The Lakers won this season.

It may not feel like it to LeBron James or J.J. Redick after the Timberwolves unceremoniously evicted the Lakers from the playoffs in five games. Minnesota was bigger, younger, more athletic, deeper and more physical.

"We lost to a better team," Redick said. "That's just the reality. We did."

That loss shattered the perception of how good these Lakers really were. It showed that Los Angeles, for all its star power now with Doncic and LeBron James, has serious work to do to reach contender status — and Redick wasn't all that subtle in saying what he wants to see from his stars (or, star) and the rest of his team.

"We have a ways to go as a roster," Redick said. "And certainly, there are individuals that were in phenomenal shape. There's certainly other ones that could have been in better shape. That's where my mind goes immediately, is we have to get in championship shape."

Even with all that, the Lakers were winners this season the second they traded for Doncic. He can be the present and will be the bridge to the post-LeBron future in Los Angeles.

What was also clear from the moment of that trade: The Lakers' current roster did not fit what works best around Doncic. It was incomplete. The fixes were not going to come until the offseason.

Now the offseason has arrived. Here are three things the Lakers need to focus on, and how building a team around Doncic and LeBron is different than the 2024 blueprint of the Mavericks' NBA Finals team.

Find a center

Anthony Edwards would drive around his Lakers defender — didn't matter who it was, they didn't have anyone who could stay in front of him (no team does) — and his eyes would get huge. There was no resistance between him and the rim, or, if someone was there, it was a rotating guard half the time, and Austin Reaves isn't stopping Ant with a full head of steam.

The Lakers must find a rim-protecting big man. Ideally, one who can be the kind of vertical threat on the roll that Doncic loves to play off of.

"We know this offseason, one of our primary goals is going to be to add size in our frontcourt at the center position…" Lakers GM Rob Pelinka said at his end-of-season press conference Thursday. "I think in terms of center traits, it would be great to have a center that was a vertical threat, lob threat, and someone that could protect the interior defensively."

The challenge is finding a player like that on the market at a price the Lakers can make work. The Lakers will have the taxpayer's mid-level exception ($5.7 million) or they have to make a trade.

One name to watch is Clint Capela, the 30-year-old big who has played the five seasons in Atlanta and is a free agent this summer. Capela is a rock-solid, professional NBA big — not exactly dynamic, but someone Redick could rely on night in and night out. Brook Lopez is also a free agent this summer, but at age 37, his game has taken a step back in recent seasons.

The best player potentially on the market is Indiana's Myles Turner, he would be a great fit, but he will be too expensive for the Lakers. With the contracts of Isaiah Hartenstein (three years, $87 million) and Alperen Sungun (five years, $185 million) setting the market, Turner is going to ask for $30 million or more a season. Indiana's front office has said publicly it wants to re-sign him.

One other name worth watching: Nic Claxton in Brooklyn. That would have to be a trade, but keep an eye on the possibility.

Lakers need perimeter defenders, shooting

Minnesota coach Chris Finch trusted his bench — Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo were closing games and making major contributions off the bench for the Timberwolves. Redick didn't make one substitution in the second half of Game 4, he trusted his bench that little.

The Lakers need more depth. Doncic, LeBron and Austin Reaves are set. The Lakers will land a new center and Jaxson Hayes can slide over to be a backup, where he is a good fit. Dalton Knecht will return and should take a step forward.

Then it gets challenging. Dorian Finney-Smith was a good two-way fit for the Lakers and has a connection with Doncic going back to Dallas, but he is expected to opt out of his $15.4 million contract (player option) and be seeking a raise, which the Lakers pretty much have to pay because they can't afford to lose him for nothing.

Other Lakers rotation players from this year — Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt — are locked in, but Pelinka will be looking for upgrades in shooting and athleticism. Those guys could end up in trade talks.

It's worth noting the Lakers don't just want shooters or pure 3&D guys. Los Angeles looked best against Minnesota when they were running sets, moving off the ball, and not just running Doncic isolations with other guys standing around. The Lakers need all-in players.

Extend/re-sign Luka Doncic, LeBron James

For all the talk about his conditioning and commitment to the game, money ultimately led to Dallas trading their star (and getting ownership to sign off on it). Doncic is extension eligible this summer, and Dallas was going to have to max him out with the richest contract in NBA history, five years, $345 million. Dallas balked at that number.

