Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves ATS Prediction 01/25/20

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The Minnesota Timberwolves (15-30) welcome the Oklahoma City Thunder (27-19) to Target Center. The Timberwolves look to snap their eight-game losing streak. The game will air on Fox Sports – North at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 25, 2020.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Odds

The last time the Thunder played, they comfortably covered the 2.5-point spread against the Atlanta Hawks, 140-111. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, were topped by the Houston Rockets, 131-124, and failed to cover as 1-point underdogs. Both games went over their projected point totals. The Oklahoma City game finished 40.5 points over the projected point total of 210.5, while the Minnesota game finished 36 points over the projected point total of 219.

The Thunder knocked down 26 of their 34 free throws (76.5 percent) and had an effective field goal percentage of 0.663 (above their season average of 0.531). Minnesota, meanwhile, had an offensive rebounding percentage of 30.2 (above their season average of 22.9). Karl-Anthony Towns had a solid performance for Minnesota with 30 points and 12 rebounds. Danilo Gallinari, meanwhile had a good outing for Oklahoma City, contributing 25 points and six rebounds.

In their two matchups this season, the Thunder have won both. The two teams combined to score 221 points in their most recent game, which was just over the projected point total of 218. Oklahoma City won 117-104, covering as a 2-point favorite. Oklahoma City was successful at getting to and converting from the charity stripe. The Thunder made 23 of their 26 free throws (88.5 percent), while the Timberwolves were 16-21 (76.2 percent). Gilgeous-Alexander put up a triple-double in the victory, with 20 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists.

Of the Thunder’s 45 games with betting action, 24 have finished under the total. Oklahoma City comes into the contest with records of 27-19 straight up (SU) and 29-15-1 against the spread (ATS).

Unlike Oklahoma City, games including the Timberwolves have a slight tendency to go over the total (54.5 percent). Moreover, Minnesota owns records of 15-30 SU and 17-25-2 ATS.

This game should be a showdown of contrasting tempos. Minnesota prefers to play up-tempo (first in possessions per game), while Oklahoma City is slower-paced (23rd in possessions per game). Also, the Thunder are among the NBA’s elite at getting to the line, ranking third in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.230). The Timberwolves, meanhwile, rank 22nd at keeping opponents off the charity stripe with an opponents’ FTA rate of 0.214.

Thunder at Timberwolves ATS Pick

NBA Pick: SU Winner – Thunder, ATS Winner – Thunder, O/U – Over

Betting Notes:

  • The Timberwolves rank 20th in assists per game (23.1) while the Thunder rank 26th (21.9).
  • Minnesota ranks third in three pointers attempted per game (39.3) while Oklahoma City ranks 28th (30.0).
  • The Timberwolves rank fifth in steals per game (8.4) while the Thunder rank 20th (7.4).
  • Minnesota averages 48.9 points in the paint per game, which ranks 10th in the NBA. Oklahoma City ranks 23rd in points allowed in the paint per game (50.0).
  • Oklahoma City ranks first in fast break points allowed per game (10.6) while Minnesota ranks 11th (12.5).
  • The Timberwolves rank seventh in second chance points per game (14.1) while the Thunder rank last (10.7).
  • The Timberwolves rank fourth in blocks per game (6.0) while the Thunder rank 16th (4.9).
  • Oklahoma City ranks 10th in rebounds allowed per game (44.3) while Minnesota ranks 29th (48.0).
  • In games where they allow under 100 points, Minnesota is 2-1 and Oklahoma City is 7-3.
  • The Thunder are 26-12 when they score above 100 points, while the Timberwolves are 14-23.
  • Minnesota is 5-15-1 ATS at home, while Oklahoma City is 17-5 ATS on the road.
  • The total has gone under in 13 of the Thunder’s 22 road games, while 11 of the Timberwolves’ 21 home games have gone under.

Bettings Trends:

  • The Thunder are 3-2 ATS over their last five games, while the Timberwolves are 1-4.
  • In their last five games, Oklahoma City has 4 overs and 1 under, while Minnesota has 3 overs and 2 unders.
  • The Thunder’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 9.2, up from 2.4 for the season.
  • During their last five games, the Timberwolves have scored an average of 112.0 points per game (0.6 above their season average) and allowed an average of 118.6 points per game (3.6 above their season average).