The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Minnesota Timberwolves duke it out at the Target Center on Friday night. Here’s a Timberwolves vs Thunder Prediction. This article will include a Timberwolves vs Thunder Pick.
Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Preview
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been the benchmark of the league since opening night and they will be eager to stay hot after making light work of the struggling Clippers in a 122-101 home win last night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with 32 points, seven rebounds and six assists on 13 of 24 shooting, Chet Holmgren added 22 points on eight of 13 shooting while Jalen Williams chipped in with 20 points and five assists. As a team, the Thunder shot 48 percent from the field and 13 of 36 from the 3-point line as they went on a 24-11 run in the second quarter to take control of the contest. Before they exploded for 39 points in the third quarter to push the lead out to 25 points at one stage. Cason Wallace had a rough game as he shot just one of eight from the field for his five points, while Luguentz Dort shot zero of six from the field to finish scoreless.
Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves have been on a tear, as they’ve won seven of their last nine games overall. But they will be looking to bounce back here after getting stopped in their tracks by the Grizzlies in a 116-110 loss on Wednesday. Julius Randle led the team with 21 points on nine of 21 shooting, Donte DiVincenzo added 19 points with 11 rebounds and four assists, while Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid each scored 16 points. As a team, the Timberwolves shot 40 percent from the field and 13 of 44 from the 3-point line as they battled the pesky Grizzlies in a close contest. However, without Edwards in the lineup, the Timberwolves managed just 48 points in the second half to allow the banged up Grizzlies to steal a game.
Why the Minnesota Timberwolves will win
- The Timberwolves have won each of their last 11 games against opponents who are on the second leg of a back-to-back.
- The Thunder have lost each of their last five games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Timberwolves.
- The Thunder have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine road games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Timberwolves have covered the spread in each of their last six games as underdogs after losing as favorites.
Why the Oklahoma City Thunder will win
- The Thunder have won 17 of their last 18 games.
- The Timberwolves have lost each of their last four games against Northwest Division opponents that held a winning record.
- The Thunder have covered the spread in five of their last six games.
- The Timberwolves have failed to cover the spread in each of their last three games when playing with a rest advantage.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Timberwolves’ last nine night games at Target Center have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Thunder’s last eight games as road favorites against the Timberwolves have gone OVER the total points line.
Timberwolves vs Thunder Prediction
The Thunder are still missing Isaiah Hartenstein, Jaylin Williams and Nikola Topic, while the Timberwolves have ruled out Mike Conley with Anthony Edwards listed as questionable. This is definitely a game where you should check the lineups before tipoff given the injury cloud still hanging over Anthony Edwards. The Thunder were able to respond from their second loss of the season with a dominant win over the struggling Wizards team. Now they have to play their second game of a back-to-back set against a solid Timberwolves team. I would be more tempted to take the Timberwolves if Edwards is able to suit up, but with his status still up in the air, I will stick with the more reliable Thunder to take advantage.