NBA Playoffs Best Bets for May 6: Wolves Rested, Warriors Tested
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Spread Astaire
- May 6, 2025
Top NBA Pick: Golden State Warriors +7 (-108) at Bookmaker (visit our Bookmaker Review)
The exciting action of the NBA Playoffs continues with two premier matchups tonight. First, the Cleveland Cavaliers will try to bounce back after their Game 1 home loss to the Indiana Pacers. How will the Cavaliers respond?
Then, an exciting series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors tips off. Who will make a statement in the opening game? When these teams take the floor, who should you back to make winning NBA picks?
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Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Tuesday, May 06, 2025 – 07:00 PM EDT at Rocket Arena
Pacers Stun Cavs in Game 1
The Indiana Pacers put the NBA world on notice with a huge Game 1 upset win. The Pacers came into the matchup as 8 point underdogs. Yet they were able to secure the straight up 121-112 win over Cleveland. Now the oddsmakers at top sportsbooks have adjusted and the Cavaliers are laying 10 points in Game 2.
Tyrese Haliburton led the way for the Indiana Pacers with 22 points but more important were his 13 assists. Haliburton was crucial in getting Indiana’s offense going and he even made some key defensive plays, something he is not known for. Overall, it was a great statement game for the emerging Indiana point guard.
However, one has to wonder if Indiana can keep up their torrid shooting from three point range. Indiana was 19-36 from behind the arc. Will the Pacers regress, or have they found a weakness of the Cavaliers’ defense?
Andrew Nembhard was a crucial factor in Indiana’s victory with 23 points. The Pacers will need another strong contribution from Nembhard if they’re going to win this game.
Garland’s Status Could Flip the Script
The Cavaliers definitely miss point guard Darius Garland. Without Garland on the floor, the Indiana Pacers were able to hide the defensive liability that is Tyrese Haliburton.
If Garland is able to return for Game 2, it will make Indiana’s defensive strategy much tougher to execute. Currently, Garland is a game time decision, but this line indicates that the books think that Garland will be active for tonight’s game.
Once again, I feel like the betting public and the bookmakers are not giving Indiana the respect that they deserve. This team did make the Eastern Conference Finals last season and showed how they match up well with Cleveland in Game 1. Indiana’s high pace and aggressive offensive game plan is tough for any team to strategize against.
The Cavaliers will probably bounce back with a win, but it will not be a blowout. Take the Indiana Pacers +9.5.
NBA Pick: Indiana Pacers +9.5 (-112) at Bookmaker
Golden State Warriors vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Tuesday, May 06, 2025 – 09:30 PM EDT at Target Center
Timberwolves Are Rested and Ready
The Minnesota Timberwolves made a huge statement to the NBA when they upset the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Now, even though they are the sixth seed in the Western Conference, they will have home court advantage for their second round matchup when they take on the 7th seeded Golden State Warriors. The Warriors will also be fighting fatigue tonight coming off their seven game battle against the Houston Rockets.
The Timberwolves come into this game with the rest advantage, and a veteran team like Golden State might wave the white flag early if they get off to a slow start. Golden State has a short rotation, and they put forth a lot of effort in their last series.
Golden State also struggled with Houston’s size, which is something that the Minnesota Timberwolves also boast. Will Minnesota be able to take advantage of Golden State’s smaller lineups better than Houston was able to?
Looking at this series, the one thing that Minnesota has that Houston did not was the playmaking ability of Anthony Edwards. Edwards is a top five player in the game and a legitimate MVP candidate.
Fatigue or Momentum?
Houston struggled with their half court offense against the Warriors, but the Warriors do not have a player who will be able to shut down Edwards. Even excellent defenders such as Gary Payton II and Jimmy Butler cannot slow down Edwards. This could be the difference in the tight games. Houston was not able to execute in the half court, Minnesota will be able to.
The major question for this game is whether or not the Warriors will suffer from too much fatigue in the aftermath of their seven-game series. As we saw with Indiana and Cleveland however, sometimes too much rest is not a good thing.
Golden State will come into this game in rhythm, and I expect this to be a tight contest. Once again, the underdog is being overlooked. Take the Golden State Warriors + 7.
NBA Pick: Golden State Warriors +7 (-108) at Bookmaker
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
