It has become quite clear that the Oklahoma City Thunder will not be bothered by the Los Angeles Lakers, especially with L.A. potentially without Luka Doncic for the entire series.
However, my Lakers vs. Thunder props and NBA picks actually question Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, as Oklahoma City’s reigning MVP won't need to exert much effort for Game 2 on Thursday, May 7.
Best Lakers vs Thunder props for Game 2
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 Shai Gilgeous-Alexander |
Under 29.5 points | -112 |
 Austin Reaves |
Under 18.5 points | -105 |
| Jared McCain |
Over 4.5 points | -110 |
Game 2 Prop #1: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Under 29.5 points
What happens when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is awarded only three free throws? He falls short of 20 points for the first time since last year's postseason.
The Oklahoma City Thunder star doesn't need to hurl himself into the floor in this series to produce offense. Given how outgunned the Los Angeles Lakers are, the Thunder will find offense regardless.
On top of that, the Lakers ranked No. 4 this year in foul rate. Opponents took fewer than one free throw for every four field goal attempts.
Perhaps that is a Los Angeles bias; perhaps it is quality defense. Either way, it is a reality.
And without renting space at the free throw line, Gilgeous-Alexander should fall short of his points prop for most of this series, something that will reverse quickly next round with the return of the free throw merchant.
Game 2 Prop #2: Austin Reaves Under 18.5 points
Austin Reaves really struggled in Game 1, going 3-for-16 from the field for eight points in 36 minutes.
With injuries working their way through the Lakers’ rotation, Reaves is likely to see even more of a workload, worrying oblique notwithstanding. The problem is that Oklahoma City is well aware of that Los Angeles necessity.
The Thunder have a bounty of defenders seemingly designed to bother a scorer like Reaves. With so few genuine threats in the Lakers’ rotation, Reaves never has a moment away from someone like SGA, Lu Dort, or Alex Caruso.
It is, not to be dramatic, a miserable existence, and it will be the case throughout this entire series for the ailing Reaves.
Game 2 Prop #3: Jared McCain Over 4.5 points
Did the oddsmakers not watch Game 1? Do they think the Lakers are suddenly going to solve the Thunder despite going 0-5 against the spread against them this season?
Jared McCain played 15 minutes in Game 1, going 4-for-7 from the field for 12 points, and there is no reason to think Game 2 will be close enough to limit his playing time.
Oklahoma City can't reach much further than McCain in a blowout. He is the ninth or tenth man on this roster, a reflection of the Thunder's embarrassment of riches.
There is even some logic in firing on the McCain 20-point milestone prop, available at +3500. He could get there in a blowout, and this should be exactly that.
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