129-117 home loss to Phoenix on Wednesday. The most frustrating moment of that game came during the second quarter, when Taurean Prince came off the floor ahead of a free throw by Jaylen Nowell. D’Angelo Russell was at the table to check in, but Russell didn’t actually come on the floor until the Suns’ next possession had almost ended, giving Phoenix an easy setup for a three-ball. Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns were both available, but foul trouble limited their court time, and the Timberwolves turned the ball over 19 times, leading to 32 points. Looking ahead to the weekend, let’s look at some solid NBA betting matchups.
NBA News: Top Betting Games for the Weekend
→ Friday, November 11
Cleveland Cavaliers (+1.5) at Golden State Warriors (O/U 230)
(10:00 pm ET)
After winning the first two games of their road trip (and nine of ten to start the season), the Cavaliers have hit a bit of a wall, blowing a 13-point lead in the last five minutes of regulation to lose to the Clippers on Monday and then letting Sacramento hang 127 points on them in a loss on Wednesday. Things don’t get any easier on Friday at Golden State. In the loss to the Kings, Donovan Mitchell went 16 of 28 and had 38 points, but Domantas Sabonis put up 21 for the Kings, and Harrison Barnes added 20. Caris LeVert had 21 points, 10 boards and six assists, and Jarrett Allen had 20 points and seven boards, but a lack of communication allowed a speedy Sacramento team to pull away. The Cavaliers did take a lead with 9:13 remaining in regulation, but they could not hold it.
Golden State had dropped five in a row before beating Sacramento at home on Monday, 116-113, and they have had three days off ahead of the Cavaliers’ arrival. In that Monday win, Stephen Curry went off for 47 points, a season high, including seven three-pointers. Andrew Wiggins scored 25, and Klay Thompson chipped in 16. Even so, the Warriors needed a pair of free throws from Curry with 1.3 seconds left in regulation to salt away the win. Draymond Green contributed 11 points, eight boards and six assists, including a key dunk with 37 seconds left to push the lead back to three. If Curry has found his shooting touch, the Warriors could be primed for a long run.
Final Prediction: Golden State 130, Cleveland 121
→ Saturday, November 12
Brooklyn Nets at L.A. Clippers
(4:00 pm ET)
The Nets have won three of four since the firing of head coach Steve Nash, beating Washington and Charlotte on the road before losing in Dallas. They bounced back with a 112-85 home win over the Knicks on Wednesday. In that game, Kevin Durant became the first player since Michael Jordan to start a season with 25+ points in 12 straight games, putting up 29 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists. This was eight straight wins for Brooklyn over the Knicks; Seth Curry chipped in a season-high 23 points, and Edmond Sumner, starting in place of Kyrie Irving, had a season-best 18 points.
The Clippers have won two in a row and five of six, including a 114-101 win over the Lakers on Wednesday. Paul George put up 29 points, as the Clippers have won nine in a row over the Lakers. Norman Powell chipped in 18, as seven different Clippers hit double figures. This team focus has paid off during the absence of Kawhi Leonard, who has now missed 10 games. While the Nets seem to be on the rise, the Clippers seem to be a bit ahead of them on the chemistry curve.
Final Score Prediction: Los Angeles 115, Brooklyn 109
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