Timberwolves vs. Thunder Betting Preview: WCF Series Odds, Picks, Best Bets
Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves enter the Western Conference Finals as heavy underdogs vs. the Thunder. Minnesota vs. OKC tips off on Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves enter the Western Conference Finals as heavy underdogs vs. the Thunder. Minnesota vs. OKC tips off on Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. ET.
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The Western Conference Finals get underway on Tuesday night, with Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves taking on MVP favorite Shai-Gilgeous Alexander and the Thunder.
The Wolves controlled both their first-round series against the Lakers and their second-round matchup with the Warriors, notching 4-1 gentleman's sweeps of both LA and Golden State.
The Thunder, on the other hand, swept the Grizzlies in the first round, but needed seven games to vanquish Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.
Timberwolves vs. Thunder WCF Series Odds
On paper, this Western Conference Finals matchup is a fascinating one that promises to be competitive.
But as you can see below, DraftKings, FanDuel and bet365 all list the Wolves at as long as +300 to win this series.
Note: Odds up to date as of Monday, May 19.
DK FD bet365 Wolves +265 +300 +280 Thunder -330 -375 -360
Wolves-Thunder Spread, Total Games Odds
While the most popular market for bettors tackling a series that hasn't started yet is the series winner market, there are plenty of other ways to bet on how a series will play out, including Series Spread, Total Games and more.
Timberwolves vs. Thunder Series Spread Odds
In MIN-OKC, it's possible to bet on either team to win the series by 1.5 or 2.5 games. The winner would have to get it done in six games (4-2) to cover at -1.5, and it would need to win 4-1 (or 4-0) to cover at -2.5.
The odds below come from DraftKings:
OKC -1.5 (-140); MIN +1.5 (+120)
OKC -2.5 (+135); MIN +2.5 (-160)
MIN -1.5 (+425); OKC +1.5 (-550)
MIN -2.5 (+1000); OKC +2.5 (-1800)
Timberwolves vs. Thunder Total Games Odds
The line on how many games this series will go is set at 5.5 at most sportsbooks, including DK, FD and bet365:
DraftKings: Over 5.5 (-135); Under 5.5 (+115)
FanDuel: Over 5.5 (-140); Under 5.5 (+114)
bet365: Over 5.5 (-135); Under 5.5 (-105)
Additional series markets include Game/Series Double, Exact Games and Exact Outcome. On the player props front, you can wager on which player will lead a series in points, made threes, rebounds, assists and more.
Timberwolves vs. Thunder Analysis
We're going to focus on how and why the Wolves could pull off the upset in this section, because the case for the Thunder is obvious -- and we don't blame you if you're bullish on the team that is -300 or shorter to win this series.
Why the Timberwolves Could Take Down the Thunder
There are a lot of reasons to like the Wolves to at least push the Thunder. The first two are Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle. Minnesota's outstanding 3-point shooting as a team and its solid bench are two other key strengths.
Can Edwards, Randle Stay Hot?
The case for the Wolves starts with superstar Anthony Edwards. But keep in mind that Minnesota went 2-1 vs. the Warriors in games where he was held relatively in check (23 points or fewer). Edwards also shot below 40 percent twice vs. the Lakers, and the Wolves won both those games.
In Julius Randle, the Wolves also have an excellent second scoring option after Edwards.
He averaged an impressive 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game vs. the Lakers, then posted 25.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 7.4 apg vs. the Warriors. If he remains that productive against the Thunder, the Wolves will have a real chance to push this series to seven games, if not win it.
How Randle performs in this series will be fascinating. He missed three of his team's four regular-season matchups vs. the Thunder. The only time he faced OKC this year, he finished with just 11 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.
Edwards played in all four MIN-OKC games in the regular season and averaged 22.25 points on just 24-for-66 FG shooting (36 percent).
Timberwolves' Deep Bench Key to Series
OKC's depth was one of the biggest reasons it was able to outlast Denver in the second round. No fewer than five reserves -- Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Aaron Wiggins, Isaiah Joe and Jaylin Williams -- all played a significant part in that series.
While the Thunder are deeper than the Wolves, it's an understatement to say that the Timberwolves -- whose eight-man rotation heavily features Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker -- have a better bench than Denver.
Can Minnesota Win The 3-Point And/Or Turnover Battles?
The last two variables worth discussing with Minnesota -- both of which are pivotal for any team facing the Thunder -- are 3-point shooting and turnovers.
The Wolves were one of the best 3-point shooting teams in the NBA in the regular season. For the most part, they've continued to shoot the ball well from outside in the postseason.
But in three of their 10 playoff games (Games 2 and 5 vs. the Lakers and Game 1 vs. the Warriors), they shot 20 percent or worse from 3-point land.
