*These NBA tips and player prop picks are done the previous game day. Adjust selections should spreads and lineups change.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS @ HOUSTON ROCKETS
Toyota Center, Houston, TX
West 1st Round – Game 5 (Golden State leads 3-1)
Team Trends:
- Warriors have covered the line in 7 of their last 8 road games vs. Rockets
- Warriors have won 4 of their last 5 games as underdogs
- 7 of the last 8 games between these teams have gone under
- The underdog has won the 1st half in 4 of the last 5 games between these teams
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| GS | 48 | 34 | 24-17 | 24-17 |
| HOU | 52 | 30 | 29-12 | 23-18 |
SEASON POINTS AVERAGE
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOTAL |
| GS | 113.8 | 110.5 | +3.3 | 224.3 |
| HOU | 114.3 | 109.8 | +4.5 | 224.1 |
SEASON SERIES
| DATE | RESULT |
| Nov 3, 2024 | GSW 127 @ HOU 121 |
| Dec 6, 2024 | HOU 93 @ GSW 99 |
| Dec 12, 2024 | GSW 90 @ HOU 91 |
| Feb 14, 2025 | GSW 105 @ HOU 98 |
| Apr 7, 2025 | HOU 106 @ GSW 96 |
| GAME 1 | GSW 95 @ HOU 85 |
| GAME 2 | GSW 94 @ HOU 109 |
| GAME 3 | HOU 93 @ GSW 104 |
| GAME 4 | HOU 106 @ GSW 109 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| GSW | OVER | |
| +4.5 | 203.5 |
Facing elimination, the Rockets will return home to Toyota Center for Game 5 of their West First Round series against the Warriors.
The Warriors edged out a 109-106 win in Game 4 at Chase Center to take a 3-1 series lead.
Golden State’s edge came on the offensive glass, turning extra efforts into a 21-14 advantage in second chance points. Meanwhile, Houston’s missed opportunities at the line, just 19-of-31 (61.3%) on free throws proved costly. Jimmy Butler led the Warriors with 27 points and 6 assists, while Brandin Podziemski chipped in 26 points, marking Golden State’s sixth straight win when he scores 20 or more.
Fred VanVleet was the standout for Houston, draining eight threes on his way to 25 points, but the Rockets will need more all-around execution to keep their playoff hopes alive.
PICK – OVER 203.5 TOTAL POINTS
LOS ANGELES LAKERS @ MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
West 1st Round – Game 5 (Minnesota leads 3-1)
Team Trends:
- The last 4 games between the Timberwolves and Lakers at Crypto.com Arena have gone under
- Lakers have won the 1st quarter in each of their last 7 home playoff games in the West 1st Round
- Lakers have covered in 11 of their last 14 games as home favourites
WIN/LOSS
| TEAM | W | L | HOME | ROAD |
| LAL | 50 | 32 | 31-10 | 19-22 |
| MIN | 49 | 33 | 25-16 | 24-17 |
SEASON POINTS AVERAGE
| TEAM | PPG | OPPG | DIFF | TOTAL |
| LAL | 113.4 | 112.2 | +1.2 | 225.6 |
| MIN | 114.3 | 109.3 | +5.0 | 223.6 |
SEASON SERIES
| DATE | RESULT |
| Oct 23, 2024 | MIN 103 @ LAL 110 |
| Dec 3, 2024 | LAL 80 @ MIN 109 |
| Dec 14, 2024 | LAL 87 @ MIN 97 |
| Feb 28, 2025 | MIN 102 @ LAL 111 |
| GAME 1 | MIN 117 @ LAL 95 |
| GAME 2 | MIN 85 @ LAL 94 |
| GAME 3 | LAL 104 @ MIN 116 |
| GAME 4 | LAL 113 @ MIN 116 |
PICKS ATS
| SPREAD | POINTS | RESULT |
| MIN | OVER | |
| -5.5 | 209.5 |
Facing elimination, the Lakers will host the Timberwolves in Game 5 of their Western First Round series at Crypto.com Arena.
Minnesota took a 3-1 series lead with a 116-113 win in Game 4 at Target Center, marking their sixth consecutive home victory over the Lakers.
The Timberwolves controlled the paint, outscoring L.A. 48-30 inside, and capitalized on mistakes with a 19-5 edge in points off turnovers. Anthony Edwards delivered a dominant performance with 43 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 threes, while Julius Randle added 25 points.
LeBron James filled the stat sheet for the Lakers with 27 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks—tying his season high. Minnesota has now won five straight games when Edwards scores 30 or more and will look to close out the series on the road.
PICK – OVEF 209.5 TOTAL POINTS
