Win or go home. That’s the grim reality facing the Oklahoma City Thunder as they travel to Minnesota to face the Wolves in what is essentially a do-or-die ballgame. Can Russell Westbrook deliver another mind-blowing performance to help Oklahoma City stave off elimination one more time?
Read on below to find out who has the edge heading into this pivotal clash. While you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the showdown between the New Orleans Pelicans and the San Antonio Spurs as the race to the NBA playoffs go right down the wire.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Preview
Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
When: Wednesday, April 15, 8:00 PM ET
Line: Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves – view all NBA lines
Betting on the Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City’s playoff hopes are still alive after a 101-90 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night. Russell Westbrook made the most of his second chance, putting up 36 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists to help the Thunder keep pace with the New Orleans Pelicans in the race for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
[sc:NBA240banner ]Both teams carry similar 44-37 records heading into the final day of the regular season. The Pelicans own the tiebreaker though so Oklahoma City needs to win its last game against Minnesota and hope that San Antonio does them a favor and beats New Orleans later tonight for them to advance.
The Thunder will need to take care of business on their own end first and they will fancy their chances of doing just that because of the excellent form of Westbrook. He is the league’s leading scorer this season, averaging 28.0 points per game. He also leads the Thunder in the assists (8.6 APG) and steals (2.1 SPG) department this campaign.
Westbrook will be licking his chops at the prospect of facing the Wolves as he has fared extremely well against them this season. He is averaging 27.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7.7 assists in three games against Minnesota this season.
With that being said, Westbrook can’t do it all alone and he needs someone from the Thunder lineup to help him in the offensive chores. Expected to carry this task is Enes Kanter. The big man played his part in Oklahoma City’s win against Portland, scoring 27 points and hauling down 13 rebounds. He has proven to be a quality mid-season acquisition for the Thunder as he is averaging 18.4 points and 10.9 rebounds since his arrival at the trading deadline.
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Betting on the Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota’s losing woes continued on Monday night as the Timberwolves suffered a 100-88 defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans. It was the 11th straight loss for the Wolves who slid down to 16-65, the worst record in the Western Conference.
The Wolves will look to end their horrible season on a high note when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder later tonight. Pulling off victory certainly won’t be easy as injuries continue to ravage Minnesota’s already short lineup.
The Wolves only had six healthy players remaining in their lineup after their loss to the Pelicans. Joining the injured list was center Justin Hamilton who suffered a hamstring strain in the game against New Orleans. There’s some good news for coach Flip Saunders on the injury front as Kevin Martin is expected to return to the lineup on Wednesday after recovering from an illness.
Martin will provide a much-needed boost to Minnesota’s floundering offense. The Wolves are averaging just 97.6 points per contest, eighth-worst in the NBA this season. Martin can help address the Wolves’ offensive woes as he leads Minnesota in scoring this season, averaging 19.7 points per game.
Also expected to carry the scoring cudgels for the squad is Zach LaVine. He displayed a brilliant all-around performance against the Pelicans on Monday, scoring 24 points, grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out five assists in a losing effort. LaVine has certainly impressed in his rookie season for the Wolves, averaging 10.0 points and 3.5 assists per outing.
Writer’s Prediction
Oklahoma City stays alive with a 113-97 win.
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