- 5/28/2025
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00:00Our first series-clinching potential spot tonight in the Conference Finals round of the NBA postseason.
00:06The number one seed in the Western Conference, perhaps the prince that was promised this time around in the postseason.
00:13The Oklahoma City Thunder at home in Game 5, needing one more win to get back to the NBA Championship Series,
00:20the NBA Finals for the first time in more than a decade since 2012.
00:25DRS game number five tonight of the Western Conference Finals.
00:28OKC has the 3-1 series advantage and is now back at home.
00:33The Thunder, an eight-and-a-half point favorite against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a total currently standing at 220-and-a-half.
00:41We'll dive deep into this game, DRS.
00:43But those numbers right there, pretty resolute and pretty strong with the idea that OKC wins the Western Conference crown tonight and advances to the NBA Finals.
00:53Do you agree with the strength in those numbers?
00:56Let me just use this. Ready?
00:58Closing time, one last call for alcohol, so finish your whiskey or beer.
01:06Closing time, you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here.
01:13That's what Minnesota's going to be told tonight.
01:14It really is.
01:15And it's a shame because as people in the sports business, we want to see rounds get extended.
01:20We want exciting Game 6s.
01:22We want exciting Game 7s.
01:23We want to have more things to talk about, not less things to talk about.
01:27I've been having fun with the Minnesota Timberwolves because they're a fun team.
01:29Anthony Edwards is out there.
01:30You'll love to see that.
01:32OKC, we've talked about them the entire season.
01:34Where couldn't they match up?
01:35Well, the regular season isn't the same as the playoffs, and they can't win those big games, and we'll certainly test them.
01:40They've won a Game 7.
01:41They've closed out multiple teams here, looking to do it again.
01:44Now, the question is, we're not asking you, will OKC win this game?
01:48Because that's Moneyline.
01:50That's minus 350.
01:51Most people are like, hey, are we going to get a competitive game or even a chance for a game number six?
01:56I don't think that's going to be the question tonight.
01:58I do expect a good effort from Minnesota, but sometimes you just understand.
02:02You're not going to win that series, and when does the bottom fall out, right?
02:07Because this is different.
02:08Like, we're talking about the Knicks tomorrow.
02:09The Knicks are heading back to the Garden in front of their fans.
02:12It's like, you know what, if we're going to, damn it, get up for one game, we're getting up for this game.
02:16You're going to OKC, which OKC can smell blood in the water.
02:19We're going back to the finals, and we're the better team.
02:21Completely different circumstances.
02:23Can you see this game play out close?
02:25Sure you can.
02:26But also, can you see this play out where SGA's on the bench in the third quarter when they're up 39 points?
02:31I'm not saying we're headed for a 40-point win.
02:33But boy, oh boy, when one team realizes, you know what, it's just a fate of complete.
02:37We can't win this series, and it gets ugly.
02:40We might be getting that tonight with OKC.
02:43And I think that is the question, DRS, right?
02:46Not the idea that Thunder win this outright to win this series in a gentleman's sweep and only five games advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012 when Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden were residing in Oklahoma City.
03:00And, of course, the furthest stage that this group, led by head coach Mark Dignall, and, of course, the MVP winner now, and Shea Gildress Alexander, have realized there was a lot of promise.
03:11Now it is that pedigree and the potential that OKC is capitalizing on in this playoff run.
03:17So the question then becomes, how competitive does game number five look tonight?
03:23And, Donnie, that's been a question for OKC throughout this playoff run.
03:27Not just a second-round series against Denver that went to seven games.
03:31A Thunder team that was not just a 68-14 team in the regular season.
03:36Best outright record.
03:37But also the best cover team in the association.
03:40The only team covering in more than 61% of their games.
03:43They have been booked as a favorite in all but three of their contests this year.
03:47And they were the only team covering north of 65% of those games.
03:52But here in the playoffs, it has not always been an easy ride for Oklahoma City.
03:58They are just 6-9 against the spread, booked as at least a three-point favorite in every single game.
04:05All 15 throughout this playoff run.
04:07But in the first two, this time around, DRS against Minnesota in the games in Oklahoma City at home.
04:13The Thunder have won by at least 15 points, covering as a 7.5, 8, and now an 8.5-point favorite entering game five tonight.
04:22Ian, here's what you like about it, too.
04:23FanDuel Sportsbook here in New Jersey, Ben, opened this line at 8.5 for Oklahoma City.
