Since 2019, no defending NBA champion has made it past the second round, and the Celtics hope to buck that trend this postseason. After dropping their first two games at home, the Celtics face the unenviable task of visiting the Knicks at Madison Square Garden to try and knot the series to two games apiece before returning to TD Garden.
Boston cannot afford to be down 0-3 against New York since no NBA team has ever successfully rallied from such a deficit. They almost pulled it off in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals against Miami, but came up short after Jayson Tatum sprained his ankle in the first play of Game 7.
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves visit Golden State looking to take a 2-1 series lead after splitting their first two matches in Minnesota. The NBA 2025 odds are stacked against the hosts since they’ll continue to miss the services of one of their stars.
Without further ado, here’s the SBOTOP preview of Game 3s between the Celtics-Knicks and Timberwolves-Warriors.
Boston Celtics @ New York Knicks
Game 2 was a deja vu of Game 1, as the Celtics couldn’t shake their late-game doldrums. Boston started strong and built a 20-point lead, only to squander it late (again), and the final image of the match saw Mikal Bridges stealing the ball at the buzzer.
Pundits and fans have criticised Boston for their questionable shot selection this series. After going 15-for-60 from three-point land in Game 1, they went 10-for-40 in Game 2. Despite this, the Celtics only lost the first two games by a grand total of four points.
Derrick White and Jaylen Brown had 20 points each in Game 2, and Jayson Tatum and Jrue Holiday added 13 and 10. Tatum said after Game 2 that he needs to do better in the upcoming games, and he is right since he is shooting a paltry 28.6-per cent from the field this series.
Credit to the Knicks for their never-say-die attitude. In Game 2, Josh Hart led New York with 23 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two blocks on 9-for-15 shooting from the field. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jalen Brunson added 21 and 17, and Mikal Bridges scored 14 points in the final period alone.
Kristaps Porzingis’ fitness remains an enigma since he hasn’t looked like himself this series. Boston will fancy their chances of a comeback if the Latvian international is over his sickness.
Betting tip – Boston Celtics Asian Handicap -4.50 @ 1.72
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Golden State Warriors
The Warriors were dealt a huge lineup blow after Stephen Curry suffered a hamstring injury in Game 1. According to the NBA 2025 updates, the two-time league MVP is not expected to play soon, with Game 6 of this series as the earliest time for his return.
Curry’s absence was felt in Game 2 since no one from Golden State breached the 20-point mark. Jonathan Kuminga was the closest to do so with 18 points, though most of his points came during garbage time. Jimmy Butler, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Buddy Hield, and Brandin Podziemski added 17, 15, 15, and 11 points. Golden State needs “Playoff Jimmy” to show up without Curry.
Besides Curry’s fitness, head coach Steve Kerr is also worried about Draymond Green since the former Defensive Player of the Year is two technical fouls away from a one-game suspension. Green picked up his fifth tech after swinging on Naz Reid in the second period of Game 2, and he had to be restrained by his teammates since he was almost ejected for dissent. He finished the match with nine points, four rebounds, and five assists on 3-for-10 shooting from the field.
Kerr expanded his rotation to 14 players in Game 2 – a league record – and he might do it again in Game 3 since he needs all hands on deck.
Anthony Edwards also suffered an injury scare in Game 2 after hurting his ankle in the second period, but he finished the game with 20 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals on 6-for-13 shooting from the field.
Meanwhile, Julius Randle continues to have a solid postseason. The three-time NBA All-Star led Minnesota with 24 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists on 10-for-17 shooting from the field, making him the first Timberwolves player to record at least 20 points, five rebounds, and 10 assists in a playoff game since Kevin Garnett in 2004. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid added 20, 16, and 11 points.
Betting tip – Minnesota Timberwolves Asian Handicap -6.50 @ 2.11
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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