Anthony Edwards vs. Steph Curry; Rudy Gobert vs. Draymond Green; Jimmy Butler returns; The storylines write themselves as the Minnesota Timberwolves host the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 Tuesday night at the Toyota Center. (Tony Avelar/The Associated Press)

As the Lakers process what Minnesota did to them and start to think about head coach J.J. Redick’s plea for all players (ahem: Luka Doncic) to be in “championship shape” next season, the Wolves are getting some rest as they wait to find out their next opponent on this year’s title quest.

That wait is over.

Following Golden State’s 103-89 over Houston on Sunday night, the Wolves will host the Warriors. Game 1 is Tuesday night at the Toyota Center

Because the series will start Tuesday, the Warriors will have just one off day before facing the Wolves while Minnesota has been resting since finishing off the Lakers last Wednesday. Wolves home playoff tickets for the conference semifinals in either scenario went on sale at noon Friday.

Series Schedule | Home games in BOLD

Game 1: Tuesday, May 6 at 8:30 p.m. CST | TNT

Game 2: Thursday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m. CST | TNT

Game 3: Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. CST | ABC

Game 4: Monday, May 12 at 9 p.m. | ESPN

Game 5: Wednesday, May 14 at TBD | TNT

Game 6: Sunday, May 18 at TBD |

Game 7: Monday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. CST | ESPN

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Now that we’ve answered the basics, let’s dissect a more complicated question that Jeff Day and I also tackled on Friday’s Daily Delivery podcast: Who should the Wolves want to play?

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Why the Wolves would want to face Golden State: The Warriors are the lower seed, which would give the Wolves the home-court edge. Golden State leans on a lot of veterans who could be fatigued at the end of their seven-game series vs. Houston. And Golden State plays a lot of “small ball” lineups without a true center, something the Wolves could exploit like they did against the Lakers.
Why the Wolves wound not want to face Golden State: The Warriors might be No. 7 seed, but they are a completely different team since acquiring former Wolves forward Jimmy Butler midseason. Add in Steph Curry and Draymond Green and Golden State has a wealth of championship experience. The Warriors also went 3-1 against Minnesota this season.

With the Warriors win, buckle up. Anthony Edwards would be trying to eliminate more legends, including Olympic teammate Curry (whom the Wolves should have drafted in 2009, setting the franchise back a decade). Butler would be booed unmercifully at Target Center after his messy exit from Minnesota seven years ago. Green has a history of putting Rudy Gobert in a headlock.

Rooting just for drama? The Warriors are an easy call.

Season Series

Game 1: Minnesota 107 – Golden State 90

Game 2: Golden State 114 – Minnesota 106

Game 3: Golden State 113 – Minnesota 103

Game 4: Golden State 116 – Minnesota 115

about the writer

Michael Rand

Columnist / Reporter

Michael Rand is the Minnesota Star Tribune's Digital Sports Senior Writer and host/creator of the Daily Delivery podcast. In 25 years covering Minnesota sports at the Minnesota Star Tribune, he has seen just about everything (except, of course, a Vikings Super Bowl).