Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

The 2024-25 NBA season is in full swing and Sunday features a number of compelling contests, including a matchup between the best team in the Western Conference and a team that recently beat them right before the All-Star break. 

Oklahoma City Thunder just fell to these very same Minnesota Timberwolves less than two weeks ago, as the Wolves continued to march up the Western Conference standings following a disastrous start.

On the other side, it’s business as usual for Thunder, who continue to march toward the league’s best record and the top seed in the Western Conference come playoff time. 

As we dive into this intriguing matchup in the NBA, it’s time to get into our expert’s Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves betting picks and predictions for Sunday’s game. 

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves betting picks and predictions

Oklahoma City Thunder -9.5 (-110)

Even though Minnesota has been playing better basketball of late, our expert still wants no part of stepping in front of the best team in the West in this spot.

This decision has been made easier by the fact that the Timberwolves are expected to be without multiple key players (Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo), and it wouldn't be a shock at all if this line reached double digits by tip-off. 

Friday’s contest against Utah wasn’t the strongest effort from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander coming out of the All-Star break, yet he still managed to finish with 21 points and eight assists on nearly 50% from the field. 

There is room for Gilgeous-Alexander to improve on that performance against a Minnesota defensive scheme that will likely be a bit less aggressive hedging the ball screens at the top of the key without Gobert, which should allow Gilgeous-Alexander and the rest of the Oklahoma City guards to take lightly contested midrange shots from inside of 15 feet. 

On the other side, the elite Thunder defense is ferocious and we could easily see them having a field day against a Minnesota team that doesn't shoot the ball well, is 25th in turnover percentage and 26th in pace for the season.

While Minnesota will likely look to limit the number of transition opportunities for Oklahoma City in this game, the Thunder are still an outstanding halfcourt unit on both ends of the floor, and they should feel extremely comfortable operating at a slower pace in this one. 

In terms of against the spread margin, few teams are even close to Oklahoma City this season.

In fact, the Thunder are covering the spread at nearly a 64% clip as a road favorite.

It wouldn't be a shock at all if Oklahoma City played a focused, consistent game and won double digits on the road in this revenge spot.  

Under 229.5 (-110)

Given the fact that an over game script would traditionally go hand-in-hand with the Timberwolves covering the spread in this spot, our expert is of the opinion that we’ll see a bit less scoring than usual in Sunday’s contest. 

Both of these teams are exceptional defensively, particularly Oklahoma City, as the Thunder boast one of the best defenses in NBA history to this point by defensive rating, points per possession allowed, and other advanced metrics.

Needless to say, it’s going to be a challenge for Minnesota to break down an outstanding perimeter defense for the second time in the last 10 days.

Additionally, the Thunder are going up against a Minnesota offense that has struggled with shooting from the perimeter all season long, and I’d expect that Oklahoma City will approach this game with a high level of intensity and effort given that the Thunder are coming off a recent loss to this same Timberwolves team.

All things considered, it’s hard to see a Minnesota offense that is 16th in adjusted offensive rating have much success against an elite Oklahoma City defense, regardless of if the Timberwolves end up covering this spread or not. 

There is a real possibility for either team to cover the number in this game while still going under the total of 229.5 (-110), and that is the only way our expert can look in this matchup.

Read more betting picks and predictions for the NBA on site

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves odds

Oklahoma City Thunder	-380 ML
Minnesota Timberwolves	+300 ML
Spread	OKC -9.5
Total Points	O/U 229.5

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves player props

Player Points

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC Thunder)	O/U 30.5
Anthony Edwards (MIN Timberwolves)	O/U 28.5
Jake Williams (OKC Thunder)	O/U 19.5
Naz Reid (MIN Timberwolves)	O/U 18.5
Jaden McDaniels (MIN Timberwolves)	O/U 15.5

Read the latest NBA news on site

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.