Rockets vs. Warriors Best bets: Odds, predictions, recent stats, trends for April 28

Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors Preview

It’s Monday, April 28, and the Houston Rockets (52-30) and Golden State Warriors (48-34) are all set to square off from Chase Center in San Francisco.

The Warriors have a 2-1 series lead after a fourth-quarter comeback in the last game.

Jimmy Butler's status for tonight's game remains uncertain, but should he be unavailable, Quinten Post could be back in the starting line.

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.

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

  • Date: Monday, April 28, 2025
  • Time: 10:00PM EST
  • Site: Chase Center
  • City: San Francisco, CA
  • 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 Rockets vs. Warriors

The latest odds as of Monday:

  • Odds: Rockets (+141), Warriors (-169)
  • Spread:  Warriors -3.5
  • Over/Under: 203 points

That gives the Rockets an implied team point total of 100.77, and the Warriors 102.6.

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 Monday’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 Jalen Green over 17.5 points:

Thomas: "Jalen Green is going to need a big effort tonight if his team plans on leveling it before they head back to Houston. Green has missed this number in two of the games in this series, so proceed with caution. However, he will have to take more than 11 field goal attempts if he expects to lead his team to a win."

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 Golden State Warriors at -3.5.
  • 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 Monday

  • The Warriors' average winning margin in two home wins against the Rockets this season is +8.5
  • Each of the Rockets' last three road games with the Warriors have stayed under the Total
  • The Rockets have covered the spread in five of their last seven away games against teams with better records

The Rockets suffered one of their characteristic shooting droughts in the second half of game three, losing a double digit lead to go down 104-93. Steph Curry was at his best, scoring 36 points - more than double the next-highest contribution. With more consistent shooting, Houston can hit back.

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.

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- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)

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Five Potential Candidates For The Kraken's Head Coaching Job

Hershey Bears head coach Todd Nelson talks with media after Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, Calif., Saturday, June 10, 2023.

The Seattle Kraken are planning a thorough search for their next head coach, someone who will commit to developing the young crop of players they have.

The first two head coaches the Kraken hired were David Hakstol and Dan Bylsma. Hakstol was the head coach of the University of North Dakota before signing with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2015. His stint with the Flyers ended in 2018, and he followed that with a job as an assistant coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs for an additional two seasons. He joined the Kraken for three seasons, making the postseason just once. 

Bylsma worked as the head coach of the Kraken for just one season, previously serving as the lead man of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres. He spent two seasons coaching the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the Kraken's AHL team, where he led them to two Calder Cup finals, losing both. 

The next coach of the Kraken will have a lot of pressure weighing on their shoulders, meaning results will need to come very quickly. Here are five candidates who may be able to fulfill the organization's needs.

David Carle

No coach is better equipped to develop the young Kraken players than Carle. He's coached at the University of Denver for seven seasons, winning two national championships, and winning back-to-back gold medals as the head coach of Team USA's world junior team. 

Players such as Zeev Buium, Bobby Brink, Massimo Rizzo, Cole Gutman, Carter Mazur, Jack Devine and others have had phenomenal seasons under Carle's tutelage and have gone on to play in the NHL or AHL. His ability to help his players become player drivers offensively while maintaining their awareness to the defensive side of the puck should bode well for players like Shane Wright, Matty Beniers and Berkly Catton.

Mike Sullivan

Sullivan was fired by the Penguins earlier this morning and has immediately become the prized possession of the head coach search. He coached the Penguins to two Stanley Cups during his 10-year tenure. Throughout his career, he's served as the assistant coach for the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers and the Vancouver Canucks, while also spending a season as the player development coach for the Chicago Blackhawks.

He was the second-longest tenured coach behind Jon Cooper before he was fired, and was well respected by Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, all of whom had phenomenal seasons while Sullivan was the head coach. His background as a scout and development coach, coupled with his success as a head coach fits the criteria of what the Kraken are looking for. 

Breaking News: Seattle Kraken Announce Leadership Changes; Jason Botterill Promoted to GMBreaking News: Seattle Kraken Announce Leadership Changes; Jason Botterill Promoted to GMSeattle, WA - The Seattle Kraken have made significant changes to their hockey leadership, just one day after parting ways with head coach Dan Bylsma. On Tuesday, April 22, the organization announced it has elevated Ron Francis to President of Hockey Operations and promoted Jason Botterill to Executive Vice President and General Manager.

Jay Woodcroft

Connor McDavid enjoyed the highest goal and point-scoring season of his career with Woodcroft behind the Oilers' bench. While it ended a bit sourly between the organization and Woodcroft, there was a lot to like about his coaching. Under Woodcroft, the Oilers were one of the best offensive teams in the NHL, dangerous on both the power play and at even strength. Defensively, the Oilers were poor at times, partially due to the lack of resources they had on the blue line. 

A criticism some have bestowed on Woodcroft was that he was sometimes too lenient on McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. He would play them together whenever the going got tough, even though they did not have the depth to allow it, and allowed them to play the bulk, if not all, of the power play minutes the team had. 

Kraken Retaining Jessica Campbell Shows Faith In Early Positive SignsKraken Retaining Jessica Campbell Shows Faith In Early Positive SignsThe Seattle Kraken parted ways with Dan Bylsma after just one season as the head coach, and while many thought Jessica Campbell may have followed, the organization is rewarding her with another season after some early positive returns.

Peter Laviolette

Laviolette might be the furthest off from what the Kraken are searching for, but hiring him would likely get them the results in the regular season that they have been craving. 

The 60-year-old has coached the New York Islanders, Carolina Hurricanes, Flyers, Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals and the Rangers during his career, winning the Stanley Cup with the Hurricanes. 

The relationship between Laviolette and Kraken forward Kaapo Kakko wasn't great, and it could be why the Kraken steer away from Laviolette. He doesn't have the greatest reputation for developing young players, as Kakko, Alexis Lafrenière, and Filip Chytil never hit the heights they were expected to.

Todd Nelson

Similar to Carle, Nelson does not have much experience in head coaching at the NHL level, but his experience at other levels is a good indication that he is worth a chance. Nelson first worked as an assistant coach of the Atlanta Thrashers back in 2008, before becoming the head coach of the Oklahoma City Barons in the AHL. He was appointed as the head coach of the Oilers in the 2014-15 season, working as the interim head coach, before coaching their AHL affiliate.

He then worked four seasons as the assistant coach of the Dallas Stars before going back to the AHL with the Hershey Bears. The Kraken organization knows far too much about the Bears, as the Firebirds lost in the Calder Cup finals twice to Nelson and the Bears. 

The 55-year-old's experience working as a head coach in the AHL with young players checks off every box the Kraken are hoping for, and he could be a serious candidate for the job if both he and the Kraken are interested. 

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Why Bogut believes Kuminga is in ‘wrong system' with Warriors

Why Bogut believes Kuminga is in ‘wrong system' with Warriors originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Former Warriors center and NBA champion Andrew Bogut has a theory on why forward Jonathan Kuminga has experienced instability within coach Steve Kerr’s rotation throughout the 2024-25 season.

And it’s a rather simple theory.

“I just think he’s in the wrong system,” Bogut revealed recently on the “House of Strauss” podcast (h/t ClutchPoints). 

Bogut, who made three NBA Finals appearances along with star Steph Curry and Co. in 2015, 2016 and 2019, knows very well what type of player it takes to flourish in Kerr’s system.

With that in mind, the retired center doesn’t believe Kuminga’s qualities are compatible with Golden State’s motion offense. 

“I don’t think he’s a ball-movement, move-off-the-ball guy that Golden State likes to play in that style,” Bogut explained. “Look, it is a contrast to a lot of teams where you’re basically getting the ball in the paint to get it outside for three-pointers.” 

Kuminga, who has also been the recent subject of trade rumors, received three consecutive DNPs (Did Not Play) in Golden State’s final regular-season game, its play-in tournament victory over the Memphis Grizzlies and its Western Conference playoffs Game 1 win over the Houston Rockets. 

But as Bogut argues, it’s Kuminga’s tendencies to take on defenders one-on-one that inhibit his abilities to mesh well with a team-oriented scheme like Kerr’s.

“You’re basically looking to go misdirection a lot with Steph,” Bogut concluded. “But I just think he’s an iso guy, and I don’t think iso guys work in Golden State.”

With all his experience, it’s worth considering Bogut’s case — regardless of whether he’s right or wrong.

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Butler officially active, will play in Warriors' Game 4 vs. Rockets

Butler officially active, will play in Warriors' Game 4 vs. Rockets originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Robin is back.

Jimmy Butler officially is active for the Warriors’ Game 4 matchup with the Houston Rockets on Monday at Chase Center — good news for Golden State as it seeks a three-games-to-one series lead in the first-round NBA playoff series.

Butler will start Monday’s game along with Steph Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Draymond Green and surprise addition Buddy Hield, who scored 17 points in the Warriors’ Game 3 win. Hield’s last start was Feb. 12 against the Mavericks in Dallas, and Monday marks his first career playoff start.

Butler sustained a left pelvic injury in the first quarter of the Warriors’ Game 2 loss to the Rockets on Wednesday night after Houston guard Amen Thompson undercut him as he went up for a rebound.

Butler was ruled out for Game 3 on Saturday about an hour before tip-off, but Golden State was able to pull off a pivotal 104-93 victory thanks largely in part to Butler’s Batman counterpart Curry and his 36 points.

But Butler’s return certainly is a welcome sight for Golden State, after the team’s stellar midseason acquisition scored 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting with seven rebounds, six assists and five steals in 42 minutes during the Warriors’ Game 1 win.

The six-time NBA All-Star forward initially was listed as questionable for Monday’s game, but the extra rest appears to have served Butler well. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said pregame that Butler wouldn’t be on a minutes restriction if he suited up, and ESPN’s Shams Charania reported earlier in the day that Butler did “everything in his power” to return for Game 4.

“Jimmy Butler is doing everything possible to try and play tonight in Game 4,” Charania said on “NBA Today.” “Everything in his power, he’s been doing treatment, workouts on the court over the last 24 hours. And then today, he was a full participant at shootaround. …

“He just was not moving well enough to play [on Saturday]. The Warriors’ doctors ruled him out. So he may not be 100 percent tonight, but he does want to play.”

Mission accomplished. Now, Butler will do all he can to help the Warriors head back to Houston with a chance to advance to the Western Conference semifinals.