The Lakers can't pay him that much because he's no longer super-max eligible after the trade. While Doncic technically could play out next season then use his player option to become a free agent in 2026, no league source NBC has spoken with thinks he is considering that. Rather, it's the opposite, they think it's a lock he stays long term.

On Aug. 2, the Lakers can extend Doncic with a max four-year, $229 million contract. Doncic will pass on that and instead sign a three-year, $165 million extension, which ends right as he hits 10 years of service in the NBA, allowing him then, at age 29, to re-sign with the Lakers at a projected five-year max of $418 million.

There is no doubt Doncic will re-sign with the Lakers this summer. Ultimately, the same is true of LeBron, although he has not formally said if he is returning for a 23rd season.

"I don't know. I don't have an answer to that," James said after the Lakers were eliminated. "Something I'll sit down with my family, my wife and my support group and just kind of talk through it and see what happens. Just have a conversation with myself on how long I want to continue to play. I don't know the answer to that right now, to be honest. So, we'll see."

Good luck finding anyone around the league who thinks LeBron will retire this summer. Not after an All-NBA season. Not before a record 23rd season. Not before a year where the All-Star Game comes to Southern California. And not leaving a team with the potential to be a contender.

LeBron has a $52.4 million player option for next season (the second year of the two-year contract he signed last summer). The expectation is that he will opt out and ultimately re-sign with the Lakers, but this year don't expect an offer of a discount to sign the right player.

Tuomas Iisalo was thrown into an impossible situation. He'd been brought to America by the Grizzlies just a year ago from Paris Basketball — where he had won EuroCup with a high-powered offense — to help ramp up the Memphis offense. Then, when Taylor Jenkins was fired as the Grizzlies' head coach late in the season, Iisalo was thrown into the fire and handed the title of interim head coach. Memphis went 4-5 to end the season under him, came out of the Play-In Tournament only to run into a juggernaut Oklahoma City team that swept Memphis out of the playoffs.

Now, Iisalo has been given the job full time, the Grizzlies announced.

"I have full confidence in Tuomas serving as head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies going forward," Grizzlies President and General Manager Zachary Kleiman said in a statement. "Tuomas' teams at every level have been disciplined, tenacious and connected on both ends of the floor, consistently exceeding expectations. We look forward to the same in Memphis."

Iisalo played professionally in Finland and is the first Finnish head coach in the NBA.

Grizzlies players spoke highly of Iisalo and he seemed to have their support to take over as head coach, in particular Ja Morant. Iisalo ran more Morant pick-and-rolls, and rookie Zach Edey seemed to grow and thrive in this system. Being hired now gives Iisalo a full offseason and training camp to instill his offense.

What the roster Iisalo will coach next season remains a question mark, Memphis cannot just run this group back again and expect different results with a different coach. However, it may be difficult to make radical changes. Whatever happens, Iisalo will get his chance.

While the NBA Playoffs are in full swing, now is a good time to recap the fantasy basketball season for all 30 teams.

In the following weeks, we will provide a recap for each team, starting with the team with the worst record and concluding with the NBA champion in June.

The Portland Trail Blazers entered the 2024-25 season in a similar position to the 2023-24 campaign, with many wondering if the front office would move any of its veterans to continue the rebuild. No one was dealt at or before the February trade deadline, but injuries freed up additional opportunities for younger rotation players, most notably offseason acquisition Deni Avdija.

Portland Trail Blazers 2024-2025 Season Recap

Record: 36-46 (12th, West)

Offensive Rating: 111.0 (22nd)

Defensive Rating: 113.7 (16th)

Net Rating: -2.7 (21st)

Pace: 99.51 (16th)

2025 NBA Draft Picks: 3.7 percent chance of winning draft lottery

Expectations were relatively low for the Trail Blazers this season, especially considering the Western Conference's overall strength. But Chauncey Billups' team got hot in the weeks before the February trade deadline, winning 10 of 11 games to harbor slim hopes of cracking the Play-In tournament spots. Did that run factor into the front office's decision not to make any changes? Possibly. Unfortunately, the Blazers lost four straight after the deadline, ultimately falling off the pace for one of the final play-in spots.

Portland would finish 10 games below .500, and while many of the veterans who appeared to be potential trade targets remained, there were positives. Offseason addition Deni Avdija was outstanding during the stretch run, while an improved offensive skill set matched Toumani Camara's defensive mastery. Add in Donovan Clingan's play once Deandre Ayton was lost to a calf injury, and there were unquestioned signs of progress in Portland this season.

