The Western Conference Finals shift into high gear this Thursday (AEST) as the Oklahoma City Thunder look to bounce back from a stunning series opener. In a double-overtime thriller on Tuesday, the underdog San Antonio Spurs stole home-court advantage with a 122-115 victory, snapping the top seed's unbeaten postseason run and putting immense pressure on the hosts to avoid a 0-2 deficit. We bring you our full preview and best bet for Game 2 below!
NBA Playoffs Betting Tips: Thursday, May 21st 2026
San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City Thunder (10:30am AEST)
Game 1 was a story of squandered opportunities for Oklahoma City despite an unexpected 31-point masterclass from Alex Caruso and 26 points from a returning Jalen Williams. Newly crowned MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander suffered a rare off-night, shooting a dismal 7-of-23 from the floor for his 24 points. To level the series, the Thunder must urgently address their half-court execution and defensive box-outs after coughing up 15 offensive rebounds to San Antonio's frontline.
The visiting Spurs were carried by an otherworldly performance from Victor Wembanyama, who became the youngest player in NBA history to log 41 points and 24 rebounds in a playoff game. Remarkably, San Antonio secured the win without star guard De'Aaron Fox (ankle stiffness), as rookie Dylan Harper stepped up with 24 points and seven steals. Having now defeated OKC in five of their six meetings this season, the Spurs hold a clear psychological edge.
Despite the upset, bookmakers have held firm with the line, opening the Thunder as 6.5-point favourites once again. While the Spurs have proven they possess the physical tools to disrupt OKC, backing up a gruelling 53-minute double-overtime battle without a fully healthy backcourt is a monumental physical task. Expect a desperate Thunder squad to make the necessary defensive adjustments and respond with an authoritative cover on their home floor.
Thunder -6.5
$1.90 (2 Units)
