Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview
Where: Target Center — Minneapolis, Minnesota
When: Tuesday, April 11, 2017 – 8:00 PM ET
Line: Oklahoma City Thunder (+8) vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (-8); total: 207.5 – view all NBA lines
TV Broadcast: FS North / NBA TV
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Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder (46-34)
Russell Westbrook broke Oscar Robertson’s single-season triple-double record on Sunday in absolute style. He had his 42nd on the year by tallying 50 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists, and if that weren’t enough, he also hit the buzzer-beating three for a 106-105 win over the Denver Nuggets, whom they also eliminated from playoff contention in the process.
With the said record now set and the triple-double average (31.9 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 10.4 APG) and playoff spot clinched since last week, we may see Westbrook get rested for the remaining pair of games.
Should he play, though, he’ll be bringing in a lot. Just like what he does against every team in the league, “Brodie” is netting monster numbers against the Timberwolves this season. Through his all-around play and strong support from the likes of Enes Kanter, who’s scoring 20.3 points and grabbing 7.3 points off the bench in the head-to-head matchup, the Thunder are leading the season series with Minny, 2-1.
The Thunder are 11-5 in their last 16 games (10-6 ATS), and they are top two in the league in points in the paint, offensive rebounds, and total rebounds.
Betting on the Minnesota Timberwolves (31-49)
Like the Thunder, the Timberwolves are also coming off a game that ended in a buzzer-beater. It’s the other way around, though, as they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers, 110-109, after a “shooter’s bounce” from D’Angelo Russell dropped as time expired.
Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 29.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game on 59.6 percent shooting in three meetings with OKC this season. His main swingman, Andrew Wiggins, is not doing as well, as he only scores 16.3 in the series, which is less than seven in his season averages for points.
If Wiggins underwhelms once again, expect Rubio to offset the production. The Spaniard has been getting more opportunities on offense since Zach LaVine went down with a knee injury in early February. In his last 15, he’s chipping in 17.1 points and dishing out 10.3 assists per contest.
Minnesota is 6-2 in its last eight games at home (5-3 ATS).
Writer’s Prediction
The Timberwolves average 9.5 less points than their season average when facing OKC (96 PPG to 105.5), but they may overwhelm a relaxed Thunder team who already punched their playoff ticket and is finally done with Westbrook chasing the triple-double record. Wolves win, 108-103.
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