04:27And it still sits at 8.5 today.
04:29Just about every other outlet is showing the 8.5s.
04:32That total 220 is the opening number, shifting a little bit higher to 220.5.
04:36But it'll be interesting to see where this goes at game time.
04:38Because I do think the reason we don't have a ton of movement is I think that line sits appropriate.
04:43Like, if I'm saying, you know, which way is this going to go?
04:46Forget about which way the public is going to come in.
04:48More likely to me that this goes to 8 as opposed to 9 just because that, you know, hey, double digits.
04:54I'll take them.
04:55A last-hand effort.
04:56I get it.
04:57And Minnesota, for most parts, has been competitive in this series, you say.
05:00But I just, it's such a hard gauge.
05:02Again, at home, Minnesota Timberwolves, even if the Timberwolves are getting three or four at home.
05:06Like, you know what?
05:07Last-hand at home, home crowd, they're going to get up for this.
05:10The fact that you're on the road and that avalanche is waiting.
05:12Because if you don't get off to a good start for Minnesota, it certainly is going to turn against you.
05:17It's the tide with the crowd and just, you know, the waves coming at you and SGA and all that good stuff.
05:21So, for me, I look at that and say, I think it's going to get closer to 8.
05:24I want to take the points because I want to be competitive.
05:27But I sort of know better at this point.
05:28It just feels like this is closing time for OKC.
05:31Completely agree, DRS.
05:3358% of the overall volume of bets backing Minnesota to keep this game at least close within that 8.5 point margin.
05:40But then a slight odds in betting stats disparity.
05:4354% of the money on the spread is backing Oklahoma City as the favorite at home,
05:49even laying that lofty number of 8.5 points.
05:52How about the total?
05:53220 and a hug.
05:54The last three games in this series have skied to the over.
05:58The only game that stayed under game number one in OKC in the 26-point win for the Thunder,
06:04in which Minnesota was pretty porous offensively, only scoring 88 points.
06:09If we both believe OKC wins tonight, and there's a pretty good chance they cover it,
06:14at least win this game comfortably, what does that mean for our total of 220 and a hook?
06:19Yeah, it's, again, later in the series, which didn't work last night,
06:22like the Pacers and the Knicks really got after right off the bat.
06:24I mean, scored a million points in the first quarter.
06:27I think this might have the ability to stay under.
06:29So if I'm looking at from a perspective, let me just bring up to see if I can find the team props here.
06:34All right, because I want to look at the total team away points would be 106 and a half.
06:39That's the number I would look at more than any total and say, okay, if you look at the home team,
06:43which is obviously OKC, it's 114 and a half.
06:45There is a way that Minnesota can win this and stay under, which means that you played a good defensive effort.
06:51You know, the offense just wasn't there.
06:52But that 106 to me, if I'm playing anything, it's probably going to be an under on the Minnesota Timberwolves team total at 106.
06:58Because they can win and lose at that number.
07:00But I just don't know if we get that free-flowing game.
07:02Like, the thing that we looked at last night, there was no closeout scenario.
07:06Like, if the Knicks lost and or the Pacers lost, you were still getting extended.
07:09You don't have that with Minnesota.
07:10So, like, just mindset coming into the game.
07:12How are we going to win it?
07:14Hey, let's just throw caution to the wind and get into a track meet with OKC.
07:17Like, no.
07:18It's like, take care of the basketball.
07:20Make your open shots.
07:21Don't force things.
07:22Unless it's a 2-on-1 fast break, pull it back out.
07:24Let's run an offensive set and not give up an easy bucket the other way if we just say, like, you know what?
07:29Fast break one way, fast break the other way.
07:30I just don't see it.
07:31So, that 106 and a half I look at as a total in this game, I actually get to the under from Minnesota here.
07:36I think it's a really good angle of attack, DRS, for this game.
07:39And what could be that more lopsided tilt in favor of OKC?
07:43Again, game number four, only a two-point win for the Thunder.
07:47Minnesota covered even as a three-point home dog.
07:50But the Timberwolves' last lead of the game came around the 657 mark in the opening quarter.
07:55It was all OKC from that point.
07:58The Thunder are a minus 7,000 favorite to win the Western Conference crown.
08:02Again, we don't think that's up for debate at this moment.
08:05To win in five, to pull off the gentleman's sweep, minus 355 in the series odds, at least on FanDuel.
08:11Our lovely sponsor, updated Moneyline at this moment, minus 370.
