Our Wednesday Daily NBA tips and best bets focus on a pair of crucial Game 2’s in the West with the Thunder hosting the Grizzlies, and the Lakers in action against the Wolves.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies
9:30am, Paycom Center
Game 2 – OKC Leads 1-0
The biggest Game 1 loss in NBA postseason history has the Grizzlies as long –14.5 outsiders heading into Game 2. For the fifth time since late December, the Thunder blew the doors off Memphis behind a monster 44-point third quarter, and the scary part is, future MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander didn’t even touch 20 himself in the points column. To their credit, the Grizzlies were a solid bounce-back bet during the regular season, but it’s clear OKC has their number with a faster brand of basketball and the ability to outscore them heavily in the paint. Unless Memphis can transition in a hurry, this could be another ugly scoreline.
Tip: Thunder to Cover (-14.5)
Los Angeles Lakers vs Minnesota Timberwolves
12:00pm, Crypto Arena
Game 2 – MIN Leads 1-0
Happy to take the +5.5 about the Wolves here until we see the Lakers adjust. J.J. Reddick’s side was outmuscled in a Game 1 blowout on Monday, failing to match Minnesota’s physicality with LeBron James questioning his team’s toughness post-game. A response can be expected from James and Luka Doncic, but the Lakers still need to find some rhythm from three after hitting just over 36 per-cent of their shots from beyond the arc in the opener. With the Wolves also dominating down low on the back of Jayden McDaniels, I think there’s a real blueprint here for Minnesota to continue to improve.
Tip: Wolves to Cover (+5.5)