2025 NBA Postseason Predictions: Pacers vs. Cavaliers Game 1, Warriors vs. Rockets Game 7
Spicing Up the 2025 NBA Playoffs
Welcome, basketball enthusiasts! It's your boy, Goffy, here to break down the action-packed NBA Playoffs on May 4th. Let's dive into my hot picks for the Eastern Conference Semifinals and the tense Game 7 in the Western Conference.
📊 Stats and Facts- Cavaliers finished the regular season 14.0 games ahead of the Pacers- Haliburton saw an increase in his true shooting rate of nearly 100 percentage points post-All-Star break- Houston outscores Golden State 106.5-104.2 in points per game and is winning three of the "four factors"
🏆 Pacers (+8.5) at Cavaliers Game 1
These teams split their regular-season series 1-1, but let's not count Indiana's April wins since Cleveland didn't play at full strength. The Cavs might've improved under coach Kenny Atkinson, but the Pacers still have the same players who made it to the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals.
Tyrese Haliburton, an Olympic gold medalist and the heart of the Pacers, has elevated his game post-All-Star break, boosting his offensive rating and assists per game. The Cavs have no one to stop him, while Indy's defense, led by Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard, can contain Donovan Mitchell.
In this modern era of basketball, a spread of -8.5 isn't enormous, but the Pacers still manage to cover it with their consistency, coaching, and roster depth.
prediction: Cavaliers 116, Pacers 112
🚀 Warriors at Rockets (-2.5) Game 7
Ignore the wise guys telling you to take the Warriors. The Rockets are winning the crucial offensive metrics, and their physical dominance is overwhelming the Warriors. Houston is scoring more points in the paint and getting more putback points per 100 misses.
The Warriors lack the shooters to challenge the Rockets' big men, Steven Adams, and Alperen Sengun. The sportsbooks say the Rockets are the "sharp” play, and I can't argue with that.
prediction: Rockets 109, Warriors 100
🔥 Snapshots of Star Performers- Tyrese Haliburton: Despite struggling in Game 3, Haliburton had impressive performances earlier in the playoffs, showcasing his ability to score and lead the team.- Alperen Sengun: The Rockets' center has been dominating the interior and will look to annihilate the Warriors in Game 7.
📝 Follow Me on X (@Geoffery-Clark) for more basketball betting tips, rants, and updates on my NBA 2024-25 betting record. Tune in to our Bets Podcast for additional betting content and entertaining discussions. Let's enjoy the thrilling 2025 NBA Playoffs together!
In the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Goffy predicts the Pacers to beat the Cavaliers, covering the -8.5 betting odds, due to the consistency, coaching, and roster depth of the Pacers, as well as Tyrese Haliburton's improved game and the ability of the Pacers' defense to contain Donovan Mitchell. On the other hand, in Game 7 between the Warriors and Rockets, Goffy suggests betting on the Rockets to win, given their physical dominance, better performance in crucial offensive metrics, and the lack of shooters among the Warriors, especially when facing Houston's big men like Steven Adams and Alperen Sengun. Finally, Goffy highlights the stellar performances of Tyrese Haliburton and Alperen Sengun, who have been impressing in their respective playoff games.