08:16So, if for some reason you just want the Thunder outright, you could look at that price to win in five games as opposed to the Moneyline number.
08:24And DRS, there is no doubt about it.
08:26If Minnesota is going to stay in this game, if Minnesota is going to keep their season afloat,
08:32they need a combined effort out of Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards like they saw in game number three.
08:39And certainly not what was on display in game number four.
08:4216 points for Ant, only five for Randle.
08:46A combined 21.
08:47Anthony Edwards' points prop tonight, 26 and a hook.
08:51Yeah, he's got to get over that.
08:52You need your stars to shine in the biggest moments, and I still talk about the same, you know, points here.
08:57Like, Brunson last night scored 31 points.
08:59He wasn't going out with a 17-point effort and a loss.
09:01Like, Anthony Edwards, we talk about, oh, does he want to be the face of the league?
09:04You know, I don't want that pressure on me.
09:06Well, understand this.
09:07You're never going to be the face of the league when you're in a closeout game and you shy away from it
09:10and shoot 11 times from the field and scored 16 points.
09:13You've got to put it on your shoulders.
09:15You need a monster game if you want to stay in this.
09:17Oakmont in the greater Pittsburgh region, if I am not mistaken, and plenty of hot topics to discuss with Keith Stewart as well.
09:25We want to hear from you people how we're feeling about game number five of the Western Conference Finals tonight.
09:31Not necessarily are the Thunder going to win, but can OKC not just win outright to clinch the Western Conference crown,
09:38but do so comfortably as an eight-and-a-half-point favorite?
09:41What's the best bet for game five tonight in Oklahoma City?
09:44The question to all of you and Fade the Public.
09:47At SportsGrid on Twitter, what is the best bet for tonight's T-Wolves versus Thunder game in Oklahoma City?
10:01Is it the Thunder as a hefty home favorite laying eight-and-a-half?
10:05Is it the Timberwolves as the underdog perhaps keeping this game close, competitive, and maybe just maybe staving off elimination?
10:12Is it the over of a total of 220 and a hook, or do we stay under that number?
10:18A lot of ways, DRS, that you can read this Fade the Public poll.
10:22Most of the public, thinking the underdog in Minnesota, keeps this game at least relatively competitive tonight,
10:28more than 34% of the votes right now.
10:31Or maybe the least selected option, the under of 220 and a half, as we have seen three consecutive games in the Western Conference finals push to the over.
10:43DRS, which way did you vote, and would you look to fade the public eye to which way?
10:47Yeah, it's not supposed to vote or, let's just say, bet with your heart at this point, but that's what I did.
10:52I went eight-and-a-half on the Minnesota Timberwolves because I don't want to see the series end.
10:55Like, I want to see some adversity.
10:56I want to see a game number six back in Minnesota.
10:58I want to see a game number seven to get to the finals here.
11:01The same way with the Knicks.
11:02I'm not a Knicks fan.
11:02I want to see the Knicks win in game number five because I want a game number six and maybe a game number seven in the Eastern Conference finals as well.
11:08And it's pretty close, though.
11:09You take a look right now, there's updated numbers.
11:11Thunder minus eight-and-a-half, 31% if we raise that up in the Timberwolves, plus eight-and-a-half at 34%,
11:16which shows you that the balance of we probably know who's winning this game.
11:20We're just not sure who's going to cover because you're outside of the A, two, three, and four, where if you win, you're probably going to cover,
11:26but you could still lose and be close in this game.
11:28But also, as I was talking about during the show so far, sometimes that bottom's just going to drop out where it's like, okay, we just can't cross this.
11:35We're still down by 10.
11:36It's the third quarter.
11:37It's not going our way.
11:38A couple three balls go down.
11:40The party atmosphere starts, and away you go with a 20-point blowout, and that could be the possibility tonight.
11:45So, me, my voting rights, I went to the Timberwolves at eight-and-a-half with the 34%.
11:50So, technically, I'm not fading the public.
11:53I'm with them tonight.
11:54DRS, I laid the eight-and-a-half with Oklahoma City.
11:57That would be the way I approach this.
11:59However, seeing only 8% of the public on the under in what is an elimination game.
12:05Season on the brink for the Timberwolves, and OKC just trying to make quick work of it in advance to the NBA Finals and get their rest in.
12:12I might be fading the public in that perspective.
12:15I can understand taking the eight-and-a-half points with Minnesota.
12:19It makes a ton of sense.
