The top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off a tough seven-game series victory in the semifinals against Denver (4-3), are set to face the rested sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Western Conference Finals this Tuesday. Minnesota reached this stage by quickly dispatching Golden State 4-1 in their semifinal series.
This marks the second consecutive Western Conference Finals appearance for the Timberwolves (49-33), who are striving to reach the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. The Thunder (68-14) are back in the conference finals for the first time since the 2015-2016 season. Their last NBA Finals appearance was in 2011-2012, where they lost in five games to the Miami Heat.
Game 1 is scheduled to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City. According to the latest betting lines, the Thunder are favored by 7 points against the Timberwolves. The over/under for total points scored is set at 218.
Latest Betting Odds
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spread | Oklahoma City -7 |
| Total (Over/Under) | 218 points |
| Moneyline | Oklahoma City -296, Minnesota +238 |
| Expert Picks | Available from SportsLine expert Matt Severance |
| Streaming | FuboTV |
Why the Thunder Could Cover
A driving force behind Oklahoma City`s offense is MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Across 11 playoff starts, the dynamic point guard is averaging 29 points, 6.4 assists, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals over 36.6 minutes per game. He delivered a crucial performance in the Game 7 victory over the Nuggets, scoring 35 points, alongside four assists, three rebounds, and three steals. Earlier, in a Game 6 loss, he contributed 32 points, six assists, and three rebounds.
Forward Jalen Williams provides significant offensive support for the Thunder. In the decisive Game 7 win against Denver, he put up 24 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. He also had a strong performance in Game 3, scoring 32 points with five assists and three rebounds in an overtime loss. Through 11 playoff starts, Williams is averaging 19.6 points, 5.7 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 35 minutes.
Why the Timberwolves Could Cover
The Timberwolves` primary offensive force is shooting guard Anthony Edwards. Across 10 playoff games, all starts, he has averaged 26.5 points, eight rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.5 steals over 39.9 minutes. In the Game 5 series-clinching victory against the Golden State Warriors, he recorded a double-double with 22 points and 12 assists, along with seven rebounds and three blocks in 41 minutes. He also posted 30 points, five assists, four rebounds, and two steals in a Game 4 win.
Power forward Karl-Anthony Towns had a notable series performance against Golden State. In Game 5, he contributed 29 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in 43 minutes. In Game 3, he achieved a triple-double with 24 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds in a 102-97 win. Over his 10 playoff starts, Towns is averaging 23.9 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.9 rebounds in 37.6 minutes. [Note: Stats originally attributed to Julius Randle in the source text are presented here under Karl-Anthony Towns based on team context.]
Expert Analysis Available
Sports betting expert Matt Severance has finalized his prediction for the Timberwolves vs. Thunder game. While he is favoring the Over for the total points, he has identified a critical “X-factor” that makes one side of the point spread a recommended play.
The expert`s full breakdown, including his specific pick and detailed reasoning, is available for those interested in deeper analysis before placing bets.
Jasper Hawthorne