The second round of the 2024-25 NBA Playoffs continues Sunday with a thrilling double-header. First, it will be the Celtics and Knicks in Game 3, followed by the Timberwolves vs Warriors in their Game 3 matchup. Read on for our full preview and best bets for both games.
NBA Playoffs Betting Tips: Sunday, May 11th 2025
Boston Celtics at New York Knicks (5:30am AEST)
Series Score: Knicks lead 2-0
The second round of the NBA Playoffs has been an unpredictable ride so far, and this series has led the way in sheer drama, with the defending champion Boston Celtics blowing a 20-point lead, not once, but twice. It was an almost identical script with the Celtics, playing at home, leading by 20 points in the third quarter of both games before losing. Their shooting went ice cold down the stretch in Game 2 as they missed 14 of their last 15 shots in the final eight-and-a-half minutes. During that stretch, the Knicks went on a 23-6 scoring run.
Almost no one could have predicted that the Celtics would lose both games at home, and now they face a must-win Game 3 at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are potentially one game away from sinking the Celtics, as a 3-0 deficit would leave Boston feeling like their playoff run is hopeless. Both teams are underperforming offensively, as the Knicks shot 43% from the field and 29% from three-point range in Game 2. The Celtics shot just 36% and 25% respectively.
Jayson Tatum must lead the Celtics in Game 3. His performance last game was terrible by his standards, finishing with just 13 points on 5-19 shooting. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White both finished with 20 points but were inefficient from the field shooting around 35% apiece. The Celtics continue to live and die by the three, shooting just 25% from beyond the arc as they have taken 100 attempts in the first two games. Coach Joe Mazzulla needs a backup plan, because if the shots aren’t falling from deep, the Celtics need to find interior baskets from either midrange or in the paint.
The Knicks are going to lean heavily into the two-man game between Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Expect to see plenty more pick-and-roll scenarios between the pair. While both comebacks have been incredible to see, the Celtics are likely to still be confident in their ability as they have looked dominant prior to monumental collapses in both games this series. They can bounce back and are a good road team with a 33-8 record away from the TD Garden, so expect them to make a statement and cover the line to keep the series competitive.
Celtics -5.5
$1.93 (1.5 units)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden State Warriors (10:30am)
Series Score: Tied 1-1
The Minnesota Timberwolves evened the series one-all with a dominant 117-93 victory in Game 2 at home. It was a balanced offensive effort with Julius Randle scoring 24 points, and Anthony Edwards and Nickeil Alexander-Walker both dropping 20. They finished the game shooting 51% from the field and 43% from three with their only weakness being a 13-20 effort (65%) from the free throw line.
Golden State didn’t show up in Game 2, taking an early 29-15 deficit after the first quarter. While they did manage to get it back to a 62-55 scoreline during the third quarter, the Wolves quickly punished the Warriors blowing it back out to a 20-point game at the end of the third. Jonathan Kuminga was one of the key contributors for the Warriors despite the loss, finishing with 18 points on 8-11 shooting. Kuminga has found himself out of the rotation for the most part since Golden State acquired Jimmy Butler during the season; coach Steve Kerr has been reluctant to play the combination of Draymond Green, Butler and Kuminga on the floor at the same time, as it creates floor-spacing issues. However, Kuminga will be a key player in Game 3, with Kerr confirming that the forward’s presence will be required.
Despite the series shifting to San Francisco for Game 3, the Warriors are underdogs, and that is simply due to the absence of their all-time great Stephen Curry with a hamstring injury. Butler needs to be more aggressive with his scoring mentality. He finished Game 1 with 17 points and only took 13 shots from the field, connecting on six. He doesn’t look 100% following a scary pelvic injury suffered against the Houston Rockets in the first round.
Keys for the Wolves to be successful in Game 3 will be scoring in the paint. They have scored 52 and 54 points respectively, and Rudy Gobert (7’1”), Randle and Edwards are going to look to score close to the rim against the undersized Warriors who rely on Green (6’6”), Kevon Looney (6’9”) and Trayce Jackson-Davis (6’9”). I can’t see the Warriors slowing Edwards down as he is yet to truly heat up beyond the arc; if he finds his groove from deep, this one could be one sided.
Timberwolves -5.5
$1.95 (1.5 units)