12:21And, frankly, the Thunder, despite being the NBA's best cover team and best ATS team throughout the entirety of the regular season,
12:28it's not been great here in the playoffs.
12:30A favorite of at least three points in all 15 of their postseason games.
12:33Just 6-9 against the spread.
12:35I hope, like you, for the competition's sake, Minnesota keeps this game close and keeps things interesting tonight.
12:42In game number five in OKC, our guy Jordan Penseal, by the way, he doesn't really believe it will be close.
12:48DRS said Thunder by at least 10.
12:51Thunder by double digits.
12:53And I really could see that happening as well.
12:56You do wonder the response out of Minnesota tonight.
13:00And, Donnie, for me, that starts in one spot.
13:03It's Anthony Edwards.
13:0416 points in game number four.
13:07After a 30-point performance in game three.
13:10And maybe it's not just the Ant-Man.
13:12It's the combination of Edwards and Julius Randle, who combined for 54 in game three.
13:17Minnesota won that game by 42.
13:19Their lone victory in the Western Conference Finals.
13:22Those two combined for just 21 total points in game number four.
13:27You need a big night out of Anthony Edwards.
13:29And you need that coupled with a great performance out of Julius Randle if Minnesota is going to avoid elimination tonight.
13:35Yeah, we expect the Batmans to have a good game tonight, right?
13:39SGA, and you're going head-to-head with Anthony Edwards.
13:42You know, it's right about the Robins tonight, which I have my mind on here, which we're going to take a look at just a little bit later in this hour.
13:47Who needs to step up and provide that extra support to those superstars here.
13:52But I'm just looking forward to a competent game all the way through.
13:55Something that we can watch.
13:55Because yesterday, you know, the Knicks were down double digits for the majority of the second half.
14:00Loved the first quarter, loved the second quarter.
14:02Like, you had some great shots.
14:03And sometimes you sit back and watch the pro game and say, how are these guys this good?
14:07Like, just watch the first quarter last night of the Knicks taking on the Pacers.
14:10The shot-making ability, the athletic ability on center stage.
14:14It was fun to watch.
14:15I hope we get that tonight.
14:16Because who wouldn't love, I mean, outside again, an OKC fan and betting OKC.
14:20Like, Anthony Edwards pulling up with a 40 spot tonight in a big spot.
14:23Like, you know, dropping seven triples out there.
14:26Absolutely dominant getting to the rack.
14:27We would love to see that.
14:28We don't want to see Anthony Edwards here from a fan perspective.
14:3113, 14, 15 points.
14:32And, ah, it wasn't our year.
14:34And I told you I didn't want to be the face of the NBA.
14:36Just leave me alone and let me get my offseason started.
14:39Fight back tonight, Minnesota.
14:40Push it to a game number six.
14:42Let's see it happen.
14:42Give me the biggest.
14:43Give me SGA.
14:44I mean, SGA almost turned into a 40-point triple-double in the last game.
14:47He could do that again.
14:48Anthony Edwards, match that guy, man.
14:50Don't let him run away with the series.
14:51Come on.
14:52In games one and four of this set, DRS, Anthony Edwards has only taken 13 shots.
14:57And he has only made five.
14:59He has admitted after both games he needs to be more aggressive in getting his shot.
15:02How did he respond in game two?
15:0426 field goal attempts.
15:06Only was one of nine from beyond the arc.
15:08And Minnesota did lose by 15.
15:10But he scored 32 points.
15:12Could be a good way of approaching that points prop of 26 and a half.
15:17Shea Gildas, Alexander, a 40-point performance in game four.
15:21But he wasn't even really the story.
15:24It was Jalen Williams with a career best in the postseason.
15:2734 points as well.
15:28And a career high in whatever game, making six triples.
15:33Live right here on this Wednesday morning on the Early Line on Sports Grid, we now welcome
15:37in the coach, J.Y.
15:39James Young for the remainder of this Wednesday on TEL.
15:43Of course, to talk about game five tonight in a series-clinching chance for the Oklahoma
15:48City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals to advance to the NBA Finals as well.
15:54And where J.Y.'s Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals, now trailing 3-1 after a
16:00Pacers win in game number four last night in Indianapolis.
16:04J.Y., before we get to all of that, thanks for being here on this Wednesday.
16:07It's a pleasure to be on with both of you, at least you, Ben, because I know Donnie's
16:12coming with some Knicks propaganda in about two minutes.
