Check out the top Shai Gilgeous-Alexander player prop bet ahead of Thunder vs. Pacers on Thursday night.
It didn’t take long for the NBA Finals rematch to arrive. Four months and one day after dispatching the Indiana Pacers in Game 7 to capture their first title in franchise history, the Oklahoma City Thunder return to Indianapolis on Thursday night.
The Thunder capped their ring night celebration with a thrilling double-overtime win over the Houston Rockets in Tuesday’s season opener. The Pacers, meanwhile, return to the hardwood Thursday for the first time since their Finals heartbreak.
Indiana looks to exact revenge on its home court — but that’s far easier said than done. OKC marches into enemy territory led by the reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has picked up right where he left off.
Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. OKC enters as a staggering -305 moneyline favorite over the Tyrese Haliburton-less Pacers, who sit as a +245 underdog. The total is set at 231.5 points.
Ahead of the Thursday night Finals rematch, here’s my favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander prop bet on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Best Shai Gilgeous-Alexander prop bet for Thunder vs. Pacers
There are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander getting buckets. The 6-foot-6 guard out of Kentucky made it look easy last season, averaging an NBA-leading 32.7 points, 6.4 assists, five rebounds, 1.7 steals, and a block per game on 52/38/90 splits en route to his first MVP award.
His regular season mastery translated into postseason dominance. While Indiana guards Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard gave him trouble during the Finals, the 27-year-old Canadian still racked up 30.3 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.6 boards a night, helping down the Pacers and earning Finals MVP honors.
Even on an off-night, the 2024-25 scoring champion manages to rattle off points at will — whether it’s “ethical” or not. Last season, SGA attempted nearly nine free throws per game, the second most in the league behind Giannis Antetokounmpo. This defining aspect of his game was on full display in Tuesday’s season opener. Against the Rockets, Gilgeous-Alexander dropped 35 points on just 12-of-26 shooting and a paltry 1-of-9 from downtown — adding ten points on 14 tries from the charity stripe. He also chipped in five rebounds and five assists in the winning effort.
Yes, Gilgeous-Alexander’s contact-seeking playstyle can rub many viewers the wrong way. But don’t hate the player — count on him to rack up points while peppering in a steady flow of dimes and boards to hit tonight’s over.
Best Bet: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 43.5 Pts + Reb + Ast (-116)
