NBA Playoffs: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs Western Conference Semifinals Series Odds & Pick

The Minnesota Timberwolves were not expected to make the Western Conference Semifinals, especially after Anthony Edwards was lost to an injury. But, despite being short-handed, they took care of business against the Nuggets, earning a date in the next round with the San Antonio Spurs.

This is the third time the NBA playoffs will include a Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs series. San Antonio won the first two (1999, 2001) and is a heavy favorite to win this time around as well. But the Timberwolves have already proved they are a formidable team. Just ask the Nuggets.

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It should be a great series. Let’s take a look at the Western Conference semifinals series odds and discuss how to bet on a winner.

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Western Conference Semifinals Series Odds: Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs

Playoff basketball isn’t just about winning games. No, you have to win enough games to win the series. Before a series gets underway is a great time to bet on an underdog since their odds will not be longer (and your payout greater). But they are also underdogs for a reason.

Also, before a series gets rolling, the odds are going to vary from one sportsbook to the next. So, definitely shop around to get the most advantageous odds. Here are the odds to win the series:

• Minnesota Timberwolves +575 (bet365)
• San Antonio Spurs -525 (DraftKings)

If you are going to take a risk and bet on the T-Wolves, you might as well win as much money as you can. Bet365 has odds for Minnesota at +575 ($100 bet wins $575). However, if you wanted to bet on the Spurs, it would take an $850 bet at bet365 to win $100 (-850 odds).

But at bet DraftKings, you’d just need to risk $525 to win $100.

It is completely understandable if you did not want to risk $525 to win $100. So, rather than bet on the Spurs to win, bet on the correct score of the series or how long it will take them to win the series (bet365):

• San Antonio 4-0 +220
• San Antonio 4-1 +190
• San Antonio 4-2 +475
• San Antonio 4-3 +575

This is also a great market for rolling the dice if you think the underdog can win the series:

• Minnesota 4-0 +10000
• Minnesota 4-1 +4000
• Minnesota 4-2 +1600
• Minnesota 4-3 +1200

Not sure who will win, but feel confident it will go the distance, or that one team will sweep the other? Bet when the Series will finish (bet365):

• Game 4 +210
• Game 5 +180
• Game 6 +375
• Game 7 +375

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History Is Leaning Towards San Antonio But Don’t Count Minnesota Out

It has been a few years since the Spurs were last in the postseason. But the NBA playoffs are nothing new to San Antonio. In their 50 seasons in the NBA, the Spurs have made the playoffs 40 times, played in 81 playoff series (including this one, 46-34), and reached the NBA Finals six times (winning five).

San Antonio is certainly no stranger to the conference semifinals round. Since the 1976-77 season, the Spurs have played in the conference semis 25 times, winning 14 and taking 77 of 143 games.

Minnesota doesn’t have quite the playoff history as the Spurs. In its 37 seasons, the Timberwolves have made the postseason 14 times, played in 21 series (including this one), and won seven. They have yet to win an NBA championship or make the NBA Finals.

As a franchise, San Antonio has a postseason edge, but this is the first time it has made the playoffs since 2019. The Spurs haven’t made it to the conference semifinals since 2017 (beat the Houston Rockets in six games). Minnesota, on the other hand, has reached the conference semifinals in the last two seasons and advanced to the conference finals both times.

Of course, as the No. 2 seed, the expectation is that the Spurs will win, which is why they are heavy favorites. History says they should win. Since the 2000 playoffs, the No. 2 and No. 6 seeds have met in the conference semifinals 10 times. Of those 10 matchups, the No. 2 seed won nine.

Minnesota was a No. 6 seed last season, as it is this year, and made it to the conference finals. But faced the No. 7 seed Golden State Warriors in the conference semifinals.

Western Conference Semifinals Preview: Timberwolves vs. Spurs

It is really easy to make a case for the Spurs to win this series. They won 62 games during the regular season and showed their dominance in the first round, dispatching the Trail Blazers in five despite losing Victor Wembanyama for a game. San Antonio had the third-highest scoring offense in the league, averaging 119.8 points per game, and the third-best defense (110.4 rating).

They haven’t scored as much in the playoffs (112.4 points per game), but they still have the third-highest scoring offense. On the defensive end, they had the second-best rating in the first round at 102.2.

There is a difference between the postseason defensive numbers the two teams have generated, but in the regular season, they were somewhat similar on both ends of the court. San Antonio averaged 119.8 points per game, and Minnesota averaged 118.  The Spurs' defensive rating was 110.4, while the T-wolves' was 112.5.

So, in theory, this should be a competitive series since statistically, the differences are not extreme. The regular-season series certainly was, with Minnesota winning twice. But San Antonio did not have Wembanyama in one game.

However, Minnesota will start the season behind the eight ball, as it is, with Edwards possibly out to start the series. He’s been dealing with a left knee hyperextension and bone bruise that caused him to miss Games 5 and 6 vs. Denver. According to reports, he participated in the team’s Monday morning shoot-around and is pushing to play. But the team’s medical staff had yet to make a decision as of publish time.

My Minnesota vs. San Antonio NBA Playoffs Pick

Minnesota played a solid series against Denver, but it is playing a better defensive team this time. With or without Edwards, scoring is going to be tough. Rody Gobert will not make it easy on Wembanyama, but the talent and age gap will be apparent as this series goes on.

I’d pick San Antonio to win this series, but I’d bet on them to win it in six (+475, bet365) or five (+190, bet365). Part of me wants to bet on the sweep, but Minnesota is a solid team. If Edwards can go and be effective, the Spurs will not sweep this series. At the same time, I seriously doubt it goes seven games.