NBA Best Bets Today: Expert NBA Betting Picks for 05/14/2025

The Celtics and Knicks finally broke out offensively in Game 5, combining for 234 points — well above the totals we've seen earlier in the series.

With Jayson Tatum nursing a lower leg injury, Boston will likely push the pace more rather than rely on isolation plays, creating transition opportunities that typically lead to easier buckets.

The Knicks dominated the paint in Game 5 and should continue that trend at home, especially with Al Horford showing his age and Kristaps Porzingis not looking fully healthy.

Boston will likely give more minutes to sharpshooters like Payton Pritchard and possibly Sam Hauser, which improves their perimeter offense but also weakens their defensive length on the perimeter.

While the Celtics' defense takes a hit without Tatum's elite wing defense, their offense should remain potent enough through increased pace and three-point volume to help push this game over the total.

The Celtics have been dominant at home this season and have shown the capability to blow out the Knicks in every game this series.

With their season on the line, expect Boston's role players like Derrick White and Jaylen Brown to step up alongside Tatum, who's listed as day-to-day but likely to play through his injury.

Boston has won 24 of their last 27 games after losing as favorites, showcasing their resilience and ability to bounce back after disappointments.

The TD Garden crowd will create a hostile environment that should energize the Celtics' defense, which has been inconsistent on the road.

While the Knicks hold a 3-1 series lead, history suggests the Celtics have enough firepower to at least force a Game 6, especially considering they've held leads in every game before faltering late.

The Warriors have their backs against the wall down 3-1 in the series, but they've shown resilience in similar situations throughout their championship pedigree.

While Stephen Curry remains out with a hamstring injury, the Warriors have been competitive in the last two games despite falling short.

Golden State is 7-8 straight up without Curry this season — not great, but certainly not the complete collapse you'd expect when missing a superstar.

This is just the second time since 2008 that the Warriors are double-digit playoff underdogs, which historically represents value for a team with championship experience.

The Warriors have covered in seven of their last eight road games following a loss, suggesting they typically bounce back well even in hostile environments.

The Warriors showed in Game 4 they can control tempo by pushing pace, which led to a first-half win before Minnesota adjusted.

With elimination looming, expect Golden State to employ an even faster tempo to generate easier shots against Minnesota's stifling half-court defense.

Multiple experts are suggesting this game could produce the highest scoring total of the series as Golden State gets desperate and opens up their offense.

The Warriors will need more offensive involvement from Jimmy Butler, who's been relatively quiet in the series so far but typically steps up in elimination games.

Minnesota's offense has been consistently solid at home, and with a chance to close out the series, they should maintain their scoring efficiency against a Warriors defense missing Curry's underrated defensive contributions.