The brooms were out at the Fantasy Alarm Betting Bungalow! A perfect sweep to begin the NBA Conference Finals. The Oklahoma City Thunder were victorious against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but they did not win the first quarter. Minnesota scored 23 points while Oklahoma City scored just 20, clearing the +2.5 and winning the moneyline.

Despite the Timberwolves' great first half, they mustered just 40 total points in the second half. The Thunder came out with aggression, and their dominant defense took over. The final score was 114 - 88, safely securing the under 216.5 best bet of yesterday.

Julius Randle was a bright spot for Minnesota, and he cleared his point proposition of over 19.5 points in the first half. He scored 20% of the Timberwolves' second-half points as well, and his point line will be worth monitoring going forward.

NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 5/21

Although there are few finer actions than a perfect night against the sportsbooks, that is yesterday’s news. Today brings a new game one, and all three NBA best bets come from that match.

 

 

 

Pacers vs Knicks Prediction: Total Under 224.0  (-110 on Bet365) *BET OF THE NIGHT 

The New York Knicks host the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden for game one of the Eastern Conference Finals. The first NBA best bet today focuses on the total point prediction which is currently set at 224.0 points. This decades-long rivalry has not been void of playoff battles, as this will be the ninth time these two franchises have met in the postseason.

Those matches have brought some of the most memorable moments in this sport; Reggie Miller 8 points in 11 seconds, Miller giving the choking sign to Knicks superfan Spike Lee, Patrick Ewing slamming a dunk in the last seconds to advance the Knicks to the finals, Ewing missing a layup in the last second, allowing the Pacers to advance, and many more. This series shouldn’t be any different, but the expectation is for it to go under 224 points tonight.

Both teams have a roster that can play at a strenuous pace, up and down the court, but the first game jitters could have an effect on both teams. 224 points would require both teams to have high-scoring quarters, every quarter, and that doesn’t seem logical. The playoffs have been about better defense, and referees allowing teams to play aggressively on defense. These bode well for the under.

Indiana scored over 120 in five of their last six games against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but that was a team they dominated all season. New York can score with any offensive team, but the Knicks are starting to display the defensive grit that every Tom Thibodeau-coached team utilizes. Madison Square Garden will be rocking, and neither team is considered an elite three-point field goal team.

Put a unit on this best bet at Bet365, and make sure to take advantage of the promotional offer at the end of this article to score free bonus bets.

 

 

 

Pacers vs Knicks Prediction: New York -1.5 1st Quarter  (-102 at BETMGM)

The Pacers have shown the ability to come back in the fourth quarter to steal the game. They keep their up-and-down, transitional offense going throughout the game, and in the fourth quarter, opposing teams are unable to match their effort. This leads to comebacks, blowouts, and dramatic finishes. The same can not be said for how they start games.

Meanwhile, the Knicks can be known as slow starters as well, but not always. Jalen Brunson or Karl Anthony Towns are capable of scoring furries regardless of the quarter. It is not far-fetched to think the long rest could damage both teams' field goal percentage, but the Knicks are playing in front of their fans. 

The most prestigious basketball arena will be rocking in a way that hasn’t been felt this century. The last time the Knicks were in the Eastern Conference Finals was in 2000, and the last game of that series was a loss to the Indiana Pacers. It just so happened to be Knicks legend Patrick Ewing’s last game wearing the orange and blue.

A Knicks legend in the making, Brunson, can add to his lore with a great performance, beginning in the first quarter. Be it with great play-making assists for his teammates, or getting to his spots early to set the pace. A hot start to this match would set record decibel levels at Madison Square Garden, and several of the greatest musicians/bands have played at that venue.

This NBA best bet is almost at even odds at BETMGM; place this bet there now. For those new to BETMGM, take advantage of Fantasy Alarm’s promotional offer for up to $1,500 in bonus bets.

 

 

 

Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 5/21

The last NBA best bet today is a player proposition on a 2025 All-Star who is perpetually underappreciated. 

Paces vs Knicks Prediction: Pascal Siakam Over 18.5 Points (-110 on FanDuel) 

Pascal Siakam is the starting power forward for the Indiana Pacers, and despite being a multiple-time All-Star, he is not considered a star in the league. The 2019 NBA champion has accomplished enough to get him a spot in the Naismith Hall of Fame one day, but Fantasy Alarm’s focus is on the here and now. And right now, Siakam must be one of the best scorers, if not the leading scorer of this series.

His point line is currently set at 18.5 points, which is tied for the most projected among all Pacers. He and Tyrese Haliburton must play well to have a chance to win this game and this series. Siakam has scored over 18.5 in his last two playoff games and five of the Pacers' ten playoff matches. With Haliburton expected to be double-teamed, Siakam will have more opportunities at high-percentage field goals. 

Siakam does not get many free-throw points and makes most of his points from the midrange or near the rim. Towns is not the greatest defender, and Bridges will be on Haliburton. Siakam has a 7’ 3” wingspan and has scored 20.2 points per game in the regular season. He should have a good offensive game with open looks. 

The key number is fourteen. If Siakam attempts 14 field goals, he should cover this line. Put a unit on this best bet at FanDuel and make sure to utilize Fantasy Alarm’s promotional offer for new customers.

 

 

 

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Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy
 

*All NBA odds accurate at time of writing and NBA best bets today to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise