MINNESOTA vs GOLDEN STATE 12/10/2018 Odds, Picks & Preview

The MINNESOTA and the GOLDEN STATE will both be gunning for a victory on 12/10/2018 at 10:35 PM when they meet in a game matchup.

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES vs GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
When: 10:30 PM  ET, Monday, December 10, 2018
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California

TV: 10:35 PM
LINE: -10.5
PREDICTION: GOLDEN STATE , MINNESOTA

Oddsmakers currently have the GOLDEN STATE listed as -10.5 point favorites versus the MINNESOTA, while the game’s total is sitting at 226.

The Golden State Warriors look more like themselves lately and are racing back to their customary perch atop the Western Conference standings. The Warriors finished their five-game road trip with three consecutive wins and could have All-Star forward Draymond Green back when they begin a stretch with seven of nine at home by hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday.

Golden State’s winning streak coincided with the healthy return of two-time MVP Stephen Curry, who averaged 30.7 points in the three wins, and Green’s return from an 11-game absence due to a toe injury could be the next factor in getting two-time defending champions back up to speed. “Getting Steph back changes everything. Knowing that Draymond is coming back continues that change,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters. “Those guys are in many ways our leaders out there for us and are the heartbeat with what Draymond brings defensively and pushes the ball. Our pace is going to pick up. Our guys know that. What Steph does out there night after night infuses the whole team with confidence.” The Timberwolves dropped the first stop of a four-game road trip 113-105 at Portland on Saturday while suffering through some breakdowns on the defensive end late. “We didn’t do what we were supposed to do,” Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters. “I’ll leave it at that.”

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), NBCS Bay Area (Golden State)

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (13-13): Minnesota is just 2-9 on the road and began a stretch with 10 of 13 away from home with Saturday’s loss. Star center Karl-Anthony Towns recorded his 15th double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds in the setback but was 6-of-16 from the floor and is shooting 46 percent from the floor on the road while shooting 50.6 percent at home. Towns finished up the last homestand with 35 points on 13-of-20 shooting, 12 rebounds and six blocks in a 121-104 win over Charlotte on Wednesday.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (18-9): Green’s return could be a big boost to Golden State’s defense, and his teammates are looking forward to having their anchor back. “Lately, I feel like the communication hasn’t really been there, kind of second-guessing ourselves, especially on rotations,” Warriors forward Andre Iguodala told the San Jose Mercury News. “But when (Draymond’s) in the game, it’s night and day as far as I’m trusting him. Those are my best defensive games individually because I know where he’s at and know what he’s going to do.” Green, who got in a memorable shouting match with teammate Kevin Durant prior to his injury, is averaging 6.9 points and 7.5 rebounds.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Durant scored a season-low 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting in Friday’s 105-95 win at Milwaukee.

2. Timberwolves SF Robert Covington (knee) sat out Saturday’s loss and is day-to-day.

3. Durant scored 33 points in a 116-99 home win over Minnesota on Nov. 2.

PREDICTION: Warriors 123, Timberwolves 115

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