The Thunder proved their championship mettle with a 127-114 victory in Game 5. Now, the series shifts back to San Antonio, where the Spurs must win to force a Game 7 on Saturday night. Additionally, Victor Wembanyama will face the first elimination game of his young career. He may see a heavy dose of Isaiah Hartenstein, who is coming off a double-double on Tuesday night.
Continue below for my NBA same game parlay for Spurs vs. Thunder Game 6 on Thursday, May 28.
NBA Same Game Parlay for Spurs vs Thunder Game 6
The Angle: Wembanyama Helps Spurs Force Game 7
Victor Wembanyama 25+ Points
Victor Wembanyama came into Game 5 averaging 30 points per game in the series. However, he went 4-for-15 from the field and missed all five of his 3-point attempts, finishing with 20 points.
Many thought that he looked tired, and it was his fourth game in the series playing over 37 minutes. If so, the Spurs will need him to push through, as they are -52 with Luke Kornet on the floor in this series.
Perhaps Wembanyama will get a boost from playing in front of his home crowd. He has scored 26 and 33 points in two home games in this series. He has also proven to step up in big moments in his young career.
With his team facing elimination, I expect Wembanyama to go down swinging in Game 6 tonight.
Pick: Victor Wembanyama 25+ Points
The Contrarian SGP: Wembanyama Points + Thunder Props
Isaiah Hartenstein 15+ Points & Rebounds
One reason Wembanyama struggled is because of the physical defense Isaiah Hartenstein played against him. Wembanyama got 12 of his points at the free throw line.
Meanwhile, Hartenstein added 12 points at the other end. His defense should earn him more minutes as the Thunder look to close out this series on the road.
If so, his points-and-rebounds combo has a ton of value tonight. Adding 15 rebounds on Tuesday, Hartenstein recorded his second double-double in the series. He is +200 for 20+ PR and +430 for a double-double tonight.
Hartenstein has recorded 15 PR or more in 10 of his 13 games this postseason while averaging 18.1 per game. He has recorded 15 PR in seven of his last nine games against the Spurs. That includes games of 23, 19 and 27 PR in this series.
Hartenstein may get there on the glass again, but the Spurs have been willing to give him his push shot in the lane. That may help him get to 10 points once again.
Pick: Isaiah Hartenstein 15+ Points and Rebounds
Devin Vassell 4+ Rebounds
For the first time this postseason, Devin Vassell did not score in double figures, but he was a factor on the glass once again.
Vassell had four rebounds for the fifth consecutive time in this series and the eighth time in his last 10 games. He is averaging 5.1 rebounds per game this postseason on 9.1 rebound chances per game.
Vassell has also recorded four rebounds in eight of his last nine games against the Thunder.
In the home games this season, he had seven rebounds in Game 3 and six rebounds in Game 4. If he gets there again, he can climb the ladder a bit tonight.
Pick: Devin Vassell 4+ Rebounds
Cason Wallace 2+ Steals
Cason Wallace has officially recorded two steals in 58% of his 90 combined games this season. However, the hit rate certainly seems much higher, perhaps because he usually has at least one.
Still, Wallace has averaged 2.1 steals per game in the playoffs, clearing this line in nine of 13 games.
He has now recorded two steals in 12 of his last 17 games against the Spurs. That includes seven straight meetings in which he has averaged 2.6 steals per game.
Wallace did not start Game 5, but played 31 minutes off the bench. Whether he starts or enters the game off the bench again, I like him for two steals tonight.
Pick: Cason Wallace 2+ Steals
Same Game Parlay Building Blocks (+391)
- Victor Wembanyama 25+ Points
- Isaiah Hartenstein 15+ Points & Rebounds
- Devin Vassell 4+ Rebounds
- Cason Wallace 2+ Steals
Compounding Angle (+2231)
- Victor Wembanyama 30+ Points
- Isaiah Hartenstein 20+ Points & Rebounds
- Devin Vassell 6+ Rebounds
- Cason Wallace 2+ Steals
