NBA Best Bets Today, 5/28: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - NBA Playoffs
A clean headquarters can be found at the Fantasy Alarm Betting Bungalow as we swept the sportsbooks, and in style! All three best bets cleared with ease in a night that belonged to the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers controlled the second half of the game and were up 11 points going into the fourth quarter. Despite a good effort, the New York Knicks now find themselves down 1 - 3 after taking down the defending champion Boston Celtics.
Pascal Siakam needed over 20.5 points and earned 30 on an efficient 11 of 21 from the field, easily clearing the player proposition. The Pacers cleared the moneyline with a 130 - 121 win over the Knicks in game four. Their combined score was also well above the 220.5 projected total, and all three best bets could have been safely teased up.
However, a win is a win, and yesterday’s three wins brought in a return on investment of +2.80 units. As great as that feeling was, today presents new opportunities that can produce even better feelings.
NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 5/28
It is a pivotal game for both teams, but there is more weight on the shoulders of the visiting team. All three best bets come from this Northwest Division showdown.
Timberwolves vs Thunder Prediction: Minnesota +2.5 1st Quarter (-110 on BETMGM) *BET OF THE NIGHT
The Minnesota Timberwolves must come out with more energy in the first quarter if they are going to have a chance to win this match. Oklahoma City is not an easy victory, and they must not be allowed to get an early lead if the Timberwolves are going to win game five. It is a do-or-die situation for Minnesota, and they were in this exact spot last year.
They were down 1 - 3 against the Dallas Mavericks and lost that game. Starting with a lead after the first quarter is imperative if they hope to avoid the same scenario. They will need more points from Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, who combined for just 21 in game four. For perspective, the Thunder had a player score in the 20s, a player score in the 30s, and a player score in the 40s. All equal or tied to Edwards and Randle’s combined points.
The Thunder have been the better team in this series, and it hasn’t been close. But the Timberwolves earned their way to the Western Conference Finals, and whatever fight they have left in them should be turned to a maximum level in the first quarter. Look for a team that has been in this situation before to outscore the Thunder.
BETMGM is giving the Timberwolves a +2.5 first-quarter spread, and the smart bet is to place it on the spread. It is difficult to score three more points than the other team in any first quarter, but even more so in a closeout match to advance to the finals. Both teams will have some anxiety to begin this game.
Put a unit for the Timberwolves to cover as underdogs, and for new customers, make sure to take advantage of Fantasy Alarm’s promotional offer for up to $1,500 in bonus bets.
Timberwolves vs Thunder Same Game Parlay Prediction: OKC moneyline & Shai Gilgeous Alexander Over 7.5 Assists (+120 on Bet365)
Although the prediction is for the Timberwolves to win the first quarter, the expectation is for the Thunder to finish the series tonight. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander should be awarded the Western Conference MVP, and he has been the best player in this series. He has scored 123 points in the conference finals, but it is assists that this best bet looks at.
Although underrated, Gilgeous-Alexander has been an excellent passer throughout the playoffs. He has found open players and made precise passes to get his teammates the best possible field goals. He has a total of 33 assists in the Conference Finals and has recorded over 7.5 in three of the four games thus far. Those three games correlate with the Thunder’s victories.
Oklahoma City is too deep for the Timberwolves, and the quality of their depth has propelled them past the Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets. Look for their role players to excel tonight, and part of that reason will be due to assists from Gilgeous-Alexander.
Put a unit on this NBA best bet today at Bet365 and enjoy the positive odds from adding the moneyline to his assists proposition. For those new to Bet365, make sure to take advantage of the promotional offer at the end of this article.
Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 5/28
The last NBA best bet today is a ladder on a player who must step up for their team to have a chance to win.
Timberwolves vs Thunder Prediction: Anthony Edwards Over 3.5 Threes Made (+130 on FanDuel Sportsbook) Anthony Edwards 5+ Threes Made (+290 on FanDuel Sportsbook)
Anthony Edwards receives a lot of hype as one of the best players in the Association. He unfairly gets compared to Michael Jordan (everyone is their own self; comparing people or athletes is misleading), due to his athleticism and jumping ability as a guard. He is one of the better players in the league, but did not make the 2025 first team all-NBA, so there are indeed players better than him.
However, Edwards did lead the league in three points made, earning the title of Three Point Champion. If the Minnesota Timberwolves are going to win this game, Edwards will need to find his three-point scoring ability. Despite playing in just his fifteenth 2025 playoff game, he has made the most threes of any player, 45. Paired with his 320 makes 365 threes made this season, and tonight this best bet needs him to make five.
