Series odds: Spurs -1200, Timberwolves +750
The Spurs were heavily favored to win Game 5 and delivered, so much so that they had to essentially blow out Minnesota three times.
San Antonio jumped out to a 24-9 lead, only to see Minnesota get back within two points before the end of the first quarter. The Spurs rebuilt their lead, going up by 18 in the second quarter before Minnesota stormed back to tie the game in the third quarter. San Antonio eventually put away Minnesota for good, winning 126-97. The Timberwolves’ only lead was 5-3.
It was a dominant win in a series that is close on paper, but has never been close in the odds. The Spurs were -425 to advance before Game 5 and are now an overwhelming favorite to advance at -1200. The Spurs are favored by 4.5 points on the road in Game 6.
It wasn’t a full-on Victor Wembanyama revenge game after being ejected in Game 4, but his line was still impressive: 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, three blocks. In a display of San Antonio’s depth on the wings, Keldon Johnson had 21 points on 8-for-11 shooting off the bench. The Spurs’ formula is Wembanyama doing his thing plus one or two of their handful of talented wings having good games.
Anthony Edwards had 20 points in 39 minutes for Minnesota. In the nine minutes he wasn’t on the floor, the Timberwolves were outscored by 20 points. Ouch.