The Oklahoma City Thunder (22-17) will be at the Target Center to square off with the Minnesota Timberwolves (15-23) in a Northwest Division matchup. The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, January 13, 2020, and will air on Fox Sports – North.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Odds
Both teams were beaten in their last matchup. The Thunder (9-point favorites) were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers, 125-110, while the Timberwolves (11-point underdogs) fell to the Houston Rockets, 139-109. Both games finished over their projected point totals. The Oklahoma City game went 21 points over the projected point total of 214, while the Minnesota game finished 16 points over the projected point total of 232.
Oklahoma City did a great job of making free throws (15-17; 88.2 percent) while Minnesota had a free throw rate of 0.253 (above their season average of 0.212). Minnesota was lifted by Josh Okogie, who contributed 16 points, five rebounds and five assists. Meanwhile, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander played a pivotal role for Oklahoma City with 24 points and eight rebounds.
In their first matchup this year, Adams led the Thunder to a 139-127 victory. He notched a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. The two teams combined for 266 points, which was well over the projected point total of 217, and Oklahoma City covered as a 4-point favorite. Oklahoma City was effective at getting and making free throws. The Thunder made 36 of their 40 free throws (90.0 percent), while the Timberwolves were just 14-20 (70.0 percent).
Thunder games tend to go under the O/U total (59.0 percent). Oklahoma City comes into the contest with records of 22-17 straight up (SU) and 25-13-1 against the spread (ATS).
In opposition of Oklahoma City, just over half of Timberwolves games have finished over the O/U total. Further, Minnesota is 15-23 SU and 16-20-2 ATS.
The Thunder’s Steven Adams has been playing well over his last five games, averaging 15 points,13.2 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Robert Covington has averaged 15 points,7.0 rebounds,2.4 steals during that same time frame for the Timberwolves.
This game should be a matchup of contrasting tempos. Minnesota prefers a fast-paced style of play (first in possessions per game), while Oklahoma City likes to grind-it-out (25th in possessions per game). Additionally, the Thunder, who rank fourth in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.226), will go head-to-head against the Timberwolves, who rank 22nd in opponents’ FTA rate (0.215).
Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves Pick
Free NBA Pick: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Thunder rank fourth in assists allowed per game (22.5) while the Timberwolves rank ninth (23.2).
- Minnesota ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (39.4) while Oklahoma City ranks 27th (29.8).
- The Timberwolves rank third in steals per game (8.7) while the Thunder rank 20th (7.5).
- Oklahoma City ranks 13th in rebounds allowed per game (45.1) while Minnesota ranks last (48.5).
- Oklahoma City ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (10.9) while Minnesota ranks 10th (12.5).
- The Timberwolves rank sixth in second chance points per game (14.2) while the Thunder rank last (10.9).
- The Timberwolves average 48.8 points in the paint per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. The Thunder rank 23rd in points allowed in the paint per game (49.5).
- Oklahoma City averages 16.4 points off turnovers per game, which ranks 18th in the league. Minnesota ranks 21st in points off turnovers allowed per game (17.7).
- Oklahoma City ranks fifth in blocks allowed per game (4.2) while Minnesota ranks 23rd (5.5).
- When allowing below 100 points, Oklahoma City is 7-3 and Minnesota is 2-1.
- The Timberwolves are 14-17 when they reach the century mark, while the Thunder are 21-10.
- Oklahoma City is 14-5 ATS on the road, while Minnesota is 5-11-1 ATS at home.
- In 19 road games, the Thunder have 12 unders and 7 overs.
- The Timberwolves have 9 unders and 8 overs in 17 home games.
Bettings Trends:
- In their last five games, Oklahoma City and Minnesota have both had 3 overs and 2 unders.
- The Thunder are 4-1 ATS over their last five games, while the Timberwolves are 3-2.
- During their last five games, the Thunder have scored an average of 113.6 points per game (4.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 109.2 points per game (1.8 above their season average).
- The Timberwolves have outscored opponents by an average of 1.4 points in their last five games. On the season, Minnesota has lost by an average of 2.9 points.