The Minnesota Timberwolves (18-20) travel to Paycom Center to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (13-24). Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Timberwolves vs. Thunder odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Timberwolves and Thunder are set to compete in their second battle of a two-game series. The Wolves won the initial matchup 98-90 Wednesday. F Anthony Edwards and G Patrick Beverley were the only two players to hit 20 points.
However, the Thunder have been far better at home and that first matchup was at Target Center. The Thunder are 12-5 ATS as a home underdog and are the second-best team against the spread at 24-13 ATS.
Minnesota is 1-1 ATS as a road favorite and 20-18 ATS on the season. The Wolves have the 16th-best net rating (minus-0.2) while the Thunder are 27th (minus-7.3). They’ve both within the league’s top half in defensive rating.
Timberwolves at Thunder odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:21 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Timberwolves -230 (bet $230 to win $100) | Thunder +180 (bet $100 to win $180)
- Against the spread (ATS): Timberwolves -5.5 (-110) | Thunder +5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Timberwolves at Thunder key injuries
Timberwolves
- None
Thunder
- F Derrick Favors (back) soreness
- F Isaiah Roby (health and safety protocols) out
Deposit $10 or more, get $100 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Let’s make this interesting. Bet now!
Timberwolves at Thunder odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Thunder 104, Timberwolves 101
Money line
SPRINKLE on the THUNDER (+180).
This is a good position for them coming off the road loss when the teams met Wednesday. OKC hasn’t played well on the road this season and are just 10-17 away from home. However, their win percentage jumps to 8-11 at Paycom Center.
The Thunder should be able to slow down Edwards and G D’Angelo Russell, two of Minnesota’s top-three scorers, with guards Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort in the backcourt.
Against the spread
BET on the THUNDER +5.5 (-110).
This is a position the Thunder have been covering in all season — they’re 15-8 ATS following a loss. With that in mind and returning home where they’ve been far better this season, I’d back Oklahoma City.
The Minnesota defense is gritty, leading the league in opponents’ turnovers per game. However, the Thunder have the ninth-best turnover rate at home.
Their ability to keep the ball could be a huge factor in keeping this game close.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 216.5 (-108).
Both teams didn’t even get close to even 200 points Wednesday.
As noted previously, the strength of both teams is their defense. Furthermore, OKC has been one of the worst Over teams in the league with just a 14-23 O/U record.
However, it’s just a lean given the star power on the court.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and, soon, IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow @nathanbeighle_ on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional NBA sports coverage:
HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | LeBron Wire | Lonzo Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]