Game 1 Timberwolves vs Thunder: 2 Player Props and Best Bet for May 20

It’s a quick turnaround for the Oklahoma City Thunder after a Game 7 beatdown against the Denver Nuggets. Minnesota and Anthony Edwards should be able to use their rest to their advantage on Tuesday night.

However, after watching Alex Caruso shut down Nikola Jokic with incredibly aggressive defense, expect AC to once again be a big part of this OKC game plan in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Shai against Edwards. Wolves against Thunder. Here we go.

Alex Caruso (OKC) OVER 14.5 PRA

After Alex Caruso’s shutdown defense on Nikola Jokic to send Oklahoma City to the Western Conference Finals, he should be a staple in this rotation moving forward. In 26 minutes of play, Caruso helped the Thunder to a +40-point differential while taking just 7 shots.

He is the impact player for this squad that will need to deploy plenty of bodies to limit Edwards early on in this series. AC went for 20 and 13 PRA in the season series while playing 24 minutes in each outing.

Moving forward, I expect Caruso to play close to 30 minutes in each game this series, which will allow for more rebounding and playmaking opportunities.

Naz Reid (MIN) OVER 16.5 PRA

On the other side of the court, there’s another underrated role player who is making a name for himself this postseason. Naz Reid is a physical powerhouse who can shoot the three-ball.

Reid is a Game 1 assassin, dropping 23 points against Los Angeles and 19 points against the Warriors in both opening series games. Since becoming part of the postseason rotation, Naz has hit this 16.5 PRA prop in four of five Game 1s, falling short by one PRA in the one loss. Against a tired Holmgren and I-Hart, Reid should be able to use the pick and pop to expose a potentially run-down Thunder defense early in this game. 

Best Bet: Timberwolves +7.5

While Oklahoma City should be able to utilize their incredible momentum to come out on top in this game, the Wolves are healthy and rested up for Game 1 on Tuesday night. They last played this past Wednesday, where Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and Rudy Gobert continued to help a struggling Edwards to the finish line.

Ant-Man has looked incredible as a playmaker, dropping 26 assists over his last four games against Golden State. After their worst playoff game came in Game 1 against the Warriors, I expect Chris Finch and company to learn from their mistakes.

Look for Minny to come out extremely aggressive against a Thunder team that just handed it to Denver via their aggressiveness on the defensive end. Mike Conley will be a factor setting the tone, and Anthony Edwards should be able to keep it close with his newfound playmaking prowess.