Timberwolves vs. Thunder | NBA Analysis, Odds, & Best Bets (5/20)

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are officially underway and today we’re here to talk about Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Timberwolves and Thunder.

For additional information on picks, props, money lines and more on today’s slate, take a look at our NBA Picks Page or our NBA Odds Page.

Timberwolves vs. Thunder | Western Conference Finals

THE YOUTH

Oklahoma City represents the youngest roster in the NBA today. Yet, they finished with 68-wins and now sit in the Western Conference Finals. This team’s “veteran” is 31-year old Alex Caruso. Caruso is this teams oldest player and quickly became one of their most important in Game 7 against Denver.

Caruso took on the task of guarding Nikola Jokic, frustrating the big man and former-MVP; holding Jokic to just 20 points to go with 9 rebounds and 8 assists. Back to the youth in Oklahoma City; the Thunder’s top-2 leading scorers have a combined age of 50 years old, both Shai and JDub sitting south of 27.

Both players have looked great this postseason and are the reason why Oklahoma City managed to stave the Nuggets.

Raised by Wolves

The Timberwolves are back in the Western Conference Finals and big reason is because of the guy they traded for, Julius Randle. Randle’s averaging 23.9 PPG in the postseason and he only got better against the Warriors. Randle’s 25.2 PPG felt wildly more important than Antman’s 26.2 PPG. He shot 53% from the field and lead the Timberwolves with 7.4 APG.

Anthony Edwards leads the Timberwolves with 26.5 PPG in the postseason and he’s shooting 47% from the field and 39% from beyond the arc. He’s been fantastic this year and it’s why he’s now in his second straight conference finals at just 23 years old.

Timberwolves vs. Thunder | Game Information

Matchup Information

• Location: Paycom Center; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Date: Tuesday, May 20th, 2025
• Tipoff: 8:30 PM EST

(6) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (1) Oklahoma City Thunder | Regular Season Matchups

• Timberwolves (131) @ Thunder  (128) – 2/24/25
• Thunder (130) @ Timberwolves – (123) – 2/23/25
• Thunder (101) @ Timberwolves (116) – 2/13/25
• Timberwolves (105) @ Thunder (113) – 12/31/24

Betting Odds

Odds via BetOnline, an industry leader in the sports betting world.

Our Best Bets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals

Minnesota Timberwolves +7 (-110 via BetOnline)

Minnesota’s got the second best defense among all teams in the postseason, allowing just 101.1 PPG this postseason and holding opponents to 43% from the field. Wings like Jaden McDaniels, Anthony Edwards, and Donte Divincenzo make it easy to defend and when you’ve got a guy like Rudy Gobert in the paint; it’s no surprise they rank #2 among all playoff teams in points allowed in the paint.

Julius Randle has been outstanding not only on the offensive end, but defensively he’s been Minnesota’s most intimidating matchup. Randle saw 40 minutes of matchup time, guarding Lebron James in Round 1; he held LBJ to 40% from the field and 23% from beyond the arc. In Round 2 it was Draymond and Jimmy Butler.

Randle held Dray to 37.5% from the field in 24 minutes of matchup time and held Jimmy Buckets to 1/13 (7.7%) from the field in just 11 minutes of matchup time. He’s been great on both sides of the ball and if this is the Julius we’re going to see moving forward, I think the Timberwolves may be looking at their first NBA Finals in franchise history. 

Don’t forget to sprinkle the Timberwolves ML (+235)

Jaden McDaniels o20.5 PRA (-110 via BetOnline)

Jaden McDaniels is going to be playing a ton of minutes in this series. As the primary matchup on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, McDaniels is in store for plenty of time on the court. McDaniels played 37, 40, and 43 minutes in his last 3 matchups with Oklahoma City and now it’s the postseason. He’s averaging 36 MPG so far in the postseason, sitting behind only Antman (39 MPG) and Julius Randle (38 MPG).

McDaniels has cleared this line in 3 of his 4 games against the Thunder this year. He’s become the Timberwolves go-to one-on-one defender, and with Shai on the opposite side; they’ll need every minute they can get from McDaniels.

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