Get your NBA playoffs predictions and NBA picks and parlays ready, because we’ve got a great one. Minnesota Timberwolves limped to the finish line and allowed the Lakers a victory and the chance to move on back on Tuesday.
With a few days of rest and the return of Rudy Gobert, they will hope to play well enough to get themselves into a postseason situation yet again. The postseason has not been a part of their history.
The NBA schedule today has them squaring off with Oklahoma City Thunder, who impressed in their closing out of the Pelicans the other night. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey played well off one another, and their NBA play in odds are certainly higher now than before.
Prior to this season, the No.10 seed was 0-4 in the tournament. But they are 2-0 this year, and OKC wants to get into the real thing.
The Timberwolves vs Thunder prediction is below.
Timberwolves vs. Thunder Odds
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Information
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Location of the game: Target Center in Minneapolis, MN.
Date and Time: Friday at 9:30 PM EST.
How to Watch: ESPN
Recent Scores
The NBA team stats would point to the Timberwolves being the better team of the two. They won three out of four this season in the head-to-head and are 6-1 in the last seven get-togethers.
All four were decided by ten or less points, though, proving the NBA player stats and abilities of the Thunder have been good enough to compete with these guys.
Even with the second-youngest lineup in the league, they have been playing hard from the open. This is a team with nothing to lose and 15 first-round picks over the next five drafts. They can do anything in this series and still be looked at favorably. They handle Minnesota well.
Onwards with the Timberwolves vs Thunder prediction.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Analysis
One of Friday’s two No.7 vs. No.10 NBA matchups does have Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns guiding the Twolves in a home affair with the Thunder. Rudy Gobert is returning to the lineup, and this could make a difference for them.
The thing is, the lights may have been too bright in the Crypto.com arena, but back on their home floor, they should be able to turn things on in a timely manner. They went 22-19 at home, and while that doesn’t blow anybody away, it’s good enough to give them a winning mark there.
As for OKC, anything they do right now is fine. If they lose, they come up short and maintain yet another impressive draft pick. Should they advance, their young core gets their first taste of playoff basketball.
And as good as the Nuggets were this year, the team would actually match up pretty well at four of five positions. Of course, there would be the Jokic problem. But, one thing at a time.
NBA odds may not believe in the Thunder, but they believe in themselves. And that might be enough.
Odds Breakdown
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Moneyline: -225
- Spread: -5.5
- Over/Under: Under 228.5
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Moneyline: +180
- Spread: +5.5
- Over/Under: Over 228.5
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Pick and Prediction
Pick 1: OKC +5.5
The first Timberwolves vs Thunder prediction will give OKC a spread cover. Going moneyline for one like this is a bit tough. Other than Lu Dort and SGA, they don’t have any holdovers from their last trip to the playoffs three seasons ago in their rotation.
It’s an extremely young bunch, built through the draft and a couple of trades/offseason signings. They have the talent to keep it close and perhaps strike in the waning moments of battle. Much crazier things than this have happened.
Pick 2: Under 228.5
This is a bit high for a game of this magnitude. Even with overtime against the Lakers, only 210 points were scored. OKC’s defense is not on the same level as that of L.A., but it’s good enough. The same goes for Minnesota.
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