NBA Picks: Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The Oklahoma City Thunder will look to end their three-game road losing streak when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night. The Thunder have won seven straight against the Timberwolves, including the last four games played at the Target Center.
The Thunder come in off a disappointing loss to the Hornets, where they led by as many as 15-points and turned the ball over in the final seconds, giving New Orleans the opportunity to win the game, which they did 91-89.
Minnesota comes in off a 129-125 defeat at home against the Rockets on Monday. The Timberwolves have lost four straight, and are just 1-9 in their last 10 games.
Taking a look at the NBA spreads for tonight’s action, oddsmakers have the Thunder favored by five points over the Timberwolves with the total set at 220.5.
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This is the third time these two teams will face off this season. The Thunder won 117-107 at home on Nov.22, and beat the Timberwolves 11-103 on their home court. Minnesota blew a six-point lead late in the first matchup, and then blew a 19-point deficit at home.
While the Thunder have won the first two games, their focus has to be on getting off to a good start and not allowing the Timberwolves to stick around.
Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook will be the key to that happening. Durant had just 22 points against the Hornets, while Westbrook had just 18 to go along with his 10 assists. Oklahoma City did get 19 points from Jeff Green, but for this team to be effective they need more than 40 points out of Durant and Westbrook, especially on the road.
Minnesota continues to put up great offensive numbers, but they still don’t play any defense. In their last game against the Rockets, they allowed Houston the Rockets to make 14 of 30 three-point shots, and shoot 49% from the field on the game.
Kevin Love had another impressive night with 24 points, 17 rebounds, and 7 assists, but it doesn’t seem to matter what he does offensively, the Timberwolves just continue to lose. Wesley Johnson came off the bench to score 19, Luke Ridnour added 18, and Michael Beasley had 16.
Minnesota needs to find a way to get Beasley going offensively. In the month of January, Beasley is averaging just 14.7 points a game. Beasley had averaged nearly 23 a game in both November and December.
I think you have to take your chances on the Thunder in this one. Oklahoma City has the ability to play defense, so even if the Timberwolves get off to a great start, there is a good chance the Thunder will come back and win this game.
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