Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction: Can the Thunder turn the fortunes again?

The NBA Play-in tournament has its detractors and there can be a bit problem with one win or loss overturning the records of the season but still, it is what it is. Things have tilted against the home team thus far and three home teams out of the four have lost. One such team that turned the tables away from home, the Oklahoma City Thunder will take on the home squad Minnesota Timberwolves.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves enter the game after losing 102:108 against the Lakers in the seventh-seeded Play-in game. The game went to Overtime and was heated on the defensive end for most parts. With a second left, Dennis Schroeder made a three to give the Lakers a three-point lead but then Mike Conley was shot on the three-point line by Anthony Davis and he converted all his free throws with time expiring on the shot clock. However, the Wolves scored just four points in the OT.

Wolves leading scorer, Anthony Edwards had a terrible game, shooting just 3/17, making none of his nine attempts from deep. Mike Conley and Karl Anthony-Towns combined for 47 points whereas Kyle Anderson scooped up 13 assists to lead the way. The Wolves had six more triples than the Lakers(16-10) but the Lakers had eight more free-throws. Minnesota’s defense overachieved and they did well but their rebounding and offense weren’t that strong.

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder eliminated the Pelicans, winning 123:118 in their last game of the Play-in tournament. It was a see-saw battle throughout with both teams winning two quarters each. The Thunder were trailing by six points in the first half but in the third quarter, but they outscored the Pels 39-24 in the third quarter. With four seconds left, Pels’ ace Brandon Ingram closed the gap to one point but then Shai Gilgeous-Alexander buried the last four free-throws to close the deal.

While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had his routine 30+ points game, nabbing 32 points, it was Josh Giddey who stole the show, dipping 31 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds. Luguentz Dort also had a strong night, slicing in 27 points. The Thunder were outrebounded 38:48 but made two more triples while making three free-throws. The Thunder played one of their best offensively balanced games all season long.

Injuries

• Timberwolves: OUT: Naz Reid, Jaden McDaniels. QUESTIONABLE: Rudy Gobert, Jaylen Nowell, Karl Anthony-Towns;
• Thunder: OUT: Chet Holmgren, Kenrich Williams, Aleksej Pokusevski.

Player Props Predictions

• Expected Leading Scorers: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander(32-37 Points), Anthony Edwards(26-32 Points);
• Expected Leading Rebounders: Rudy Gobert(12-15 Rebounds)- QUES, Josh Giddey(9-11 Rebounds);
• Expected Leading Playmakers: Kyle Anderson(9-12 Assists), Josh Giddey(8-10 Assists).

Expert Betting Tips

The Timberwolves will be awaiting the return of Rudy Gobert because they need that size in the middle. The Thunder’s trio had a much better return than the three main scorers of the Timberwolves. However, I expect Edwards to turn it around here and expect the Wolves to prevail here. I expect a scoreline of 122:118 in the favor of Minnesota.