Oklahoma City Thunder vs Minnesota Timberwolves Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 26/12/2023, 06:50  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 26/12/2023 at 06:52 in NBA Predictions

Oklahoma City will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA at Paycom Center on Tuesday. The hosts are 18-9 and third in the Western Conference while the visitors are 22-6 and currently lead the way. 

Minnesota have been very good recently, winning five out of their last six games. Those victories came against Dallas (119-101), Indiana (127-109), Miami (112-108), Los Angeles (118-111), and Sacramento (110-98) in their most recent match. The only loss during this stretch was a 127-113 defeat against Philadelphia. In their recent 12-point win against the Kings, Anthony Edwards led the way with a team-high 34 points. The Timberwolves currently rank 18th in scoring in the NBA, averaging 113.5 points per game, while the Oklahoma City squad ranks 14th in the league defensively (113.6 PPG). On the defensive end, they have been forcing 14.3 turnovers per game and are ranked 1st in the league in opponents' points per game, allowing an average of 106.9 points. However, there are injury concerns for the Timberwolves, with Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaylen Clark listed as doubtful for the upcoming match. 

The Oklahoma City Thunder, led by coach Mark Daigneault, have been performing well recently, securing three consecutive victories against the Nuggets (118-117), Grizzlies (116-97), and Clippers (134-115). However, their three-game winning streak was halted by the Lakers in their last outing, losing 129-120. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the team with an impressive performance, contributing a team-high 34 points in the defeat. Offensively, the Thunder have been noteworthy, averaging 120.7 points per game, which is 14.1 more than the Timberwolves allow (106.6). Their shooting percentage of 49.2% from the field ranks them 3rd in the NBA. Defensively, the Thunder are ranked 13th in the league in points per game surrendered, allowing an average of 113.0 points. As they prepare to face the Timberwolves, the Thunder have only one potential absentee, with Josh Giddey listed as a doubt.