Can These Bold Bets Spark Game 3 Turnarounds in Celtics-Knicks and Timberwolves-Warriors Showdowns?

Ah, the thrill of victory—brief and sweet—before the harsh sting of reality sets in. That blazing 11-3 run, crowned by a four-game winning streak just days ago, now feels like a distant dream after a brutal four-game losing skid swept through like a cold front. My so-called “best bets” last Friday? Let’s just say they took a nosedive faster than the Indiana Pacers getting trampled by the Cavs, and the Thunder failing to hold serve as favorites against Denver. But hey, doesn’t every gambler know that the only cure for a slump is to keep rolling (wisely, mind you)? Despite the heartbreak, I’m charging forward—with bias firmly in place, because come playoff time, this New Yorker never bets against his Knicks. This series—with Jalen Brunson lighting it up and Boston’s key players battling injuries and inconsistency—feels like déjà vu with a twist. So, here’s my take: when the Celtics look like the old version of themselves but can’t quite close the deal, maybe the points at The Garden are the smart play after all. Curious why I’m sticking to my guns despite the odds and the media chatter? Then strap in—there’s more to unpack. LEARN MORE.

Well, it was fun winning in the 2025 NBA Playoffs while it lasted. An 11-3 run, including a four-game winning streak earlier this week, was ruined by an active four-game losing skid. My “best bets” Friday were 🗑️. The Indiana Pacers got stomped by the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Oklahoma City Thunder lost outright as -5.5 favorites to the Denver Nuggets. 

However, the only way to end a losing streak is to keep firing (responsibly, of course), which is what I plan to do. 

The odds are the best available at the time of writing. 

This isn’t a sharp play. I’m a New York sports fan who never bets against his team. Because of my bias, I try not to bet on my favorite teams, but this is the playoffs, so losing this bet wouldn’t hurt more than NYK losing Game 3. That said, Knicks All-Star and 2024-25 NBA Clutch Player of the Year, Jalen Brunson, is the best player in this series, and this looks like the old Celtics.  

Brunson is averaging a series-best 23.0 points per game (PPG), and Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are settling for bad jump shots. Tatum, in particular, is getting killed by the NBA media for his sh*tting the bed in the first two games of this series. His true shooting percentage for the series, which factors in free throws, and 2-and 3-point shooting, is 39.2% (.286/.250/.778). 

Also, Boston big Kristaps Porziņģis isn’t 100%, and New York C Mitchell Robinson has been a major problem for the Celtics. KP’s injury forces Boston to give backup C Luke Kornet more playing time, but that means Robinson gets to play. He is one of the best defensive bigs in basketball, and it’s tough for the Celtics to get past the foul line with Mitch on the floor. 

Look, I get the argument for Boston covering -6 in Game 3. The Celtics were -900 favorites to win this series, hammered the Knicks in all four regular-season meetings, and are the reigning NBA Champions. Boston blew two 20-point leads in its one-and-three-point Game 1 and 2 losses and built those leads despite Tatum playing poorly. Yet, I’m a fan, and I’m taking the points at The Garden. 

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Minnesota crushed Golden State 117-93 without Steph Curry Thursday in Game 2 to even the series. The Dubs are much easier to defend without chasing Curry around screens all night. Curry had a +7.3 on/off net rating during the regular season and has a +15.2 on/off net rating in these playoffs, per CleaningTheGlass.com. Meanwhile, the T-Wolves have two guys to throw at Jimmy Butler III: Anthony Edwards and wing Jaden McDaniels.

Plus, Draymond Green is playing on the edge, and he will cost Golden State a game in this series by getting ejected because of his flailing nonsense. Draymond was whining about how the media makes him out to be an “angry black guy” after Game 2. But, Green has been one of the dirtiest players in the NBA over the past 10 seasons, and his antics cost the Warriors the 2016 NBA Finals. 

Nonetheless, the Timberwolves should dominate the boards because Draymond is Golden State’s starting center, and he is only 6-foot-6. Minnesota PF Julius Randle, C Rudy Gobert, and Edwards are terrific offensive rebounders, and the T-Wolves are second in second-chance PPG this postseason. Lastly, they were fourth in 3-point percentage during the regular season. 

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Follow me on X (or Twitter, whatever) @Geoffery-Clark, and check out my OutKick Bets Podcast for more betting content and random rants. I’ll add bets to my NBA 2024-25 betting record via X all season.