Free NBA Pick: Thunder vs. Timberwolves NBA Odds
Looking for Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Thunder taking on the Timberwolves on Wednesday, October 19th, at the Target Center. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this Thunder-Timberwolves matchup.
2022 NBA Handicapping
(0-0) OKC Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves (0-0)
Date: Wednesday, October 19th
Time: 8:00 PM EST
Venue: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
NBA Moneyline Odds: Thunder +450 | Timberwolves -847 (Bet Now!)
NBA Betting Odds: Timberwolves -11
NBA Betting Total: 227.5
The 2022-23 NBA season tips off for the OKC Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, October 19th. These two Northwest Division rivals represent the opposite end of the spectrum.
OKC is in full-on rebuild while the Timberwolves made the biggest move of the offseason to push all their chips in the middle and vie for a title.
The Thunder blasted through the preseason posting an impressive 5-1 record while the Timberwolves were equally impressive with a 4-1 record.
Last season the clubs played four times with the Timberwolves sweeping the season series. The Thunder hold the all-time record with 87 wins in 128 matches versus the Wolves.
OKC Thunder
While Thunder fans suffered the gut punch of learning Chet Holmgren would miss the entire 2022-23 campaign after suffering a Lisfranc fracture requiring surgery in hindsight the ends may justify the means.
That’s not to wish injury upon any player but …
If the Thunder win the Wembanyama Sweepstakes to land the franchise-changing talent stop to consider what the OKC Thunder roster let alone their starting lineup would look like.
- PG: Josh Giddey (6’8)
- SG: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (6’6)
- PF: Chet Holmgren (7′)
- C: Wembanyama (7’3)
- and plug-in whoever at SF although the prospect of 7′ Aleksej Pokusevski developing this year to be included in that starting rotation only adds more giggles to what OKC could be.
Suffice it to say – the Thunder base needs to spend their energy channeling losses and those lottery bingo balls this season.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Danny Ainge sent vibrations through the league with the Rudy Gobert trade establishing a standard for other offseason deals.
The package was jaw-dropping:
- Four players: Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Leandro Bolmaro
- 22nd pick of 2022 draft: Walker Kessler
- three unprotected first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027)
- top five protected pick (2029)
- rights to swap their 2026 picks.
It’s insane Ainge got that much for Gobert and in truth – I still think that’s why Kevin Durant never got moved because it established what the Nets could demand for him.
As for Tim Connelly and Minnesota, clearly, they wanted to make a big splashy move that will immediately improve the Wolves’ defense and put Karl-Anthony Towns in a situation where he doesn’t have to play at Center.
Reasonably Gobert’s presence along with Anthony Edwards’ improvement (he stated he believed he could be All-Defense) and Jaden McDaniels should find the T-Wolves fitting in the top 10 defensively – – possibly top-5.
But, until the offseason when teams aggressively game plan to break down the Wolves’ defense by using small ball lineups to force KAT to defend the pick and roll and Rudy is pulled away from the basket the trade can’t be fully evaluated.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Thunder are 27-11 ATS in their last 38 road games.
- The Timberwolves are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
- Over is 17-8-1 in OKC’s last 26 overall.
- Under is 4-1 in the Timberwolves’ last 5 overall.
- The Thunder are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
- The Timberwolves are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 home games.
Free OKC Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Prediction:
I suppose for the Wolves’ fanbase just getting to the playoffs is considered a success because in their 33 years of existence Minnesota has 10 playoff appearances and only one of those included winning a series (2003-04).
Personally, I find it easier to rationalize tanking to land Wembanyama or Scoot Henderson than giving up what Minny did barring it leading to a championship(s).
SGA missed the preseason dealing with a knee injury but is expected to play Wednesday although that still won’t be enough to stop the Wolves.
As for the bloated spread, it’s not unreasonable to assume Minny covers given how easily they dispensed of OKC in their prior matches plus they’re at home.
However, if they get ahead by double digits early and start grandstanding (something KAT has a tendency to do) it won’t sit well with the Thunder and they’ll respond by getting physical/aggressive on defense. I’m banking on the latter happening.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Thunder +11
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