NBA Predictions & Preview For Tuesday, May 20th

Our interminable one-day wait is over – the NBA Playoffs are back tomorrow. We’ve got Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on tap for Tuesday, and then the Eastern Conference gets its turn on Wednesday. Here are your NBA predictions and preview for Tuesday, May 20th.

NBA Predictions & Preview For Tuesday, May 20th

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Oklahoma City Thunder

Start Time – 8:30 PM EST

Regardless of who wins this year’s Western Conference Championship, it will represent a breakthrough. Either the Minnesota Timberwolves will make their first NBA Finals, or the Oklahoma City Thunder will return to their first finals since the halcyon days of Durant & Westbrook & Harden.

The Wolves and Thunder split their season series, with each team winning one game at home and one on the road. While the Thunder have the home court advantage, they just finished a grueling seven-game series against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, while Minnesota has been chilling at home for almost a week.

This is where the Thunder’s depth comes into play. They only have three players averaging over 30 minutes a night in the playoffs, and are the younger squad in this matchup, so the quick turnaround shouldn’t be an issue. Plus, they played at home on Sunday, so no travel was necessary.

The Thunder have gotten past their big hurdle, the Nuggets, these playoffs. I expect smooth sailing going forward. My line for this game is Oklahoma City -11.

Best Bet: Oklahoma City -7.5 (-105)

Overall Record: 189-157 (55%)
Profit (based on $100/bet): $1,571.33
Return on Investment: 5%