The league’s top scorer, Russell Westbrook (27.3 PPG), and the Oklahoma City Thunder (35-29) take on the Minnesota Timberwolves (14-49) at Chesapeake Energy Arena. The game starts at 8:00 pm ET on Friday, Mar. 13 and will air on FSN-N+ and FSN-OK.
The Thunder were beaten by the Clippers 120-108 on Wednesday. Anthony Morrow was the team’s high scorer, contributing 26. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, are coming off a 106-97 loss to the Suns on Wednesday. Martin had a good shooting night, leading the team with 16 points.
Westbrook has been playing at a high level as of late for the Thunder, averaging 36.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 10.2 assists, 2.8 steals, 0.5 blocks, and 2.0 three-pointers over the last five games.
The defense for Oklahoma City should have a clear edge in terms of effective field goal percentage. They rank fifth in the league in forcing misses (opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 47.7%), while the offense of Minnesota is 28th with a mark of 46.3%.
The Thunder have won both contests against the Timberwolves this season, including a 92-84 victory in their last matchup. Andrew Wiggins scored a game-high 23 points.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. The Thunder are attempting to build on their records of 35-29 Straight Up (SU) and 30-32-2 Against The Spread (ATS). They have gone 7-5 SU and 6-5-1 ATS against teams from their own division. Over their past 10 games, Oklahoma City’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 111.1 points per game, well over their season average of 102.4. The Thunder have a distinct advantage on the boards in this matchup. They are the top-ranked rebounding team in the NBA, averaging 47.5 per game, while the Timberwolves rank 24th in the league with 41.9 per game. Oklahoma City’s defense is doing poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 107.2 points per game, well above their season average of 99.9. Opposing offenses have been stifled by the Thunder, allowing a field goal percentage of only .428. An area where the Thunder are particularly strong is shot blocking, where they average 6.0 blocks per game, second in the NBA.
Across the court, Minnesota has a SU record of 14-49 and an ATS record of 27-34-2. Although they haven’t done very well in road games against divisional foes (1-4), Minnesota does sport a nice 4-0-1 record ATS. The Timberwolves are getting to the foul line at a high rate, with 1,235 free throws made that ranks third in the NBA. Minnesota is one of the better offensive rebounding teams in the NBA. The Timberwolves average 12.2 offensive rebounds per game, making them the third-best team in the league for that category. The Timberwolves are in for a physical game against Oklahoma City. The Thunder are not afraid to send opponents to the free throw line, averaging 22.2 fouls per game.
Oklahoma City won the last meeting this season between these two teams, bringing its SU record to 7-3 over the Timberwolves in the last 10 games. At 5-5, they are even bets ATS. Oklahoma City has held the edge in three key areas (field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers) five times over the last 10, while Minnesota accomplished this twice.
Predictions: SU Winner – OKC, ATS Winner – OKC
Notes
Oklahoma City ranks 10th in points per game with 102.4, while Minnesota ranks 30th in points allowed with an average of 105.4 given up.
On average, Oklahoma City puts up 104.9 points per home game (ranked sixth). Minnesota ranks 30th in points allowed per road game with 108.4.
In games where they allow fewer than 100 points, the Oklahoma City Thunder are a solid 22-9. In games where they fail to hit triple digits, the Minnesota Timberwolves have an underachieving record of 5-31.
When Oklahoma City allows at least 100 points, it has a losing 13-20 record this season. Minnesota also has a losing record when it reaches the century mark (9-18).
The Timberwolves have a defensive rating of 107.7 (ranked 30th). The Thunder rank 12th for their offensive rating of 103.5.
The Oklahoma City Thunder average 98.9 possessions and 1.035 points per possession in games this season. The Minnesota Timberwolves average fewer possessions with 97.9, as well as fewer points per possession with .997.
The Oklahoma City Thunder average an effective field goal percentage of 48.8% this season. The Minnesota Timberwolves have an underachieving record of 9-42 when opponents have an EFF% of 48.8% or greater.
The Oklahoma City Thunder rank 21st with an assist to turnover ratio of 1.47. The Minnesota Timberwolves have a higher A/TO (1.56), ranking 20th.
The Thunder earn a league-high 47.5 rebounds per game, while the Timberwolves rank 24th with 41.9 per game.
Minnesota ranks among the best in the league in offensive rebounding at third, while Oklahoma City is one of the top teams in defensive rebounding (ranked second).
Minnesota averages a forced turnover rate of 15.3% this season, ranked eighth in the league. Oklahoma City has a 10-13 record when they suffer a turnover rate equal to or exceeding this.
