The Oklahoma CIty Thunder are battling for one of the final spots in the Western Conference and must keep accumulating victories against inferior competition. One such of those games comes on Christmas when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Minnesota is poor defensively which could allow for a big game from Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook. He will be the most talented player on the court and is the reason why the Thunder will be favored to win this matchup.
At 8 p.m. ET, tune into ESPN for live television coverage of this NCAA basketball game on Sunday, December 25, 2016, at Chesapeake Energy Arena.
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Odds Analysis
The Thunder is 16-12 straight up and 13-15 against the spread on the season. Oklahoma City has covered in nine of its 17 home games this year and is 10-9 against the spread as the favorite.
The Timberwolves are 8-19 overall and just 10-17 against the spread as expectations were that they would be an improved group this season. Minnesota has played 13 games on the road but has only covered in four of those matchups. The Timberwolves have been the underdog 15 times this season and are only 5-10 against the spread.
Player to Watch
Russell Westbrook – The Thunder’s superstar point guard is leading the team in scoring, rebounds and assists, averaging a triple double this season with 30.9 points a game, 10.5 rebounds a game and 10.9 assists. Westbrook put up 46 points in a recent matchup against the Hawks on December 19th and despite the loss, also had 11 rebounds and seven assists.
Westbrook scored a season-high 51 points against the Suns back in October and also scored 41 against the Magic on November 13th. He is averaging 30.4 points a game and has had four triple-doubles in the month of December.
Westbrook was expected to take on a bigger role after the offseason departure of Kevin Durant, but he’s surpassed even the highest of expectations. The Timberwolves have some athletic players but no one with the savviness to hold down a player at the level of Westbrook.
Key Stat
4-10. This is the Timberwolves record on the road so far this season. The team faces another tough road test on Christmas Day, taking on a red-hot Westbrook and the Thunder.
The Timberwolves last two roads were on December 13th when the team defeated the Chicago Bulls 99-94 and then last time out in Atlanta, so they hope to keep up that momentum. Minnesota also had a road win against the Charlotte Hornets on December 3rd, winning in overtime by a score of 125-120.
Minnesota has a really young core, and those type of teams generally struggle on the road. The Thunder should have a raucous home crowd and the location of this game certainly contributes to the fact that Oklahoma City is expected to come away with the victory.
Free NBA ATS Pick
With Karl Anthony-Towns and Andrew Wiggins leading the way, Minnesota has some enticing young players who could make this team better in the near future. However, that time is not now, as the group is still learning how to win.
The Thunder are the better team in large part because Westbrook has been one of the best players in the NBA this season. Without him on the court the Timberwolves may actually have the advantage, but expect Westbrook to put up huge numbers and lead his team to victory.
It’s an important game for Oklahoma City and one it will be favored to win. The Timberwolves have not shown the ability to overcome adversity against good teams on the road and that trend will continue in this matchup.
NBA Odds: Thunder 111, Timberwolves 103
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