NBA Play In: OKC Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview, Odds, Predictions

The OKC Thunder squares off with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the clash for the 8th and the final spot in the Western Conference playoffs. The Thunder were better than the New Orleans Pelicans on the road, eliminating the Pels from the postseason and earning a chance to reach at least four games against the Denver Nuggets. Meanwhile, the T-Wolves had their opportunity to defeat the Lakers. KAT and the crew allowed the LAL to come back and squeeze through the overtime, so we’ll see their state of mind. 

Here is the Eastern Conference NBA play in preview for the Chicago Bulls vs. Miami Heat game.

Preview

OKC Thunder (+160) went to Big Easy without any fear, aiming to put up a good, old-fashioned playoff performance. In the end, such a stance earned them a victory, 123-118, over the better-placed team at the end of the regular part of the year. 

Despite losing a double-digit lead from the third period and having to endure a grueling and tense battle in the last few minutes, with both units trading buckets, the Thunder never showed fatigue or doubt in their abilities. And how would they with Shai and Josh Giddey combining 63 buckets? 

SGA scored 32 points, while the Aussie sophomore ended the night one board short of a triple-double with 31 points, 10 assists and nine boards. Right behind them was Lugentz Dorth, who had 27 points and was there to pick-up where these two guys left.

Minnesota Timberwolves (-180) suffered a very unpleasant loss in LA, in a game in which they had everything under control at some point, then allowed the Lakers to return and still have a second chance to win following Mike Conley’s free-throws which took the event to overtime.

But Anthony Edwards couldn’t find his groove, and the Antman ended the night with just nine points, far below his average of 24.6. Edwards made only three of his 17 shots from the field, missing all nine three-pointers. When your top player has a night like that, much weaker teams present a problem.

Karl-Anthony Towns scored 24 points and had 11 boards, while Mike Conley had one point fewer, with six hit threes in eight shots, playing an excellent, rational game. Also, we need to say that the T-Wolves had only 37 boards in this event. 

Head to Head Games

The Thunder and Timberwolves had four clashes throughout the 2022/23 season, and the team from Minneapolis had more success, winning three times. The first meeting was in Minnesota, 115-108 for the hosts, the second in OKC, 116-106 for the T-Wolves. The Thunder won their first and only meeting in Minneapolis in December, 135-128, while the most recent game came midway through the same month, in OKC, where Minnesota posted a tight, 112-110, victory.

Preview

After the disturbed chemistry and a tough loss against the Lakers, Timberwolves face a lot of adversity. Yes, Gobert is back, but we don’t know whether that is positive or negative news, with the Frenchman’s attitude being questionable from time to time. Meanwhile, the Thunder’s offense is limited to only three players, but we would still go with their victory here because of a swing earned following a big win in New Orleans.

Pick: OKC Thunder +160