Billups and general manager Joe Cronin remain in their posts for the 2025-26 campaign, but how different will the roster look in the fall? While Jerami Grant's contract may be challenging to move via trade, Ayton and Robert Williams are headed into the final year of their respective deals. Now, or next February, may be the best time to move them to clear the decks for Clingan as Portland continues its rebuild.

Fantasy Standout: Deni Avdija

After spending the first four seasons of his NBA career with the Wizards, Avdija was traded to Portland for Malcolm Brogdon, the draft rights to Bub Carrington, a 2029 first-round pick and second-round picks in 2028 and 2030. While the Trail Blazers received a trade exception in the deal, that was a high price for the versatile wing. Based on his play this season, Avdija was worth the cost. Starting 54 of the 72 games he appeared in, the 6-foot-9 forward averaged 16.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.5 blocks and 1.7 three-pointers in 30.0 minutes.

Avdija, who shot 47.6 percent from the field and 78 percent from the foul line, established new highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals and three-pointers. He fits in well with his new team and looks like a player who will be a key figure for Portland in the future. Avdija, who ranked just outside the top-75 in eight-cat formats, began the season as a starter but moved to the bench once Shaedon Sharpe returned from a torn labrum in his left shoulder. Deni would return to the starting lineup for good after Christmas, averaging 19.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.9 three-pointers in his final 42 appearances.

Fantasy Revelation: Toumani Camara

Camara being one of the league's better individual defenders this season was unsurprising, given how he played on that end of the floor as a rookie. However, despite entering the 2024-25 campaign as a starter, the second-year forward was on the radar of few fantasy league competitors. Continuing to make strides offensively, Camara finished the season as a top-100 player in eight- and nine-cat formats. In 78 games (all starts), he averaged 11.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.7 three-pointers in 32.7 minutes, shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 72.2 percent from the foul line.

After recording no 20-point games as a rookie, Camara had five in 2024-25, recording his career-high tally (24) in a January 26 loss to the Thunder. Camara's three-point percentage increased by nearly four points, as he made 37.5 percent of his attempts. With his averages in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and three-pointers all increasing compared to his rookie year numbers, the young Blazer has the potential to be even better moving forward. While Camara may not be a lock to come off the board within the first 100 picks in 12-team drafts, a case can be made in the aftermath of his second NBA season.

Fantasy Disappointment: Jerami Grant

At this stage in Grant's career, most fantasy managers know not to expect too much from the veteran forward. However, after averaging 21.0 points per game in 54 appearances in 2023-24, things got considerably worse this season. Grant appeared in 47 games, averaging 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 0.9 steals, 1.0 blocks and 2.3 three-pointers in 32.4 minutes, shooting 37.3 percent from the field and 84.9 percent from the foul line. While his steals, blocks and three-pointers increased compared to 2023-24, Grant's scoring dropped by nearly seven points, and he remained a liability as a rebounder.

Entering the season with a Yahoo! ADP of 109, he finished the season as a 12th-round player in eight- and nine-cat formats. Grant has not appeared in a game on March 15 or later since the 2021-22 campaign, so fantasy managers should know what they're getting into from an availability standpoint. However, this season was far below expectations. For next season, fantasy managers will also have to consider the emergence of Avdija and Camara, not to mention Shaedon Sharpe's presence in the rotation, when assessing whether they should draft Grant.

Fantasy Recaps/Look-Aheads

Deandre Ayton:

Despite the Trail Blazers using their lottery pick on Donovan Clingan, Ayton remained firmly entrenched as the starting center. Unfortunately, after playing in 55 games during his first season with the team, availability was an even greater issue in 2024-25. Ayton missed seven games in November with a sprained index finger on his right (shooting) hand, but that would not be the most serious issue he would face. A strained left calf suffered just after the trade deadline ended his season on February 10. Ayton would play in 40 games, averaging 14.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals and 1.0 blocks in 30.1 minutes while shooting 56.6 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from the foul line.

While Ayton's per-game fantasy value was fine, those in roto formats hoping for season-long value took a significant hit, especially if they could not grab Clingan off the waiver wire. Portland surprised many by not moving Ayton or Williams at the trade deadline, and both would suffer season-ending injuries within two weeks of the February 6 date. If Ayton remains with Portland, he'll likely go into training camp as the starter. However, the recent availability issues would make him a risky choice within the first 75 picks of standard league drafts.

