While without Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, the Minnesota Timberwolves have had to look for new sources of offensive creation. Anthony Edwards can explode at any moment, but opponents focusing on him makes life more difficult.
The Oklahoma City Thunder has the defense to limit Edwards, but that defense struggled in Minnesota in the game before the All-Star Break.
My Thunder vs. Timberwolves predictions and NBA picks turn to an unusual source of Minnesota production, one that succeeded in that game less than two weeks ago.
Tip-off comes at 9:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, February 23.
Thunder vs Timberwolves prediction
My best bet
Jaden McDaniels 20+ points (+230 at bet365)
My analysis
When Julius Randle strained his adductor, the Minnesota Timberwolves suddenly lacked depth in the post. The roster once built to send big body after big body at Nikola Jokic was now down to Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid. Then that became more of a worry as back spasms sidelined Gobert in the last two games.
Be skeptical Gobert returns tonight against the Oklahoma City Thunder. At that point, Minnesota’s front line is down to Naz Reid and Luka Garza. So, add Jaden McDaniels as a power forward.
It has been more successful than you may think, partly because McDaniels has put on more muscle than casual observers have noticed. He has scored 21 points in the last two games without Gobert despite going 2 of 13 from beyond the arc.
McDaniels became more aggressive with Randle sidelined. His usage rate has ticked up to 19.3% in the last nine games, compared to 14.9% before Randle’s injury. Also, McDaniels’s scoring has jumped to 17.9 from 10.5 before Randle went down.
That should set up some comfort in taking McDaniels to clear his points prop of 15.5, but seeking four more points jumps the odds to +230 from -115.
Realize McDaniels has reached 20 points in five of nine games without Randle and the recent ones without Gobert. The massive jump in value fits with those trends, even against the Thunder defense.
Thunder vs Timberwolves same-game parlay
Jaden McDaniels 20+ points
Naz Reid Over 2.5 threes
Timberwolves +8.5
Just as McDaniels has seen more work without Randle, so has Naz Reid. But Reid has not sacrificed the best part of his game, his shooting. He took 5.1 threes per game before Randle’s injury; Reid has shot from beyond the arc 7.8 times per game in the nine games since Randle’s injury.
Against the Thunder just before the break, Reid hoisted nine 3-pointers. If he takes just six, he should threaten this prop. If both McDaniels and Reid add offense, Minnesota should be able to stay within range of Oklahoma City.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Thunder vs Timberwolves odds
Thunder vs Timberwolves live odds
Thunder vs Timberwolves opening odds
- Spread: Oklahoma City -7.0 | Minnesota +7.0
- Moneyline: Oklahoma City -300 | Minnesota +240
- Over/Under: Over 225.5 | Under 225.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Thunder vs Timberwolves spread and Over/Under analysis
- Oklahoma City opened as a seven-point favorite on Saturday evening, climbing to -9.5 by the night’s end.
- That spread returned to -8.5 early Sunday afternoon, perhaps a nod toward Gobert playing but more likely a correct market move to within three buckets.
- The total opened at 225.5 on Saturday evening and jumped to 229, then falling to 227.5 on Sunday.
- Again, that move in the total could suggest Gobert’s back is loosening up, as surprising as that would be.
Thunder vs Timberwolves trend
The Timberwolves have cashed the Over on their team total in 16 of their last 21 games. Find more NBA betting trends for Thunder vs. Timberwolves.
How to watch Thunder vs Timberwolves
| Location | Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Date | Sunday, 2-23-2025 |
| Tip-off | 9:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN, FanDuel Sports Network-Oklahoma, FDSN-NO, TSN |
Thunder vs Timberwolves latest injuries
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