Wednesday evening shifts the focus to the Western Conference in the NBA playoffs following two series conclusions on Tuesday. The Golden State Warriors hold a commanding 3-1 lead and will attempt to eliminate the Houston Rockets in their 7:30 p.m. ET matchup. Later at 10 p.m., the Minnesota Timberwolves, also up 3-1, face the Los Angeles Lakers looking to secure their spot in the next round. The winners of these two series are set to clash in the second round. Could both lower seeds advance? Let`s examine the matchups.
As the 2025 NBA postseason progresses, the basketball betting market remains highly active. Here are some analysis and potential picks for the upcoming games.
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets
One strategy that has shown promise for Houston in this series is the use of a two-big lineup featuring Alperen Sengun and Steven Adams. This pairing has managed a positive plus/minus, contrasting with the team`s performance otherwise. Expect Coach Ime Udoka to heavily utilize this formation in Game 5 in an effort to extend Houston`s season. This approach should create numerous opportunities for backup center Steven Adams, particularly on the boards.
The Pick: Steven Adams Over 6.5 Rebounds
Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers
Austin Reaves has encountered significant challenges in this series, perhaps more so than the raw statistics indicate. He has struggled to get to the free-throw line and generate offense effectively, relying heavily on three-pointers. Anthony Edwards has posed a difficult defensive assignment for him throughout the series. The Lakers have not consistently managed to create advantageous matchups for Reaves to exploit weaker defenders, which he has done successfully during the regular season. This specific series may simply be a tough stylistic fit for him.
The Pick: Austin Reaves Under 18.5 Points
Jasper Hawthorne