Anfernee Simons:

From an availability standpoint, this season was the best for Simons since 2019-20. The Trail Blazers guard matched his career-high with 70 appearances, and this was also the first time he's played in at least 60 games since 2022-23. In 32.7 minutes, Simons averaged 19.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.9 steals and 3.1 three-pointers per game, shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 90.2 percent from the foul line. He scored 30 or more points in nine games, two shy of his 2023-24 total, while recording two double-doubles.

Unfortunately, Simons could not match his Yahoo! ADP (78) in eight- or nine-cat formats, proving to be a top-100 player in the former. However, thanks to the improved availability, he came much closer in roto leagues. With one season remaining on his current contract, Simons is extension-eligible this summer. Does Portland view him as a long-term cornerstone? Or will it be Scoot Henderson who's eventually handed the keys. Remaining in Portland would make Simons a worthwhile option to bet on for top-100 value, but the availability has been an issue in recent seasons.

Shaedon Sharpe:

After his 2023-24 season ended in mid-January due to a labral tear in his left shoulder, Sharpe missed the first eight games of 2024-25 as he continued his recovery. Coming off the bench in his first two appearances, the athletic guard would move into the starting lineup on November 10 and stay in that role until mid-January. His demotion was due to a need to tighten up defensively, and Sharpe would continue to come off the bench until late February. With Jerami Grant unavailable, Shaedon remained in the starting lineup for the rest of the season, save the final two games, as he did not play.

Appearing in 72 games, he averaged 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.0 three-pointers in 31.3 minutes, shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 78.5 percent from the foul line. Sharpe was more valuable in roto formats than category leagues, finishing the season ranked outside the top-100 in eight- and nine-cat formats. However, he did exceed his Yahoo! ADP (142) in eight-cat formats. Given how difficult it's likely to be for Portland to move Grant's contract, Sharpe may be locked into a sixth-man role to begin next season. Camara appears unlikely to be removed from the starting lineup due to what he brings defensively, and Avdija's all-around game makes him challenging to bench. As was the case ahead of this season, Sharpe will likely remain a late-round pick in standard leagues.

Scoot Henderson:

After making 32 starts as a rookie, Henderson only made 10 this season. Part of that was due to Simons staying relatively healthy, while the addition of Avdija and Sharpe's return from injury limited the time Portland had to play two small guards together. The good news is that Henderson's efficiency improved, with the field goal percentage increasing and the turnover average decreasing compared to his rookie year numbers. However, Scoot could not provide consistent fantasy value before a concussion ended his season in late March. In 66 games, Henderson averaged 12.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.1 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.6 three-pointers in 26.7 minutes, shooting 41.9 percent from the field and 76.7 percent from the foul line.

Ranked outside the top-150 in eight-cat formats, Scoot failed to crack the top-250 in nine-cat formats. As for roto leagues, he finished the season just outside the top-200. Once again failing to reach his Yahoo! ADP (132), Henderson would need Portland to go all-in on him as their point guard of the future to improve his prospects in 2025-26. However, between his play and that of Anfernee Simons, the front office likely has no reason to make that drastic of a change.

Donovan Clingan:

Clingan was the seventh overall pick in the 2024 draft and was the backup center for his first 11 NBA games. Ayton's finger injury would push the 7-foot-2 rookie into the starting lineup in mid-November, and he would average 7.7 points, 10.2 rebounds and 3.2 blocks during this six-game stretch. A knee injury suffered during a November 23 win over the Rockets would sideline Clingan for seven games. Ayton's return would relegate the rookie to the bench on most nights until February. Clingan took over as the starter after Ayton strained his calf, and he shone in two February losses to the Nuggets.

In those matchups with Denver, Clingan totaled 38 points, 27 rebounds, two assists and four blocked shots, shooting 75 percent from the field. Clingan would have more positive moments the rest of the season, including four straight games with at least 11 rebounds in mid-March. Appearing in 67 games, he finished his rookie campaign with averages of 6.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.5 steals and 1.6 blocks in 19.8 minutes. While he finished the season outside the top-150 in eight- and nine-cat formats, Clingan showed signs of progress. His fantasy prospects depend on what Portland does with Ayton. If DA is traded, the Clingan era will begin in earnest, boosting his ADP considerably. However, Ayton's staying would likely relegate Clingan to the backup role to start the season.