16:15Yeah, we'll see where DRS stands on where things are in the Eastern Conference Finals after
16:21the Pacers take game number four at home in Indy, 131-21, in a high-scoring affair that
16:28featured a historic night out of Tyrese Halliburton, as we'll detail in just a matter of moments.
16:33But big picture, J.Y., looking at this game, specifically game four and how it unfolded,
16:39what did you make and what is your overall reaction to what we saw last night with Indiana's
16:44nine-point win in a high-scoring game?
16:46Not surprised at the high-scoring game.
16:48I said on my scouting report yesterday, I took the Knicks team total over 109.5.
16:52You heard Indiana talk about this ad nauseum after losing game three.
16:57They thought they let their foot off the gas.
16:59And they wanted to get the game up-tempo because they figured that the Knicks could not keep pace.
17:05I thought the Knicks were going to be able to keep pace in regards to the points.
17:08I just didn't know if they were going to win the game because of the fact that New York
17:12game gets sped up by Indiana, who does a better job than anyone.
17:16So to me, to see the score the way it was with the total flying over was not a surprise.
17:22What I was surprised with is the recklessness and carelessness of how New York did not value
17:30the basketball.
17:32You can play fast but not be in a hurry.
17:35The Knicks were both.
17:36And it's particularly Josh Hart, who had six fouls, five turnovers, four in the first half.
17:42And when you play a team like Indiana, you can run with them.
17:45You just can't give the ball back to them.
17:47They live off of those turnovers, whether they're dunks or threes.
17:52Yeah, Halliburton was sensational yesterday.
17:54I thought Brunson opened up that game.
17:55I thought he might be going for a 50-piece at that point.
17:57Like, okay, this is going to be the Brunson game.
17:59Gets them back into the series before they head back to New York City.
18:01And it didn't work.
18:02Talk to me about this, Coach, because Thibodeau has made some changes where using his bench
18:06a little bit differently, which means Josh Hart coming off the bench played 36 minutes.
18:09But it's not necessarily equating to great play by the team itself.
18:13Is Josh Hart going to go back into the starting lineup for Mitchell Robinson?
18:16Or is he probably going to keep that course, the remaining parts of the series, however long it lasts?
18:20Honestly, I don't think it matters about the starters anymore.
18:25It matters of how much you want to play your bench.
18:28I mean, Deuce McBride's been pretty good in his playoff run since the Detroit series.
18:31They didn't really go to him in the second half.
18:34You know, Delon Wright gave him minutes.
18:36They didn't really go back to him.
18:37What's happening is this.
18:38For the first time, Donnie, for the first time, the Nova Knicks may be a little bit of a problem.
18:45So, here's why.
18:47Brunson, particularly defensively, was getting absolutely torched last night.
18:52Torched.
18:53You saw Indiana's motto, switch, switch, get Brunson on someone, go to work, right?
18:58Mikael Bridges was off, particularly finishing around the rim, right?
19:02And Josh Hart threw the ball around the gym.
19:04There's sometimes tips, regardless of who he starts, he's got his guys.
19:09And he's stuck with his guys.
19:11And the reason why they won game three is he had no choice to go away from some of his guys
19:17because they got in a foul trouble.
19:19So, now in game four, they're not in foul trouble.
19:21He's stuck to his guns.
19:23He's stuck to his guys.
19:24And he got himself a loss due to the recklessness of some of their play.
19:28Let's talk about the historic performance, J.Y.
19:30last night from Tyrese Halliburton.
19:3232 points, 15 dimes, 12 boards without committing a single turnover.
19:38The first 30, 15, 10, and zero game, that being turnovers in the history of the NBA postseason.
19:46What has Tyrese Halliburton done so well in this series that was encapsulated last night in game four?
19:53Controls everything.
19:55Controls everything.
19:56And he doesn't have to.
19:58I know he scored big because, let's be honest, Ben, he had to kind of match Brunson shot for shot,
20:03particularly in that first half.
20:05But he got guys involved that get into the right spots.
20:08And when he's engaged and dialed in, this is what Indiana has.
20:13And this is what they didn't have, Ben, in the beginning of the year.
20:16We didn't see this type of play out of Halliburton.
20:19But he has flipped the switch, and he's been really good in this series.
20:22And let's be honest, I'm a Knick fan.
20:25He has been the best player in the series.
20:26It's not been Jalen Brunson.
20:27It's not been Carl Anthony Towns.
