Series Score 1-0 Indiana

As tipped, the Indiana Pacers have taken a 1-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals, despite heading into the first game as +4.5 away underdogs.

The Knicks will need to respond in Game 2, or face the daunting task of heading to Indiana with a mountain to climb.

One player the Knicks have been able to lean on when things become tense and tight, is Jalen Brunson, the small guard has averaged staggering 30-4-8 in the post season, often coming up clutch in the fourth quarter.

I’m backing Brunson to hit his overs, combined with a big night from OG Anunoby.

Series Score 1-0 OKC

The title favourites head into Game 2 against the T-Wolves as hot favourites after dominating the second half of Game 1, and ultimately running out 26-point winners.

SGA led all scorers with 31 points, 11 of which came from the charity strip, a spot he’ll be looking to get to in Game 2 with the help of the match referees.

Shai might enter this game with even more self-belief and validation, after being named the 2024/25 regular season MVP on Thursday (AEST).

I’m backing the start guard to put up another 30+ point game, combined with 20+ from Julius Randle, who has hit that mark in each of his last five games.

The Knicks return to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, a year in which they lost out to none other than the Indiana Pacers in 6 Games!

The Pacers then went onto lose to the Lakers 4-2 in the Finals, and haven’t made it back since, despite going close last season, losing to eventual Champs Boston in the Eastern Conference Final.

This pair meet three times during the regular season, with the Knicks claiming a 2-1 series win, though all three of the pair’s matches were played before the Pacers hit their straps.

Indiana went 15-5 across the final 20 games of the regular season, before causing past both Milwaukee (4-1) and Cleveland (4-1) to boost heir place in the conference finals.

Alternatively, the Knicks went 12-8 across their last 20 regular season games, before moving past Detroit (4-2), and a banged up Boston (4-2).

I like the underdogs in this one, combined with Siakam grabbing a bunch of boards.

Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals gets underway on Wednesday morning (AEST), when the Thunder plays host to the Timberwolves.

OKC enter this fixture off the back of a 7-game series against the Nuggets, with their defence doing a number on Nikola Jokic, holding the 3x MVP to 20 points in the decider.

Meanwhile, Minnesota made light work of a Curry-less Gold State outfit, claiming a 4-1 series win despite losing the opening fixture.

The T-Wolves have held their own against the Thunder during the regular season, with the pair splitting the series 2-2, with both sides claiming a win on the road.

OKC ($1.28) are red-hot favourites to progress through to the NBA Finals at the expense of the Timberwolves ($3.75), with SGA ($1.30) favourite to claim the Western Conference Finals MVP ahead of Anthony Edwards ($5).

Anthony Edwards is getting a reputation of being a legend slayer in the NBA, clipping both KD and Jokic on his way to the Western Conference finals last season, before knocking off Luka and LeBron in round 1 of the playoffs this season, will the soon to be crowned MVP, SGA be the next scalp?

Minnesota enters this game with a huge rest advantage over the Thunder, and will have had plenty of time to scheme for this match-up.

I’m taking the Timberwolves to cover as road dogs, combined with 20+ points from both Ant-Man and Randle.

Series Score 3-2 NY Knicks

The Knicks have a chance to seal the series at MSG and progress through to the Eastern Conference Finals against the awaiting Pacers.

The Celts rallied in Game 5, racing away as 25-point victors, with multiple players stepping up in the absence of Jayson Tatum, who will be sidelined indefinitely with an achilles tear.

It’s hard to imagine the Celts bench having the same level of impact on Game 6 on the road.

The Knicks go into heavy foul trouble in Game 5, with Brunson fouling out and KAT walking the tightrope.

I’m backing the home side to make the appropriate adjustments and clinch the series.

Series Score 3-1 Minnesota

Similar to Boston, Golden State face elimination without the services of their best player, but unlike the Celtics, the Warriors offence almost ceases to exist without their main man.

The T-Wolves have the wind in their sails, winning the last three games since the injury to Curry, ofter proving too deep and strong in the last quarter.

I have Minnesota closing out the series at home, putting what’s left of the Dubs away comfortably, combined with 25+ points from Ant Man and 20+ from Randle.

Series Score 3-1 NY Knicks

The defending champions host the Knicks in a do-or-die Game 5, with star forward Jayson Tatum set to miss the remainder of the series and potentially next season after sustaining what looked to be an achilles injury in Game 4.

The Knicks won both Games 1 & 2 in Boston, and we’ll feel confident in closing out the series in enemy territory, especially off the make of their best performance of the series.

Brunson has proven to be the best player in this series, with Tatum and close second, and with the latter now out for the Celts, I fear this is curtains for the series.

I have the Knicks to cover, combines with 25+ from Jalen Brunson and Jaylen Brown.

Series Score 3-1 Minnesota

Similar to Boston, Golden State face elimination without the services of their best player, but unlike the Celtics, the Warriors offence almost ceases to exist without their main man.

