Reviving the Competition in Celtics-Knicks and Timberwolves-Warriors Game 3s: Double-Up Wins Pondered
Let's Face It: Winning in the 2025 NBA Playoffs was a blast, but a four-game losing streak ain't fun. Friday's "best bets" didn't pan out, with the Indiana Pacers getting steamrolled by the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder losing as -5.5 favorites to the Denver Nuggets.
Time to get the fans back on their feet! That means more wagers, but responsibly, of course.
2025 NBA Playoffs Betting Card: May 10
Here are the best picks for Tuesday's games. Odds are from the best available sources at the time of writing.
- New York Knicks +5 vs. the Boston Celtics via FanDuel, risking 1.1 units (u).
- Minnesota Timberwolves -5.5 vs. the Golden State Warriors via DraftKings, risking 1.1 units (u).
Celtics at Knicks (+5)
This isn't the sharpest play in the world. But hey, I'm a New Yorker, and I'm not about to bet against my team when it's the playoffs! I usually steer clear of betting on my favorites, but here we are.
All-Star and 2024-25 NBA Clutch Player of the Year, Jalen Brunson, is the best player in this series. Meanwhile, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are living off questionable jump shots. And let's not forget Tatum's struggles, as the media tears him a new one for his dismal performance in the first two games. His true shooting percentage for the series is a woeful 39.2%.
Kristaps Porzingis isn't at 100%, which means more minutes for backup center Luke Kornet. However, that just means Mitchell Robinson will be on the floor, making it tough for the Celtics to get to the line. Robinson is one of the best defensive bigs in basketball, and his presence is a headache for any opposing team.
Boston's historic -900 series favorites status, their 4-0 regular-season sweep, and their reigning NBA Championship title don't change my mind. I'm a fan, and I'm taking the points at The Garden.
Prediction: Celtics 105, Knicks 103
Timberwolves (-5.5) at Warriors
The Timberwolves crushed Golden State in Game 2 without Steph Curry, winning 117-93. With Curry out, the Warriors are much easier to defend. During the regular season, Curry had a +7.3 on/off net rating, and in the playoffs, it's been +15.2. Minnesota has two players to throw at Jimmy Butler III: Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels.
Draymond Green is playing on the edge, and his antics will likely cost Golden State a game in this series. Green complains about being portrayed as an "angry black guy," but he's one of the dirtiest players in the league, and his shenanigans lost the 2016 NBA Finals for the Warriors.
Rebounding will be crucial in this matchup, and the T-Wolves have an advantage with Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, and Edwards. These three are fantastic offensive rebounders, and the T-Wolves were fourth in three-point percentage during the regular season.
Prediction: Timberwolves 105, Warriors 97
Follow me on Twitter @GeofferyClark for more betting content and random rants. I'll be updating my NBA 2024-25 betting record throughout the season. Don't say I didn't warn ya if Tuesday's bets don't pan out!
- With the recent disappointing losses in betting, it's time to make fresh wagers, but be sure to do so responsibly.
- In the upcoming 2025 NBA Playoffs games, the betting card suggests a 5-point advantage for the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Golden State Warriors.
- The author, a New York resident, is putting his money on the New York Knicks with a +5 points advantage in their game against the Boston Celtics, despite the Celtics being the favorite team.
- The Timberwolves were able to defeat the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 without Steph Curry, showcasing Minnesota's potential to defend against the Warriors effectively.
- The Timberwolves also have a significant advantage in rebounding with players like Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, and Anthony Edwards, which could tip the scale in their favor against the Golden State Warriors.
