Thunder vs. Spurs Game 3 Pick, Prediction, Odds
The Western Conference Finals have been tremendous thus far, so we’re all in for a treat when the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs meet in Game 3 on Friday, May 22. Unfortunately, there’s a good chance these teams will be missing key players, with Jalen Williams, Dylan Harper, and De’Aaron Fox all listed as questionable. But even with some talent on the sidelines, this game should be fun. How will it go? Find out in our Thunder vs. Spurs betting preview. Also check out our VSiN NBA Playoffs Betting Hub for all of our NBA postseason content.
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How To Watch Thunder vs. Spurs Game 3
When: 8:30 pm ET on Friday, May 22
Where: Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas
Channel: NBC/Peacock
Thunder vs. Spurs Game 3 Odds
Odds from DraftKings Sportsbook as of 12:00 am ET on Friday, May 22
Moneyline: Spurs -125, Thunder +105
Spread: Spurs -1.5 (-115), Thunder +1.5 (-105)
Total: Over 217.5 (-110), Under 217.5 (-110)
Thunder vs. Spurs Game 3 Picks
The Thunder bounced back in a big way in Game 2. After an up-and-down performance in Game 1, Oklahoma City got key contributions from everywhere on Wednesday. Jared McCain, Alex Caruso, Ajay Mitchell, and Cason Wallace all scored in double figures off the bench. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had his first 30-point game of the series, and it was only his second 30-point performance of the last six games. Isaiah Hartenstein also happened to play a great game on both ends of the floor, keeping Victor Wembanyama from completely dominating the way he did in the series opener.
We’re now going to see some serious adjustments from both coaches, but they’ll likely have to alter things without some key pieces. For Oklahoma City, it might be a little easier. While Williams might be out, this team won eight straight without him to start the playoffs. We’ll likely see a heavier dose of Mitchell, who was the second-best player on the Thunder in the first two rounds. Wallace could also play a bigger role again. He’s a very strong defensive option for Mark Daigneault, and he’s capable of making an offensive impact without needing the basketball. For San Antonio, things won’t be as straightforward. The Spurs will simply need to hope De’Aaron Fox is healthy. If he’s not, the potential absence of Harper, one of the league’s most unstoppable drivers, will loom large. San Antonio was forced to play Jordan McLaughlin in Game 2, and that’s simply not going to cut it against the best team in basketball — even with Wembanyama ready to do special things at every turn.
The injuries heading into Game 3 make it hard not to like the Thunder, especially with them being available at plus-money odds. However, I do have futures on Oklahoma City, and I get nervous about letting my priors get the best of me in a series. That’s why I occasionally sit out sides and totals — unless it’s a game in which I like the team I backed before the series. Well, for those reasons, I’m sitting this one out with the spread. I am, however, taking a few player props.
The first two plays that jumped out to me were Fox to have at least 14 points and also have at least five assists. Those are two separate plays, so don’t confuse them for a combined points and assists total. And a big part of the reason I’m taking them is that there’s a prediction market offering plus-money odds on both, even though the prices are worse everywhere else. However, I’d still be willing to go Over on these totals at slightly worse odds.
There’s a chance we don’t see Fox in this game at all. I mentioned earlier that he’s questionable, and I do think he’s legitimately banged up. However, if he’s out there, I’m not sure San Antonio can afford to have training wheels on him. With other injuries in the rotation, Fox is going to need to go out there and be ready to make plays — especially with Stephon Castle struggling with turnovers. Well, Fox has scored at least 14 points in 10 of the 11 games he has played in the postseason, so this isn’t a high enough mark to scare me off. Fox is also averaging 5.8 assists per game in the playoffs, going Over this total in eight of the 11 games he has played. Naturally, putting up numbers will be harder against the league’s No. 1 defense. But he can make his mark if his minutes are there.
I’m also taking Wallace to knock down at least two triples. I really do think Wallace has earned a bigger role in this series. He was excellent in Game 2, draining four threes in 25 minutes. He also played good defense, as he always does. That should be enough for Daigneault to trust him again, and it’s just wild seeing him available at plus-money odds to make multiple threes. Wallace might not make four again, but he has made at least two in four of the last five games. He’s now shooting 48.6% from deep in the postseason, and he gets nothing but quality looks.
Bet: De’Aaron Fox Over 13.5 Points (+118) & Over 4.5 Assists (+113)
Bet: Cason Wallace Over 1.5 Made Threes (+130)
