The National Basketball Association (NBA) has single game on tap, as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves shift their Western Conference Finals best-of-seven series to the Twin Cities. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET, and it can be viewed or streamed on ABC.
Let’s keep building that bankroll for the stretch run with our best NBA bets for Saturday, May 24.
Saturday’s Best NBA Picks
NBA odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All picks are for 1 unit
Oklahoma City Thunder (-144) at Minnesota Timberwolves (+122) | O/U 218 (-110/-110)
The Thunder picked up a 114-88 victory at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City in Game 1 against the Timberwolves, cashing as a 7-point favorite. In Game 2, OKC posted the 118-103 win as an 8-point favorite, hitting the Over (218).
Oklahoma City has won just once in the past three road playoff games, winning Game 4 of the Denver series. The Thunder have covered three in a row after going 0-4 ATS from Game 3 through Game 6 against the Nuggets. The Thunder are still just 4-7 ATS in the past 11 playoff games since opening the postseason with two straight wins and covers.
The Over has connected in three of the past four games for Oklahoma City, while going 6-4 in the past 10 playoff contests.
For Minnesota, it had cold water splashed on it after winning and covering the final four games of the Golden State series in the second round. It’s the first time Minnesota hasn’t covered in back-to-back games since April 5-8 in the regular season.
The Over has hit in three of the past four games for the Timberwolves, while going 6-4 in the past 10 outings. On its home floor, Minnesota is 4-1 SU and ATS in five playoff games, while the Over is also 4-1.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s newest Most Valuable Player (MVP), hit 12-of-21 from the field in Game 2, ending up with 38 points, eight assists, three rebounds and three steals with a 3-pointer and just a single turnover in 42 minutes. Jalen Williams also had a strong game, going for 26 points with 10 rebounds, five assists, a pair of 3-pointers and one steal in 39 minutes. Chet Holmgren also chipped in with 22 points.
For Minnesota, it hit just 41.4% (36-of-87) from the field in Game 2, while going just 28.2% (11-of-39) from distance. Anthony Edwards did his best, going for 32 points on 12-of-26 from the field, although he was just 1-of-9 from downtown. Jaden McDaniels was good for 22 points, including four 3-pointers, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker produced 17 points off the bench in 25 minutes, hitting three treys.
OKC was just plus-1 on rebounds in Game 2, but the key was in turnovers. Minnesota committed 14 miscues, while Oklahoma City had just six turnovers.
In Game 3, as the series shifts to the Twin Cities, let’s take the Timberwolves on the moneyline, while they try to make a series of it. The Over has cashed in three of the previous four meetings, so let’s go with the Over in Game 3, too.
As an added bonus, let’s have a little fun with some player props, as well. Playing the first basket is like finding a needle in a haystack. It’s tough, as there are so many other options. But, playing Gilgeous-Alexander (+500) – First Basket for the chance to multiply up by five times is certainly worth a roll of the dice.
Also, Jalen Williams has had a nice series, going for 22.5 PPG in the first two games, including 26 against Minnesota in Game 2. However, he has had 20+ points in just two of the past six games. Let’s go Jalen Williams – Under 20.5 Points (+100) at even-money.
Picks: Timberwolves Moneyline (+122) & Over 218 Points (-110)
