NBA Odds, Best Bets and Expert Tips | April 25

I’ve got three NBA Game 3 tips across betting apps in NZ this Saturday. Philly’s rookie VJ Edgecombe has blown the Celtics series open after a historic Game 2 in Boston, and Victor Wembanyama’s concussion could be the break Portland needed out West.

76ers +3.5 | $1.85 @ Betandplay

I like Philly at home here.

The 76ers went into TD Garden and won 111-97 in Game 2 after getting demolished by 32 in the opener. What changed was the three-point shooting - they went from 4-of-23 in Game 1 to 19-of-39 in Game 2. VJ Edgecombe finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds, the first rookie to post a 30-10 playoff game since Tim Duncan in 1998. Tyrese Maxey added 29 and nine assists.

Boston shot 13-of-50 from deep. Joel Embiid is still out recovering from his appendectomy, but with Edgecombe and Maxey producing at this level, Philly don’t need him to be competitive. 

First home playoff game of the series, and I’d expect the Philly crowd to be a factor.

Rockets -2.5 | $1.95 @ VipLuck

Luke Kennard scored 50 points across the first two games on 17-for-26 shooting. I don’t think that continues.

The Lakers have been superb without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, but that level of production from role players tends to correct over a series. Kevin Durant only scored three second-half points in Game 2 after putting up 20 before the break. I’d expect him to be sharper at Toyota Center.

Doncic is out indefinitely with his hamstring, and Reaves is only doing light on-court work. If you want to bet on NBA, the Rockets at home feel like the right side of this.

Trail Blazers ML | $1.75 @ Betista

I’m backing Portland to take the lead in this series. Wembanyama fell face-first to the court in the second quarter of Game 2 and entered concussion protocol. He’s unlikely to be cleared by Friday given the NBA’s mandatory 48-hour recovery window and the multi-step clearance process.

Without him, the Spurs blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead in San Antonio. Scoot Henderson was the catalyst for Portland’s comeback with a playoff career-high 31 points on 11-for-15 shooting from the field.

The series now shifts to the Moda Center. The Spurs won all three regular-season meetings against Portland, but Wembanyama didn’t play in any of them - it was a different team then, and it’s a different team now. 

If you’re shopping for betting promotions across NZ bookmakers, this is a good game to use them on.