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.
Play our free daily Pick'em Challenge and win! Play now!
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.
Follow @danieledobish on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Access more NBA coverage:
HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Giannis Antetokounmpo Could Lose Key Teammate to West Contender
Giannis Antetokounmpo Could Lose Key Teammate to West Contender originally appeared on Athlon Sports. While Giannis Antetokounmpo's future with the Milwaukee Bucks remains a huge question mark, the Greek player could receive bad news from a Western Conference contender. Advertisement For the past four years, the Bucks tried to emulate the success they had in 2021 and win another NBA championship, but multiple setbacks, especially injuries, ruined their plans to add more silverware to their cabinet. Antetokounmpo remains one of the best players in the NBA, finishing no lower than fourth in the MVP voting after he won back-to-back awards in 2019 and 2020. After another first-round playoff exit loss, his future with the Wisconsin franchise has become a recurrent topic around the association. He's been linked with moves to the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors, among others, but nothing has materialized so far. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34).Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Houston Rockets, another team interested in Antetokounmpo's services, could hit him with terrible news if they can't retain Steven Adams. According to Kelly Iko of The Athletic, if Adams leaves the Texas franchise, the Rockets would put their attention on Brook Lopez. Advertisement "If Adams leaves, team sources said the Rockets could reignite their interest in Brook Lopez. The 37-year-old, who averaged 13.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game shooting 37 percent from 3 in Milwaukee last season, was previously a target for Houston and would theoretically be a fit, given his two-way production and health (played 237 games over the last three seasons). "Houston is also anticipating conversations with Boston's front office, with the assumption that the Celtics, who are in salary-reduction mode, will canvass the league looking to offload contracts." Even when Khris Middleton was still a member of the Bucks, Lopez was the team's third-best player behind Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard. The veteran center was key to his team's plans with his ability to stretch the floor and attack the basket. The Rockets are one of the most intriguing teams in the league, who are fresh off a second-seeded finish in the 2024-25 NBA season. They have a solid combination of youth and experience, which Lopez could fit into seamlessly. Advertisement Antetokounmpo's future remains a mystery, but this potential move could open the door for new alternatives for the big man. Related: Giannis Antetokounmpo's Role in Potential Trade to Big Market Team Explained This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
24 minutes ago
- USA Today
Who will Knicks tap to replace Tom Thibodeau? Nine names to know
Who will Knicks tap to replace Tom Thibodeau? Nine names to know Show Caption Hide Caption New York Knicks move on from Tom Thibodeau and here's why USA TODAY Sports' Lorenzo Reyes explains why the Knicks chose to move on from head coach Tom Thibodeau after years of improving franchise. Sports Pulse The New York Knicks fired head coach Tom Thibodeau on Tuesday, June 3, three days after the team lost to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals, despite his leading the team to their deepest run in 25 years. During the next few weeks, fans and players alike will talking about who will replace him. The move comes a little less than one year since the Knicks had signed Thibodeau to a three-year contract extension that was supposed to keep him with the franchise through the 2027-28 season. Conventionally speaking, teams would like to have a head coach in place by the time the NBA Draft arrives June 25. The team won't be much of a player in the draft, as they don't have a first-round pick and their second-round pick is No. 50 overall. MORE: Knicks fire coach Tom Thibodeau following loss in Eastern Conference finals MORE: Ben Stiller, NBA react to surprising move The roster is mostly intact and signed for next year, with the only unrestricted free agents being reserves Precious Achiuwa and Landry Shamet. There will be a number of candidates whom the team could go after, starting with one who used to be on their bench. Johnnie Bryant Bryant was an associate head coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers last season and spent four years with the Knicks under Thibodeau. The 39-year-old started his coaching career in 2012 with the Utah Jazz as a player development assistant before being promoted to assistant head coach two years later. Bryant is reportedly a candidate for the open Phoenix Suns job. Jordan Ott Another hot Cavaliers assistant is Ott, and he is also a finalist for the Suns job. Under the tutelage of head coach Kenny Atkinson, who won the NBA Coach of the Year award, Ott helped a Cleveland team that had the league's top offensive rating and No. 8 defensive rating, led by Defensive Player of the Year, Evan Mobley. Michael Malone The no-nonsense Malone led the Denver Nuggets to the title in 2023, but was fired just a week before the playoffs in a move that stunned the league. Malone stresses defense, and the Knicks had glaring deficiencies at times when Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns were not on the floor, but despite that, New York had a 113.3 defensive rating in the regular season, good for fifth in the league. Taylor Jenkins Another head coach who was unceremoniously given the boot before the playoffs, Jenkins led Memphis to a 44-29 record and the fifth seed in the Western Conference. He is the franchise leader in wins with 250. Memphis made the play-in tournament and was subsequently swept in four games by the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder this season. Mike Brown Knicks fans are certainly familiar with Brown as he was a possible head coach candidate with the team twice in the past 10 years. Brown is a two-time NBA Coach of the Year, and was fired by the Sacramento Kings in December after the Kings got off to a 13–18 start. Mike Budenholzer Budenholzer was just let go by the Phoenix Suns after one season, but the two-time Coach of the Year has championship experience, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to a title in 2021. He has coached in the conference finals three times, twice with the Bucks and once with the Atlanta Hawks. Terry Stotts Stotts, an assistant for Golden State, knows stars and knows offense – he coached Damian Lillard in Portland where Stotts regularly produced top-10 offenses. Stotts was 402-318 in nine seasons with the Trail Blazers, including three 50-win campaigns. He led them to the Western Conference finals in 2019. Adrian Griffin Griffin had a short run as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and was 30-13 when the Bucks fired him midway through the 2023-24 season. The former NBA player and longtime NBA assistant is expected to get another chance with an NBA team. Darvin Ham Ham lasted two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, going to the conference finals in 2023 and losing in the first round last season. Ham, who spent several seasons as an assistant for Budenholzer in Atlanta and Milwaukee, returned to the Bucks this season as an assistant for Doc Rivers. Wild cards
Yahoo
37 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Chasing NBA Finals Feat Last Done by Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal
Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Chasing NBA Finals Feat Last Done by Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The NBA Finals begins on Thursday night as the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the series. Advertisement Oklahoma City enters the NBA Finals as the heavy favorites to win the championship as they try to continue their dominant stretch. Of course, the Thunder dominated their way through the regular season, ending with the best record in the NBA, and that has continued during their postseason run. Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) with the Michael Jordan Trophy for winning the most valuable player award for the 2024-25 season.© Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has continued to lead the way for the Thunder during the playoffs after he was named the regular season MVP and was then awarded the Western Conference Finals MVP award after their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. It has been a historic season for the superstar point guard and he also enters the NBA Finals looking to accomplish another rare feat. Advertisement According to the NBA, Shai has a chance to become the first player to win the scoring title and championship in the same season since Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O'Neal did so during the 1999-2000 campaign. Of course, Shaq averaged 29.7 points per game en route to winning the scoring title and the MVP award during the 1999-2000 season and he and Kobe Bryant also led the Lakers to a championship with Shaq taking home the Finals MVP award. The Lakers also defeated the Pacers in the NBA Finals in 2000 when Shaq accomplished this rare feat and Shai can do the same thing against the same team 25 years later. Mar 24, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA: Former Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal speaks during a NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Staples Lee-USA TODAY Sports During the regular season, Shai averaged 32.7 points per game to lead the NBA and like Shaq in 2000, he also has a chance to accomplish another historic feat, which would cap off a historic season for the 26-year-old superstar. Advertisement Of course, it all starts in Game 1 on Thursday night as the Thunder try to defend their home court and start the series off with a victory. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
