Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction
| Game Time | 8:00 pm EST |
| Minnesota Timberwolves Line | +7.5 |
| Oklahoma City Thunder Line | -7.5 |
| Total | 215.5 |
| TV: | NBA TV |
Below is a detailed analysis for Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder game.
PREGAME WARM-UP:
In this high caliber Western battle between the first and the 8th-best teams currently in the conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder are hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Thunder have been the best team in the Western conference for a long time now, and are on their best stretch of the season, having just one loss in their last fifteen games. The Wolves have been running a three-game winning streak, following a three-game losing skid, but they are back on the road, where they have been mediocre this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction
Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report: Alex Caruso, Chet Holmgren, Nikola Topic are out.
Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report: Luka Garza, Rob Dillingham, Daishen Nix are out
Oklahoma City Thunder Form and Trends
The Oklahoma City Thunder has a 26-6 record this season and are sitting in the first place of the West. The Thunder are 20-9-3 against the spread and 13-18-1 in over/under. OKC has a 12-2 home record and are 8-5-1 against the spread, with a +13.6-point differential. Oklahoma City is 10-1 in their last 11 games, and 9-1-1 against the spread. Under is 6-2-1 in their last 9 games.
The Thunder are coming off a 130-106 win over Memphis, as they held the Grizzlies’ offense into just 38% shooting from the field and 27% from downtown. Seven OKC players reached double figures in scoring, led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with 35 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists.
Shai leads the Thunder both in scoring with 31 points, and in assists made with 6.2, adding 5.6 rebounds per game. Jalen Williams adds 21.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
Minnesota Timberwolves Recent Form and Trends
The Timberwolves have a 17-14 record this season and are sitting on the 8th place of the West. The Wolves are 13-18 against the spread and 15-16 in over/under. Minnesota has an 8-8 road record, and are 9-7 against the spread, with a +1.3-point differential. The Wolves have three consecutive wins and are 9-4 to the under in their last 13 games.
The Timberwolves are coming off a 112-110 win over San Antonio, even though they shot with just 43% from the field and 25% from downtown. Six Minnesota players scored double figures, led by Donte DiVincenzo with 26 points with 5 triples and 7 rebounds off the bench.
Anthony Edwards leads the Timberwolves both in scoring with 24.9 points, adding 5.6 rebounds and 4 assists. Julius Randle adds 20.2 points, 7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game.
Statistical Breakdown
Offensively, the Thunder are scoring 114.3 points per game, ranking 9th in the league. They shoot 46.2% from the field (15th) and 34% from beyond the arc (22nd). Defensively, they are the best team in the NBA, allowing 103.1 points per game.
Offensively, the Wolves average 109.3 points per game, which is 23rd in the league. They shoot 45.8% from the field (17th) and with 37.2% from beyond the arc (8th). Defensively, they allow 107.2 points per game, which is the fourth-best in the NBA.
The Wolves are 7-3 in their last 10 meetings against the Thunder, and are 3-1 against the spread in their last 4 meetings in Oklahoma City. Under is 7-2 in their last 9 meetings.
Prediction
In this Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction, the Thunder are coming as -7.5 home favorites. The Thunder are rightfully favored, as they are the superior team in this matchup, and excellent form, but the Wolves have been dominating them in their recent meetings. Both teams have been involved in lower scoring games lately, as they are 15-6-1 to the under in their last 22 games combined. Both teams are top-4 in the NBA defensively, allowing 210.3 points per game combined, with the Thunder having the best defense in the league. I expect points to be at a premium in this game, so I’m taking the under the point total. Nick’s Free Pick: Under 215.5
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