Robert Williams:

Few would deny Williams' fantasy upside, considering what he showed at various points during his Celtics career. However, the Time Lord's poor availability has made it difficult to trust him in fantasy leagues. Making his season debut on November 8, he only appeared in 20 games before being shut down due to inflammation in his left knee. Williams' last game was on February 20, and he averaged 5.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.7 blocks in 17.6 minutes. He was not a player many fantasy managers were willing to gamble on in drafts, and with good reason.

Like Ayton, Williams is entering the final season of his contract. Those two remaining in Portland, along with Clingan, would eliminate the Time Lord as a viable fantasy option, and that doesn't even touch on his injury history. A move elsewhere may be necessary, but that would not change Williams' status as a risky player to select in most drafts. He's surpassed 60 games played once in his seven-year career (2021-22).

Matisse Thybulle:

Due to an ankle injury, Thybulle did not make his 2024-25 debut until March 16. The good news is that he would play in each of Portland's final 15 games, starting the last five. A double-digit scorer in his final three appearances, Thybulle averaged 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 2.2 steals, 0.6 blocks and 1.4 three-pointers in 20.7 minutes. Matisse would become a worthwhile deep-league streamer, and the improved three-point shooting will be worth tracking into 2025-26.

Thybulle, who has a player option and could be a free agent this summer, made 43.8 percent of his three-point attempts this season. While the defense has always been excellent, he rarely brought the "3" portion of the 3-and-D wing to the table consistently. The defensive production will make him worth a look in deeper leagues regardless of where he lands. Sustained perimeter shooting would give Thybulle the potential to be a steal in deeper fantasy leagues.

Kris Murray:

Murray, the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 draft, has yet to establish himself in Portland. Starting six of the 69 games he played this season, the 6-foot-8 wing averaged 4.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.4 three-pointers in 15.1 minutes. Murray wasn't on the fantasy radar before the season began, and he did little to change that perception in 2024-25. Given the lack of a consistent rotation role, one would assume that Summer League will be critical for Murray if the Blazers play him and give the former first-round pick a significant role. As for his fantasy prospects in 2025-26, they aren't good, especially considering Portland's wing depth/production.

Restricted Free Agents: Jabari Walker, Bryce McGowens, Justin Minaya

Unrestricted Free Agents: Dalano Banton

Player Option: Matisse Thybulle

Team Option: Rayan Rupert

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets Preview

It’s Saturday, May 3, and the Los Angeles Clippers (50-32) and Denver Nuggets (50-32) are all set to square off from Ball Arena in Denver.

We have a game seven! These two will meet in Denver to decide who will win the series.

The Clippers are currently 20-21 on the road with a point differential of 5, while the Nuggets have a 4-6 record in their last ten games at home.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Clippers vs. Nuggets live today

• Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
• Time: 7:30PM EST
• Site: Ball Arena
• City: Denver, CO
• Network/Streaming: TNT

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Clippers vs. Nuggets

The latest odds as of Saturday:

• Odds: Clippers (-103), Nuggets (-116)
• Spread:  Nuggets -1
• Over/Under: 204 points

That gives the Clippers an implied team point total of 101.75, and the Nuggets 102.27.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Saturday’s Clippers vs. Nuggets game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is betting on Michael Porter Jr under 5.5 rebounds...

Thomas: "Porter Jr is averaging just 1.7 contested rebounds in the playoffs. He's banged up and not crashing the glass to protect his shoulder. Smart. We will capitalize on him."

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Clippers & Nuggets game:

• Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Denver Nuggets on the Moneyline.
• Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Los Angeles Clippers at +1.
• Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 204.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Clippers vs. Nuggets on Saturday

• The Clippers are 7-3 in their last 10 games on the road
• The Under is 24-20 in the Clippers' road games this season
• The Clippers have failed to cover the spread in their last 3 games this postseason

Home teams have a record of 23-15 this postseason

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Preview

It’s Friday, May 2, and the Houston Rockets (52-30) and Golden State Warriors (48-34) are all set to square off from Chase Center in San Francisco.

After a 131-116 Rockets win, the series heads back to San Francisco with the Warriors up 3-2.

