Basketball Postseason Gambling: Golden State Warriors Success Continues, Next Challenge - Minnesota Timberwolves
The Warriors managed to outlast the Rockets and move on, but their victory may only buy them a brief reprieve. In the second round, they'll be squaring off against the physically imposing and athletic Timberwolves, starting Tuesday in San Francisco.
Zach Cohen, Senior Editor at VSiN.com, shares his thoughts on the series. While some might call the Warriors' win over Houston "championship pedigree," Cohen attributes it to Buddy Hield's impressive 33-point performance and the Rockets' mediocre offensive showing throughout the season.
The Timberwolves offer many of the same challenges that the Rockets did. They're big, physical, and athletic, and boast a deep roster with excellent coaching. Additionally, Minnesota features two reliable late-game scorers in Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle, drafted 1st overall and 3rd overall in the 2020 draft, respectively.
Keep an eye on the Rockets during the offseason. Although early on, Cohen is considering a Houston futures bet for the 2025-26 championship. After scoring just 89 points in a do-or-die scenario, Houston has the potential to go all-in and acquire a star-level offensive player, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo or Kevin Durant.
In other news, the second round kicked off Sunday with the Pacers sneaking by the top-seeded Cavs. Tonight, catch the Knicks vs. Celtics and Nuggets vs. Thunder, both airing on TNT. Stay tuned for Zach's daily Best Bets and Steve Makinen's Analytics Report.
As for the NHL, the Jets earned a spot against Dallas after rallying against the Blues, tying the game with just 1.6 seconds remaining in regulation. Meanwhile, the Panthers will face the Leafs in the second round, with Jonathan Davis previewing the series later this morning. Don't forget to review Steve's playoff betting strategies before placing your bets.
And finally, Greg Peterson's top plays for today's MLB matchups are already available, with additional contributions from Steve Makinen, Adam Burke, and Josh Appelbaum coming later this morning. Head to VSiN's matchup page for more detailed analysis.
In the NBA, Zach Cohen suggests that the Warriors' victory against the Rockets was more attributable to Buddy Hield's incredible 33-point performance and the Rockets' mediocre offensive showing, rather than being a testament to their championship pedigree. Upcoming, the Warriors encounter the Timberwolves, who, like the Rockets, possess a physically imposing and athletic team, boast a deep roster with excellent coaching, and can rely on Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle for late-game scoring.
