Thunder vs. Timberwolves Spread Pick 4/14/23

Oklahoma City Thunder (40-42 SU, 47-35-1 ATS) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (42-40 SU, 41-42-0 ATS)
When: Friday, April 14th, 9:30 PM (ET)
Where: Target Center, MN, Minneapolis
TV: ESPN

Point Spread: OKC +5.5/Min -5.5
Total: 228.5
Money Line: Oklahoma City Thunder +180/-220

Notable Injuries

Thunder

• Kenrich Williams (Out) Wrist
• Aleksej Pokusevski (Out) Knee
• Chet Holmgren (Out) Foot

Timberwolves

• Rudy Gobert (Questionable) Back
• Karl-Anthony Towns (Questionable) Calf
• Jaylen Nowell (Questionable) Knee
• Naz Reid (Out) Wrist
• Jaden McDaniels (Out) Hand

Recent Form

Heading into the game, Oklahoma City is 40-42 overall. When taking to the road, Oklahoma City has a mark of 16-25 and a win percentage of 39%. Currently, the team is 9th in the Western Conference. So far, they are 47-35-1 vs. the spread. In their matchup against Minnesota, the Oklahoma City Thunder have won 2 straight games and will look to push that mark to 3 in a row.

After their win against the Pelicans, Oklahoma City will be looking to continue their momentum. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a big game, scoring 32 points to help lead the team to victory. As 5-point underdogs on the spread, the Thunder were able to come away with an ATS win

Heading into the game, Minnesota is 42-40 overall. When playing at home, Minnesota has a mark of 22-19 and a win percentage of 54%. Currently, the team is 8th in the Western Conference. So far, they are 41-42-0 vs. the spread.

Minnesota most recently lost to the Lakers by a score of 108-102. The team high 24 points from Karl-Anthony Towns was not enough to come home with the win. The Timberwolves were 8-point favorites going into the game.

The Historicals

In the most recent game between the two teams, the Timberwolves picked up a 115-108 win over the Thunder. However, heading into the game, Minnesota was favored to win by 11.0 points, giving the Thunder an ATS victory. So far this season, the Timberwolves have a record of 3-1 vs. the Thunder. In terms of betting, Minnesota has an ATS record of 3-2 in the previous 5 matchups vs. Oklahoma City. This mark has come on an average scoring margin of +8 points per game in favor of the Timberwolves. The over-under record in these same games is 1-4, with the teams combining for an average of 232 points per game.

Analysis

This season, Oklahoma City is among the league leaders in scoring, averaging 117.5 points per game. So far, the Thunder are also one of the more up-tempo teams in the league, sitting at 101.4 possessions per game. The three-point shot has been a big part of Oklahoma City’s offensive game plan, as they are ranked 9th in 3-point attempts per game. So far, they have connected on 35.6% of their looks from the outside. On defense, the Thunder are allowing an average of 111.83 points per game, placing them 15th in the league. So far, opposing teams are hitting 34.97% of their looks from deep vs. Oklahoma City.

Coming into today’s game, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the leading scorer for Oklahoma City at 31.4 points per game. This season, Gilgeous-Alexander has a field goal percentage of 51.0%. The team’s second-leading scorer is Josh Giddey at 16.6 points per contest.

This season, the Timberwolves have loved to get up and down the court, as they are currently 1st in the league in possessions per game. However, this has not fully translated into the offensive success they are looking for, as Minnesota is 16th in scoring at 115.8 points per game. The Timberwolves have been able to put together a strong offensive attack despite sitting just 1st in 3-point shooting percentage. Overall, they are among the league leaders in attempts at 33.3 attempts per game. Defense has been a struggle for Minnesota, as they are currently allowing 113.3 points per game. However, even with their overall struggles, the team has done a good job defending the 3-point line. So far, opposing teams have hit just 34.89% of their looks from deep.

Heading into today’s game, Minnesota will need a strong offensive effort from Anthony Edwards and the team’s supporting cast, as Jaden McDaniels won’t be available vs Oklahoma City. So far, McDaniels is averaging 12.1 points per game. Edwards leads the Timberwolves at 24.6 points per contest.

Betting Trends

• Bulls are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Friday games.
• Bulls are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
• Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
• Heat are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games.

Joes Pick To Cover The Spread

Much of the OKC game plan is to penetrate and shoot or penetrate and kick it out for an open three point attempt. This likely won’t go well against a Minnesota Timberwolves team that has the size to defend the rim well. Wiseguy and bookies like Minnesota as well, as evidenced by 63% of bettors backing the Thunder and the line moving from -4.5 to -5.5 in Minnesota’s favor. I’m laying the points with the T-Wolves. Note: It’s a great day to take 3 minutes to learn about reduced juice basketball betting!