The T-Wolves have the wind in their sails, winning the last three games since the injury to Curry, ofter proving too deep and strong in the last quarter.

I have Minnesota closing out the series at home, putting what’s left of the Dubs away comfortably, combined with 25+ points from Ant Man and 20+ from Randle.

Series Score 2-1 NY Knicks

The Celts have clawed their way back into this series, after winning Game 3 at MSG by a commanding 22 points, thanks to their accuracy from deep, shooting 20/40 beyond the arc, a huge improvement on their 25/100 across the opening two games.

Alternatively, the Knicks were woeful from the 3PT line, going 5/25, with Bridges, Anunoby, Hart, and Payne combining for 0/9 from deep.

Despite Boston bouncing back, Jayson Tatum has still been largely inefficient on the offensive end, shooting 8/20 from the field in Game 3, finishing with 22 points, to go with his 13 in Game 2 and 23 in Game 1.

I’m taking the Celts to level the series at 2-2, combined with Tatum to score under 27.5 points.

Series Score 2-1 Minnesota 

The T-Wolves can put this series beyond reach for the Dubs with a 2nd win on the road.

Minnesota ran over the top of the Warriors in the 4th quarter of Game 3, with Anthony Edwards finally making his mark on the series with a 36-point night.

Without Steph Curry, the Dubs offence looks closer to a lottery team rather than a title contender.

The Warriors will have to make this game ugly if they have any hopes of levelling the series, with Draymond dipping into his bad for dark arts, while Jimmy will have to find his way to the line on 15+ occasions.

I’m backing both Butler and Buddy to hit their overs in the player points market.

Series Score 2-0 NY Knicks

I don’t think even the most one-eyed Knicks supporter would’ve predicted their side to be heading back to MSG up 2-zip against the reigning NBA champions, but here we are.

Despite trailing in both games, New York have been able to out execute the Celts down the stretch and in the clutch, with Jalen Brunson proving to be the best player in the series.

That being said, the Knicks have only had a sniff in the first two games due to the Celts uncharacteristically low shooting percentage from beyond the arc, going a staggering 25-of-100 from the three!

I’m backing Boston’s luck to turn, and their shots to drop in Game 3, the Celts were better on the road than at home during the reg season, and I have them bouncing back in a big way here.

Series Score 1-1

We head to Minnesota with the underdog series tied at 1-1.

Golden State Warriors were dealt a massive blow in Game 1, with Steph Curry limping off the court with a hamstring strain, the Chef’s absence was felt in Game 2, with the Warriors struggling to produce on the offensive end.

One thing the Dubs can still do without their talisman is defend, the Warriors have the best defensive rating since the acquisition of Jimmy Butler III, and will need to keep the T-Wolves to under 100 points to stand a chance here.

Anthony Edwards hasn’t quite looked himself this series, and rolled his ankle badly during Game 2, if he isn’t at the top of his game then the Dubs hold a glimmer of hope.

I’m going to be boring with this pick and take the Total Points to go Under, combined with Ant to go Under 26.5 Points.

Series Score 2-0 Indiana Pacers

The Pacers head back to Indiana with a surprise 2-0 lead over the Eastern Conference 1st seeds, Cleveland.

Indiana were 29-11 at home during the regular season and only started to find their best form leading into the playoffs.

Whereas, despite holding the best record in the East (64-18), the Cavs really fell-away at the tailed of the season, allowing complacency to creep in.

The Cavs fans are hanging onto the chance that three of their stars will be returning from injury for Game 3, with Garland, Mobley, and Hunter all sitting out the last match.

The Pacers are out to prove their run to the conference finals last year was no fluke, and I like their chances as home underdogs in game 3.

Series Score 1-1

The battle of the 2025 MVPs moves to Denver with the series poised at one win a piece.

The Thunder levelled the series last game, dishing up the Nuggets a whopping 43-point defeat, with SGA finishing the game with 34-4-8.

The regular season series between this pair finished 2-2, with each side wining at home and on the road.

Jokic is arguably the smartest man in the NBA, and I have no doubt that he will have a counter punch prepared for the Thunder on Saturday.

I’m taking the Nuggs to cover as underdogs, combined with 40+ PRA from Shai and 45+ PRA from the Joker.

Series Score: 1-0 Golden State Warriors

We enter Game 2 of the 2nd Round series between Minnesota and Golden State, with the Timberwolves heavy favourites to even the ledger at $1.19.

The Dubs will be without former MVP and all-time get Stephen Curry, who limped off in Game 1 with a hamstring strain.

With Steph out, the pressure will be on Jimmy Butler and Buddy Hield to lead the way on the offensive end, a tough ask against the astute defensive game of Minnesota.

On the other side of the court, Anthony Edwards will be raring to make up for a quiet night in Game 1, after going 0-8 in the first half, scoring just one point, before exploding for 22 in the 3rd and 4th quarters.

I’m backing Edwards to hit his overs, combined with 20+ points from Jimmy Butler, and 10+ from Hield.