Timberwolves vs Thunder NBA Game 3 Pick: Can Minnesota Avoid An 0-3 Deficit? (May 24)

• The Oklahoma City Thunder have stormed out to a 2-0 lead in dominating fashion.
• Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves look to regroup on their home court over the next two games.
• These squads last played on May 22, with the Thunder claiming a 15-point victory.

Saturday’s NBA slate features the Minnesota Timberwolves hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. Will Minnesota get on the board in our Timberwolves vs Thunder Game 3 pick?

Timberwolves vs Thunder Game 2 Recap

After a 26-point win in the series opener, the Thunder defeated the Timberwolves in Game 2 by a 118-103 margin to take a 2-0 lead in this conference finals series. After being named the league’s most valuable player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander put together another brilliant performance.

He scored a game-high 38 points on 12-for-21 shooting from the field and 13-for-15 from the charity stripe. The newly-crowned MVP also had eight assists and three steals.

As good as SGA was, he was not a one-man show. Jalen Williams added 26 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Chet Holmgren finished with 22 points and collected four rebounds.

Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards paced the Timberwolves’ offense with 32 points, nine rebounds, and six assists on 12-of-26 shooting overall and a less-than-stellar 1-of-9 showing from beyond the arc.

Jaden McDaniels contributed 22 points, knocking down four of his eight attempts from 3-point range. Nickeil Alexander-Walker led the second unit with 17 points.

The Thunder held a 58-50 advantage at the break before seizing control of the game in the third period. During the game-changing stretch, they outscored Minnesota 35-21, extending the lead to 93-71 going into the final frame.

Although the Timberwolves got within 10 points, the home team made enough plays down the stretch to secure another double-digit victory.

Timberwolves vs Thunder Game 3 Pick: Can Minnesota Slow Down OKC?

Following a pair of road losses, Minnesota enters this matchup as a 2.5-point underdog, according to BetOnline. Here are a few betting trends for both sides looking ahead to Game 3.

• The Timberwolves are 15-5 straight-up (SU) in their last 20 games.
• Minnesota is 9-4 against the spread in its previous 13 outings against Northwest Division opponents.
• The Thunder are 6-3 in their last nine contests against the Thunder.
• However, OKC has not covered the spread in its previous five matchups.

In Games 1 and 2, the Thunder looked virtually unstoppable. But the next two games are at the Target Center, where the Timberwolves are 4-1 in the playoffs. With that in mind, look for Edwards and Co. to bounce back.