NBA and WNBA Picks and Parlays for May 22 – 23: Back the Pacers and OKC to Cover the Spread 4d6i56

With the Conference Finals already well underway, we are eagerly expecting Game 2 of both series to continue in the same dramatic fashion. Thunder completely dismantled the Timberwolves at home in Game 1, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finally being given his MVP trophy. Our expert pick for the next game is that OKC will seize the moment and cover the spread once again.

On the other side in the East, Indiana mounted a huge comeback in the dying moments of the fourth quarter, shifting the game into overtime, and grabbing a surprise win away in the heart of New York. Will it be retaliation from the losing teams, or will it be more of the same? 

Furthermore, the WNBA season is upon us, with a few thrilling fixtures before the weekend starts. New York Liberty travel to Chicago to face the Sky, Indiana goes up against the Atlanta Dream, while the Washington Mystics face the Las Vegas Aces on the road. All matches that we are going to cover and provide you with the best betting lines in pre-weekend action.

*Sports betting carries inherent risks, and outcomes can be unpredictable. The recommendations offered here are based on current data and analysis but should not be viewed as guarantees of success.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Oklahoma City Thunder – Thunder to Cover the Spread 44m3y

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder meet in Game 2, with the Thunder currently leading the Western Conference Finals series after a strong Game 1 performance. Oklahoma City’s defense was a major factor, holding Minnesota to just 40 points in the second half and capitalizing on 19 Timberwolves turnovers for 31 points off those mistakes.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the way for the Thunder, getting to the foul line and controlling the pace, while Minnesota’s offense struggled, especially from three-point range (shooting 29.4% on 51 attempts).

The Thunder have shown consistency in covering the spread as favorites, especially at home. In Game 1, they were able to pull away after halftime, and their defense has been a reliable source of points off turnovers. The main betting tip is to consider the Thunder to cover the spread, given their recent form and ability to close out games strong. An alternative bet is to look at the under for total points, as both teams have elite defenses and the Timberwolves have had trouble scoring efficiently in this matchup.

Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks – Pacers Against the Spread 2q316q

The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks face off in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden, following a dramatic overtime win by the Pacers in Game 1. The Pacers overcame a 14-point deficit with less than three minutes left to stun the Knicks 138-135, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch. Their head-to-head record in the regular season is closely matched, with each team winning two of the last four meetings.

For those interested in betting, the Knicks are slight favorites for Game 2, with the spread set around -5.5 points. So, consider the Pacers with the points (+5.5), as Indiana has proven capable of keeping games close and has momentum after their Game 1 comeback. An alternative betting angle is to take the over on the point total, given both teams’ tendency to play high-scoring games—they average 233.2 combined points per game, above the current over/under of 227.

New York Liberty vs. Chicago Sky – Liberty to Cover the Spread 706wy

The New York Liberty and Chicago Sky face off in Chicago on Thursday, May 22, 2025. The Liberty enter the game with confidence after a convincing 92-78 win over the Las Vegas Aces, led by standout performances from Breanna Stewart and Natasha Cloud.

New York showed strong shooting, rebounding, and defense, suggesting they are in top form. The Sky, on the other hand, are looking to bounce back from a tough 93-58 loss to the Indiana Fever, though rookie Angel Reese turned in a solid effort with 12 points and 17 rebounds.

Betting markets heavily favor the Liberty, with New York listed as an 11 to 11.5-point favorite and a moneyline around -650 to -699, reflecting the team’s clear advantage. The total points line is set between 162.5 and 163.5, indicating expectations for a moderately high-scoring game.

Take the New York Liberty -11.5. The Liberty’s recent form, depth, and defensive strength make them a reliable pick to cover the spread against a Chicago team still finding its rhythm. But also, consider betting the under on the total points (162.5). While both teams have offensive weapons, New York’s strong defense could limit Chicago’s scoring enough to keep the game under the set total, especially if the Sky struggle from the field.

Indiana Fever vs. Atlanta Dream – Fever to Cover the Spread 6u3g6q

The Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream face off in a rematch at State Farm Arena tonight, just two days after the Dream narrowly edged the Fever 91-90 in Indianapolis. Both teams stand at 1-1 early in the WNBA season, making this game crucial for momentum as they look to climb the standings.

Indiana’s offense has been strong, averaging 91.5 points per game, with Caitlin Clark leading the way at 23.5 points and 10.5 assists per contest. Aliyah Boston and Kelsey Mitchell add reliable scoring. But turnovers hurt the Fever in their last outing, resulting in 20 points given up off miscues. Atlanta counters with a balanced attack led by Allisha Gray, Brittney Griner, and Brionna Jones, though their defense has allowed opponents to shoot nearly 50% from the field, a potential vulnerability.

We advise taking the Indiana Fever to cover the spread (-3.5). The Fever have the offensive firepower to exploit Atlanta’s defensive struggles and should be motivated after their close loss. You can also bet the game to go over the total (O/U 173). Both teams have shown they can put up big numbers, and their recent head-to-head matchup finished with 181 total points.

Washington Mystics vs. Las Vegas Aces – Aces to Cover the Spread 2s4a4o

The Washington Mystics head to Las Vegas to face the Aces fresh off a narrow 76-74 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, where Brittney Sykes led the way with 30 points. The Mystics have shown promise early in the season, with Sykes averaging big numbers and the team fighting hard in every contest. Las Vegas, meanwhile, is a perennial contender and looks to bounce back after a mixed start to their own campaign.

Last season, Las Vegas allowed just 80.9 points per game and was solid at home. The Mystics, however, have struggled on the road in previous seasons and are missing key players due to injury.

For betting tips, the main recommendation is to consider the Las Vegas Aces -6.5 spread, as their home-court advantage and defensive strength make them favorites against a short-handed Mystics team. An alternative bet is to take the Under on the total points, as both teams have shown the ability to slow the pace and play tough defense, especially in recent matchups.