Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction & Picks - NBA

Prediction published on 5/20/25, 5:23 PM  by Erik Gibbs in NBA Picks

The stage is set for an intense Western Conference Finals matchup as the Minnesota Timberwolves face the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 at the Paycom Center tonight. The Timberwolves enter the series with confidence and momentum, having dropped only two games throughout the postseason.

Despite flying under the radar as the playoffs began, they’ve steadily asserted themselves as legitimate contenders, dispatching the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round and then knocking out the Golden State Warriors in the second. Their ability to overcome experienced teams with championship pedigree has made them one of the more compelling stories of the postseason.

This marks a return to the Conference Finals for Minnesota, who suffered a five-game defeat in this round last year. But this time, they appear more balanced, more seasoned, and potentially better equipped for the challenge.

The Thunder, on the other hand, entered the playoffs as the top seed and favorites to win the West. They lived up to that billing early on, sweeping the Memphis Grizzlies in the opening round. However, their path became much more treacherous in the second round, where they battled the defending champion Denver Nuggets in a grueling seven-game series.

The Thunder ultimately emerged with a dominant 125-93 win in Game 7, but the quick turnaround gives them less recovery time compared to Minnesota’s five-day rest period. Head coach Mark Daigneault now has a short window to prepare his squad for a rested and motivated Timberwolves team.