The Warriors are kicking off the second round of the NBA playoffs on Tuesday night in Minnesota against Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves.

Neither team looked poised to make a playoff run last time they played, as the Warriors won in Minnesota on Jan. 15 to even their record at 20-20, good for ninth in the West. The Wolves were just one game ahead.

Since then, the Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler and both hit a hot streak to climb two spots in the standings, then knocked out a higher-seeded team in the first round of the playoffs.

Minnesota has great length and athleticism across its roster, while the Warriors have championship savvy on their side.

Here are predictions from our coverage team:

Joseph Dycus, beat reporter

Yeah, the team is old, and would have benefited from closing out the Rockets in five instead of messing around till Game 7. And yes, Anthony Edwards is a rising superstar and the Wolves are an even better-scoring version of the Houston team that pushed Golden State to the brink.

But I just cannot convince myself that this Wolves unit is going to beat the Curry, Butler and Green four times. They will push the Warriors to the edge, but veteran experience wins out again. Warriors in 7. 

Dieter Kurtenbach, columnist

The Warriors’ physical disadvantage (injured stars, not enough trustworthy bodies beyond them, next-to-no-rest for old bodies) will loom large in this series and could easily swing it the Timberwolves’ way.

But I like many of the matchups for the Warriors, who have performed well against Anthony Edwards this season, albeit in games before Jimmy Butler’s arrival.

Under normal circumstances, I’d take the Warriors in six — I think the Warriors’ motion on offense and zone defense will drive Minnesota crazy. But these aren’t normal circumstances — the rest disadvantage gives Minnesota at least a game.

So I’ll point to this: Road teams have won nine of the last 13 NBA playoff Game 7s. Make it 10 of 14. Curry and the Dubs find a way to stay on the right side of their razor-thin margin for error and win Game 7 in Minneapolis, much to Alex Rodriguez’s chagrin. Warriors in 7.

Evan Webeck, reporter

Related Articles

Warriors’ Draymond Green and Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert: History of the feud

Anthony Edwards is toppling the NBA’s legends. Are Steph Curry’s Warriors next?

Warriors coach Steve Kerr details history with Anthony Edwards before Timberwolves series

Kurtenbach: The Warriors face a massive disadvantage, familiar script at start of second round

How to watch Warriors-Timberwolves Game 1

I bought into Draymond Green’s bold prediction on TNT over All-Star weekend. After the Warriors’ trade for Jimmy Butler III — well, and seeing the proof of concept on the court — they were my pick to at least make the Western Conference Finals. The Warriors were a completely different team after the trade — and they’re a different team now even from the one that finished 23-7 with Butler, Green and Stephen Curry.

Had Butler not taken a hard fall last series, had Curry not banged his thumb in Portland, had the Warriors closed out Houston in five games — I would have liked their chances. But as it stands, a month of must-win games has taken its toll, and Golden State looked out of gas at times against Houston.

The tank reaches E and the Warriors are eliminated in front of their home fans, who can dream about what could have been this season and look forward to two more tries with Batman and Robin at full strength. Timberwolves in 6.