2025 NBA Western Conference finals odds, Game 5 picks: Timberwolves vs. Thunder predictions from proven expert

The Oklahoma City Thunder will look to close out their best-of-seven series with the Minnesota Timberwolves when they meet in Game 5 of their 2025 NBA Western Conference finals series on Wednesday. Oklahoma City grabbed a 3-1 series lead with a 128-126 win on Monday. The Timberwolves (49-33), who are looking to reach the NBA Finals for the first time, are 4-3 on the road this postseason. The Thunder (68-14), who are looking to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2011-2012, are 7-1 on their home court during the playoffs.

Tipoff from Paycom Center in Oklahoma City is set for 8:30 p.m. ET. The Thunder are 8.5-point favorite in the latest Timberwolves vs. Thunder odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, while the over/under for total points scored is 220.5. Before making any Thunder vs. Timberwolves picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions from SportsLine’s Matt Severance, who is SportsLine’s No. 1 expert and is on a huge 163-91 roll on his NBA picks that has returned more than 32 units. 

Now, Severance has analyzed Thunder vs. Timberwolves and just revealed his coveted NBA picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several NBA odds and NBA betting lines for Timberwolves vs. Thunder. New users can utilize a DraftKings promo code, a FanDuel promo code or a BetMGM promo code to get started. 

Why the Thunder can cover

Point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is coming off a near triple-double in the Game 4 win at Minnesota. In that game, he poured in 40 points, dished out 10 assists and grabbed nine rebounds. He had 38 points, eight assists, three steals and three rebounds in a 118-103 win in Game 2. In 15 postseason games, all starts, he is averaging 29.5 points, 6.9 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 36.7 minutes.

Also helping power Oklahoma City is forward Jalen Williams. In 15 playoff starts, he is averaging 20.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.7 steals in 34.7 minutes. He scored a postseason-high 34 points with five assists, three rebounds and three steals in the Game 4 triumph. He registered a double-double in the Game 2 win, scoring 26 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out five assists. See which team to back at SportsLine.

Why the Timberwolves can cover

Shooting guard Anthony Edwards will try to keep Minnesota’s season alive. In 14 playoff starts, he is averaging 25.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.2 steals in 39 minutes. He has three near double-doubles in the series, including two 30-point efforts. In the Game 3 win, Edwards finished with 30 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two steals. He had 32 points, nine rebounds and six assists in the 118-103 loss in Game 2.

Power forward Julius Randle is one of seven Timberwolves players, who are averaging 8.3 points or better this postseason. In 14 playoff starts, Randle is averaging 21.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 35.9 minutes. He scored 24 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out three assists in Game 3. In the series opener, he poured in 28 points, while grabbing eight rebounds. See which team to back at SportsLine. 

How to make Timberwolves vs. Thunder picks

Now, Severance has locked in another confident against-the-spread pick for Timberwolves vs. Thunder. He is leaning Over on the total, but he knows a crucial X-factor makes one side of the spread a must-back. You absolutely need to see what it is before locking in any picks of your own.  

So who wins Thunder vs. Timberwolves, and what X-factor makes one side of the spread hit hard? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Thunder vs. Timberwolves spread to jump on, all from the expert who is up 32 units on his NBA picks, and find out.