San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

Despite significant respect for the Spurs in the market leading up to Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, the Thunder got the win at home to take a 3-2 series lead. OKC is now one win away from returning to the NBA Finals, while the Spurs will look to continue their strong play at home and force a Game 7 on Saturday night.

While the Spurs’ streak of bouncing back off a loss ended in Game 3 of this series, they still opened that game 15-0. Strong starts off a loss, particularly when playing at home the following game, have been a theme with this team. In the previous round against Minnesota, San Antonio won both first quarters off a loss — including a dominant 18 points from Victor Wembanyama in the first quarter of Game 5 at home. Off the previous two losses to OKC in this series, the Spurs have won the first quarter of the next game by five and nine points, both times at home. Wembanyama scored seven and 11 points in those quarters.

So I’m looking to a correlated Same Game Parlay here, backing the Spurs to get off to a hot start, led by Wemby. I’ll back San Antonio on the first quarter moneyline, along with Wembanyama to score at least eight points in the opening frame. Not only off a loss, but with the Spurs’ backs against the wall, I expect them to open up playing with a ton of energy. Wemby is off a tough game, which generally means getting him involved early the next time out.

Who knows if the moment is too big for the young Spurs as the game goes on. Perhaps OKC’s championship experience prevails, as it did when grinding out of that 15-0 hole in Game 3. But I’ll confidently back both the Spurs and Wemby to come out of the gates quick on Thursday night in Game 6.

NBA Pick: Spurs 1Q ML/Wembanyama 8+ 1Q Points (+150)