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Mike Sullivan Is Available If Blackhawks Want Him

Image

The Chicago Blackhawks are in the process of looking for a head coach. Anders Sorensen took over on an interim basis when they fired Luke Richardson mid-season, but Sorensen is not expected to remain the coach. 

Coming out of the regular season, it was well known that University of Denver head coach David Carle was at the top of Kyle Davidson’s list. Over the weekend, however, Carle dropped out of this potential opportunity. 

Now, the Blackhawks have to pivot and look in a different direction. Recent NHL news has presented them with a new option. 

On Monday morning, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced that they have parted ways with head coach Mike Sullivan. He leaves behind the team with which he established himself as a top-flight coach. 

Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) on XPittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) on XThe Pittsburgh Penguins and Head Coach Mike Sullivan have agreed to part ways. Details: https://t.co/9AB8bPOijI

Sullivan, since becoming the head coach of the Penguins, has won the Stanley Cup twice. He was Team USA’s coach in their second-place effort at the 4-Nations Face-Off. Everywhere Sullivan has been, success has followed. 

The Blackhawks must try to pursue Sullivan in their search. A guy like David Carle has much potential as an NHL head coach, but Sullivan has proven it at the highest level more than once. 

Not only has Sullivan gotten the most out of NHL depth players, but he has also led stars like Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang to great playoff success. That experience, if hired, may help him get Connor Bedard and other young stars in Chicago going. 

Pittsburgh has also had some tactical advantages under Mike Sullivan during his tenure there. One example came when he found a way to fit in Phil Kessel by taking him away from Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Getting Kessel on the third line with Carl Hagelin and Nick Bonino got him going and gave the Penguins three scoring lines. It became a matchup nightmare for the opposition because Pittsburgh had an Olympian driving play on every line.

He also perfectly handled the Marc-Andre Fleury & Matt Murray duo in 2016 and 2017. The right buttons were pushed to get each of them to do what was necessary to win back-to-back championships. 

One final example is how he handled Justin Schultz in those championship days. Whether Kris Letang was healthy or not, Sullivan knew how to get Schultz to execute whatever role was needed from him on the blue line. 

If he is on the radar for Chicago, they will have some competition. They aren’t even the only Original Six team with upside looking for a new coach. 

The Boston Bruins have a legit number one defenseman in Charlie McAvoy. He can lead a team from the back end in every offensive and defensive situation. He’s also married to Mike Sullivan's daughter. Having a star goalie and elite forward locked in to rebuild around doesn’t hurt their case either. 

The New York Rangers are also on the search for a great head coach. They had a horrific season following a deep playoff run one year prior. Will they try to reload with a veteran coach? Sullivan would be a great candidate for that role. 

Other younger teams like the Anaheim Ducks and Seattle Kraken are looking for a new bench boss as well. Chicago will be far from alone regarding teams that make sense for Mike Sullivan. 

Undoubtedly, he would be a great fit for this organization, looking to take a step. All Kyle can do is pursue him to the best of his ability. From there, it's on the coach to make a decision. 

Visit The Hockey News Chicago Blackhawks team site to stay updated on the latest news, game-day coverage, player features, and more.

Mike Sullivan's Departure From Penguins Paves The Way For Rangers To Swoop In

 James Guillory-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Penguins announced on Monday morning that they have parted ways with longtime head coach Mike Sullivan.

Sullivan just completed his tenth season with the Penguins and after winning two Stanley Cups and leading his team to multiple playoff appearances, he’ll be moving on. 

“On behalf of Fenway Sports Group and the Penguins organization, I would like to thank Mike Sullivan for his unwavering commitment and loyalty to the team and City of Pittsburgh over the past decade,” Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said in a statement. “Mike is known for his preparation, focus and fierce competitiveness. I was fortunate to have a front-row seat to his dedication to this franchise for the past two seasons. 

“He will forever be an enormous part of Penguins history, not only for the impressive back-to-back Cups, his impact on the core of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Bryan Rust, but more importantly, for his love and loyalty to the organization. This was not a decision that was taken lightly, but as we continue to navigate the Penguins through this transitional period, we felt it was the best course forward for all involved.”

This move by the Penguins has some major implications on the New York Rangers’ coaching search.

According to Vince Z. Mercogliano of USA Today, multiple league sources believe that Sullivan is Rangers president and general manager Chris Drury’s top choice to fill in the team’s head coaching vacancy. 

Sullivan and Drury have ties from Boston University and USA Hockey as this match makes perfect sense. 

Rangers Players Defend Peter Laviolette With A Tone Of Sympathy After Firing Rangers Players Defend Peter Laviolette With A Tone Of Sympathy After Firing For the third time since 2021 the Rangers have fired their head coach. 

Drury also made a push for Sullivan in previous head coaching searches and now that he’s parted ways with the Penguins, now could be the perfect opportunity for the Rangers to sway Sullivan to make his way to New York.

The Rangers fired Peter Laviolette after missing the playoffs and going through a season filled with disappointments.

Drury has let go of three coaches since 2021 as the Blueshirts are in dire need of some stability behind the bench. 

Given Sullivan’s tenure in Pittsburgh and overall track record, he could provide that stability and help change the culture within the Rangers organization.

NHL Nugget: Vancouver Canucks' Kevin Lankinen's Birthday Backcheck

Kevin Lankinen (Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)

Here's today's NHL Nugget – this Birthday Backcheck features Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen, who turns 30 on April 28.

