The Minnesota Timberwolves will battle the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first game of the Western Conference Finals tonight.
This will be the Timberwolves’ second consecutive Western Conference Finals. Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder finished as the conference’s best team in the regular season. This should be an exciting series.
That said, I’ve added my best NBA bet for this game and share my reasoning below. Check it out and consider tailing.
Tuesday’s Best NBA Playoffs Bets
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder have been the best defensive team in the NBA playoffs. They’ve limited opponents to 103.9 points per 100 possessions and have held playoff teams to a 48.5% effective field goal rate. They have also earned a high rate of turnovers. However, the Thunder have also allowed 30.8% of offensive rebounds and a 23.7% free-throw rate.
That’s where the Thunder can get burned defensively. The Timberwolves will need to limit turnovers. But if they can do that, the offense should add a bunch of second chances and earn many trips to the foul line.
On the other hand, the Timberwolves have been the second-best defensive team in the NBA playoffs. The Thunder haven’t shot a very good effective field goal rate, but have at least limited turnovers to 10.1% in the playoffs. Meanwhile, Minnesota has also allowed nearly 29% of offensive rebounds per game in the playoffs and has given up a 22.6% free-throw rate. The Thunder should also take advantage of the glass and gain many free throws. It’s also likely the Thunder keep turnovers down at home against the Timberwolves, even with Minnesota averaging 16.7% of turnovers per game.
Many will expect the Thunder to struggle offensively after a seven-game series win. But Game 7 was over by the third quarter. The Thunder will be alive, especially at home. Minnesota has a bunch of scoring options. Over the last two wins against the Warriors, it was Julius Randle who led Minnesota in scoring – not Anthony Edwards. If Randle continues his hot stretch, the Timberwolves will be difficult to guard, even for the Thunder.
Let’s back the over.
Pick: Over 216 Points (-112)
