The Thunder are traveling to Minneapolis in the search for revenge after the Wolves beat them in Oklahoma a few days ago. With plenty of picks and markets to choose from, don’t waste your time and join the action at Get More Sports.
Thunder at Timberwolves
Spread: Thunder -3.5 (-120); Timberwolves +3.5 (-120) at BetDSI Sportsbook
Total: N/A
The Thunder are looking for the first win on the road
The Oklahoma City Thunder are visiting Minneapolis after a 114:96 victory over the Indiana Pacers in their search for the third win of the season, but facing the divisional rivals will be a big test for this team as the Wolves already defeated them a few nights ago. The Thunder dominated throughout the entire match with the Pacers and won in all four quarters, so a W wasn’t under a question for a single moment.
The Thunder had solid 48.3% from the field, the 37% from beyond the arc and only 69.2% from the free throw line, but they secured a win thanks to rebounds (49 in opposite to Indiana’s 41) and assists (26-13). Although they committed even 20 turnovers, a good defense prevented the visitors from getting anywhere near as they limited the Pacers to only three players in double digits. Russell Westbrook already recorded his second triple-double of the campaign, with 28 points, 16 assists, and ten rebounds, along with three steals, and seven turnovers. Russ was excellent in shooting (10-18), and he and Carmelo Anthony stepped up when Paul George was forced to leave the tilt with six personal fouls. Melo contributed with a double-double of 28 points and ten boards, while he also added three blocks, but PG 13 struggled against his former team as it was evident that he was nervous from the beginning. George ended the match with ten points in 19 minutes, but he will definitely bounce back in a matchup with Andrew Wiggins, who is not known as a good defensive player, so I expect the small forward to return to his usual self on Friday night. The center Steven Adams had a significant role with a double-double of 17 points (season high) and 11 rebounds, while he also contributed defensively with a couple of thefts and rejections.
The Thunder don’t have any injury-related issues as all players are healthy and eager to beat the Wolves in Minnesota and set the record straight. They are averaging 104.75 points per contest on average, while they are allowing 97.75 points per match in return, and I am sure Oklahoma will score close to 110-115 when Westbrook, Anthony, and George learn to play together. Minnesota and Oklahoma combined for 228 points in the previous meeting, so I expect to see a bunch of points here as well.
Place: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date/Time: Friday, October 28th, 2017. 8:00 PM ET
TV Coverage:
The Wolves are hoping to snap a two-game losing streak
The Minnesota Timberwolves lost the last two games, mainly as the result of Jimmy Butler’s illness, but still, losing both matches by 20+ points is unacceptable for the team who invested a lot of money to create the squad that should battle for the title. They first suffered a massive, 107:130 home defeat to the Indiana Pacers, and then they fell short in Detroit against the Pistons, 101:122. That is probably not the start that the Wolves had in mind before the season, and they must improve soon, so I see this tilt as a perfect opportunity to make amends.
The Timberwolves were destroyed in the second quarter in Detroit as the Pistons scored 40 points in opposite to Minnesota’s 18, and that period was crucial for the outcome. Minnesota had below 50 percent from the field (43.5%), and they hit nine treys comparing with the Pistons 15. However, ten rebounds fewer than the opponents (37-47) and even 13 assists (19-32) pretty much sealed the Wolves’ fate on this one as Jimmy Butler’s absence proved to be costly once again. The Wolves had only three players in double digits; Karl-Anthony Towns posted a double-double of 23 points (8-16 from the field, 3-6 for three points) and ten boards, Andrew Wiggins added 21 points (7-12 FG), three rebounds, and two steals, while Jeff Teague scored 18 points along with six dimes. Butler was a missing piece here, and with him in the lineup, it is a whole different team as he is a significant contributor on both ends on the floor. Shabazz Muhammad failed to fill in for injured Butler as he was disastrous from the field (1-9) and finished the match with just four points. This matchup with Oklahoma is a somewhat favorable one for Butler, but he is doubtful for the clash as the upper respiratory infection is making it hard for him to play so he might sit out another game. In case he returns, Muhammad and Jamal Crawford will lose minutes.
The Wolves are averaging 104.4 points per contest, while they are allowing 113.8 points in return, which is a way above acceptable for the team who should be battling for one of the top four seeds in the Western Conference.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves Game Trends & Prediction
The Thunder recorded seven victories in their last eight visits to Minneapolis, scoring 100+ points in each of those wins, so that’s a definite recipe on how to get to the W this time around. Giving that Minnesota’s defense is conceding plenty of points at the moment, that shouldn’t be a problem. Oklahoma is 2-2 against the spread so far and is 1-3 on over/under, so predicting their games is not easy at all. The last H2H meeting with the Wolves produced plenty of points, and that was the only game when OKC went over, so I think that should happen again here.
The Wolves won two out of the previous three duels with the Thunder, and every victory over the divisional rivals is essential, so I believe winning here is an imperative for them, especially after a bad run of two straight defeats. Minnesota is 0-5 against the spread, and that suggests it is not a wise move to bet on the Wolves, at least not on the spread. They are 4-1 on over/under, so I would advise you to go with over as Minnesota clearly cannot defend well currently, and will likely allow close to 120 points when they host Oklahoma. The total odds are not available at the moment and I advise you to stick with the over if the bookmakers come out with a total of 210.5.
My Pick: Pass
Total: Over
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