20:29I know Siakam had the 39-point game in game number two.
20:32But Tyrese Halliburton has been the best player in this series, bar none, both sides of the ball.
20:38So he's done, and he's done that Rick Carlisle style of play, which is so, even as a Knick fan,
20:44you've got to appreciate watching a team that relies on some of their parts.
20:48And Halliburton picks spots where he takes off, and he has to carry the team offensively,
20:53and merge the scoring.
20:54But then he knows when to dial it back and get other people a ball.
20:57And that's what makes them really, really good, the totality of their parts and how Rick Carlisle uses his roster.
21:04Yeah, take a look at most overrated to maybe most underrated in the series, Tyrese Halliburton.
21:09Certainly, in a closeout effort in game number five, he can go down as one of those menaces to the New York Knicks in their history,
21:14just like Reggie Miller back in the day.
21:16But if we do set the series up once again, because it's not over.
21:19We are setting up a game number five at Madison Square Garden, a 3-1 series price right now towards Indiana.
21:25And we're taking a look at the Pacers, a heavy favorite, no surprise, at minus 590.
21:29The New York Knicks at a plus 430 price here.
21:32And if you take a look at the shortest games, game number six at plus 152.
21:36For me, Coach, even before yesterday, I thought the series was going at least six or seven games, both at plus money.
21:42And I do think the Knicks win game number five.
21:44But before we get to those individual stats here for game number five itself,
21:48how are we stacking up the series?
21:49Price point-wise, minus 590 to a plus 430 dog price with the New York Knicks.
21:53Well, if you're going to think the Knicks will have any chance at hell of winning this series,
21:57and you want to take them, you've got to take them now, because if they win game five,
22:00it's going to shrink the odds a little bit, particularly if they play well at home.
22:04I do expect New York to win game five.
22:06It's going to come down to game six.
22:08Now, if you kind of take away, you know, parts of this, New York has been in games.
22:14It's honestly, guys, it's how they end and start, right?
22:18How they end and start quarters.
22:20If you look at that, you break down the first three or so minutes, right,
22:24of those that 12 minutes so stretched, New York is getting thoroughly off plate.
22:28They're always playing catch-up at some point, because they don't start right,
22:31and they don't end right in regards to quarters.
22:33So I do like the Knicks in game five.
22:35I think it is a six-game series.
22:36I think the Knicks find a way to win at home,
22:38and then they're going to have a tough time finishing off Indiana,
22:41because I just think what they're going to do is they're going to run guys at them.
22:44Carlisle is going to find the mismatches and attack them,
22:47and Tibbs will stay on his guys, and it may cost them a series.
22:52And if they lose tomorrow in MSG, could it cost Tibbs his job?
22:56Most likely outcome Indiana in six, as the odds makers see it,
23:00or six games even at plus 152.
23:03But, of course, that can only be the Pacers winning in six games.
23:07So you talk about tomorrow night.
23:09It's a four-and-a-half, five-point spread in favor of New York
23:13and a total JY now north of 220 once again.
23:17You expect the Knicks to take advantage of being inside
23:20the world's most famous arena inside MSG.
23:23You mentioned how they need to start and finish quarters better.
23:26The Knicks win game number five.
23:28Why?
23:29Because they start better.
23:31Look at the Knicks in the first quarter to win.
23:34Listen, that place is going to go one of two ways.
23:38And you know New York fans, man.
23:40They're either going to be out of control crazy
23:42or they're going to turn on that team quick.
23:44They have to start fast.
23:47Look for the Knicks to try to play for the lead.
23:49Take the Knicks minus the points in the first quarter
23:51and then play it from there.
23:52Even just take them on the money line just to be ahead.
23:55Because if you want to win this game and give your fans hope
23:58and get them on your side,
24:00you must start better than what you've started in this series.
24:03That first quarter spread as of this moment.
24:06The Knicks laying just a point and a half.
24:08But to take that, it's juicy at minus 128.
24:12It would be critical for that to be the case.
24:15Last night, New York did not win the opening quarter.
24:18In fact, they allowed 43 points.
24:20They did score 35 in fairness to the Knicks.
24:22But they allowed 43 points to Indiana
24:25in what set the pace for a very high-scoring
24:28and up-tempo game in game number four.
24:31Eastern Conference Finals MVP odds look very similar
24:34to the outright odds as well with Indiana up 3-1.
24:37The Pacers a minus 590 favorite.
