The 2023-24 NBA regular season is over and we have turned the page to the NBA Playoffs. Throughout the postseason, Jonathan Von Tobel will continue to provide you with his exceptional coverage of the greatest league in the world. Just click here for all of his content. However, all of my picks will be featured in this daily column, which will combine my NBA best bets and NBA player props. So, keep reading to find out how I’m playing the Eastern Conference Finals game on Saturday, May 25th. Also, check out our NBA Playoffs Betting Hub for all of our series previews and additional postseason content.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on May 25
NBA Best Bets Today – May 25
Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers – 8:30 pm ET
There’s some real uncertainty with Tyrese Haliburton heading into Game 3. The All-Star re-injured the same hamstring that forced him out of 10 games during the regular season. It’s unclear if the tweak was severe enough to actually keep him out of an Eastern Conference Finals game. However, you’re better off assuming he’s not going to play here. Unless it was the most minor injury imaginable, I can’t see the Pacers risking the long-term health of their franchise player. But even if he’s not out there, I like Indiana to cover a big number at home.
The reality is that the Pacers are extremely deep at the point guard position. Andrew Nembhard, who starts at shooting guard, is more of a pure point guard. So, he’s going to be very comfortable if thrust into a heavy on-ball role. And TJ McConnell has been one of Indiana’s best players throughout the course of these playoffs. So, the Pacers will be in good hands as far as game management goes. Nembhard and McConnell will make sure guys are in the right spots and do a good job of setting teammates up for good looks.
The only real concern is the scoring. But it should help that Indiana will be playing at home, where the team hasn’t lost a game in this postseason. The Pacers role players will be comfortable in this building, so you should see some better shooting than normal out of a lot of players. And the Celtics haven’t had much of an answer for Pascal Siakam. He had 28 points in Game 2 and should find a way to put up big numbers here.
It’s also hard to ignore how teams have played against teams that have been missing their star players in these playoffs. It feels like every team has slipped up at least once in that situation, and I can see it happening here. But overall, I just think this is a little too many points for the Pacers to be getting in this building.
Bet: Pacers +7 (-110 – 1.5 units) & Pacers ML (+225 – 0.5 units)
NBA Player Props Today – May 25
Boston Celtics at Indiana Pacers – 8:30 pm ET
While I trust Nembhard and McConnell to do a good job setting the table for the Pacers, I’d be surprised if Siakam isn’t featured a little more heavily in Game 3. And while that should mean a big night as a scorer, Siakam is also a good playmaker on the wing. That said, this feels like a really low assist total for the forward to clear in Game 3. After all, Siakam had seven assists in Game 1 of this series, and that was a game in which Haliburton played. And overall, Siakam is averaging 3.7 assists per game throughout these playoffs. He’s just a much better passer than he is given credit for, and I think he’ll handle his business in the assist column in Game 3. This is also a doable number for Siakam to reach even if Haliburton does play. That’s a nice little bonus.
Bet: Siakam Over 3.5 Assists (-112)
2023-24 Record: 379-411-3 (+10.68 units)
