A trio of Game 3’s headlines Saturday’s 2025 NBA Playoff schedule, starting with the Celtics looking to bring out the brooms against the Magic in Orlando. The Pacers have similar aspirations when they travel to Milwaukee, before the Wolves and Lakers square off at the Target Center. See below for all of Ryan Cook’s best plays!
Orlando Magic vs Boston Celtics
9:00am, KIA Center
The panic meter in Orlando must be at an all-time high after the Magic lost Game 2 by nine points on Thursday without Jayson Tatum on the floor. To their credit, the margin blew out to 15 points at one stage in the second half, but as I wrote ahead of Game 2, it seems even the best of Paolo Banchero isn’t enough to knock off this versatile Boston team that can hurt you in more ways than one. Second chance points have been the story of this series so far as the Magic continue to struggle with offensive rebounding and turnovers in costly spots. All hope is not lost, but with the Celtics seemingly regaining the same deadly edge they had this time last year, it just feels like they want it more.
Tip: Celtics 11+ @ $2.50
Milwaukee Bucks vs Indiana Pacers
10:00am, Fiserv Forum
This series shifts to the Forum on Saturday with the Pacers looking to turn the screws on the out of form Bucks. Even Damian Lillard’s return to action wasn’t enough to spur Milwaukee to victory in Game 2, the Bucks falling 123-115 after turning the ball over 15 times. Milwaukee’s carelessness with the rock has been a huge factor so far, while the Pacers have enjoyed the spoils from downtown, shooting 41 per-cent from three. Getting away from the raucous crowd in Indiana should help the Bucks calm things down, but given Indiana has covered in seven of its last eight playoff games now, the +5 at the line is still slightly generous.
Tip: Pacers to Cover (+5)