24:39Outright in Tyrese Halliburton after the historic night
24:42last evening in Indianapolis is now minus 550
24:45to win that award.
24:47We go to game five in Oklahoma City
24:49between the Thunder and T-Mills next.
24:52Live right here on this Wednesday
24:53on the early line on SportsGrid.
24:55Can the Oklahoma City Thunder clinch a spot
24:58in the NBA Finals tonight at home
25:00in game number five of the Western Conference Finals
25:03against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
25:05Our coach, J.Y. James Young, will tell us exactly that.
25:09It's an eight-and-a-half point spread, J.Y.,
25:11in favor of OKC with a total that currently stands
25:15at 220 and a hook.
25:17The updated money line price now minus 335.
25:20So, J.Y., there's not so much a question
25:23on if the Thunder will advance to the NBA Finals
25:26outright for the first time since 2012.
25:28The oddsmakers expect that.
25:31The question then becomes,
25:32how competitive is game number five tonight in OKC?
25:36I don't think it's overly competitive, Ben.
25:39When this series started, I thought it was going to be 2-0,
25:41maybe get game three, close game four, blow out game five.
25:45And it seems like that's going to be the case
25:47because Oklahoma City has kind of found itself
25:49and they're just so offensively diverse, right, Ben,
25:52and the different guys that can attack you and beat you.
25:55I just look at a team in Minnesota that, you know,
25:58offensively, let's be honest,
26:00their two best players in game number four
26:02were Alexander Walker and DiVincenzo.
26:05Like, that can't happen.
26:07No offense to those guys.
26:08Those are great bench pieces.
26:09But you need Ant-Man and especially Julius Randle,
26:12who has now gone into a complete and total funk
26:14in games three and games four at home.
26:17Now we need him to go on the road
26:19and put on a big performance?
26:21I don't think so here.
26:23I think it's minus eight and a half with OKC.
26:25And then the problem also with Coach Finch
26:27is kind of like the typical problem sometimes
26:29is when you go with these defensive guys,
26:31they can't score.
26:32When Mike Conley and Rudy Gobert are in the game,
26:35they're playing literally three on five offensively.
26:38Let's be honest.
26:39And they can load up.
26:40So I do minus, I like the minus eight and a half
26:42for Oklahoma City.
26:43If it's close at the break,
26:45they have a way better than the second half
26:47to open it up.
26:48If it's close to even losing at the break,
26:50jump on OKC.
26:51They'll find a way to open it up in the second half.
26:54Yeah, watch out for the avalanche
26:55coming from OKC tonight.
26:57I agree with that.
26:57But also take a look at Anthony Edwards
26:59and Shea Gilgis-Alexander,
27:00the two superstars in this game.
27:02Ant-Man opened up the series game number one,
27:0418 points, obviously not good enough.
27:05Back-to-back 30-plus point performances
27:07followed up by a 41-minute 16-point performance.
27:11Not good enough.
27:11You see his updated numbers here.
27:1326.5 is a points prop for Anthony Edwards
27:15and 32.5 for SGA.
27:18If you're looking at those two superstars,
27:20who are you leaning on tonight
27:21to go over their points prop here, Coach?
27:24If Minnesota's going to have a chance,
27:26it's going to be Ant.
27:27I just, Donnie, I don't know if he gets there.
27:30Because I just think Minnesota's just going to load up
27:32and say, make someone else beat us.
27:33And honestly, I don't think SGA's got to get you
27:3632.5 points for them to win.
27:38So honestly, if I could say neither,
27:40I'll say neither.
27:41But if you give me a guy I want to take on Minnesota,
27:44I just talked about them playing three versus five
27:46on offense.
27:48Now let's read points and rebounds at 14.5.
27:52Over three straight games, 9 out of 12,
27:54they're going to need someone that can get them the ball
27:57and score a little bit.
27:58It can't be Rudy.
27:59Maybe Rudy gets pulled out a little bit.
28:01Go now let's read over 14.5 points plus rebounds.
28:03I think he can get to almost 20 tonight.
28:05It is really funny that Chey Gojus Alexander
28:08has scored 31-plus in three of the four games
28:10in this series.
28:11In fact, he has scored 31-plus in 10 of the 15
28:15for OKC in this playoff run.
28:18Coming off his career-high 40 points in game number four,
28:21but the story was more Jalen Williams
28:23and even the addition of Chet Holmgren for OKC
28:26to show that balance.
