Timberwolves vs Thunder Free Pick, NBA Free Picks, NBA Predictions 5/20/25
- J.A. Cavalier
- May 20
- 3 min read
MINNESOTA @ OKLAHOMA CITY (OKC -7.5, 215.5)
NBA ODDS, NBA PREDICTIONS, NBA PREVIEWS
TIMBERWOLVES @ THUNDER 5/20/25
Before their first two playoff series, the Oklahoma City Thunder had plenty of time to relax. The Thunder will now enter the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals with little rest, whereas their opponent has a lot more time to recuperate.
Oklahoma City will host the start of the Western Conference finals tonight. In Game 7 of their second-round series, the Thunder defeated the visiting Denver Nuggets 125-93 on Sunday. After defeating the Golden State Warriors in five games, the Timberwolves haven't played in six days.
Oklahoma City had nine days between games prior to the series against the Nuggets, and one week before their series against Memphis in the first round. The Thunder defeated the Grizzlies 51 points to start the first round, but they lost Game 1 to Denver after fading late.
Minnesota won Game 1 against the Lakers and lost Game 1 against Golden State after taking a six-day break before each of their first two series. Each series was won by the Timberwolves in five games. For the third time in their history and for the second straight season, the Timberwolves are in the conference finals. Minnesota has never been to the NBA Finals. Oklahoma City is seeking its first finals appearance since 2012 and is making its first appearance in the Western Conference finals since 2016.
Two of the best defenses in the NBA, both in the regular season and the playoffs, are featured in the series. In 11 postseason games, the Thunder have the best defensive rating (101.6 points allowed per 100 possessions). The second-best defensive rating is 106.8 held by Minnesota.
The series also includes Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of Oklahoma City, two of the league's best young players. This postseason, Edwards is averaging 26.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 5.9 assists, while Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 29.0 points, 6.4 assists, and 5.9 rebounds. The front-runner for Most Valuable Player, Gilgeous-Alexander, is excited to play his Minnesota cousin, Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
Both players attended Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and were born in Toronto less than two months apart. Alexander-Walker assisted in keeping his cousin to a 5-of-19 shooting night in a 2023 play-in game. Gilgeous-Alexander's consistency has elevated him to a new level, according to Alexander-Walker.
The teams split their four-game series this season and split the two games in Oklahoma City. Chet Holmgren played in two of those games for the Thunder, while Rudy Gobert of Minnesota only played in one, a loss on New Year's Eve.
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MINNESOTA TEAM TOTAL OVER 104.5
After being held to 88 points in the series opener against Golden State, the TWolves went Over this number in 3 of their last 4 games. That includes 121 in the Game 5 clincher. Minnesota has scored at least 105 points in 14 of its last 20 games and their season average was 114.3. In all four games against OKC this season - and remember, OKC has the best defensive rating in the NBA this year - Minnesota went Over this team total number. The TWolves have scored 105 or more against the Thunder in 7 of the last 8 head-to-head meetings.