Against a Thunder team that successfully forced the Nuggets' complementary pieces to beat them from outside, it will be crucial that DiVincenzo, Reid, Randle and NAW make OKC pay for leaving them open.
The biggest concern for Minnesota is the turnover battle. Edwards alone averaged 3.4 turnovers vs. the Warriors, and the Wolves had 21 turnovers apiece in each of Games 3, 4 and 5 of that series.
Against the Thunder -- who were second in the league in defensive turnover rate in the regular season (14.9) and have bumped that up to 17.8 in the playoffs -- Minnesota could be in huge trouble if it's unable to avoid TOs.
Timberwolves vs. Thunder Series Best Bets
As we've given away at this point, the Timberwolves have a real chance to advance to the Finals. And at minimum, Minnesota could absolutely make this a seven-game series.
It's hard to overstate what an advantage the Wolves should have in Games 1 and 2 given that they're coming off back-to-back 4-1 series. The Thunder, on the other hand, were pushed to the limit by the Nuggets in a battle that just ended on Sunday.
Also consider the regular-season results. These teams split four meetings despite Randle, DiVincenzo and Rudy Gobert each missing three of those four games.
As for our favorite Timberwolves vs. Thunder series leader bet, SGA's status as the favorite to score the most points in this series makes plenty of sense.
That being said, he'll face a tough group of perimeter defenders for Minnesota, and Edwards is such a good scorer that he'd be tempting at longer than 2-to-1 odds, regardless of the opponent or circumstances.
Total Games -- Over 5.5 (-135 at DraftKings) -- 1 unit
Series Spread -- MIN +1.5 (+132 at FanDuel) -- 0.75 units
Series Leader (Points) Anthony Edwards (+230 at bet365) -- 0.5 units
Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator's terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
an hour ago
- Fox Sports
Aaron Rodgers, Micah Parsons headline 8 players to watch at NFL minicamps
Summer break is nearly here for the vast majority of NFL teams. Apart from the Chicago Bears, who held their mandatory minicamp last week, and the Detroit Lions, who don't have one this year, every other club will wrap up offseason practices within the next two weeks. As the teams look to end their spring programs on a high note, here are the eight biggest names to watch at the remaining mandatory minicamps — from big-name additions, disgruntled players, contract holdouts and rookies. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers Tuesday will mark Rodgers' first practice with the Steelers, whose patience paid off when the four-time MVP signed a one-year deal with the franchise after a prolonged courtship. Pittsburgh and its new quarterback are behind the eight-ball, of course. By waiting until after OTAs to sign with the team, Rodgers gets just three days of offseason practices with the Steelers' offense before training camp. But the 41-year-old's experience could streamline the process. He also worked out with his new top receiver, DK Metcalf, earlier in the offseason. Kirk Cousins, Falcons Whether Cousins holds in or skips mandatory minicamp all together — and incurs fines — remains to be seen. His preference is to be released by the Falcons, as he wants to be a starting quarterback in the NFL this season and that won't come in Atlanta, which is committed to Michael Penix Jr. While Cousins did not practice during OTAs, he reported for the start of voluntary workouts. A trade makes sense for the Falcons if another team picks up a significant chunk of the guaranteed money Cousins is due, which includes his $27 million base salary for 2025 and $10 million roster bonus for 2026. But Cousins also has a no-trade clause, giving him a say in a potential trade. Trey Hendrickson, Bengals Amid his contract dispute with the Bengals, Hendrickson has vowed that he won't play without a new deal. So any update on his availability, or lack thereof, when Cincinnati hits the field Tuesday is noteworthy. The All-Pro edge rusher skipped OTA practices. He said in May that coach Zac Taylor sent him a text message informing him that he would be fined if he misses mandatory minicamp, which prompted his decision to speak out to local and national media. If Stewart is not practicing at mandatory minicamp, it would be an indication that the dispute over the language in his rookie contract remains ongoing. The No. 17 overall pick has been present with the team but has yet to practice since being drafted in April, which could be a setback to his development. Stewart is one of six first-round picks who have yet to sign their rookie deal, but the former Texas A&M standout edge is the only one not practicing for contract-related reasons. Micah Parsons, Cowboys Parsons has already said that he'll attend minicamp, but his on-field participation (or lack thereof) could indicate whether there's been progress on an extension. He was present for parts of the offseason program. Terry McLaurin, Commanders Entering the last year of his contract, McLaurin could skip mandatory minicamp, just as he did in 2022, when he was also seeking a new deal (and eventually received a three-year extension). The Pro Bowl receiver "unexpectedly" left the Commanders' voluntary workouts after previously attending, showing frustration with the lack of progress on the contract front, according to FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. T.J. Watt, Steelers The All-Pro edge skipped OTAs as he's seeking a contract extension, so whether he shows up for minicamp will be a storyline to watch. Back in April, Watt posted a photo on his Instagram story holding up a peace sign, leading to speculation about his future in Pittsburgh. Cook is another strong option to either hold-in or miss minicamp. Entering the last year of his rookie contract, Cook skipped OTAs. Coming off a career-high 16 rushing touchdowns and his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season in 2024, the former second-round pick seeks a new deal while other members of his draft class — wide receiver Khalil Shakir, linebacker Terrel Bernard and cornerback Christian Benford — have already received extensions from Buffalo this offseason. Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He previously worked for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, where he was the Titans beat writer for a year and a half. He covered the Seattle Seahawks for for three seasons (2018-20) prior to moving to Tennessee. You can follow Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
New York Post
an hour ago
- New York Post
Knicks, Jason Kidd have mutual interest in potential coaching blockbuster
The interest between coaching target Jason Kidd and the Knicks is mutual, The Post has confirmed. Kidd remains under contract with the Mavericks, but the Hall of Famer is open to discussing the Knicks head coach job, vacant after the firing of Tom Thibodeau last week, a source told Post beat writer Stefan Bondy. Earlier Monday, ESPN's Brian Windhorst described the Kidd situation as 'mutual intrigue' with the Knicks. Kidd, who played for the Knicks in the final year of his NBA career in 2012-13, has coached the Mavericks for the past four seasons, including a trip to the NBA Finals a year ago. He also has a strong relationship with All-Star point guard Jalen Brunson, who played his first four pro seasons with the Mavs, including one under Kidd's tutelage in 2021-22. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd and the Knicks have mutual interest, The Post confirmed. Getty Images Veteran NBA writer Marc Stein reported on his Substack account Friday that the Knicks would formally ask for permission to speak with Kidd, but it is unclear if that request officially has been made. Dallas missed the playoffs after trading Luka Doncic to the Lakers in February before winning the NBA draft lottery last month for the right to draft Duke star Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 pick. Kidd previously coached the Nets and the Bucks, and he's close with two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, a potential blockbuster trade target for the Knicks this summer after they lost to Indiana in the Eastern Conference finals. The Post reported Saturday that former Villanova coach Jay Wright is not interested in the position. Ime Udoka is another current NBA coach the Knicks have considered pursuing, but ESPN reported that the Rockets will not grant teams permission to speak with him. The Post also has reported that former Nuggets coach Mike Malone is not expected to be a candidate. What's happening on and off the Garden court Sign up for Inside the Knicks by Stefan Bondy, a weekly exclusive on Sports+. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Kidd signed a two-year contract extension through 2026-27, per Stein, with the Mavericks during last year's postseason run, so a move to the Knicks likely would require compensation. Jason Kidd (l.) and Jalen Brunson (r.) with the Mavericks in 2022. NBAE via Getty Images The Celtics received an unprotected first-round pick as compensation after the Clippers hired Doc Rivers in 2013, and the Nets recouped two second-round picks when Kidd was hired by the Bucks the following year.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Rick Carlisle on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 'You can mark down 34 points'
Rick Carlisle on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 'You can mark down 34 points' Only seeing him twice a year in the regular season, Rick Carlisle has quickly grown accustomed to the frustrations teams face against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He's an unsolvable Rubik's Cube. Take away one spot, he'll slither his way to another. As the Oklahoma City Thunder evened the 2025 NBA Finals against the Indiana Pacers at 1-1 apiece, Carlisle said Gilgeous-Alexander belongs in a special group of players who are unguardable. Three straight 30-point campaigns and an MVP trophy will earn you that type of respect. Gilgeous-Alexander is off to a historic start in his NBA Finals experience. His 72 points scored through two games are the most anybody has put up in their NBA Finals debut. He passed Allen Iverson's 71 points for the all-time record. "But you know, Shai, you can mark down 34 points before they even get on the plane tomorrow, you know, for the next game. The guy's going to score," Carlisle said. "We've got to find ways to make it as tough as possible on him." The Pacers don't have the personnel to slow down Gilgeous-Alexander. Nobody does, really. The good news for Indiana is that it did its job with a road split to start the series. Game 1 will likely need to be replicated back home if the Pacers want to pull off the all-time upset. Gilgeous-Alexander will get his points, but if the rest of the Thunder struggle, it turns into a math advantage. The Pacers just have to hang around in the final moments. They can rely on Tyrese Haliburton's late-game heroics to escape with a thrilling win. Meanwhile, OKC's game plan to regain homecourt advantage will need to be similar to Game 2. Just stomp them out on the scoreboard with avalanche runs. Continuously stiff-arm the Pacers on the scoreboard and keep them away with double-digit leads.