Steve Kerr pulled the plug early in game five to prepare his squad for a must win game 6.

The Rockets are currently 23-17 on the road with a point differential of 5, while the Warriors have a 6-4 record in their last ten games at home.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts.

Game details & how to watch Rockets vs. Warriors live today

• Date: Friday, May 2, 2025
• Time: 9:00PM EST
• Site: Chase Center
• City: San Francisco, CA
• Network/Streaming: ESPN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game.

Game odds for Rockets vs. Warriors

The latest odds as of Friday:

• Odds: Rockets (+180), Warriors (-218)
• Spread:  Warriors -5
• Over/Under: 203 points

That gives the Rockets an implied team point total of 100.61, and the Warriors 103.21.

Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more!

Expert picks & predictions for Friday’s Rockets vs. Warriors game

NBC Sports Bet Best Bet

Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas) is betting on Jimmy Butler over 26.5 points and rebounds

Thomas: "In a close-out game, I'm trusting Playoff Jimmy. Think back to game one when we saw the best version of Playoff Jimmy. He had 25 points and six assists."

Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Rockets & Warriors game:

• Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Golden State Warriors on the Moneyline.
• Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Houston Rockets at +5.
• Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 203.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar!

Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Rockets vs. Warriors on Friday

• The Warriors have won 3 games straight at home, while the Rockets have lost on 5 of their last 6 road trips
• The Total went over in 54% of the Rockets' regular season games (44-38-0)
• The Rockets have covered the Spread in 4 of their last 5 games as a favorite

Wednesday’s Game Five showdown produced 247 points even though Steph Curry scored only 13 of them. Both Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors have been productive on offence in this playoff series and it’s hard to see Curry being quiet twice in a row. The over looks worth a bet.

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:

- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)

- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)

- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

Legendary San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich — a five-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer — will step away from his role as head coach and transition to being president of basketball operations, Popovich and the Spurs announced.

Popovich, 76, had been off the bench and away from the team since suffering a mild stroke before a game on Nov. 2.

"While my love and passion for the game remain, I've decided it's time to step away as head coach," Popovich said in a statement. "I'm forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community and city that are so meaningful to me."

"Coach Pop's extraordinary impact on our family, San Antonio, the Spurs and the game of basketball is profound," said Spurs owner and managing partner Peter J. Holt. "His accolades and awards don't do justice to the impact he has had on so many people. He is truly one-of-one as a person, leader and coach. Our entire family, alongside fans from across the globe, are grateful for his remarkable 29-year run as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs."

It is widely expected in league circles that Mitch Johnson, who took over as the Spurs' interim head coach this season after Popovich's stroke, will be named the team's new head coach (ESPN’s Shams Charania has reported that is happening).

Popovich's coaching resume is unassailable: He is the NBA's all-time winningest coach and a five-time NBA champion. What was most impressive was that he evolved his team's style of play to fit the talent and roster he had — the way the twin-tower Tim Duncan/David Robinson Spurs won a title was very different from the up-tempo style of later teams, or the brilliant ball movement of his final title team in 2014. Popovich also coached Team USA to a gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics.

After the stroke, he had still talked about returning to the bench, but suffered a medical incident at a restaurant last month. He will now work in the Spurs front office as it enters a critical time, ramping up the talent on the roster fast to contend with Victor Wembanyama at the heart of the team. Popovich would well pick up other rings in that role.

Cleveland was elite and sitting on top of the East standings from the moment the season tipped off, a team that never let up and powered its way to 64 wins. Indiana was 16-18 in 2024, but when the calendar flipped to 2025, it went 34-14, climbing up to the No. 4 seed.

Now these two teams face off in the second round after Cleveland swept Miami out of the playoffs, while Indiana knocked out Milwaukee for the second straight year. Here's a preview of this second-round showdown from the NBC Sports NBA crew.

When does the Pacers vs. Cavaliers begin?

Game 1 between the Pacers and Cavaliers will be played Sunday, May 4, in Cleveland, although the time is not yet formalized (it will be at 6 ET if there is a Game 7 in the Golden State vs. Houston series, if not, tip-off will be at 8 ET). The game will be broadcast on TNT.