28:27But, J.Y., there is no doubt for the Timberwolves,
28:29you are going to need that balanced effort off the bench.
28:32Nas Reed, Dante DiVincenzo,
28:34Nikhil Alexander-Walker,
28:36who each of those final two made five threes
28:38in game number four
28:39to even keep this game within striking distance tonight.
28:43If you had to highlight a guy for Oklahoma City
28:45that could allow the Thunder to clinch this series
28:48rather comfortably,
28:49who would that player be?
28:51I'm going with another low-hanging fruit,
28:53and it actually is Isaiah Hartenstein.
28:55His points rebounds assistant has 14.5.
28:58Now, under two straight.
28:59Now, this is the guy that can get you
29:00and get to 15 just points rebounds low, right?
29:04Over 11 of his 13 games before the last two he missed.
29:07Six out of nine versus the Timberwolves.
29:09I think that he may play a critical part
29:11because, number one,
29:12you put him at that pitch post on the top of the key.
29:14Really good sideline.
29:15I was looking at his assists,
29:16but mine is over one and a half.
29:19It's just so much juice, I couldn't go there.
29:21So, I decided to put the points rebounds together
29:23over 14.5 tonight for Isaiah Hartenstein.
29:27Let's take a look also at the series prices.
29:29We just take a look there at the Indiana series
29:31versus the New York Knicks.
29:31Much more palatable if you want to take an underdog
29:33not so much in this series here.
29:35The Minnesota Timberwolves, a 20-1 price.
29:38Why?
29:38Because OKC is minus 7,000 to win this series at this point.
29:43And the expectations are it's supposed to get closed out in game five.
29:46Do we see, coach, a game six or a game seven?
29:50Or is it a wrap tonight?
29:51And no matter how high you can put that price
29:53for the Minnesota Timberwolves, coach,
29:54you ain't biting.
29:57Listen, man, they can put a lot of chum in the water.
29:59Don't mean I got to take it.
30:00So, I'm definitely not taking anything in regards to pass this game.
30:04I think it's over.
30:05I think it's over.
30:06And I wouldn't be surprised, guys, if this is a 15, 20-point win,
30:10kind of like what they did to Denver in game number seven
30:12when we just talked about the avalanche.
30:14The avalanche came late in the second quarter.
30:16They have 15-2 run.
30:1711-1 points for children.
30:19Guys, they just, at some point, they just get it.
30:23And their defense stays true to form and keeps them in this game.
30:27Now, can you say to me, can I see the Knicks forcing a game six?
30:30Yes, because they're at home.
30:32Can I see the Knicks forcing a game seven on the road?
30:34I mean, by winning game six and Indy?
30:37Yes.
30:37Why?
30:38Because the Knicks have a track record of winning games on the road.
30:40I can't do that with Minnesota.
30:43And not the fact that that series has been more of a blowout
30:46more than a Knicks series which has been tight.
30:48So you guys can donate all the money you want to FanDuel
30:51or whatever you want.
30:53I'm sure they'll glad they'll take your money.
30:55If you want to take some of your mortgage payments,
30:58which would be really dumb,
30:59and bet it on Minnesota to make any kind of comeback in this series.
31:03This series ends tonight.
31:05It's just a matter of by how much.
31:06J.Y., there's a thought right now with Oklahoma City minus 4-10
31:10to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy
31:12that even if Indiana wins in five against the New York Knicks,
31:16the Thunder are going to be so heavily favored,
31:18there's very little that Indiana can do.
31:21Can the Pacers keep pace with Oklahoma City
31:23and that NBA championship set?
31:26They can keep pace.
31:28My question to you is can they do enough to stop them?
31:32I know they can run with them.
31:33I know they got the depth.
31:34But do they have the defensive stoppers to go?
31:38Listen, I know Nation's done a really good job on Brunson.
31:41But SGA is a whole nother different animal.
31:45And then you got to go guard Williams.
31:47I don't think they have enough people to guard
31:48with the height at the guard position.
31:50I think OKC runs them.
31:52Thunder now the strongest favorite we have seen
31:54to win an NBA title at minus 4-10.
31:57What will that series price be
31:58when we reach the NBA final seemingly
32:01and not all that long from now?
32:03We'll be right back with the-
32:05I'll be right back with that.
32:05We'll be right back with that.
32:06We'll be right back with that.
32:07...
32:07...
32:07We'll be right back with that.
32:08Now, I know you're going to give it a little bit more.
32:09We'll be right back with that.
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