This is a playoff ladder in a close-out game. Edwards’ line is set at 3.5 with positive odds on the over. He has gone over this just once this series, and as it happens, it is the only game the Timberwolves have won in the Conference Finals. He must score often from behind the three-point line. Luckily, he has gone over 3.5 in four of his last seven games, and he needs to get better, open looks.
The crazy part of those four games is that he made five in each of them, and the Timberwolves won all four of those games. When he is a deep scoring threat, it opens up the middle of the court for his teammates, who (with the exception of Mike Conley) can all finish strong at the rim. Edwards, being the leading three-point scorer on the court, is the Timberwolves' only path to victory. And even with those points, several other factors must go their way. However, it starts with Edwards, and he must be an elite scorer, which he has displayed all season.
Put a unit on each “step” of this betting ladder, and look for a big payoff. If he makes 4, it is a profitable bet regardless of whether he makes the fifth three or not. Place this NBA best bet at FanDuel Sportsbooks and make sure to take advantage of the promotional offer from Fantasy Alarm for FREE bonus bets!
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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
Player News
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reports that the Jazz have no plans to trade Lauri Markkanen this offseason.
With the Jazz in the midst of a rebuild, there have been questions regarding Markkanen’s future with the franchise. However, while John Collins and Collin Sexton were traded this offseason and Jordan Clarkson’s contract was bought out, the team reportedly does not plan to move Markkanen. “It would be too much to describe Markkanen as untouchable, but the Jazz still project the All-Star forward as a key player in their future core,” MacMahon wrote. In addition to how he’s viewed within the franchise, Markkanen’s contract may deter some teams. Last August, he agreed to a five-year extension worth $238 million. Utah still needs some veterans to lead the way for their young roster, which is why Markkanen remains so valuable to the franchise.
Dalton Knecht shot 3-of-15 from the field and 1-of-4 from the foul line in Monday’s loss to the Clippers, scoring eight points with seven rebounds, two assists, one steal and one three-pointer.
Knecht had a rough night, shooting 1-of-8 from beyond the arc. Unfortunately for the second-year wing, he’s had more difficult nights than good ones this summer, which is concerning for the Lakers. Generally speaking, teams want to see their returnees excel in Las Vegas, if not dominate. Knecht has not done that, which may result in him playing more games at summer league than the Lakers would have hoped.
Bronny James accounted for 17 points (6-of-10 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, five assists and three three-pointers in Monday’s loss to the Clippers.
James put forth his best performance of the NBA 2K26 Summer League on Monday, leading the Lakers in scoring and offering solid value in the rebound and assist categories. Looking forward to the regular season, the second-year guard is not in a great position to provide tangible fantasy value. The Lakers remain in win-now mode, likely limiting Bronny’s opportunities to contribute. His ability to crack the rotation will likely hinge on what James can provide as a defender and perimeter shooter.
Yanic Konan Niederhauser tallied 10 points (5-of-9 FGs), two rebounds and two steals in Monday’s win over the Lakers.
After two subdued performances, Konan Niederhauser was more involved offensively on Monday. The nine shot attempts exceeded his total in the Clippers’ first two games in Las Vegas, and the rookie’s teammates appeared more intent on getting him the ball. That led to a few dunks that likely boosted Konan Niederhauser’s confidence, and he finished in double figures. The hope is that he’ll be more consistent on both ends of the floor.
Jordan Miller finished Monday’s win over the Lakers with 19 points (7-of-11 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), seven rebounds, two assists, two steals and one three-pointer.
Waived by the Clippers just before the start of summer league, Miller is looking to earn another NBA opportunity, whether it’s with Los Angeles or another team. He needs to improve three-point shooting and defense, both on and off the ball. Miller looked good against the Lakers and performed well in Sunday’s win over the Bucks. The Clippers have a few standard contract slots available, and Miller may be positioning himself to earn one. However, he won’t be worth the risk in fantasy leagues.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports the Hornets have signed Drew Peterson to a two-way contract.
After spending his first two seasons with the Celtics, Peterson is reportedly headed to Charlotte. The player and his new head coach are familiar with each other, as Hornets coach Charles Lee was a Celtics assistant during the 2023-24 season. While the change of scenery may result in more opportunities for Peterson, he is not a player to target in fantasy drafts.