NBA Tips - Tuesday, May 19 NBA Picks & Multi

Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals between the Spurs and Thunder – will OKC continue their undefeated playoff run, or can the Spurs steal Game 1 on the road?

San Antonio Spurs @ OKC Thunder (10:40am)

Best Bet

Ajay Mitchell

Over 12.5 Points

Bet Now

$1.86

Jalen Williams has been cleared to play in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, but I still think we see a heap of Ajay Mitchell in which he’ll likely remain as a starter for the Thunder.

Mitchell has been incredible these playoffs averaging 18.8 points per game, covering 12.5 points in his last seven games, while dropping 28 points in Game 4 against the Lakers.

In Game 2 against the Suns, the last game Mitchell and Williams played together, Mitchell still managed 14 points in 29 minutes. I expect the Thunder to still find close to 30 minutes for Mitchell in this as they ease Williams back into the mix.

Value Bet

Isaiah Hartenstein

10+ Rebounds

Bet Now

$2.25

The big man has had some success on the glass against the Spurs this season, and coming off a 10-rebound game against the Lakers in Game 4, Isaiah Hartenstein is every chance of backing this up in Game 1 against the Spurs.

Hartenstein averages 11 rebounds a game against San Antonio across three games this season, hitting 10+ in two of those while recording nine rebounds in just 20 minutes in the only miss.

We’ve become accustomed to Hartenstein only playing around 23-24 minutes a game, but he’s closer to 28 minutes per game in his last five these playoffs – if he’s anywhere close to that figure, he’s a big chance of recording double digit rebounds.

SGM

Mitchell 10+ Points / Hartenstein 8+ Rebounds / Castle 15+ Points = $3.40

Sports Journalist

Dale Crotty

Few know the NBA like Dale, who has spent years backing winners for punters across a number of publications and podcasts. He also specialises in tennis and AFL.