Sunday`s NBA playoff action features the conclusion of one series and the commencement of another. Fresh off a dominant sweep against the Heat, the Cleveland Cavaliers are set to begin their Eastern Conference Semifinals series against the Indiana Pacers, who also showed strong form in their previous round against the Milwaukee Bucks. Meanwhile, the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets face a win-or-go-home scenario in Game 7, with the victor advancing to challenge the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The 2025 NBA postseason is in full swing, and the betting market is heating up. CBS Sports provides daily picks throughout the playoffs, with Sam Quinn offering at least one prediction for every game leading up to the NBA Finals.
Indiana Pacers at Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland is coming off arguably the best offensive series in NBA history, posting an exceptional offensive rating of 136.2 against Miami. Trailing only the Cavaliers in playoff offensive efficiency so far are the Indiana Pacers, benefiting partly from Milwaukee`s defensive struggles, but also showcasing an excellent offensive unit they`ve built over the past two years. Both teams are well-rested after quickly handling their first-round opponents and both possess clear vulnerabilities.
The Pacers rely heavily on Tyrese Haliburton, but the Cavaliers are equipped to target him in pick-and-roll situations, similar to how they attacked Tyler Herro in the prior round. Conversely, Cleveland`s key role players often prioritize offense over defense. Until Indiana`s coaching staff prioritizes defensive matchups, they`ve shown a tendency to maximize shooting talent on the court. This suggests Game 1 could easily turn into a high-scoring affair.
The Pick: Over 229.5
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets
Focusing on a specific role player might seem unusual for a pivotal Game 7, but here is the rationale. Zone defenses, particularly Houston`s approach designed to contain Stephen Curry (a hybrid 2-3 zone and box-and-one), are often susceptible to effective 3-point shooting from others. Since Curry is the primary target, we look for a player who can attempt multiple threes without drawing excessive defensive attention. That player is Brandin Podziemski.
Podziemski has been attempting a 3-pointer approximately every 4.6 minutes he`s played in this series. The Gary Payton II strategy didn`t pan out in Game 6. Expect Podziemski to likely return to the starting lineup and see significant minutes, potentially 30-35. This translates to roughly seven or eight 3-point attempts. Given his composed performance on the playoff stage thus far, confidently hitting two of those shots seems well within reach.
The Pick: Brandin Podziemski Over 1.5 Made 3-Pointers
