Timberwolves vs Thunder: 3 Player Props and Best Bet for Game 5

After pounding the Oklahoma City Thunder in the third game of the Western Conference Finals, Minnesota came oh-so-close to evening the series in Game 4. The Thunder elected to foul their opponents down the stretch, holding onto a 128-126 victory over the Timberwolves on Monday.

Oklahoma City now has a 3-1 series lead, needing only to win the fifth game of this series to move on to the franchise’s second NBA Finals since relocating. The Thunder last made the NBA Finals over a dozen years ago, and this year’s squad could indeed be the best to play in the Paycom Center.

To make the Timberwolves’ first-ever NBA Finals, Minnesota will need to pull off something that hasn’t happened this season: forcing the Thunder to lose three consecutive games. Can Minnesota start that process with a win on Wednesday? We’ll cover that and provide bettors with our top three player prop bets from tonight’s contest.

Oklahoma City Thunder PG Shai Gilgeous-Alexander UNDER 32.5 Points

For the first time in his seven-year career, Oklahoma City point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took home the NBA’s MVP Award. It was a well-deserved victory after the Canadian led the league in scoring with 32.7 points per night while helping his team finish with the league’s best record.

SGA had a “Thunder”-ous response to his poor showing in Game 3. On Monday, the 6-foot-6 guard exploded for 40 points, the 10th time in 15 games Gilgeous-Alexander has scored 30 or more points.

Will this year’s MVP have another big scoring day on Wednesday to help Oklahoma City clinch their second NBA Finals trip? Bettors should be wary he’ll score 33 points – something he’s done only six times this postseason – after his 40-point showing. Take the under on this player prop bet.

Minnesota Timberwolves SG Anthony Edwards OVER 39.5 Pts + Reb + Ast

It’s the second straight season that Minnesota has reached the Western Conference Finals, and both years were largely due to guard Anthony Edwards. The 23-year-old finished the season averaging 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists for his team.

He’s stepped up those numbers in the postseason, averaging just shy of 26 points, eight rebounds, and six assists per night. After a disastrous Game 4 showing, expect the Timberwolves’ star to be on his game Wednesday, covering his combination prop bet.

Oklahoma City Thunder C Isaiah Hartenstein UNDER 6.5 Rebounds

Oklahoma City found an answer for its center needs when the team added Isaiah Hartenstein this season. The seventh-year veteran averaged 11.2 points and 10.7 rebounds in 57 outings during the regular season, but his production has waned during the Western Conference Finals.

After averaging more than eight rebounds in the previous two series, Hartenstein has yet to produce more than eight in any game thus far.

The seven-footer has played reduced minutes during the past two outings, logging over 20 minutes in only one contest. Bettors should expect him to do that again on Wednesday, and he’ll fail to cover this rebounding prop bet.

Best Bet: Minnesota (+8.5)

This isn’t an upset prediction. Nothing is suggesting that the T’Wolves will pull this upset and force a Game 6 in Minnesota. But after these two teams’ initial games had double-digit margins, the Thunder finally won a close contest against the Timberwolves.

There’s plenty of reason to believe Minnesota will make this a game throughout. With their backs against the wall, I believe the Timberwolves can beat Oklahoma City.

That’s why smart bettors will take the team from the Land of 10,000 Lakes to cover the point spread on Wednesday.