The Minnesota Timberwolves will fight to live for at least another game when they face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5. Meanwhile, the Thunder’s mission is equally simple: to crush the Timberwolves and earn a berth in the 2025 NBA Finals.
Catch this game live on Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 8:30 AM, Manila time.
Away: Minnesota Timberwolves (1-3)
Projected Starting Five:
- Mike Conley
- Anthony Edwards
- Jaden McDaniels
- Julius Randle
- Rudy Gobert
The Timberwolves are in a do-or-die situation the rest of the way in the series against Oklahoma City. Making it harder for them in Game 5 is the fact that they’re playing in enemy territory in what could be their final appearance in the 2024-25 NBA season. The Timberwolves struggled mightily in Oklahoma City in the first two games of the series, shooting just 38.2 percent from the field and 28.9 percent from behind the arc.
But great players do great things when the stakes are high, and that’s what the Timberwolves are looking to see Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle do this Thursday after both had subpar showings in Game 4. In the 128-126 loss to the Thunder last Tuesday, Edwards went 5-for-13 for 16 points while Randle bled for five points on a brutal 1-for-7 shooting. Still, the Timberwolves lost by only two points in large part because the supporting cast stepped up, with Donte DiVincenzo and Nickeil Alexander-Walker joining forces for 44 points.
Home: Oklahoma City Thunder (3-1)
Projected Starting Five:
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
- Luguentz Dort
- Jalen Williams
- Chet Holmgren
- Isaiah Hartenstein
The Thunder are smelling and tasting blood. They will go for the kill at home in Game 5 following a big Game 4 victory, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and company look poised to finally send Minnesota to an early vacation. Despite losing the rebounding battle, shooting worse from the field and from deep, and recording fewer assists than Minnesota, the Thunder still pulled off a win in Game 4.
That’s a testament to Oklahoma City’s ability to find different ways to win. But one constant for the Bolts is the effectiveness of the league MVP. Gilgeous-Alexander went off for 40 points in Game 4, outplaying Edwards and showing everyone why he’s this season’s top dog. Playing in their comfort zone this Thursday, the Thunder could put up an even stronger performance on both sides of the court in Game 4. In Game 1 and Game 2, the Thunder posted a 120.4 offensive rating and limited Minnesota to just 99.1 points per 100 possessions.
Picks
Spread: Oklahoma City Thunder (-8.5)
Over/Under: Over (221.0)
