Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Preview
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena — Oklahoma City, OK
When: Saturday, November 5, 2016, 6:00 PM ET
Line: Minnesota Timberwolves (TBA) at Oklahoma City Thunder (TBA) – view all NBA lines
Writer’s Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder
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Betting on the Minnesota Timberwolves (TBA)
The Tom Thibodeau era in Minnesota hasn’t gotten off to a good start. The T-Wolves have begun the season just 1-3, with their lone win coming against a Grizzlies team that was without both Marc Gasol and Mike Conley.
The young Wolves are experiencing the same problem that plagued them last season: they just can’t get it done in the clutch. All three of their losses have come by four points or fewer. However, maybe a return to underdog status against Oklahoma City will be just the thing that can jump-start their season.
Minnesota played the Thunder close in three of their four meetings last season. They went just 1-3, but were 3-1 ATS – all as underdogs. That was despite Karl-Anthony Towns averaging just 14.8 points and shooting 45 percent from the field in those games. The length of Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka likely contributed to his struggles, but he won’t have to face those guys anymore.
After a somewhat slow start, Towns had by far his best game of the young season in his most recent game, a 102-99 loss to the Denver Nuggets. Towns had 32 points on 11-of-19 shooting with 14 rebounds.
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder (TBA)
The first meeting with old friend Kevin Durant did not go too well for Russell Westbrook and the Thunder. They were punked 122-96 by Durant and his Warriors on Thursday, handing the Thunder (4-1) their first loss of the season.
Westbrook didn’t really get going offensively, as he finished with a season-low 20 points on 4-of-15 shooting. However, do expect a bounce-back effort from Russ, who came into the Warriors game leading the league in scoring at 38 points per game.
Russ’ new running mates, Victor Oladipo and Steven Adams, have also started the season well. Oladipo has cracked 20 points in his first two home games, and had 21 on 8-of-13 shooting against the Warriors. Meanwhile, Adams is averaging 10 points and 8 rebounds to go along with his terrific defense.
Minnesota’s wings, with Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine, are integral to the team’s offense, and the Thunder have the personnel to match up well with them defensively. Oladipo and Andre Roberson are both excellent defenders who should be able to get some key stops on their counterparts.
Writer’s Prediction
The Thunder bounce back and deal the Timberwolves another loss, 105-101.
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