Timberwolves vs. Thunder | NBA Analysis, Odds, & Best Bets (5/22)

The 2025 NBA Playoffs are officially underway and today we're here to talk about Game 2 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 | Game 1 Recap

Result: Thunder (114) – Timberwolves (88)

The Western Conference Finals started with a dud. The Thunder blew out the Timberwolves and all anyone wanted to talk about was Shai's 14 free throw attempts.

Oklahoma City just simply looked like the better team. They shot better from the field, from beyond the arc and even from the free throw line.

The Timberwolves looked rusty from the jump, the team shot just 35% from the field and missed a countless number of wide open 3s.

Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 28 points and 8 rebounds in Game 1. Antman's struggles the Thunder continued, recording just 18 points on 38% from the field. He's now scores 23 or fewer points in 4 of his 5 matchups with Oklahoma City this year.

For Oklahoma City it was their MVP that stepped up to the plate. Shai finished with 31 points and 9 assists, finishing just 1 assist shy of the double-double. Jalen Williams pitched in 19 points with Chet scoring 15 in 67% from the field.

Raised by Puppies?

The Timberwolves are back in the Western Conference Finals but in Game 1 it looked like they didn't belong. Julius Randle has been one of the best stories of the postseason. Randle's averaging 24.6 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 struggled against Oklahoma City this year but with a player of Ant's caliber, it won't be long till we see an offensive explosion from the young guard.

Timberwolves vs. Thunder | Game 2

Matchup Information

• Location: Paycom Center; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Date: Thursday, May 22nd, 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 2 of the Western Conference Finals

Julius Randle o12.5 A/R (+110 via BetOnline)

The Timberwolves Towers

Randle has arguably been the Timberwolves most consistent player this postseason and that's no knock on Antman; he's just been that good. Julius is averaging a 24.6 PPG on shooting splits of 52/39/88 and averaging 6.1 RPG and 5.5 APG.

Randle finished with 8 rebounds and just 1 assist in Game 1, despite dishing out 10 potential assists. Minnesota just couldn't get the lid off the basket.The team took 51 3-point attempts, only made 25% of those attempts and scored just 88 points as a team. Minnesota looked rusty and like the days off did more harm, than good.

Randle has recorded 10+ potential assists in both of his games against the Thunder this year, also recording multiple offensive rebounds in both games.

Oklahoma City won the battle on the glass in Game 1, but that had more to do with the amount of shots the Timberwolves missed. Minnesota had the advantage on the offensive glass, recording 12 offensive rebounds to Oklahoma City's 9.

Tonight after getting embarrassed in Game 1, look for Minnesota to hit those open shots, score more points and really take it to the Thunder tonight.

Timberwolves vs Thunder o217 (-110 via BetOnline)

The Timberwolves are not a team that thrives after extended breaks. The team was rested for Game 1, but so rusty. The team shot 35% from the field and 71% from the free throw line. Minnesota ranked 9th this year in team free throw percentage (79%) but you wouldn't know that watching the series opener.

The two teams combined for 47 free throw attempts and after a chippy Game 1, I expect the referees to continue with a tight whistle.

The Thunder shot 50% from the field, 53% from beyond the arc and scored 54 points in the paint. Oklahoma City scored 31 points off turnovers and it's something they pride themselves on.

Tonight in Game 2, I'm expecting for that same intensity from the Thunder, as well as some positive regression for the Timberwolves.

Jaden McDaniels o19.5 PRA (-119 via BetOnline)

Jaden McDaniels picked up 6 fouls in just 23 minutes of game time in the series opener. Mainly due to being the primarry defender on Shai, but also due to some terrible officiating.

McDaniels is going to be playing a ton of minutes in this series, if the white stripes allow it. He's played 37, 40, and 43 minutes in his last 3 matchups with Oklahoma City prior to 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 5 games against the Thunder this year, so I'm going right back.

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