The Minnesota Timberwolves (19-21), 8-point underdogs, will be at Chesapeake Energy Arena to meet the Oklahoma City Thunder (25-14) in a Northwest Division matchup. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 224.5 points and it will air on NBATV at 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder ATS Odds
In the Timberwolves’ last matchup, they had no trouble getting past the Los Angeles Lakers, 108-86, easily covering as 8-point favorites. The Thunder, meanwhile, were blown out by the Washington Wizards, 116-98, and failed to cover as 10-point underdogs. The Minnesota game went 30.5 points under the projected point total of 224.5, while the Oklahoma City game went 13.5 points under the projected point total of 227.5.
The Timberwolves forced 21 turnovers and held the Lakers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.397 (below their season average of 0.536). Oklahoma City, meanwhile, was lights out from beyond the arc (10-25; 40.0 percent). Oklahoma City was lifted by Russell Westbrook, who finished with 22 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists. This gave him his 11th triple-double this year. Karl-Anthony Towns, meanwhile fueled Minnesota with 28 points and 18 rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Andrew Wiggins led the Timberwolves to a 114-112 victory. He put up 30 points, six rebounds and five assists. Minnesota covered as a 7-point underdog and the two teams combined to put up 226 points, which was just over the projected point total of 221.5. One of Minnesota’s biggest strengths was getting to the charity stripe. They made 27 trips to the line, while Oklahoma City went 22 times.
Games involving the Timberwolves have no tendency in regards to the O/U total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under. Minnesota comes into the game with records of 19-21 straight up (SU) and 21-19 against the spread (ATS).
Vegas has a tendency to place the total high when the Thunder are involved, as 56.4 percent of their games have ended under the projected point total. Moreover, Oklahoma City owns records of 25-14 SU and 22-17 ATS.
Towns has really been playing well as of late for Minnesota, averaging 30 points,16.2 rebounds,5.4 assists,3.2 blocks over the last five games.
Look for Oklahoma City to dominate the offensive glass in this matchup. The Thunder are among the NBA’s elite on the offensive glass, ranking second in offensive rebounding percentage at 26.6 percent. Meanwhile, Minnesota ranks 28th in the NBA at corralling defensive rebounds with a defensive rebounding percentage of 74.3 percent. Also, the Timberwolves commit the third-fewest errors in the NBA (turnover percentage of 12.4 percent), while the gambling defense of the Thunder causes the most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 16.5 percent).
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – Timberwolves, ATS Winner – Timberwolves, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Thunder rank second in points off turnovers per game (20.8) while the Timberwolves rank 10th (17.6).
- Minnesota ranks first in steals allowed per game (6.5) while Oklahoma City ranks 25th (8.4).
- The Thunder rank sixth in fast break points per game (17.3) while the Timberwolves rank 22nd in fast break points allowed per game (14.7).
- Oklahoma City ranks 14th in assists allowed per game (23.9) while Minnesota ranks 27th (25.7).
- Oklahoma City ranks fourth in points in the paint per game (53.5) while Minnesota ranks 12th (49.2).
- The Thunder average 14.9 second chance points per game, which ranks fourth in the NBA. The Timberwolves rank 25th in second chance points allowed per game (14.3).
- The Timberwolves rank sixth in blocks per game (5.7) while the Thunder rank 15th in blocks allowed per game (4.9).
- Oklahoma City ranks 20th in three pointers attempted per game (29.8) while Minnesota ranks 24th in three pointers allowed per game (33.0).
- Oklahoma City averages 48.6 rebounds per game, which ranks second in the league. Minnesota ranks 23rd in rebounds allowed per game (46.0).
- In games where they hold opponents below 100 points, Minnesota is 8-0 and Oklahoma City is 6-0.
- In games where they reach the century mark, the Timberwolves are 19-15 and the Thunder are 23-8.
- Oklahoma City is 10-8 ATS at home, while Minnesota is 8-12 ATS on the road.
- In 20 road games, the Timberwolves have 11 unders and 9 overs.
- In 18 home games, the Thunder have 10 overs, 7 unders and 1 push.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Minnesota and Oklahoma City are both 3-2 ATS.
- The Timberwolves have 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games, while the Thunder have 4 unders and 1 push
- During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 111.4 points per game (0.0 above their season average) and allowed an average of 106.2 points per game (4.6 below their season average).
- The Thunder’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.8, down from 5.8 for the season.
