Best NBA prop bets today for Timberwolves-Thunder (Bet Gilgeous-Alexander)

The Minnesota Timberwolves were stunned in Texas Saturday night with a one-point loss to the lowly San Antonio Spurs. Minnesota, which had won its previous two contests, finishes off a four-game road trip Monday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder in a matchup that will decide first place in the Western Conference.

Oklahoma City is coming off its own shocking loss Sunday when the Thunder bowed to the last-place Detroit Pistons, 120-104, as huge favorites. Which team bounces back on Monday?

Here are a few prop bets to consider in the matchup. 

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Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 31.1 points per game, good for third in the NBA, and has scored 30-plus in six consecutive games. Even when Oklahoma City’s offense isn’t humming, the sixth-year guard is getting his points. 

In three games against Minnesota’s elite defense, Gilgeous-Alexander has hit this number all three times. He went for 33 points on just 10-of-22 shooting against the Timberwolves just nine days ago, getting to the free-throw line 13 times in a 102-97 Thunder win. Ride the hot hand. 

Oklahoma City plays at the eighth-fastest pace in the NBA this season, so expect the Thunder to speed it up Monday night on its home court as a way to set the tone and avoid trying to find quality looks against Minnesota’s defense in the halfcourt. 

That means extra possessions for Edwards on a Timberwolves offense that ranks No. 24 in the NBA in pace. Edwards is obviously one of the primary scoring threats in Minnesota’s lineup averaging 25.9 points per game, but is averaging 5.3 assists per game and has tallied double-digit assists in twice in the last four games.

He’s averaging 6.7 assists over the last nine games and expect him to share the wealth on Monday. 

Make no mistake about it, the defenses on both sides are still the most dominating units in this matchup. Oklahoma City’s defense is No. 1 in opponent field goal percentage (44.8%) and Minnesota is No. 2 (45%).

Both teams are top-5 overall in defensive rating and are stellar at the rim, ranking top-3 in opponent points in the paint. Oklahoma City has been profitable to over bettors this season (26-20), but Minnesota’s defense is No. 1 in scoring on the road this season, giving up just 110.8 points per game. 

Both teams will be motivated in this matchup and may have been peeking ahead to it after losing outright as big favorites.

In three previous matchups this season, the average total is 214.3 points with two games staying well below this number. Trust the defenses. 

Game odds update periodically and are subject to change.