The National Basketball Association (NBA) has a single playoff game on tap for Thursday night, as the Minnesota Timberwolves meet the Oklahoma City Thunder for Game 2 of their best-of-seven Western Conference Final series.
Tip-off at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. The game can be viewed or streamed on ESPN.
Let’s keep building that bankroll for the stretch run with our best NBA bets for Thursday, May 22nd.
Thursday’s Best NBA Playoffs Picks
NBA odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All picks are for 1 unit
Minnesota Timberwolves (+260) at Oklahoma City Thunder (-320) | O/U 214.5 (-112/-108)
The Minnesota Timberwolves strolled into Paycom Center in Oklahoma City for Game 1 with quite a bit of confidence, posting an 8-2 straight up (SU) and against the spread (ATS) record in the first 10 playoff games, ousting both the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors in five games apiece. It could still happen against Oklahoma City, but Minnesota got off on the wrong foot.
In Tuesday’s Game 1, the Thunder picked up a 114-88 victory as 7-point favorites as the under (219.5) cashed. Julius Randle certainly did his part, hitting 9-of-13 from the field, including 5-of-6 from behind the three-point line, while ending up with a team-best 28 points, eight rebounds, one assist and a steal. Anthony Edwards had 18 points and three triples in 37 minutes, but he was blanked in the fourth quarter, as the Thunder outscored the Timberwolves by a 38-to-22 margin.
Minnesota shot just 34.9% (29-of-83) from the field, and only 29.4% (15-of-51) from behind the three-point line, while knocking down 71.4% (15-of-21) from the charity stripe. The Timberwolves will want to take better care of the ball, as they turned it over 17 times. Minnesota was also a -4 in the rebounding department, while managing just five steals.
When you look at the overall score of the game, it’s hard to believe the Timberwolves led 48-44 at halftime. NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went 10-of-27 from the field, finishing with a game-high 31 points, nine assists, five rebounds and three steals. He misfired on all four of his three-pointer attempts in 38 minutes, perhaps the only thing Gilgeous-Alexander prop bettors, DFS managers and postseason fantasy managers can complain about.
The Thunder had four starters go for 12+ points, with Jalen Williams rolling up 19 points with eight boards, five dimes and five steals. Chet Holmgren was good for 15 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two blocked shots and a steal, while hitting his only three-pointer attempt.
Oklahoma City was an impressive 50% (41-of-82) from the field, while going an even better 52.4% (11-of-21) from long distance, while cashing in at an 80.8% (21-of-26) clip from the free-throw line. The Thunder turned it over just 12 times, while recording 13 steals to just five for Minnesota.
We’ll back the Thunder to get the job done by at least four buckets again, and let’s roll with the over this time, as the Timberwolves’ offense should be a lot better. If it plays a 48-minute game, and not just a 30-minute or so game, Minnesota could give Oklahoma City a run for its money.
For player props, back Anthony Edwards (-330) to get to at least 20 points, although you’ll need to bet more than three times your potential return on a standalone wager. This prop play is not recommended straight up, but only as part of a same-game parlay, preferably with a boost or promo.
Lastly, Cason Wallace might not be the first name that rolls off the tip of your tongue when discussing Thunder players. He might not even be the fifth or sixth, but he played 33 minutes in Game 1, hitting one of his three shots from downtown. The 21-year-old has at least one triple in three straight games, and five of the past seven outings. He is a good bet to fold into a four-leg SGP, giving you a chance to multiply your initial wager by nearly five times.
- Picks: Thunder -7.5 (-114) & Over 214.5 Points (-112)
