The 2025 NBA playoffs continue Friday with three more Game 3s, starting with the Orlando Magic hosting the Boston Celtics (-3.5, 197.5). Boston leads the series 2-0.
Next, the Milwaukee Bucks (-5.5, 230.5) look to draw closer in the series against the Indiana Pacers, which took the first two games of the series. In the final game of the night, the Minnesota Timberwolves (-3.5, 207.5) are at home against the Los Angeles Lakers in a series that’s knotted at 1-1.
Here are some of the bets that stand out for Friday’s games.
Odds are as of publication time. For the most up-to-date odds, visit ESPN BET
Bets for Friday
T.J. McConnell over 12.5 points, rebounds, and assists (-125). The narrow spread suggests this will be a competitive game and McConnell has cleared this mark in eight of his last 10 games with Tyrese Haliburton on the floor. Although he’s averaged just 17.3 minutes per game, McConnell’s been extremely efficient. The Bucks have struggled defensively all series, and McConnell has eclipsed this line in five of six matchups against Milwaukee this season. — Eric Moody
Jaylen Brown over 34.5 points, rebounds and assists (-125). Jayson Tatum is doubtful for Game 3 against the Magic, which puts Brown in position to once again be the focal point of the Celtics’ offense and play heavy minutes. Brown is more than capable of leading the charge on the road against Orlando. — Moody
Jaylen Brown over 23.5 points (-125). Like Moody, I like Brown with Tatum out. In the eight games Brown has played without Tatum this season (including playoffs), Brown has averaged 24.5 PPG. He has scored at least 24 points in five of the seven games where he played more than 22 minutes. And, as we saw in Game 2 when he dropped 36 points, Brown is back to the level he reached during last season’s playoffs when he played well enough to win both Eastern Conference and NBA FInals MVP awards. — Andre’ Snellings
Giannis Antetokounmpo over 32.5 points (-125). Antetokounmpo has consistently gone off against the Pacers over the past two seasons. He has faced them 11 times in that span, including playoffs, and has averaged 36.5 PPG in the matchup. Giannis has been scoring high volume in the month of April, averaging 32.6 PPG in eight games with at least 34 points scored in five of them. In his first two games against the Pacers in the playoffs, Giannis dropped 36 and 34. — Snellings
Luka Doncic over 30.5 points (-120). Doncic has faced the Timberwolves in each of the past two playoffs. In those seven games, Doncic has averaged 32.9 PPG with at least 31 points scored in six of the seven games. He really likes the matchup, particularly when he gets Rudy Gobert switched onto him, and consistently takes advantage. In the three playoffs games he played in Minnesota last season, Doncic averaged 33.7 PPG with at least 32 points in all three, and he’s dropped 37 and 31 in the two playoffs games against them this season. — Snellings
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
All times ET.
7 p.m.
Line: Celtics -3.5 (-107) | Magic +3.5 (-107)
Money line: Celtics -175 | Magic +145
Total: 196.5 (-107 O, -107 U)
BPI Projection: Celtics by 5.1, straight up 67%, 199.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Celtics: Jayson Tatum, (GTD – Wrist); Jrue Holiday, (GTD – Hamstring)
Magic: Jalen Suggs, (OFS – Knee); Moritz Wagner, (OFS – Knee)
8 p.m.
Line: Pacers +5.5 (-104) | Bucks -5.5 (-110)
Money line: Pacers +185 | Bucks -220
Total: 229.5 (-112 O, -102 U)
BPI Projection: Bucks by 1.6, straight up 55%, 226.5 total points.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Isaiah Jackson, (OFS – Achilles)
Bucks: Tyler Smith, (GTD – Ankle)
9:30 p.m.
Line: Lakers +3.5 (-110) | Timberwolves -3.5 (-104)
Money line: Lakers +135 | Timberwolves -155
Total: 207.5 (-110 O, -104 U)
BPI Projection: Timberwolves by 0, straight up 50%, 213.6 total points.
Injury Report:
Lakers: Maxi Kleber, (OUT – Foot)
Timberwolves: Rob Dillingham, (OUT – Ankle)
Source: espn.com