Lankinen set a career high in games played this season with 51 for the Canucks, more than double the number of matches he appeared in with the Nashville Predators last season. After some 4 Nations Face-Off action for Finland, Lankinen's sticking around with the Canucks for a while longer.

Brian T. Dessart takes fans on a distinctive ride through the historic-laden NHL with the #NHLNugget. Check out NHLNugget.com to find where to follow NHL Nugget on social media.  And for past NHL Nuggets, click here.        

Rumors will fly, but Trae Young reportedly likely returns to Hawks next season

Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks' season came to a disappointingly early end when the No. 8 seed dropped Play-In Tournament games to the Magic and Heat, leaving Atlanta out of the playoffs entirely. Atlanta's ownership reacted to that disappointment by firing GM Landry Fields and starting the search for a new head of basketball operations.

That change at the top will lead to a lot of speculation about Atlanta looking to move on from Young this summer, potentially trading him and pivoting to a retooling strategy around Jalen Johnson, Zaccharie Risacher, Dyson Daniels, and others.

Don't bet on it. While it's possible, multiple reports suggest the Hawks will bring Young back next season. Whether they work out a contract extension with him this offseason is another question. Here is what Marc Stein and Jake Fischer wrote at The Stein Line:

"Talk of potential Young trades has undeniably faded after his generally strong 2024-25 season and return to All-Star status. Which is in sharp contrast to the past few seasons that ended with no shortage of 'Trae Trade Talk'...

"Hawks personnel have likewise spoken often this season about Young's growth as a leader to the team's young wing men."

The reality is that even if the new lead executive in Atlanta wants to trade Young, his trade value around the league is not high, or at least not high enough to get the return the Hawks would seek. Young is perceived as a quality offensive player — he was an All-Star who averaged 24.2 points and 11.6 assists a game this season — but an inconsistent 3-point shooter and weak defender, and while he can raise the floor of a franchise, there is a ceiling on how good a team can be with him as its centerpiece. While some fans had tried to link him to San Antonio last summer, the Spurs made their move and traded for De'Aaron Fox.

Also, Young isn't looking to move on. Here is what NBA insider Chris Haynes had to say about Young and his future.

"He said he knew there was going to be speculation once the Hawks went to a younger core... So he's somebody who, again, just told me a week/a week and a half ago, that he's down with the process. He wants to see this Atlanta Hawks squad turn the corner and he wants to be a pivotal part in that."

The smart bet is that Young stays with the Hawks next season, but they won't offer him an extension unless he's willing to take a very team-friendly (and tradable) offer. Young would be a free agent in the summer of 2026.

However, it is all going to play out, nothing serious will happen until the Hawks hire their new head of basketball operations.

Magic Johnson questions Lakers for playing LeBron James, Luka Doncic in entire second half

Magic Johnson speaks at a ceremony honoring Billie Jean King with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Magic Johnson speaks at a ceremony honoring Billie Jean King with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 7. (Chris Pizzello / Invision / AP)

Magic Johnson is pretty active on X.

The affable and well-liked Lakers legend often will give his observations on a variety of topics. Not surprisingly, NBA basketball and the Lakers are of particular interest to the Showtime-era icon.

Typically, Johnson's posts are of the extremely non-controversial variety. Here are a couple of samples from Sunday morning:

After the Lakers' 116-113 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, however, Johnson had something of substance to say about a decision made by his beloved team, which is now on the brink of playoff elimination. After trailing by three points at halftime, the Lakers rallied to lead by as many as 12 in the third quarter but were unable to hold on to their advantage down the stretch in the fourth.

Read more:Hernández: With their season in danger of ending, Lakers are running out of answers

In that second half, Lakers coach JJ Redick did not make a single substitution, meaning the same five players — LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith — played all 24 minutes.

Johnson was critical of that decision in an X post after the Lakers fell behind in the series three games to one.

"I dont know if it smart to play LeBron and Luka the entire second half after only having one day of rest between Games 3 and 4," Johnson wrote. "When we needed LeBron to take over in the fourth quarter he couldn’t — he scored 0 points in the fourth."

OK, so it's not the most scathing critique in the world, but it was a critique nonetheless. Johnson added that he's "just sick to my stomach that the Lakers lost this game after being in control most of the 2nd half."

Read more:Is Luka Doncic 230 or 260 pounds? Magic Johnson says new Laker must take 'conditioning seriously'

The five-time NBA champion did throw in some more typical-sounding posts about the game as well.

Doncic — who was hampered by a stomach bug during the Lakers' Game 3 loss on Friday — finished with 38 points, including 14 in the second half. James — who, at 40, is the oldest player in the NBA — finished with 27 points, but only three of those came in the second half (three free throws in the third quarter).

Asked by a reporter after the game about the decision to ride with the same five throughout the second half, Redick simply said, "We just made the decision at halftime."

The series returns to Crypto.com Arena for Game 5 on Wednesday night.

Read more:LeBron and Lakers falter late in loss to Minnesota, moving to brink of elimination

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Magic vs. Celtics Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 29

On Tuesday, April 29, the Orlando Magic (41-41) and Boston Celtics (61-21) are all set to square off from TD Garden in Boston for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round.

