The Thunder certainly got off to a less-than-ideal start in Game 3 when they went down 15-0 in the opening minutes. Their bench flipped the game as they outscored the Spurs' bench 76-23 on Friday en route to a 123-108 victory. Jared McCain, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, and Jaylin Williams were all in double figures. They will need to step up again as Jalen Williams remains questionable and Ajay Mitchell is already ruled out.
Continue below for my NBA Same Game Parlay Strategy Guide for Thunder vs Spurs Game 4 on Sunday, May 24.
NBA Same Game Parlay Strategy Guide for Thunder vs Spurs Game 4
The Angle: SGA Facilitates, Bench Mob Shines
Shai Gilegous-Alexander Over 7.5 Assists
Given his height and scoring prowess, it is easy to forget that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the Thunder point guard. He has averaged over 30 points per game in each of the last four years, but over six assists per game in each of the last three. In the playoffs, that average has gone up as he is averaging 8.2 assists per game.
Gilgeous-Alexander has recorded at least six assists in 10 of 11 playoff games. He has cleared this line in eight of those games, including in each of the first three games of this series. He tied his playoff career-high with 12 assists in Games 1 and 3.
He is averaging 15.5 potential assists per game in the playoffs, so his teammates would need to convert half of them for him to clear this line again. However, ladder potential is there, considering in Games 1 and 3 he had 24 potential assists. The Spurs have helped those totals because they are relentlessly sending double teams to force the ball out of his hands.
It has not been all that successful because SGA is a willing passer. One teammate he may be passing to is McCain.
Pick: Stephon Castle 15+ Points
Jared McCain 2+ Made Threes
With a team as deep as the Thunder, minutes are not guaranteed. Even a shooter of the caliber of McCain is only playing 13.7 minutes per game in the playoffs. He is making the most of those minutes because he comes in ready to shoot, averaging 9.2 points per game and 7.6 field goal attempts.
Due to the Thunder injuries, McCain has played 25+ minutes in each of the last two games. He knocked down three 3s in Game 2 and two in Game 3. He has made two 3s in five of his last seven games and three 3s in four of them.
With Mitchell already being ruled out and Williams battling another hamstring injury, McCain is a candidate to enter the starting lineup tonight along with Caruso and Wallace. Regardless of his role, he should have a green light. He has attempted eight 3-pointers in three of his last four games. That should give him enough volume to knock down two to three triples tonight.
Pick: Jared McCain 2+ Made Threes
Cason Wallace 2+ Steals
Wallace has also made a 3 in each of his last nine games. However, the defensive end is where he has really made his name. He did not get selected for either All-Defensive team this year, yet he finished seventh in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
He averaged 1.9 steals per game in the regular season and he is at 2.1 per game in the playoffs. He has recorded two steals in seven of 11 playoff games. He has also averaged two steals in his last 15 games against the Spurs, clearing this line in 10 of them. He has racked nine steals in this series thus far.
The Spurs have committed 15 turnovers in each of the first three games of this series. If they approach there again, Wallace is likely a factor/
Pick: Cason Wallace 2+ Steals
The Contrarian SGP: De'Aaron Fox 15+ Points
After sitting out the first two games of this series, De'Aaron Fox returned for Game 3. He got off to a fast start with nine points in the first quarter. He ended up with 15 points, but had just four in the second half as Lu Dort dove near his foot for a loose ball.
Fox is battling a high ankle sprain, but he is not on the injury report. If he is available, it is hard to pass up on the value with his lines. With Friday's game, Fox is averaging 20.3 points in his last 12 games against the Thunder. He has scored 15 points in nine of those games and 20 or more in six of them.
He will be playing through pain, but now the Spurs are in a must-win after dropping the last two games. A loss tonight means going back to Oklahoma City down 3-1, giving the Thunder a closeout opportunity at home. So I expect Fox to be out there tonight and additionally, his presence also settled down Stephon Castle, who committed just one turnover in Game 3.
Pick: De'Aaron Fox 15+ Points
Same Game Parlay Building Blocks (+606)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 8+ Assists
- Jared McCain 2+ Made Threes
- Cason Wallace 2+ Steals
- De'Aaron Fox 15+ Points
Compounding Angle (+2400)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 10+ Assists
- Jared McCain 3+ Made Threes
- Cason Wallace 2+ Steals
- De'Aaron Fox 18+ Points
