The second round of the 2024-25 NBA Playoffs continues on Thursday where we have another double-header to look forward to. First up is Game 2 between the Knicks and the Celtics which will be followed by Game 2 of the Thunder vs Nuggets series. Catch our full preview and tips for both games below!
NBA Playoffs Betting Tips: Thursday, May 8th 2025
New York Knicks at Boston Celtics (9:00am AEST)
Series Score: Knicks lead 1-0
Game 2 between the Celtics and Knicks heads back to TD Garden, where Boston will be desperate to level the series after letting Game 1 slip away. The Celtics were in control early, building a 20-point lead, but completely lost momentum late and couldn’t find the bottom of the net when it mattered. They shot just 25% from three despite hoisting up 60 attempts, and their halfcourt offence stalled in overtime. Kristaps Porzingis sat out most of the game due to illness, and his absence in the paint was felt at both ends. Still, Boston’s defence held the Knicks under 110, and their depth gives them plenty of room to respond.
New York deserves credit for its grit. Jalen Brunson led the way with timely shot-making, and their wing defenders did just enough to frustrate Boston’s perimeter threats. Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby made impact plays late, and Josh Hart’s rebounding was key in the Knicks turning the tide. Thibodeau’s squad will know they can’t keep relying on fourth-quarter comebacks, though — their offence sputtered for large stretches and they were lucky the Celtics went cold. The Knicks have now stolen home court, but they’ll need another elite defensive effort to keep that edge.
Boston still enters this one as a double-digit favourite, and they’ve got the profile to bounce back strong. With Porzingis likely back in the lineup and three-point shooting due for some positive regression, expect a sharper Celtics performance. They’ve been dominant after losses all season and should cover the -10.5 spread in a big bounce back game.
Celtics -10.5
$1.92 (1.5 Units)
Denver Nuggets at OKC Thunder (11:30am AEST)
Series Score: Nuggets lead 1-0
Game 2 between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder is set to be a high-stakes showdown after Denver's dramatic 121-119 comeback win in Game 1. Nikola Jokić delivered a monster performance with 42 points and 22 rebounds, leading the Nuggets on a 19-6 run to close the game. Aaron Gordon's clutch three-pointer sealed the victory, capitalizing on late-game miscues by the Thunder, including missed free throws by Chet Holmgren and a controversial decision to intentionally foul while leading by three points.
The Thunder, despite the loss, showcased their potential with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scoring 33 points. However, their execution faltered in the final minutes, managing only one field goal in the last three minutes. Coach Mark Daigneault acknowledged the need for better execution and coaching ahead of Game 2.
Looking ahead, the Thunder are favoured by 10.5 points in Game 2. Given their strong home record and the likelihood of improved late-game execution, Oklahoma City is well-positioned to bounce back and cover the spread, evening the series before heading to Denver. However, due to their inexperience in high stakes playoff games, I’ll be suggesting just the single unit.
Thunder -10.5
$1.90 (1 Unit)