Boston won Game 4 in Orlando, 107-98, to take control of the series (3-1 lead). Jayson Tatum led Boston with a massive 37-point and 14-rebound double-double, while Jaylen Brown poured in 21 points and grabbed 11 boards. For the Magic, Paolo Banchero scored 31 points and Franz Wanger totaled 24 for 55 of the Magic's 98 points. Jrue Holiday is questionable for Boston after missing Games 3 and 4.

The Magic are currently 19-22 on the road with a point differential of 0, while the Celtics have an 8-2 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 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 Magic vs. Celtics live today

  • Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
  • Time: 8:30PM EST
  • Site: TD Garden
  • City: Boston, MA
  • Network/Streaming: NBA TV

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 Magic vs. Celtics

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Magic (+500), Celtics (-704)
  • Spread:  Celtics -12
  • Over/Under: 200 points

That gives the Magic an implied team point total of 99, and the Celtics 105.25.

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 Tuesday’s Magic vs. Celtics game

Rotoworld Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) leans Jayson Tatum to double-double:

"The Celtics are in a close-out spot and I don't expect the Magic to go easy, but I do expect Tatum to get his. In the series, Tatum averages 12.3 rebounds on 19.3 rebound chances per game. His 19.3 rebound chances per game is the 7th-best in the postseason so far and if Holiday is back in the lineup, Boston will go small-ball and allow Tatum to play the power forward position. With 14, 9, and 14 rebounds in three games, I lean toward Tatum to double-double once again."

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

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 Magic & Celtics game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the Boston Celtics on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Orlando Magic at +12.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 200.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom 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 Magic vs. Celtics on Tuesday

  • The Celtics have won 5 straight home games against the Magic
  • The Over is 7-3 in the Magic's last 10 road games
  • The Magic are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a road underdog
  • The Over is 7-3 in the Magic's last 10 road games

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!

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- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
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- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)

O’Sullivan and Brecel wrap up second-round wins in quick Crucible session

  • Both players needed one frame to reach last eight
  • Judd Trump holds off Shaun Murphy fightback

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Luca Brecel wrapped up one of the quickest Crucible sessions in history as they took just over a quarter of an hour to seal their respective places in the World Snooker Championship quarter-finals.

The two former champions returned on Monday evening, each requiring a single frame to complete wins over Pang Junxu and Ding Junhui respectively. Brecel won the sprint to the dressing room as he summoned a break of 71 to see off the 2016 finalist 13-4, and he was swiftly followed by O’Sullivan, who rifled in a break of 95 to complete his victory over Pang by the same score.

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Bucks vs. Pacers Predictions: Odds, expert picks, recent stats, trends and best bets for April 29

On Tuesday, April 29, the Milwaukee Bucks (48-34) and Indiana Pacers (50-32) are set to square off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference First Round.

Indiana ran away with Game 4, winning 129-103 behind Myles Turner's 23 points and all five starters scoring double figures. Damian Lillard went down in the first quarter with an achilles injury that left Giannis Antetokounmpo (28 points, 15 rebounds, 6 assists) and company feinding for offense. The Pacers can beat the Bucks in the first round for the second straight year after winning in six last season.

The Bucks are currently 20-20 on the road with a point differential of 2, while the Pacers have an 8-2 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 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.

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Game details & how to watch Bucks vs. Pacers live today

  • Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
  • Time: 6:00 PM EST
  • Site: Gainbridge Fieldhouse
  • City: Indianapolis, IN
  • Network/Streaming: NBA TV

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 Bucks vs. Pacers

The latest odds as of Tuesday:

  • Odds: Bucks (+241), Pacers (-299)
  • Spread:  Pacers -7.5
  • Over/Under: 224 points

That gives the Bucks an implied team point total of 110.9, and the Pacers 114.81.

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 Tuesday’s Bucks vs. Pacers game

Rotoworld Best Bet

Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) likes the Pacers ML parlayed with the Knicks ML:

"The Bucks didn't stand a chance against the Pacers in Game 4 once Lillard went down with an injury and Doc Rivers did all he could with the roation. Rivers even started Kevin Porter Jr. and Bobby Portis after halftime, but that didn't change the fact that defensively the Bucks have no answers for the Pacers. Indiana will likely cover the -7.5, but if you want to play it safe for -113 odds, I like the Pacers ML parlayed with the Knicks ML to close out their series in Game 5 at home."

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

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 Bucks & Pacers game:

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Indiana Pacers on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Milwaukee Bucks at +7.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the under on the Game Total of 224.

Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions pagefrom 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 Bucks vs. Pacers on Tuesday

  • The Pacers have won 3 straight home games against the Bucks
  • The Over is 33-23 in the Bucks' matchups against Eastern Conference teams this season
  • The Bucks are 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 games as an underdog
  • The Bucks are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games as a road underdog

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!

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)

Red Sox stock up, stock down: Story looks sharp; Casas struggling

Red Sox stock up, stock down: Story looks sharp; Casas struggling originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

One month into the 2025 MLB season, we’re beginning to get a clearer picture of which Boston Red Sox players will be key to the team’s success.

Alex Bregman, for instance, has arguably been the team’s MVP through the first 30 games of the campaign. Boston’s offseason addition is tied for the team lead in home runs (five) while leading in RBI (22), batting average (.319), and slugging percentage (.543).

Of course, as a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, Bregman’s stock already was sky-high heading into his first Red Sox season. Others in the organization have seen their stocks rise or dip drastically over the first month.

