NBA Picks, Predictions: Our ‘Buckets’ Best Bets for Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals (May 24)

The Western Conference Finals roll on Friday with Game 2 between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Our “Buckets” crew came through with three best bets for Game 2 of the WCF, and they’re all focused on the Wolves, who are looking to avoid an 0-2 hole before making the trip to Dallas.

Check out the full episode of “Buckets” below, and continue reading for all three NBA best bets for Friday.

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By Bryan Fonseca

I must say I am still surprised — and part of me still can’t believe — that the Timberwolves are in the conference finals.

I expect Minnesota to come out hot in this first half. I think the defense will handle business and will make Luka Doncic uncomfortable.

Of course, Kyrie Irving got off to an incredible start, and I don’t expect the same first half from him tonight. I think Minnesota will find answers defensively for Kyrie and Luka.

Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns will find their rhythm here in the first half, and I think the defense will come out with something to prove.

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By Joe Dellera

Yeah, a lot of us were on Dallas in Game 1 after the Wolves went to seven games in what we thought was a scheduled loss.

It was just a bad spot for Minnesota, but I like it here. Edwards took 12 shots from behind the arc, and although he made five, he needs to score inside and in the midrange.

Minnesota settled for a lot of outside shots, and I think head coach Chris Finch will game-plan better for inside scoring. The Wolves were baited into taking outside shots instead of trying to draw fouls and generate free throws.

I think they’ll look to get the Mavs’ bigs into foul trouble early and lean on the defense that has gotten them this far.

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By Matt Moore

Teams at home in Game 2 after the first round that are favored are 37-12 straight up and 28-20-1 against the spread.

Teams in that spot in the conference finals after losing Game 1 at home are 9-7 straight up and 6-10 against the spread. While these trends don’t back up the Timberwolves, I think this is a great spot to take them in a bounce-back spot at home.

They have to at least get a split before heading to Dallas.

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