The Oklahoma City Thunder (38-10) and Minnesota Timberwolves (29-19) will face off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 9:30 p.m. ET from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The game will broadcast live on Amazon Prime Video.
The Thunder are 6.5-point favorites over the Timberwolves on the spread (Thunder -6.5), with the over/under set at 224.5 total points. Oklahoma City is a -230 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Minnesota is +190 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Thunder vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, January 29.
Thunder vs Timberwolves Prediction
- Thunder vs Timberwolves pick: Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 Rebounds (-140)
My Timberwolves vs Thunder best bet is on Anthony Edwards over 5.5 rebounds. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Thunder vs Timberwolves Odds
| Thunder Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6.5 -108 | 224.5 -110o / -110u | -230 |
| Timberwolves Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6.5 -112 | 224.5 -110o / -110u | +190 |
Thunder vs Timberwolves NBA Preview
Last week, the NBA had its Rivals Week, but Thunder-Timberwolves is one matchup that might've slipped through the cracks.
The Thunder hold bragging rights currently, having defeated the Timberwolves in five games in the Western Conference Finals last spring.
However, the teams have split the last six regular season meetings — particularly noticeable with the Thunder not losing in the regular season very often these days.
Minnesota rallied to take the last meeting 112-107 last month. The stars for both teams shined as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 35 points, five rebounds, and seven assists while Anthony Edwards had 26 points and 12 rebounds.
Edwards has scored 20 points in 19 consecutive games, though the Thunder contain him better than most as he is averaging 23.4 points over the last 15 meetings.
Last night, he extended his streak with 20 points on the nose as well as six rebounds. Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 31 points in his hometown as they secured a 118-105 victory over the Mavericks.
It was Minnesota's second consecutive victory by double digits following a five-game losing streak. They enter tonight's game percentage points behind the Lakers for the fifth in the West.
The Thunder hold a 5.5-game lead on the Spurs for the top seed, but their recent homestand did not go as planned. They dropped two of three games to the Raptors and Pacers, losing both games outright as a double-digit favorite.
Oklahoma City is just 1-5 ATS in its last six games when favored by double digits.
They have still won seven of their last 10 games despite several players in and out of the lineup. Tonight, they will be without Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, and Ajay Mitchell.
However, Isaiah Hartenstein will return after missing the last month and Cason Wallace is questionable.
Thunder vs Timberwolves Predictions, Betting Analysis
Though Edwards shot just 6-for-17 from the field last night, he was active on the glass with six rebounds, his fourth straight game with at least six rebounds.
He has been particularly efficient, collecting 31 of 36 rebounds over the past four games. He may have a little bit more margin for error in this matchup tonight.
Oklahoma City is 24th in rebounds allowed and 29th specifically against shooting guards. Edwards has taken advantage as he is averaging 7.7 rebounds over his past 15 games against the Thunder.
He has had six rebounds or more in 10 of the last 11 meetings, including four double-doubles. He is +536 on DraftKings for a double-double tonight.
SGA will be looking to make sure Edwards does not have too many rebound opportunities.
He has scored 30 points in 13 of his last 15 games against Minnesota, averaging 33.9 points per game in that span.
That includes 40 and 35 points in the two meetings this season.
Meanwhile, Chet Holmgren will be back in his home state tonight, but the Timberwolves have not been very welcoming to him.
Over his last 13 games against the Timberwolves, he is averaging 15.5 points and 6.5 rebounds. He has had 28 PR in just two of those games against Minnesota and four of his last 10 overall.
Additionally, Hartenstein may have some minutes restriction tonight, if head coach Mark Daigneault goes to his double big lineup, Hartenstein will eat some of Holmgren's rebound opportunities.
Thunder vs Timberwolves Best Bet
- Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 Rebounds (-140)
Thunder vs Timberwolves Parlay Picks
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 30+ Points
- Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 Rebounds
- Chet Holmgren Under 27.5 Points + Rebounds
Parlay Odds: +320 via DraftKings
Timberwolves vs Thunder Betting Trends