Here’s our Red Sox “Stock Up, Stock Down” update with May right around the corner:

Stock Up

Wilyer Abreu, OF

The cards were stacked against the 2024 Gold Glove right fielder heading into the 2025 season. With top prospect Roman Anthony knocking on the door to the majors, Abreu was considered the odd man out in Boston’s outfield.

Even after missing almost all of spring training with an illness, Abreu has been one of the club’s best hitters over the first month. He’s tied for the team lead in homers (five), second in RBI (18), and second in OPS (.901).

Meanwhile, Abreu has picked up where he left off as one of the league’s best defensive right fielders. He leads all players at his position with five defensive runs saved.

Kristian Campbell, 2B

Campbell has done nothing but rake at every professional level since the start of his breakout 2024 season. His breakout year earned him a spot on the MLB Opening Day roster, and he hasn’t missed a beat against big-league pitching.

As of Monday, Campbell is right there with A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson as a frontrunner for the 2025 American League Rookie of the Year award. He ranks second on the Red Sox in walks (18), second in batting average (.305), first in on-base percentage (.412), and third in OPS (.886).

If there’s anything to critique about Campbell’s game, it’s his defense. Still, the 22-year-old’s stock only continues to rise.

Trevor Story, SS

Through 29 games this season, Story has amassed more bWAR (0.9) than in any previous season with the Red Sox. His contributions at the plate and shortstop have been a breath of fresh air following three injury-plagued campaigns with the club.

We may not see Story put up his Colorado Rockies numbers in Boston, but he’s been an above-average hitter while anchoring the infield. He’ll enter Tuesday’s game in Toronto tied for the team lead in homers with five.

Carlos Narvaez, C

Narvaez has held down the fort since starting backstop Connor Wong went down with a broken pinky. Although his offensive numbers won’t jump off the page, his stellar defense has sent his stock soaring.

Through 20 games, Narvaez leads all MLB catchers with six defensive runs saved. He has been a major upgrade behind the plate, meaning Wong might have to split more playing time than he did last year when he played in 126 games.

Garrett Whitlock, RHP

After a rough 2023 and an injury-plagued 2024, Whitlock has turned the clock back to 2022 and dominated opposing hitters so far in 2025.

In 10 appearances out of the bullpen this season, Whitlock has allowed only three runs in 15.2 innings. He has also struck out 19 batters and walked only five.

The Red Sox will hope that keeping Whitlock in the bullpen will keep him healthy. If Boston clinches its first postseason berth since 2021, he’ll be a big reason why.

Aroldis Chapman, LHP

There was concern over Chapman beginning the 2025 season as Boston’s closer, and rightfully so. The 37-year-old averaged well over 5.0 walks per nine innings since 2021 and was coming off a rocky year with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

So far this season, however, Chapman has been outstanding. The veteran southpaw has consistently blown his 100-plus mph fastball past hitters while walking only four hitters in 10.1 innings of work. He has allowed only two earned runs in his 12 appearances.

Hunter Dobbins, RHP

Many didn’t know who Dobbins was before this season, but the 25-year-old has made his presence felt with two impressive outings to begin his big-league career. He has allowed only three runs while striking out 11 hitters and walking only two in 11 innings.

Dobbins is back in Triple-A, but he won’t be there for long. He’ll be called upon as a dependable depth piece throughout the year, and there’s an argument to be made for keeping him in the rotation the rest of the way.

Stock Down

Triston Casas, 1B

Casas has shown some signs of life after a horrendous start to the season, but the numbers still aren’t pretty. The 25-year-old is slashing .172/.273/.310 with three homers and 23 strikeouts through 25 games. He has also been somewhat of a liability defensively at first base.

It probably still isn’t time to panic, but Casas will be counted on to heat up in May. Otherwise, the Red Sox may have to make some tough roster decisions.

Tanner Houck, RHP

Houck was an All-Star last season after a strong first half, but it’s been all downhill since. In fact, he’s been even worse to start 2025 than he was during his disappointing second half of 2024.

Through six starts, Houck has a 7.58 ERA and 1.685 WHIP. As seen in the Baseball Savant chart below, he hasn’t done anything well besides inducing ground balls.

Tanner Houck 2024 and 2025 Baseball SavantBaseball Savant
Tanner Houck’s 2024 All-Star season (left) compared to his 2025 metrics (right).

Houck was expected to be the Red Sox’ No. 2 starter behind ace Garrett Crochet this season. At this point, it looks like Boston will have to hope someone else steps up to take that role.

David Hamilton, 2B/SS

Hamilton was a bright spot last season while filling in for the injured Story. He has been unable to pick up where he left off.

In 13 games, the speedy infielder is hitting .067/.125/.167. He’s 2-for-30 at the plate with two walks.

Hamilton can wreak havoc on the basepaths, but he’s hardly been on base all year. His stock has taken a nosedive in 2025.

Zack Kelly, RHP

Kelly was among the most hyped-up Red Sox relievers in spring training. He has filthy stuff when he’s on, but we haven’t seen it yet in 2025. The 30-year-old has allowed 10 runs on 12 hits in 10 innings.

On the plus side, Kelly has walked only two hitters and his FIP is a solid 3.35, so there are reasons to believe he’ll snap out of his recent funk.

