NBA Playoffs Best Bets, Picks, Predictions for Thursday, May 8

The second round of the NBA Playoffs resumes with one standalone matchup this Thursday, as Warriors-Timberwolves Game 2 takes center stage at 8:30 p.m. ET on TNT.

Our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified 4 NBA picks for tonight’s contest. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Thursday, May 8.

NBA Playoffs Best Bets, Picks, Predictions: Thursday, May 8

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Game	Time (ET)	Pick
[teammatchup link=”#1″ firstfullname=”Golden State Warriors” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/759063_Warriors.png” secondfullname=”Minnesota Timberwolves” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/nba-updated-logo-minnesota-timberwolves.png”][/teammatchup]	8:30 p.m.	Anthony Edwards Over 34.5 PR
[teammatchup link=”#2″ firstfullname=”Golden State Warriors” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/759063_Warriors.png” secondfullname=”Minnesota Timberwolves” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/nba-updated-logo-minnesota-timberwolves.png”][/teammatchup]	8:30 p.m.	Warriors +10.5
[teammatchup link=”#3″ firstfullname=”Golden State Warriors” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/759063_Warriors.png” secondfullname=”Minnesota Timberwolves” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/nba-updated-logo-minnesota-timberwolves.png”][/teammatchup]	8:30 p.m.	Naz Reid Over 12.5 Points
[teammatchup link=”#4″ firstfullname=”Golden State Warriors” firstlogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/759063_Warriors.png” secondfullname=”Minnesota Timberwolves” secondlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/nba-updated-logo-minnesota-timberwolves.png”][/teammatchup]	8:30 p.m.	Jimmy Butler Under 7.5 Rebounds
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game.

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Warriors vs. Timberwolves”][/subheader]

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By Joe Dellera

The Wolves are heavily favored in Game 2 after their total no-show in Game 1. The Warriors will also be without Steph Curry for at least the next week.

This has become a situation where the Wolves definitely want to make this series as short as possible.

Anthony Edwards started off Game 1 with an abysmal first half performance, but he realized a bit too late that he could drive at will against this Warriors defense and attack the rack. He closed the game with 23 points.

As for rebounding, the Wolves have been comfortable without Gobert on the floor for stretches, and Ant secured 14 rebounds on 18 chances. Those should regress a bit, but still plenty of upside for the combo prop. I’ll grab Edwards over 34.5 PR.

Pick: Anthony Edwards Over 34.5 Points + Rebounds (-120)

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Warriors vs. Timberwolves”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Warriors +10.5 (-110)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/759063_Warriors.png” awayname=”Golden State Warriors” awayslug=”golden-state-warriors” homelogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/nba-updated-logo-minnesota-timberwolves.png” homename=”Minnesota Timberwolves” homeslug=”minnesota-timberwolves” date=”Thursday, May 8″ time=”8:30 p.m. ET” network=”TNT” bookname=”Fanatics Sportsbook” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/542724_Fanatics-banner-logo.png” bookreviewslug=”fanatics-sportsbook”][/gameheader]

By Michael Arinze

Although Stephen Curry tends to get most of the plaudits, this current version of the Warriors reflects a much more balanced team.

The addition of Jimmy Butler gives them another proven scorer, while Draymond Green has shown he still has plenty more left in the tank.

Butler ranks second on the team in scoring (18.6 PPG) during this playoff campaign, and Green turned the clock back with an 18-point effort in the opener against the Timberwolves.

Buddy Hield has also risen from the dead with back-to-back efforts of 33 and 24 points after failing to score a single bucket in Game 6 against the Rockets.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has a knack for breathing confidence into his players and getting them to produce some top performances.

It’s also noteworthy that Golden State is 8-3 in the playoffs without Curry, and it’s always a bit risky when you have a favorite with a double-digit point spread in a game with such a low total.

With my model making the Warriors closer to 7.5-point underdogs, we’re getting some decent value with the current number at +10.5.

Pick: Warriors +10.5 (-110)

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Warriors vs. Timberwolves”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Naz Reid Over 12.5 Points (-110) ” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/759063_Warriors.png” awayname=”Golden State Warriors” awayslug=”golden-state-warriors” homelogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/nba-updated-logo-minnesota-timberwolves.png” homename=”Minnesota Timberwolves” homeslug=”minnesota-timberwolves” date=”Thursday, May 8″ time=”8:30 p.m. ET” network=”TNT” bookname=”BetMGM” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/779359_BetMGM800x200@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”betmgm”][/gameheader]

By Bryan Fonseca

Naz Reid had 19 points last game, despite leaving with an injury and later returning.

Reid’s minutes shot up from 21 to 34 across Game 5 against the Lakers and Game 1 here, that’s part of it.

Additionally, he has had 15 or more in three straight against Golden State, and we don’t expect Draymond Green or even Jimmy Butler to get the bulk of that responsibility.

Given how road teams have done in this round, tossing away much of what we thought we knew, the expectation of Minnesota winning isn’t a certainty — nothing is in gambling — but in the event they do, Reid should have a meaningful role, starting with his stretchability on offense.

Pick: Naz Reid Over 12.5 Points (-110)

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Warriors vs. Timberwolves”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Jimmy Butler Under 7.5 Rebounds (-140)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/759063_Warriors.png” awayname=”Golden State Warriors” awayslug=”golden-state-warriors” homelogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/08/nba-updated-logo-minnesota-timberwolves.png” homename=”Minnesota Timberwolves” homeslug=”minnesota-timberwolves” date=”Thursday, May 8″ time=”8:30 p.m. ET” network=”TNT” bookname=”bet365″ bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/859377_Bet365@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”bet365″][/gameheader]

By Michael Fiddle

Without Steph Curry, the role for Jimmy Butler is going to take the biggest shift for the Warriors. His usage rate will spike, he will be asked to be more of a primary scorer and playmaker, and thus he will spend more time away from the rim.

His famous rebound these playoffs is crashing the glass after a Sengun miss to seal the game. Jimmy will not have the Wiggins-esque Warriors role to crash the glass hard. He will be on-ball away from the rim, and guys like Moody will replace that.

Under 7.5 rebounds is a play at -145, this is also +110 or higher at a few books at Under 6.5, which is fine.

Pick: Jimmy Butler Under 7.5 Rebounds (-140)

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