NBA 2021/22 on Monday, 17.01.2022
Stephen Curry fell on his recently operated right hand yesterday! Consequently, he will miss the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and his Golden State Warriors, but fans of the Californians should still not despair.
After all, the Dubs just put on arguably their most impressive display of power this season. And as we’ll learn in my Timberwolves Warriors tip, it was based on a phenomenal team performance!
Like a fine wine, the young Timberwolves needed a few years to mature – and indeed, after 42 NBA game days now, they are (20-22) closer to a positive record than they have been in a long time.
What’s more, if Minnesota stays the course, with a little luck they could end up qualifying for the playoffs for only the second time in the last 18 seasons, even if there have been some setbacks again recently.
Logically, after the two losses to the Pelicans and the Grizzlies, there should now even be another defeat against the Warriors. After all, the Californians are not only the strongest of the teams just mentioned, but also have the best record in the entire NBA after the Suns (31-11).
The Californians stumbled a bit recently, as Draymond Green’s injury left noticeable marks. But just last night the Warriors struck back with perhaps the most spectacular win of the entire season so far.
The Chicago Bulls, so strong at home, were literally pulverised in a 138-96 victory at the United Center. The triumph was by no means based on another Stephen Curry show, but rather on a unified team performance!
A total of six Warriors players contributed double-digit points, including a certain Andrew Wiggins (21 p.), who was not only in top form on this evening, but whom the Timberwolves will have to watch out for especially.
Wiggins played his first five years with Minnesota, but is now in his third year with the Dubs – and whenever the Canadian plays against his old employer, there is a lot of noise.
In the last duel against the Timberwolves, Wiggins even sank his most points of the season (35). His average yield from the four NBA duels against the Wolves is thus 26 points.
By the way: The direct duel just mentioned is a home game from November, which the Warriors won 123-110. If the Canadian plays as well as last time, the loss of Stephen Curry today could also be compensated for!
Meanwhile, the bookies seem to be giving too much importance to the Curry factor! After all, if the rest of his teammates are as productive as they were against the Bulls, they won’t even need their king of threes!
Still, a win tonight remains a 50-50 proposition, while a 25-point performance from Wiggins has a much better chance of success compared to that. After all, without Curry, the Canadian will become more of a focal point for his teammates as a face-off man!
Incidentally, it could be an entertaining game with a lot of points over long stretches. According to NBA statistics, only the Lakers (119.6) have averaged more points than the Wolves (118.9) in their last seven games!
In my eyes, the American and German bookmakers underestimate the Warriors’ possibilities when their best man has to take a break.
Because I can’t quite understand the tripling of the bet offered to us for a Dubs win against the Wolves.
For me, tonight’s affair remains a coin toss at worst, which is why the circa 1.50 being traded for a home side triumph doesn’t seem to be in proportion to the actual likelihood of occurrence.
Conclusion: The reason why I see the Warriors in front tonight, after their big win over the Bulls, has to do with the fact that the key to their success against Chicago was a cohesive team performance.
If Stephen Curry had done it all by himself, you could argue that the Wolves had a chance with strict double coverage. But for the Warriors, six players scored in double figures – Wiggins leading the way.
The Canadian is especially strong in games against his old employers and could once again keep the opposing defence on its toes. Especially as he already conjured up season bests on the tableau in the last duel against Minnesota!
My Wolves Warriors tip: Wiggins over 24.5 points!