Indiana vs. Cleveland Playoffs Schedule 2025

All times are Eastern (* = if necessary).
Game 1: Pacers at Cavaliers (Sun. May 4, TBD, TNT)
Game 2: Pacers at Cavaliers (Tue. May 6, TBD)
Game 3: Cavaliers at Pacers (Fri. May 9, TBD)
Game 4: Cavaliers at Pacers (Sun. May 11, TBD)
Game 5: Pacers at Cavaliers (Tue. May 13, TBD)*
Game 6: Cavaliers at Pacers (Thu. May 15, TBD)*
Game 7: Pacers at Cavaliers (Sun. May 18, TBD)*

Player to watch: Evan Mobley

The Defensive Player of the Year will be put to the test in the conference semifinals. He didn't have any issues in the first round, but his matchup with Pascal Siakam will be a pivotal one in this series. Mobley averaged 19.0 points, 12.5 rebounds, 1.0 block and 2.0 three-pointers in two games against the Pacers this season, while Siakam averaged 20.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steal, 1.0 block and 1.0 triple per game in their matchups.

Mobley will need to get the job done on both ends of the floor for the Cavs to advance to the conference finals. He hit eight three-pointers during their sweep of the Heat in the first round. If he can continue to space the floor, driving lines will open up for Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and De'Andre Hunter. On defense, Siakam is a tough matchup, but Indiana's offense is more complex than an individual matchup. During their first-round series with the Bucks, the Pacers assisted on 68.8 percent of their makes, which is the highest mark this postseason. Indiana's Offensive Rating of 118.0 in the first round was only bested by Cleveland (136.2!), and it will take the DPOY to slow down Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers.
—Noah Rubin, Rotoworld fantasy basketball analyst

Keys to watch for in Indiana vs. Cleveland

1) Can Pacers half-court defense hold up?

We know this series will be up-tempo — Indiana wants to get out and run, but Cleveland will be good with that. While the Cavaliers were a bottom-10 team in frequency of offensive plays started in transition, they were the most efficient team in the league on them, with a 131.3 offensive rating. Indiana was just behind them in fourth at 130.4 (and they were a top-10 team in pace).

What Indiana did at an elite level was keep other teams from running — their transition defense was impressive. No team allowed a lower percentage of opponent offense to start in transition. They ran on opponents but forced those teams to play in the half court against them.

The problem for Indiana — and the key to this series — is that the Pacers were also bottom 10 in the league in half-court defense, while the Cavaliers were best in the league with a historically good half-court offense. To be fair, after the calendar flipped to 2025 (when the Pacers started to play their best basketball), Indiana's half-court defense improved to 14th in the league (middle of the pack). That's still not good enough. This series comes down to Cleveland's strength against Indiana's weakness, and that's not good for the Hoosier state.

Put simply: Can the Pacers get enough stops to give their offense a chance?

2) Who dominates the fourth quarter?

No matter how you slice it, these were the two best clutch teams in the NBA this season. The Cavaliers averaged the most points of any team in the league in the fourth quarter this season (29.8) but Indiana was close behind (29.3).

Indiana had the best clutch net rating in the league (20.9, and a 24-14 record) but the Cavaliers were second (18.1, going 26-12 in the clutch). There will be tight games in this series, which team can continue their elite clutch play?
—Kurt Helin, NBC Sports lead NBA writer

Predictions

Jay Croucher (NBC Sports Lead Betting Analyst): Cavaliers in 5

Indiana are the best team in the league at forcing opponents to play in the half court — but the Cavs have the #1 half-court offense. Cleveland's elite bench should dominate Indiana's suspect depth. Indiana should score, because Halliburton is that good, but their defense hasn't shown the ceiling it will need to get to beat this Cavs team.

Vaughn Dalzell (NBC Sports Betting Analyst): Cavaliers in 6

The one thing Indiana has going for it in this series is tempo. If Cleveland wants to play fast and shoot triples, then Indiana will make this a series, but if the Cavs want to slow it down and dominate the paint, the Pacers may not have any answers unless Myles Turner balls out. The Cavs are 100 percent the better team, but I wouldn't count Indiana out.

Kurt Helin: Cavaliers in 5

The Pacers are a good team about to face a better one — Cleveland can do everything Indiana wants to do, and do it better, and with superior players. It's not Donovan Mitchell vs. Tyrese Haliburton at the top of the card, it's Darius Garland vs. Andrew Nembhard, it's Myles Turner vs. Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

The Cavaliers and Celtics have been a tier above everyone else in the East and that will play out in this series.