Timberwolves vs Thunder Game 2 Preview & Prediction (May 22, 2025)
Ok, so Game 1 was kind of a sh*tshow. Sorry about the language, but there really isn’t any other way to describe what happened.
What looked like it would be close during the first two quarters turned into a massacre—the Thunder outscored Minnesota 70–40 in the second half. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander got 31 points and had nine assists—there were zero turnovers after halftime. They picked the Wolves apart possession by possession.
But there’s some controversy brewing around the ref’s whistles. SGA drew 13 fouls and made 11 free throws, which made fans and analysts suspicious. It wasn’t only the volume—it was also the timing and touch fouls that drove the “free throw merchant” talk postgame.
Anthony Edwards never got into any kind of groove. He rolled his ankle early in the game, picked up cheap fouls, and didn’t play like the Edwards we’ve seen in past games. He says he’s fine, but Minnesota cannot afford a repeat of Game 1. If they don’t get it together, the series could get away from them before they’re back on home court.
Game Details
- Matchup: Minnesota Timberwolves (#6) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (#1)
- Series Status: OKC leads 1-0
- Date & Time: Thursday, May 22, at 8:30 pm ET
- Location: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City
- Broadcast: ESPN, NBA League Pass
Prediction Breakdown
35.1%
64.9%
According to GamblingSite.com
Game 1 Recap
Final Score: Thunder 114, Timberwolves 88
Oklahoma City ran away after the break. What started out as a pretty even first half turned into a blowout, as the Thunder buried Minnesota to take the series lead.
Key Performers
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC): 31 points, 9 assists, 11-for-11 from the free-throw line.
- Julius Randle (MIN): 28 points, 5 turnovers—he got buckets but struggled with ball security during the second half.
Notable Stats
- Thunder outscored the Wolves 70–40 in the second half.
- Minnesota hit only 29% from deep (15-of-51).
- Oklahoma City shot 52% overall, turning defense into easy looks.
Injury Report
Who’s playing in Game 2 and who’s out? Look below for the injury report:
Minnesota
- Anthony Edwards (ankle): Questionable. Edwards played through a first-quarter ankle roll in Game 1 but wasn’t moving quite the same down the stretch. He says he’s good to go, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.
Oklahoma City Thunder
- Nikola Topić (knee): Out. He’s still recovering, and he’s not expected to come back during this series.
Key Matchups
Game 2 won’t be determined by one adjustment—it’s going to hinge on if Minnesota can win a few of the matchups that went the wrong way in Game 1.
Anthony Edwards vs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
This is the headline battle. SGA ran the offense on his terms in Game 1—he got into the paint, got to the line, and didn’t force anything. If Edwards isn’t 100%, or if the foul thing keeps happening, Minnesota’s uphill climb gets a lot steeper. Edwards has to pressure the rim and make SGA work defensively.
Timberwolves’ Bench vs. Thunder’s Depth
This wasn’t remotely close in Game 1. OKC’s bench held up its end of the bargain with Isaiah Joe, Cason Wallace, and Hartenstein—all put in solid minutes. Minnesota’s bench? Basically invisible. They got very little creation, didn’t space the floor, and bled points when Edwards sat. If that doesn’t change? We could see a repeat of Game 1.
Betting Odds
Here is where the odds sit via ESPN BET going into Game 2:
- Spread: Thunder -7.5
- Total Points (O/U): 214
- Moneyline: Thunder -310, Timberwolves +250
Oddsmakers haven’t changed much after Game 1—OKC’s home-court advantage and overall form mean that they are still the favorites.
Best Bets for Game 2
If you’re putting down cash on Game 2, the following are what we feel are the best bets!
- Thunder -7.5 – Oklahoma City won Game 1, and they did it by controlling every important stretch after halftime. They’ve covered the number in four straight, so unless Minnesota suddenly has an epiphany and figures out how to slow the Thunder’s guards and get reliable scorers from their bench, that spread is in play again.
- Under 214 Total Points – These are two of the better defensive teams left in the playoffs. Game 1 landed well under, and neither side is playing fast bball. And if shooting doesn’t improve drastically—especially on Minnesota’s end—this total is still leaning low.
- Julius Randle Over 19.5 Points – Randle was the only solid source of offense for the Timberwolves in Game 1. If Edwards isn’t 100% or is limited again, Minnesota’s going to rely totally on Randle to get to his spots. He should get the volume.
Our Game 2 Forecast: Who Has the Advantage?
Game 1 laid it out pretty well—Oklahoma City was running things, disrupted everything Minnesota tried to do in the second half, and didn’t cede control once they got it. If the Wolves don’t tighten things up? They’re headed home down 0–2.
- The Thunder’s defense set the tone. They cut off driving lanes, rotated with purpose, and forced Minnesota into bad shots and worse decisions. It was disruption from start to end.
- Minnesota has to stay dialed in after the break. The game was close in the first half, but their third quarter was a mess. The looks were there, but the ball didn’t move, and the floor spacing evaporated.
- Edwards still isn’t at his best. He says he’s fine to play, but the burst wasn’t there in Game 1. If he can’t turn the corner or stay out of foul trouble, the Wolves are going to need a near-perfect game from Randle just to stay in this thing.
Final Prediction for Game 2: Thunder 107, Timberwolves 99
This isn’t a have-to-win for Oklahoma City, but it would be nice for them to get some extra room and not have it tied up at 1-1. They’re playing like a team that doesn’t want to give Minnesota any air. Game 1 showed off OKC’s better decision-making, better shot selection, and production from the full rotation.
Minnesota can close the gap if Edwards looks more like himself and the bench shows up, but that’s a big ask on the road against a team like the Thunder. Unless something miraculous happens, OKC has the advantage again.
- Thunder covers the spread.
- The game stays under the total.
- Randle leads Minnesota in scoring, but it won’t be enough.
Remember to keep a close eye on the odds up until gametime as they can change at anytime. And always bet responsibly!
