Oklahoma City Thunder is a heavy favorites while hosting the 1st game of the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday, but they will face a well -rested Minnesota Timberwolves team.
Thunder has not played since Timberwolves eliminated Golden State six days ago.
Rates and trends
Thunder is a consensus of 7.5 points. This is a popular Underdog with Timberwolves’s 67 percent of the tickets and 69 percent of the money support them.
Over on the total betting line of 216.5 points pulled 92 percent of the money. This, despite each of the last four playoff matches of Minnesota, entered under the total score line as Underdog.
Propils
-Alex Caruso 2+ 3 -point FGS Made (+110 at Bapers): Caruso has emptied at least two three points at four of Thunder’s last five matches. It offers an even more attractive payment at +280 to hit three or more on Tuesday night.
-Julius Randle over 19.5 points (in Draftkings -125): Randle made an effort for 29 points in 5 games against Minnesota’s Golden State and received an average of 25.2 points for the series. This, after winning an average of 22.6 points against the Lakers in the previous series, Randle received more than 20 points in eight of 10 Playoff matches.
Playoff History
Timberwolves is in the conference finals for the third time in the second season and dates. Minnesota has never moved to the NBA finals.
Oklahoma City has been looking for the first NBA finals in the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2016 and since 2012.
Feel defensive
In the series, there are two of the best defenses of the NBA in both the normal season and playoffs.
Thunder, in 11 playoff matches, has the best of 101.6 defense, which is the best of this season – permissible per 100 goods -. Minnesota’s 106.8 defense degree is second.
New star age
In the match, there are also the best young stars of the league in the Anthony Edwards of Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Timberwolves.
Gilgeous-Alexander is an average of 29.0 points, 6.4 assists and 5.9 rebounds, 26.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists this season.
Gilgeous-Alexander, the front runner of the most valuable player dignity, is looking forward to matching against Cousin Nickeil Alexander-Walker from Minnesota.
The two players were born in Toronto in less than two months, and both joined Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, both.
“It will be very fun, Gil Gilgeous-Alexander said. “It’s hard to explain. If you know how close we’re, it’s literally like my second brother. It has passed through every stage of life – we have gone through every situation to get a basketball to prepare the NBA. To be special for both of us, to compete even more specially.
“But I’m definitely trying to get his head.”
In the 2023 game game, Alexander-Walker helped to hold his cousin for a 19-firing night.
Alexander-Walker said Gilgeous-Alexander’s consistency lifted him to a different level.
Alexander-Walker, “This comes from effort, hard work, first hand and discipline,” I have not seen anyone else. “I haven’t seen a discipline like him. So this is the main reason why people think they’re making a leap when it really can be constantly, because it’s very disciplined in his approach. “
Season Series
The teams divided the four -match season series and divided their two matches in Oklahoma City.
Rudy Gibert from Minnesota played only one of these games – the loss of New Year’s Eve – Chet Holmgren appeared in two games for Thunder.
Thunder Coach Mark Daigneault, “Apples for apples, I do not know if these games are the perfect frame to look at the series.” He said. “It will be different.”
GUESS
Timberwolves, according to Bapers, played with the advantage of a rest in 16 of the last 17 matches, spread as a Underdog. Therefore, even though Minnesota will be forced to take a big way in the game 1, don’t be surprised to see that it covers them. -116, Timberwolves 110
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