MLB Power Rankings: Mets climb to the No. 1 spot, Tigers and Mariners surging

Featured in this week’s MLB Power Rankings, the Mets grab the top spot, the Tigers and Mariners are rising in the AL, Eugenio Suárez joins an exclusive club, José Quintana can’t stop winning, and the tarp monster almost claims another victim.

Let’s get started!

(Please note these power rankings are a combination of current performance and long-term projected outlook)

MLB: Miami Marlins at Seattle Mariners
Eric Samulski breaks down some of the top waiver wire adds for the upcoming week of fantasy baseball.

1) New York Mets ⬆️

Last week: 3

The Mets own the best record in the majors despite a pair of tough walkoff losses against the Nationals over the weekend. Their starting pitching continues to be a force, with an MLB-best 2.36 ERA. Tylor Megill might not have had a rotation spot going into the year if Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas were both healthy, but he’s sporting a 1.74 ERA across six starts.

2) Los Angeles Dodgers

Last week: 2

The Dodgers are inevitable, but there continue to be obstacles. Blake Snell’s return date is up in the air as he recovers from shoulder discomfort and on Sunday we saw Tyler Glasnow exit with shoulder discomfort of his own.

Understandably, Glasnow wasn’t in the best of spirits after Sunday’s game.

3) San Francisco Giants ⬆️

Last week: 6

The Giants lived everyone’s little league dreams in Sunday’s victory over the Rangers.

Great game, kids. How about we get some ice cream on the way home?

The Giants also walked it off on Saturday and now have five walkoff wins on the young season to lead MLB.

4) San Diego Padres ⬇️

Last week: 1

After occupying the No. 1 spot in back-to-back weeks, the Padres have lost four straight.

5) Detroit Tigers ⬆️

Last week: 10

The Tigers are clawing (get it?) their way to the top-tier of our rankings. An unexpected contributor? Javier Báez, who is not only playing a new position in center field, but he’s hitting .301 through 23 games this season.

6) New York Yankees ⬇️

Last week: 4

Devin Williams is out of the closer’s role and Luke Weaver is in. For now, anyway. Williams failed to record an out in his latest save opportunity and has now allowed 10 earned runs (with seven walks) through eight innings this season. He allowed 10 earned runs total in his incredible 2023 campaign.

7) Chicago Cubs ⬇️

Last week: 5

Pete Crow-Armstrong is quickly developing into one of the most entertaining players in baseball. Some of this is about his quirky fashion and style, but he’s backing it up an evolution at the plate and his usual excellent defense in center field.

8) Seattle Mariners ⬆️

Last week: 12

The Mariners haven’t gotten anything out of George Kirby this season and Logan Gilbert’s status is in question due to a flexor strain, but that isn’t keeping them from playing some good baseball.

9) Cleveland Guardians ⬆️

Last week: 16

Even though the Guardians lost two out of three against the Red Sox this weekend, they are 11-6 since starting the year 3-6. Moving on up.

10) Texas Rangers ⬇️

Last week: 9

The Rangers have lost five out of their last season and also shortstop Corey Seager with yet another injury.

11) Philadelphia Phillies ⬇️

Last week: 7

A nice response after being swept by the Mets, the Phillies took two out of three from the Cubs this weekend. Perhaps the best sign of all? Aaron Nola turned in seven innings of one-run ball on Sunday. Our very own Eric Samulski looked into his early-season struggles last week.

12) Arizona Diamondbacks ⬇️

Last week: 8

While the Diamondbacks lost to the Braves on Saturday, Eugenio Suárez became the 19th player in MLB history to hit four home runs in a game.

It’s one of the rarest of feats in our great game. Perfect games are also a rare feat, but we have seen 24 of those.

13) Boston Red Sox ⬇️

Last week: 11

The Red Sox stole home in back-to-back games against the Guardians this weekend. Not to take anything away from Romy Gonzalez’s theft on Sunday, but Jarren Duran’s straight steal of home on Saturday was nothing short of electrifying.

Duran racked up seven hits between Saturday and Sunday, which was apparently enough for a Guardians fan to heckle him about the suicide attempt that he revealed in the Netflix docuseries “The Clubhouse: A Year With the Red Sox.” It was a shameful display. The unfortunate episode shows that there’s still a lot of work to be done to bridge the gap between fandom and humanity, which was the whole point of Duran bringing it to light in the first place.

14) Houston Astros ⬆️

Last week: 17

The Astros’ pitching staff has been doing most of the heavy lifting so far with a 3.18 ERA. Only the Padres, Tigers, and Mets have been better. Hunter Brown has been the standout in the early going with a stingy 1.22 ERA and 40/7 K/BB ratio through six starts.

15) Atlanta Braves

Last week: 15

Even with a loss to the Diamondbacks on Sunday, the Braves have won seven out of their last nine. They are going to be moving into the top-10 before long, most likely.

16) Cincinnati Reds ⬆️

Last week: 19

Austin Hays was an All-Star with the Orioles in 2023, but he fell off in a big way last year and his one-year, $5 million contract with the Reds was mostly ignored this offseason. He’s looking like a bargain so far. After getting a late start on the season with a left calf strain, he’s hit .388 with five home runs and a 1.200 OPS through 12 games.

