NBA betting: Tips for Timberwolves-Thunder Game 2 on ESPN

The NBA playoffs march on Thursday with Game 2 of the Western Conference finals.

After a slow start Tuesday, the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder came alive in the second half and cruised to a 114-88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was held to 11 points on 2-of-13 shooting before the break but finished with 31 points and nine assists while pitching in five rebounds and three steals.

Just as they were in Game 1, the Thunder are 7.5-point favorites for Thursday’s game (8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN).

OKC is also the favorite to win the NBA Finals, followed by the Indiana Pacers, who pulled off a stunning comeback Wednesday against the New York Knicks and will play Game 2 of their series on Friday (8 p.m. ET on TNT).

Here are the bets out analysts like for Thursday night’s matchup.

Note: Odds as of publication. For the most up-to-date odds, visit ESPN BET.

Bets that stand out for Thursday’s game

Anthony Edwards over 24.5 points (-115)

This line dropped after a quiet Game 1 in which Edwards took just 13 shots. I recommended the under then, but I’m on the over for this one. The Thunder defended Edwards well in the series opener, but I expect some adjustments from the Timberwolves. Edwards should be more aggressive in Game 2. In games where he has at least 22 field-goal attempts, Edwards is averaging 34.6 PPG. — Moody

Alex Caruso over 1.5 made 3-pointers (+120)

Caruso has consistently done two things in the last round-plus of the playoffs: play pestering defense and knock down 3-pointers. Since the start of the second round, Caruso has averaged 2.3 3-pointers per game. His three made 3-pointers in Game 1 on Tuesday marked his sixth straight game with at least one 3-pointer, and he made two or more treys in five of those six games. And, as a kicker, this is a plus-money bet for something Caruso is accomplishing almost every game. — Snellings

Julius Randle over 19.5 points (-110)

Randle dropped 28 points in Game 1 against the Thunder, continuing his extended stretch of excellent scoring in the playoffs. In his last 10 games going back to Game 2 of the first round, Randle has averaged 25.1 PPG with at least 22 points scored in nine of the 10 games. The Thunder have an excellent defense, but Randle showed in Game 1 that his combination of shooting, ball-handling and muscle in the paint can be successful, against even the length of 7-footers Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein. — Snellings

Projections and injury reports

Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET

Minnesota Timberwolves at Oklahoma City Thunder
8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

Line: Timberwolves +7.5 (-110) | Thunder -7.5 (-110)
Money line: Timberwolves +240 | Thunder -290
Total: 215.5 (-110 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Thunder by 6.8, straight up 71%, 215.4 total points.

Injury Report:
Timberwolves: None reported
Thunder: Nikola Topic, (OFS – Knee)

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