NBA – Tonight’s Best Playoff Picks – Fri, 25th April

*These NBA tips and player prop picks are done the previous game day. Adjust selections should spreads and lineups change.

BOSTON CELTICS @ ORLANDO MAGIC

Kia Center, Orlando, FL

East 1st Round – Game 3 (BOS leads 2-0)

Team Trends

• Home team has won each of the last 9 games between the Celtics and Magic
• Under has hit in 7 of the Celtics’ last 8 playoff games
• Celtics have won the 1st quarter in 7 straight East First Round road games
• Magic have covered the line in 8 straight games following a loss

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS AVERAGE

SEASON SERIES

The Magic return home to Kia Center for Game 3 of their Eastern First Round series against the Celtics on Friday night, trailing 2-0 in the series. Boston took Game 2 with a 109-100 win at TD Garden and now looks to push the lead to 3-0 while also aiming to snap a four-game road losing streak in Orlando.

Boston’s edge came at the free throw line, where they went 25-of-33 (75.8%) compared to Orlando’s 15-of-24 (62.5%). The Celtics also clamped down from the perimeter, limiting the Magic to just 7-of-29 (24.1%) from beyond the arc. Jaylen Brown led the charge with a 36-point, 10-rebound double-double in Jayson Tatum’s absence, while Paolo Banchero filled the stat sheet for Orlando with 32 points, 9 boards, and 7 assists.

PICK – BOSTON -4.5

INDIANA PACERS @ MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI

East 1st Round – Game 3 (IND leads 2-0)

Team TrendS

• Bucks have lost the 1st quarter in 8 of their last 9 games
• Bucks have lost 7 of their last 8 playoff games as favourites
• Over has hit in each of the Bucks’ last 10 games as home favourites
• Pacers have covered the line in 7 of their last 8 playoff games

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS AVERAGE

SEASON SERIES

PICKS ATS

The Bucks return to Fiserv Forum for Game 3 of their Eastern First Round series against the Pacers on Friday night, trailing 2-0. Indiana took Game 2 with a 123-115 win on Tuesday and will now aim to extend the lead while also looking to snap a three-game road skid in Milwaukee.

Indiana capitalized on Milwaukee’s mistakes, outscoring the Bucks 15-5 in points off turnovers. The Pacers were also perfect at the line, going 19-of-19 (100.0%), while Milwaukee hit just 13-of-19 (68.4%). Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 24 points and 11 rebounds, and Tyrese Haliburton chipped in 21 points and 12 assists.

Giannis kept the Bucks in the game with 34 points, 18 rebounds, and 7 assists, but the team’s postseason struggles continue, Milwaukee has now dropped six of its last seven playoff games.

PICK – INDIANA +5.5

LOS ANGELES LAKERS @ MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Target Center, Minneapolis, MN

West 1st Round – Game 3 (Series tied 1-1)

Team Trends

• Timberwolves have won 13 straight games as favourites vs. Lakers
• Under has hit in each of the last 6 games between the Lakers and Timberwolves
• Timberwolves have won both halves in 4 of their last 5 home games
• Timberwolves have covered the line in 7 of their last 8 Western First Round games

WIN/LOSS

SEASON POINTS AVERAGE

SEASON SERIES

PICKS ATS

The Timberwolves host the Lakers at Target Center on Friday night for Game 3 of their Western Conference First Round series, with the matchup tied 1-1. The Lakers took Game 2 with a 94-85 win at Crypto.com Arena and will now aim to snap a four-game road losing streak in Minnesota.

Los Angeles controlled the game with strong perimeter defense, holding the Timberwolves to just 5-of-25 (20.0%) from beyond the arc. Luka Doncic led the way with a 31-point, 12-rebound double-double, while LeBron James added 21 points, 11 rebounds, and 7 assists. Julius Randle was the top performer for Minnesota, finishing with 27 points and 6 assists.

The Lakers have now won 6 of their last 7 games when Doncic scores 30 or more and will look to carry that into a pivotal Game 3 on the road.

PICK – MINNESOTA -2.5

STEPH CURRY TOP 10