17) Kansas City Royals ⬆️

Last week: 21

After losing six in a row, the Royals won six straight before dropping Sunday’s series finale against the Astros. Amid the ups and downs, Bobby Witt. Jr has been a constant. He’ll bring a 19-game hitting streak into the week.

18) Milwaukee Brewers ⬇️

Last week: 14

How did nobody want Jose Quintana this offseason. The veteran southpaw had to wait to March for a contract (a one-year, $4.25 million contract, at that!), but he’s produced four wins and a 1.14 ERA through his first four starts. It puts him in some special company.

19) Tampa Bay Rays ⬆️

Last week: 24

The Rays are a big riser after winning five straight, including a three-game sweep of the Padres this weekend where they allowed just three runs.

20) Athletics ⬆️

Last week: 23

Yes, the Athletics’ offense is fun and interesting (welcome Nick Kurtz!), but Luis Severino is doing exactly what the club was hoping for when they signed him to a team record three-year, $67 million contract this offseason. He’s posted a 3.49 ERA over his first six starts with the team, and has gone at least six innings in five of them.

21) Toronto Blue Jays ⬇️

Last week: 13

The Blue Jays have lost seven out of their last eight and saw Kevin Gausman get ejected after needing 53 pitches to get through the third inning against the Yankees on Sunday. It was a stunning total in a world where workloads and pitching counts are often the cause of the day for MLB franchises.

22) Washington Nationals ⬆️

Last week: 25

The Nationals had a pair of walkoff wins against the first-place Mets this weekend (including an impressive comeback on Sunday) and even turned a questionable triple play, but it’s the tarp monster that I can’t stop thinking about.

23) Los Angeles Angels ⬇️

Last week: 18

Many suspected that the Angels’ early-season success wasn’t built to last and here we are with the club having dropped 10 out of their last 13 games.

24) St. Louis Cardinals ⬇️

Last week: 22

Given the awkwardness of the winter and the constant trade speculation, it was fair to wonder how 34-year-old Nolan Arenado would respond this season. It’s been interesting. Arenado, who hit a walkoff homer on Saturday, has nearly doubled his walk rate compared to last year while being the third-most difficult hitter to strike out.

25) Baltimore Orioles ⬇️

Last week: 20

While the Orioles’ rotation was expected to be on shaky ground, the thought was that the offense would still be potent. Well, they have posted a .677 OPS as a team so far, which checks in below the Nationals. It’s no surprise that they’ve lost six out of their last seven.

26) Minnesota Twins

Last week: 26

Rookie Luke Keaschall gave the Twins a shot in the arm for their depleted lineup, but unfortunately he suffered a fractured forearm when he was hit by a pitch on Friday. At least Royce Lewis is getting closer to a return.

27) Miami Marlins ⬆️

Last week: 28

The Marlins are trying to find their way in their latest rebuild effort, so it has been fun to watch what Agustín Ramírez has been doing in recent days.

28) Pittsburgh Pirates ⬇️

Last week: 27

In addition to leading the majors with 12 stolen bases, Oneil Cruz has slugged six home runs over his last 11 games. Witness the pure destruction.

29) Chicago White Sox

Last week: 29

Recent call-up Edgar Quero isn’t drawing the attention that Agustin Ramirez is receiving, but the 22-year-old catcher is slashing .344/.462/.406 with six walks against three strikeouts through his first 11 MLB games. White Sox fans will take signs of hope where they can get it.

30) Colorado Rockies

Last week: 30

14 losses in their last 15 games, held hitless into the sixth inning by Nick Lodolo at Coors Field on Sunday. It’s starting to feel like piling on here.

Why Warriors' Butler deems infamous ‘Playoff Jimmy' nickname a facade

Why Warriors' Butler deems infamous ‘Playoff Jimmy' nickname a facade originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors star Jimmy Butler deemed his iconic “Playoff Jimmy” nickname a facade.

ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk wrote an exclusive feature on Golden State’s championship aspirations and shared an interesting quote from Butler about his moniker.

“Man, I think it’s a facade that people have created over the years,” Butler told ESPN of “Playoff Jimmy.” “I know what I’m capable of. I can tell you that. And I love it because everybody thinks I just take it up a notch, and I don’t really just take it up a notch. I just might have the ball a little bit more. I might be a tad more aggressive, looking to score.

“[But] you’re talking about somebody that’s going to do anything to f–ing win. That’s some motherf—er right there. The person that they deemed as [Playoff Jimmy], he’ll die out there. He really will. It’s scary. He really will die out there.”

Facade or not, Butler is a different beast in the NBA playoffs.

He has solid career regular-season averages of 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists over 869 games. But over 121 career playoff games, Butler has averaged 21.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists, and truly earned the “Playoff Jimmy” name after averaging 24.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 64 playoff games with his former team, the Miami Heat.

And when Butler says he would “die out there,” he isn’t kidding around. He has played roughly 40 minutes per game over his entire 121-game postseason career and has played 48-plus minutes in seven playoff games.

So, Butler might say his nickname is a “facade,” inspired by an increase in usage, but the uptick in his tenacity is noticeable on and off the stat sheet. 

And for that reason, the Warriors can’t wait to have Butler, who missed Game 3 of their Western Conference first-round series against the Houston Rockets with a left pelvic contusion, back during Golden State’s 2025 NBA playoff run, expectedly for Game 4 on Monday night at Chase Center.

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