Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction, 5/20/2025 Preview and Pick

Game: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Location: Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, OK

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Minnesota (+7.0)

The Oklahoma City Thunder (68-14) will try to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33) at Paycom Center on Tuesday in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Oklahoma City opens this contest as 7-point favorites. The betting total is set at 216.

The Timberwolves stepped onto the hardwood against the Warriors and walked away with a win by a score of 121-110 in Game 5 of the Western Conference Semi Finals. In the matter of personal fouls, the Timberwolves ended up with 19 and the Warriors totaled 21 personal fouls. They also made 11 of 39 attempts from beyond the arc. Golden State finished 70.0% when shooting free throws by burying 21 of 30 attempts. Furthermore, Golden State grabbed 40 rebounds (18 offensive, 22 defensive) and had 4 blocked shots. Golden State dished out 21 dimes and had 14 steals for the game. When discussing defense, Minnesota let their opponent shoot 43.3% from the field on 39 of 90 shooting. They also distributed 36 assists in the matchup while forcing 17 turnovers and getting 11 steals. In the matter of hauling in boards, they earned 39 with 6 of them being on the offensive end. From the charity stripe, the Timberwolves made 10 of 15 shots for a percentage of 66.7%. Minnesota finished the game having earned a 62.8% field goal percentage (49 of 78) and knocked down 13 of 31 shots from distance.

Julius Randle is a guy who was a major factor for this game. He finished with 29 points on 13 out of 18 shooting. He was on the court for 43 minutes played and pulled down 8 rebounds. Randle finished the game at 72.2% from the field and totaled 5 dimes.

Get all of our NBA Picks Tonight

Minnesota enters this game with a win-loss record of 49-33 so far this season. They are giving up possession 14.5 times per game and as a team are committing 18.3 personal fouls per game. As a team, Minnesota is pulling in 44.3 rebounds per game and has racked up 2,142 dimes this season, which is 17th in the league in terms of passing. The Timberwolves are connecting on 37.7% on shots from beyond the arc (1,233 of 3,269) and 78.9% from the free throw line. They are averaging 114.3 points per game (13th in basketball) while hitting 46.8% from the field.

When they are on defense, the Timberwolves are forcing 14.7 turnovers on a nightly basis and they draw 19.2 personal fouls. They are currently ranked 5th in the league in giving up assists to the opposition with 2,032 conceded on the season. The Timberwolves defensively are giving up an opponent shooting percentage of 46.0% (3,319 of 7,213) and they relinquish 42.9 boards per game as a basketball team. They give up 35.3% on shots from beyond the perimeter while they are 5th in basketball in opponents points per game (109.3).

In Game 7 of the Western Conference Semi Finals, the Thunder were able to corral 29 defensive boards and 15 offensive rebounds totaling 44 in the matchup. They coughed up the ball 10 times, while getting 16 steals for this game. The Nuggets were called for 19 fouls for the contest which got the Thunder to the free throw line for a total of 24 attempts. They were able to knock down 19 of the free throws for a rate of 79.2%. With regard to shots from 3-point land, Oklahoma City buried 12 of 39 attempts (30.8%). In all, the Thunder finished the game shooting 47 for 96 from the floor which had them shooting 49.0%. The Thunder permitted the Nuggets to knock down 33 of 84 tries from the floor which gave them a percentage of 39.3% in this matchup. They wrapped up this game 22.2% from 3-point land by going 10 out of 45 and ended up shooting 17 out of 22 at the free throw line (77.3%). When talking about cleaning the glass, Oklahoma City permitted Denver to snag 47 in total (15 on the offensive glass).

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ended up being a factor for the Thunder for this contest. Gilgeous-Alexander earned 35 points in his 36 mins of playing time and accumulated 4 assists for the game. He made 12 of 19 for the game for a field goal rate of 63.2%, and had 3 rebounds.

Oklahoma City has a win-loss mark of 68-14 this year. When it comes to offensive execution, the Thunder are hitting on 48.2% from the floor, which is 7th in the league. Oklahoma City has tallied 9,881 points so far this year (120.5 per game) and they pull down 44.8 rebounds per contest. Their rate of earning assists is at 26.9 times per game (12th in the league) and they are turning it over 11.7 times per game. The Thunder commit 19.9 personal fouls every game and they go 81.9% from the charity stripe.

The Oklahoma City defense gives up 34.2% on 3-pointers (1,104 of 3,225) and their opponents are connecting on 77.4% of their shots from the charity stripe. They give up 24.6 assists and 44.9 rebounds per contest, which is 4th and 20th in basketball. The Thunder on the defensive side of the court are 3rd in the league in points given up per game with 107.6. They have forced 17.0 TO's per game and have allowed teams to shoot 43.6% from the floor (1st in the NBA).

Who will win tonight's NBA game against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Oklahoma City (-7.0)

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here