We have two NBA props for this Thursday, and I'm focused on a pair of key players who could be in line for noteworthy performances in Game 2 between the Timberwolves and Thunder tonight.
Continue below for my NBA player props for Thursday, May 22.
NBA Player Props for Thursday, May 22
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 38.5 Points + Assists (-125, BetMGM)
- Julius Randle Over 19.5 Points (-115, BetMGM)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 38.5 Points + Assists
Timberwolves vs Thunder, 8:30 p.m. ET
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander received his first MVP award yesterday. However, he did not look like the MVP in the first half on Tuesday as he went 2-for-13 from the field in the first half.
He picked it up in the second half and finished with 31 points. However, he was strong as a facilitator all game.
SGA had nine assists and just two turnovers against Minnesota's stingy defense. He has had at least seven assists in six of his last 10 games and finished with six in three others.
He also has had at least eight assists in each of his last four games and six of his last eight games against Minnesota. He has usually had around 13 potential assists against Minnesota in that span as well.
If Gilgeous-Alexander hits eight assists again, that also brings his points + assists combo into play because he typically scores 30 points.
He has scored 30 points in seven of his last nine games against Minnesota and has recorded 39 PA in seven games in that span as well.
Given his usual efficiency — 52% from the field in the regular season and 47% in the playoffs — I would not expect him to shoot 10-for-27 from the field again.
While he cleared this line in Game 1 anyway, he will likely get to 39 PA comfortably with a more efficient game.
Pick: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 38.5 Points + Assists (-125, BetMGM)
Julius Randle Over 19.5 Points
Timberwolves vs Thunder, 8:30 p.m. ET
In Game 1, I backed Julius Randle for 20 points and he delivered with 28 points on 9-for-13 from the field. I also backed Randle in Games 3 and 4 against the Warriors.
Given our objection here is to win money, I feel obligated to go back to him again.
Randle is now averaging 24.3 points per game in the playoffs. He has scored 20 points in nine of his last 10 games. He has also scored 25 points in five of his last six games against the Thunder.
To avoid a 0-2 hole, Minnesota will need another big scoring performance from him again.
Between Minnesota's two top scorers, Randle has the more favorable matchup in this series.
Head coach Mark Daigneault did not even play his top two bigs that much as Isaiah Hartenstein and Chet Holmgren saw just 46 minutes combined, giving Randle more matchups against smaller defenders.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards has gone under his scoring line in eight of his last 11 games against the Thunder and failed to crack 20 points in five of those games, including on Tuesday.
He also tweaked his ankle towards the end of the first quarter and not as effective after he returned.
Edwards will play tonight, but his points line is two points lower tonight.
With that in mind, I prefer to back Randle given his hot streak, hit rate, and success against the Thunder.
Pick: Julius Randle Over 19.5 Points (-115, BetMGM)
