History Looks Favorably on Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5
By Reed Wallach
![May 28, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in game four of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports May 28, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in game four of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3872,h_2178,x_0,y_191/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/426/01hz30pm3fenet5nkhzy.jpg)
The Minnesota Timberwolves extended its season in Game 4 against the Mavericks and now return home for another must-win in Game 5, trailing Dallas 3-1 in the Western Conference Finals.
Most teams down 3-0 get swept, but in the rare chance that the team trailing has won, the teams have done quite well as favorites in Game 5, which the Timberwolves find themselves in heading into Thursday's matchup.
Timberwolves are 4.5-pt favorites in Game 5 after trailing 0-3 in the series vs. Mavericks.
β Evan Abrams (@EvanHAbrams) May 29, 2024
Biggest Game 5 favorite -- After trailing 0-3, last 50 years:
'23 Celtics (-8.5) vs. MIA -- W, 110-97
'ππ ππ¨π₯π―ππ¬ (-π.π) π―π¬. πππ
'10 Magic (-4) vs. BOS -- W, 113-92 pic.twitter.com/yb6Yz2Duup
What this trend above states is that the teams that capture Game 4 and return home for Game 5, the team tends to take care of business in short order, albeit across a small sample size.
This particular setup is interesting because it is uncommon for the team with home-court advantage to fall behind 3-0, given that the higher-seeded team with home court is likely the better team, but the projected better team showed when the team has its back against the wall, winning in Game 4 and covering as Game 5 home favorites.
Minnesota fits the bill as a home favorite that avoided a sweep, and oddsmakers are projecting the T'Wolves to win and cover on Thursday. Find more on this game with our full betting preview here, and check out the odds below.
Mavericks vs. Timberwolves Odds, Spread and Total for Game 5
Spread
- Mavericks: +4.5 (-108)
- Timberwolves: -4.5 (-114)
Moneyline
- Mavericks: +168
- Timberwolves; -200
Total: 209.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.