Will OKC live up to its role as favorite?
The Western Conference Finals are just around the corner, and we’ve got you covered with our Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves tip for Game 1! While the top teams from Cleveland and Boston have already surprisingly bowed out in the East, at least OKC has not shown any weakness in the West so far.
As expected, the most successful team in the regular season in the entire NBA is in the Western Conference Finals. However, the last round proved to be very difficult for coach Mark Daignault’s men.
It took seven games to win the series against the Denver Nuggets. For the first game of the Western Conference Finals, the prediction is now for an away win, including a +7.5 point lead for the visitors.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Statistics & current form
The Oklahoma franchise has won the NBA title once. That triumph came in 1979, when the organization was still based in Seattle under the name SuperSonics. Since moving to Oklahoma in 2008 and changing its name to City Thunder, no further titles have been added.
However, the chances are now better than ever since the move. After an impressive regular season, the home team is also performing well in the playoffs. Although the last series against the Nuggets was not easy, as described, the clear 125-93 victory in “Game Seven” was a statement. For the first time since 2012, a Western Conference title is now also on the cards.
SGA is on his way to MVP
Oklahoma will be relying heavily on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Canadian is the hottest candidate for the MVP award, at least since the last series against Denver, and is now also at his best in the playoffs. In the final three games against the Nuggets, the guard scored at least 31 points each time.
Now, however, they face Minnesota, a particularly strong defensive team. A look at the regular season shows, however, that SGA was also very efficient against the Timberwolves. He averaged no less than 35 points in the four games during the regular season!
Will Gilgeous-Alexander score at least 30 points again?
In light of this, the odds for the guard to score 30 or more points again in Game 1 between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves are also recommended. NEO.bet has the betting odds and you can also place your bets on the go via the sports betting app!
Minnesota Timberwolves – Statistics & current form
The Timberwolves are fresher than their opponents going into the first game of the Western Conference finals. While the home team was still battling the Nuggets until last Sunday evening, Coach Chris Finch’s team had already secured their place in the final three days earlier.
The Timberwolves defeated Golden State 4-1, but also benefited from Stephen Curry’s injury. The “Chef” had to sit on the bench during the series due to injury, and Kerr’s team was unable to compensate for his absence.
Timberwolves want to do better than last year
However, the Timberwolves have also confirmed their upswing. Last season, they made it all the way to the Western Conference finals. At that time, however, Minnesota lost 2-4 to the Dallas Mavericks. It was only the second time the Timberwolves had reached the conference finals, and their debut in 2004 against the LA Lakers also ended in defeat in six games.
Now, from the visitors’ point of view, they are aiming to win the Western Conference for the first time, and the quality of the franchise’s roster at the Target Center is certainly capable of doing so. With players such as Anthony Edwards, Rudy Gobert, and Julius Randle, the roster is packed with professionals who are particularly strong defensively.
Minnesota likes to shut down its own basket
No wonder, then, that the visitors have allowed their opponents from Los Angeles and Oakland to score in double digits in only half of their ten games in the 2025 NBA playoffs. Given the defensive strength of the visitors, the betting odds of a maximum of 112 points for the home team are also worth considering in the battle between OKC and the Timberwolves.
The visitors’ mental state has also been impressive so far: the Timberwolves have only failed to win the final quarter in two of their ten games in this year’s NBA Playoffs 2025!
Oklahoma City Thunder – Minnesota Timberwolves Head-to-head record / H2H record
Oklahoma City Thunder and the Timberwolves faced each other four times in the last regular season, with the record evenly balanced at two wins and two losses. However, OKC’s home record in this pairing has been room for improvement in the recent past.
No more than three of their last ten home games against the Timberwolves have ended in victory for the hosts. Nevertheless, the Oklahoma City Thunder are now the favorites against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Oklahoma City Thunder – Minnesota Timberwolves Tip
For the first game in the Western Conference finals between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves, the prediction is that the visitors will lose by a maximum of seven points or secure a victory. The hosts are undoubtedly the favorites in the series and, following the elimination of the Cavs and Celtics in the East, are equally favorites for the NBA title.
However, the Timberwolves are not in the Western Conference finals for the second time in a row without reason and are a tough opponent. Minnesota’s defense in particular is difficult to break down.
Only Boston has allowed fewer points per game to their opponents in the current postseason! In addition, the visitors from “Mill City” have had a longer recovery period after the last round and therefore have a physical advantage.
Last but not least, the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves tip is backed up by statistics: the Timberwolves have won seven of their last ten away games at the Paycom Center and clearly feel at home there!