Punctuating Friday night’s NBA slate is a rematch from last season’s Western Conference Finals, as the Minnesota Timberwolves host the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Target Center.
The Thunder (25–2, 1st West) remain overwhelming favorites to repeat as NBA champions and will aim to beat Minnesota for the second time this season, having secured a 113–105 victory in Oklahoma City during NBA Cup group play on Nov. 26. They enter Friday’s game on the second leg of a back-to-back, coming off a 21-point rout of the Los Angeles Clippers at home.
The Wolves (17–10, 6th West) have won seven of nine games since that first meeting and will look to rebound from Wednesday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. And after initially being listed as questionable, superstar guard Anthony Edwards is officially expected to play Friday night.
Here’s a look at the Injury Report:
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Out: Thomas Sorber (Surgical Recovery), Nikola Topic (Surgical Recovery), Jaylin Williams (Heel)
- Questionable: Aaron Wiggins (Adductor)
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Out: Mike Conley (Achilles), Joan Beringer (G League Assignment)
- Questionable: Jaylen Clark (Illness)
Tipoff is set for 9:30 p.m. ET. Oklahoma City enters as a 7.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Minnesota is listed as a +235 underdog. The game’s total is set at 233.5 points.
Thunder vs. Timberwolves Preview
Oklahoma City Thunder Preview
Fresh off winning their first NBA title since relocating to Oklahoma City, the Thunder are wasting no time in pursuit of a second. The defending champs bounced back from their NBA Cup semifinal loss to the San Antonio Spurs — which ended a 16-game winning streak — with a 122–101 beatdown of the Clippers on Thursday night. Back in action just one night later, they’re on pace to break the 2015-16 Warriors’ regular season record with 75 wins.
Oklahoma City pairs a top-five offense with the NBA’s most ferocious defense, tracking to shatter the all-time net rating record with an exceptional 16.6 mark. Their attack is remarkably efficient, ranking second in both points per game and fewest turnovers. Opponents are stymied on the other end, with the Thunder allowing the fewest points per game, holding teams to the lowest field-goal percentage, and forcing the most turnovers.
Anchoring the Thunder is reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a shifty guard averaging 32.4 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game. Around him, Oklahoma City’s supporting cast — Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell, and more — could rival a Marvel movie. The Thunder are brimming with versatile, young talent and are well-positioned to become the league’s next great dynasty.
Minnesota Timberwolves Preview
Losing to the Thunder on Nov. 26 seemingly served as a wake-up call for the Timberwolves. After falling short in Oklahoma City, a defeat that marked its third-straight loss, Minnesota has rattled off seven wins in its last nine games — including statement wins against Boston and San Antonio.
This season, the Wolves rank among the NBA’s top ten in offensive (8th), defensive (9th), and net rating (8th). Superstar guard Anthony Edwards leads the charge, averaging a career-high 28.7 points per game on impressive 50/42/83 splits. Meanwhile, Julius Randle has served as an impeccable No. 2 option, adding 23 points and over seven rebounds a night.
While Oklahoma City boasts the top defense in the league, its perimeter coverage has been spotty at best. Minnesota, armed with sharpshooters like Edwards, Donte DiVincenzo, and Naz Reid, can punish the Thunder from deep. In their last meeting, Minnesota knocked down 17 triples at a scorching 46% clip.
Thunder vs. Timberwolves Pick, Best Bet
While the Wolves could threaten from distance once again, even a “rookie-mode” shooting display in their last meeting wasn’t enough to conquer the defending champion Thunder. Oklahoma City is loaded with depth and consistently dialed in on both ends of the floor, able to capitalize on a Minnesota squad that occasionally falls asleep.
Although marquee matchups come down to the stars, the battle between each team’s leader has recently tilted in OKC’s favor. Gilgeous-Alexander has outscored Edwards in 12 straight regular-season games, most recently dropping 40 to Edwards’ 31 in Cup play.
The Thunder are 5–1 during back-to-back sets, with their lone loss coming by two points to the Trail Blazers nearly two months ago. Count on them to follow suit and cover the 7.5-point spread against the Wolves on Friday night.
