The Minnesota Timberwolves (20-45) travel to Chesapeake Energy Arena to face off against the division rival Oklahoma City Thunder (44-20), who are currently the top team in the Northwest. The game begins at 8:00 pm ET on Friday, Mar. 11 and will air on FxK and FNo.
The Thunder beat the Clippers 120-108 on Wednesday. Oklahoma City was led by Russell Westbrook, who finished with 25 points, 20 assists, and 11 rebounds. This gave him his 11th triple-double of the year. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their deflating 116-91 loss to the Spurs on Tuesday. Karl-Anthony Towns stood out for Minnesota, recording 19 points, nine rebounds, and one assist.
Towns has been hot over the last five games for the Timberwolves, averaging 22.0 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 0.8 steals, and 1.6 blocks.
The prolific Thunder offense (second in the NBA with an offensive efficiency of 110.2) will square off against the bottom-tier Timberwolves defense (28th in the league with a defensive efficiency of 107.9), a matchup that should favor the Thunder.
The Thunder have emerged victorious in all three games against the Timberwolves this year, escaping with a narrow 126-123 victory the last time these teams met. Zach LaVine scored a game-high 35 points.
The Thunder come into this game 44-20 Straight Up (SU) and 25-36-3 Against The Spread (ATS). They have a record of 2-10 SU and 5-7 ATS when playing their division. The Thunder are one of the best in the NBA in terms of field-goal percentage, shooting a superb .476 from the field. The Thunder have a distinct advantage on the boards in this matchup. They are the top-ranked rebounding team in the NBA, averaging 48.1 per game, while the Timberwolves rank 25th in the league with 42.0 per game. Turning to the defensive side, the Thunder are the third-best team in the league at blocking shots, averaging 6.2 blocks per game.
As for their opponent, the Timberwolves head into the game with records of 29-35-1 ATS and 20-45 SU. When traveling to face teams in its division, Minnesota has a record of 2-4 ATS. However, the Timberwolves have a better SU record of 5-1 in those games. Minnesota is the top foul-shooting team in the league, converting 1,408 shots from the line (21.0 per game).
Oklahoma City won the last meeting this season between these two teams, bringing its SU record to 10-0 over the Timberwolves in the last 10 games. With a 6-4 record, the Thunder also have the advantage ATS.
Predictions: SU Winner – OKC
Notes
Oklahoma City’s offense and Minnesota’s defense are well matched when it comes to scoring. Oklahoma City scores 0.0 points per game (ranked zeroth). Minnesota allows 0.0 points per game, which is also ranked zeroth.
Oklahoma City and Minnesota are well matched, ranking zeroth in points per home game and points allowed per away game respectively. Oklahoma City scores an average of 0.0 points per home game, while Minnesota allows 0.0 points per away game on average.
The Minnesota Timberwolves lost their last game by 25 points. In games decided by a margin of 18 points or more, the Oklahoma City Thunder are 13-1. Minnesota is 1-6 in blowouts this season.
When giving up fewer than 100 points, Minnesota has a 10-7 record. When Oklahoma City puts up fewer than 100, they are an abysmal 3-9.
When allowing 100 or more points in a game, the Timberwolves are just 10-38 this season. Oklahoma City is a dazzling 41-11 when registering triple digits.
The Thunder have a defensive rating of 103.5 (ranked 13th), while the Timberwolves rank 11th for their offensive rating of 104.4.
Oklahoma City has an average field goal percentage of 47.6% (ranked third). Minnesota is an underachieving 4-30 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Minnesota Timberwolves rank higher for their field goal percentage (eighth) than their effective field goal percentage (20th), while the Oklahoma City Thunder rank the same for both metrics (third).
Oklahoma City makes an average of 22.9 assists per game (ranked ninth), while Minnesota makes 22.6 assists per game (ranked 11th).
Oklahoma City makes an average of 6.2 blocks per game (ranked third), while Minnesota makes 4.6 blocks per game (ranked 18th).
The Oklahoma City Thunder are the top offensive rebounding team in the league. The Minnesota Timberwolves rank 27th in defensive rebounding.
The Minnesota Timberwolves make an average of 7.5 steals per game. When the Oklahoma City Thunder allow 7 or more steals, they are a winning 33-16.
