NBA Playoffs: Minnesota Timberwolves at Oklahoma City Thunder odds, picks and predictions
NBA Playoffs: Minnesota Timberwolves at Oklahoma City Thunder odds, picks and predictions
The sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves and the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder meet in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals Wednesday. Tip-off from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's NBA odds around the Timberwolves vs. Thunder odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Series: Thunder lead 3-1
The Thunder rebounded from a 143-101 thrashing in Game 3, posting a 128-126 win in Game 4 in Minneapolis to push the Timberwolves to the brink of elimination. However, the Wolves were able to pick up the cover as 3-point underdogs while the Over (219) cashed for the third consecutive installment.
PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA's MVP, rebounded from a stinker in Game 3, posting 40 points, 10 assists and 9 rebounds in 40 minutes in Game 4, including a pair of 3-pointers with a steal. F Jalen Williams was good for 34 points on 13-of-24 shooting, including 6-of-9 from behind the 3-point line, serving as a tremendous complementary scoring option.
The Timberwolves hit 51.2% (43-of-84) from the field in Game 4, and 43.9% (18-of-41) from behind the arc. SG Anthony Edwards didn't have his best game, hitting just 5-of-13 from the field, finishing with 16 points, while posting 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 5 turnovers.
Minnesota PF Julius Randle also disappeared, going 1-of-7 from the floor, and 0-for-3 from downtown, ending up with just 5 points. PF Jaden McDaniels kept them in it, though, posting 22 points on 9-of-15 shooting, while SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker showed out with 23 points off the bench. Both he and SG Donte DiVincenzo came off the bench to finish 5-of-8 from behind the arc.
Thunder at Timberwolves odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:09 a.m. ET.
Moneyline (ML) : Timberwolves +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | Thunder -375 (bet $375 to win $100)
: Timberwolves +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | Thunder -375 (bet $375 to win $100) Against the spread (ATS) : Timberwolves +8.5 (-110) | Thunder -8.5 (-110)
: Timberwolves +8.5 (-110) | Thunder -8.5 (-110) Over/Under (O/U): 220.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Thunder at Timberwolves key injuries
Timberwolves
None
Thunder
None
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Timberwolves at Thunder picks and predictions
Prediction
Thunder 112, Timberwolves 107
The Thunder (-375) will cost you nearly 4 times your potential return, which is way too much for a standalone bet. Even as a play in a multi-leg parlay, including OKC sucks all of the value from your betslip. If you were to use a boost or promo, that might be OK as part of a multi-leg parlay of 4 or more parts, but that's about it.
PASS.
MINNESOTA +8.5 (-110) is worth a look catching more than 4 buckets.
In an elimination game, we should get the best from the Timberwolves, as they look to keep their season alive. It's not expected that Minnesota will go down to OKC and win, but it should be able to keep things somewhat close, and certainly within single digits.
Minnesota has covered each of the past 2 outings, including a blowout win in Game 3, after going 0-2 ATS in the first 2 games of the series. Of course, those 2 non-covers came in the first 2 games at Paycom Center, so proceed with caution.
UNDER 220.5 (-110) is the lean, but go with a half-unit play at most.
We've seen the Over cash in the past 3 meetings in this series since the Under cashed in Game 1 in Oklahoma City. However, we should see a little more defense, as the Timberwolves have their backs to the wall, fighting to extend their season.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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