Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 5 Prediction: Western Conference Finals

The Oklahoma City Thunder can punch their ticket to the NBA Finals when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday at the Paycom Center on ESPN.

Oklahoma City grabbed a 3-1 series lead with a 128-126 win over Minnesota in Game 4. It was the only game of the Western Conference finals decided by fewer than 15 points.

The Thunder are huge favorites to finish the series on Wednesday.

Here’s a look at the latest NBA odds for Timberwolves vs. Thunder and my prediction ahead of Wednesday’s Game 5 of the Western Conference finals:

Timberwolves vs. Thunder Odds: Game 5

• Timberwolves spread: +8.5
• Thunder spread: -8.5
• Total: 220.5

Timberwolves vs. Thunder Game 5 Prediction

Based on the updated NBA betting lines, I‘m taking the under on Minnesota’s team total (105.5) as my Game 5 prediction for the Timberwolves vs. Thunder matchup in the Western Conference finals.

These two teams have cleared the closing total in three straight games since the under came through in the opener:

• Game 4: OKC 128, MIN 126 (Over 219)
• Game 3: MIN 143, OKC 101 (Over 216.5)
• Game 2: OKC 118, MIN 103 (Over 218)
• Game 1: OKC 114, MIN 88 (Under 219.5)

I expect an outcome closer to Game 1, which is why I’d be willing to take the under on a game total that has climbed up to 220.5. It’s the highest total of the WCF, despite the fact that scoring typically goes down deeper in a series.

However, I’d prefer to fade Minnesota’s team total instead.

The Wolves are facing elimination and seemingly have no answer for scoring on the top-ranked defense. That’s why I project a few points of value on this team total ahead of Game 5.

Game 5 prediction: Timberwolves under 105.5 points (-110)