The Bucks, Grizzlies, and Lakers are keen to avoid a 0-2 hole when their NBA playoff journeys resume tomorrow. While Milwaukee and Memphis were expected to lose in Game 1 since they’re the lower seeds in their respective series, the same can’t be said for third-seeded Los Angeles.
The Lakers aim to reclaim their home-court advantage after losing in Game 1, while getting a 1-1 split before returning home – which is what the Clippers and Pistons did today against the Nuggets and Knicks – is the ideal scenario for the Bucks and Grizzlies.
The NBA 2025 odds expect the hosts to win Game 2, which means good news for the Lakers but bad news for the Bucks and Grizzlies. Either way, SBOTOP basketball fans will continue to get their fair share of NBA 2025 highlights.
Learn more about tomorrow’s playoff matches in today’s preview.
Milwaukee Bucks @ Indiana Pacers
The Pacers took a 1-0 lead in their best-of-seven first-round series after blowing out the Bucks 117-98 last Saturday. Indiana pulled off this win via a balanced effort, as six players notched double-digit points.
Pascal Siakam led with 25 points, seven rebounds, and two assists on 10-for-15 shooting from the field. Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, and TJ McConnell added 19, 17, 13, and 11 points. Tyrese Haliburton almost had a triple-double with 10 points, seven rebounds, and 12 assists.
The Bucks’ starting lineup was outclassed, as Giannis Antetokounmpo was the only starter who came to play. The Greek Freak put up 36 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks on 14-for-23 shooting from the field in the losing effort, while Taurean Prince, Kyle Kuzma, Brook Lopez, and Ryan Rollins only combined for 14 points. AJ Green, Gary Trent Jr., and Kevin Porter Jr. recorded 15, 14, and 12 points off the bench.
Milwaukee hope Damian Lillard returns to the court soon, especially after he was upgraded to questionable before Game 2. The nine-time NBA All-Star hasn’t played since March 18 due to deep vein thrombosis in his right calf but was recently cleared to return to action.
Betting tip – Indiana Pacers Asian Handicap -4.00 @ 1.94
Memphis Grizzlies @ Oklahoma City Thunder
After grinding through the play-in tournament to claim the eighth spot in the Western Conference, the Grizzlies suffered a 51-point beatdown at the hands of the top-seeded Thunder last Sunday – the fifth-biggest loss margin in NBA postseason history. Oklahoma City (68-14) reminded everyone why they were the best regular season team this year by going on a 20-0 run in the second period to give them a 55-22 lead and a 35-point edge heading into halftime.
Six Thunder players notched double-digit points. Aaron Wiggins led all scorers with 21 points, four rebounds, three assists, and four three-pointers off the bench. Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Luguentz Dort added 20, 19, 15, 14, and 12 points. Gilgeous-Alexander had a rare off night by only shooting 4-for-13 from the field, so he’s expected to have a bounce back performance tomorrow, which is bad news for Memphis supporters.
Meanwhile, Ja Morant and Marvin Bagley III posted 17 points apiece for the Grizzlies. They will need better outings from Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Zach Edey, who only combined for 17 points.
Betting tip – Oklahoma City Thunder Asian Handicap -15.00 @ 2.11
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Los Angeles Lakers
The Timberwolves registered a 117-95 win last Saturday, spoiling Luka Doncic’s first playoff game as a Laker. Jaden McDaniels was the surprise leading scorer for Minnesota with 25 points, nine rebounds, and two assists on a nearly perfect 11-for-13 shooting from the field. Naz Reid came off the bench and dropped 23 points, five rebounds, two assists, and six three-pointers on 8-for-12 shooting. Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle added 22 and 16 points.
Luka Doncic got off to a hot start for the Lakers, notching 16 points in the opening period to take a 28-21 lead. However, the Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 38-20 in the second quarter and never looked back.
Doncic led all scorers with 37 points, eight rebounds, two steals, and five three-pointers on 12-for-22 shooting from the field. LeBron James and Austin Reaves had 19 and 16 points, and Los Angeles didn’t get much from anybody else.
The Lakers must tighten up on the defensive end since the Timberwolves caught fire on the offensive end in Game 1. Minnesota went 21-for-42 from three-point range (50.0-per cent) and shot 44-for-86 overall (51.2-per cent).
Betting tip – Los Angeles Lakers Asian Handicap -5.00 @ 1.82
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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