Quick Recap:
• Record: 1-0
• Units: +1.0
• Best Win: Thunder -7.0 (+1.0u)
• Tough Loss: —
Bryan Bash delivered a perfect 1-0 performance on May 20, 2026, cashing his lone NBA wager in the Western Conference finals. The handicapper backed the Oklahoma City Thunder as home favorites against the San Antonio Spurs, and the reigning MVP ensured the pick sailed comfortably.
Spurs at Thunder
Bash selected the Thunder -7.0 at -115 odds for one unit, and Oklahoma City delivered a convincing 122-113 victory to even the Western Conference finals at one game apiece. The pick Won easily, as the nine-point margin cleared the seven-point spread with room to spare.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander bounced back from a subpar series opener to score 30 points and dish out nine assists, reminding everyone why he earned MVP honors. His performance set the tone for a Thunder squad that dominated with depth, as Oklahoma City’s bench outscored San Antonio’s reserves 57-25—a staggering 32-point advantage that proved decisive in covering the spread. Alex Caruso contributed 17 points off the bench, while Chet Holmgren added 13 and reserves Jared McCain and Cason Wallace each chipped in 12.
The game remained tight through the first quarter, knotted at 31-31, but Oklahoma City seized control in the second period. The Thunder outscored the Spurs 31-20 in that frame, building a double-digit cushion that would prove critical to covering the number. San Antonio made a push in the third quarter, outscoring Oklahoma City 37-34, but the deficit was too large to overcome completely. The Thunder maintained their composure down the stretch, matching the Spurs nearly point-for-point in the fourth quarter (26-25) to preserve both the victory and the cover.
Victor Wembanyama put together an impressive stat line for San Antonio with 21 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, and four blocks, but the Spurs lacked the bench production necessary to keep pace. Despite shooting a slightly better field goal percentage (48.8% to 47.9%) and connecting on three-pointers at a higher clip (40.0% to 36.1%), San Antonio’s 12-assist disadvantage (22 to 34) highlighted Oklahoma City’s superior ball movement and offensive flow. The Thunder’s 34 assists reflected the kind of team basketball that allowed them to pull away and cover comfortably, even as the Spurs held a slight edge on the glass (45 rebounds to 41).
Bryan Bash’s decision to back the Thunder at home proved prescient, as Oklahoma City’s depth and Gilgeous-Alexander’s return to form combined to produce a stress-free cover. The handicapper finishes the day with a clean 1-0 record, banking one unit on a well-handicapped Western Conference finals matchup.
