The 2025 NBA playoffs tip off Saturday with four games, starting with the Indiana Pacers-Milwaukee Bucks game at 1 p.m. ET. The Detroit Pistons hit the road to face the New York Knicks in the other Eastern Conference game.
In the Western Conference, the LA Clippers face the Denver Nuggets in Denver, while the Minnesota Timberwolves head West to play the Los Angeles Lakers.
Here are some of the bets that stand out for Saturday's games.
Odds are as of publication time. For the most up-to-date odds, visit ESPN BET
Bets for Saturday
Giannis Antetokounmpo over 32.5 points (+110)
The Bucks don't have many reliable scorers behind Antetokounmpo, so expect heavy minutes and a huge usage rate. He has cleared this line in both games against the Pacers this season when playing 34 or more minutes. Don't be surprised if he goes off again.
James Harden over 22.5 points (-120)
Harden is trending up at the perfect time. He has cleared this line in 13 of his past 20 games and four of his past five. While Kawhi Leonard will be busy being defended by Aaron Gordon, Harden should be able to capitalize on mismatches and exploit the Nuggets' drop coverage.
Cade Cunningham over 36.5 points and assists (-125)
Cunningham spectacular season helped lead Detroit to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. This series gives him a chance to raise his profile on the national stage at Madison Square Garden. He has cleared this line in five of his past six against the Knicks and his ability to adapt makes him well-equipped for anything Tom Thibodeau throws at him. He has averaged 20.8 field goal attempts and 15.4 potential assists in 35 minutes per game.
Luka Dončić over 44.5 points, rebounds and assists (-120)
Dončić heads into the playoffs having cleared this line in 14 of his past 20 games, averaging 20.8 field goal attempts, 13.2 rebound chances, and 14.7 potential assists per game over that stretch. He had some big moments against the Timberwolves in last year's Western Conference finals, and Jaden McDaniels will likely be the primary defender on Dončić again in this series. But Dončić has handled this matchup well, whether it's the size, a strength gap or McDaniels' tendency to foul, Dončić's style doesn't allow him to be disrupted like McDaniels has done to other playmakers this season.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers
1 p.m. ET on ESPN
Line: Bucks +5.5 (EVEN) | Pacers -5.5 (-115)
Money line: Bucks +180 | Pacers -215
Total: 225.5 (-107 O, -107 U)
BPI Projection: Pacers by 5.8, straight up 69%, 226.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Damian Lillard, (OUT - Calf); Tyler Smith, (OUT - Ankle)
Pacers: Ben Sheppard, (GTD - Toe); Isaiah Jackson, (OFS - Achilles)
LA Clippers at Denver Nuggets
3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Line: Clippers +2.5 (-107) | Nuggets -2.5 (-107)
Money line: Clippers +115 | Nuggets -135
Total: 224.5 (-107 O, -107 U)
BPI Projection: Nuggets by 2.7, straight up 59%, 224.0 total points.
Injury Report:
Clippers: None reported
Nuggets: DaRon Holmes II, (OFS - Achilles)
Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks
6 p.m. ET on ESPN
Line: Pistons +7.5 (-112) | Knicks -7.5 (-102)
Money line: Pistons +230 | Knicks -280
Total: 220.5 (-104 O, -110 U)
BPI Projection: Knicks by 5.4, straight up 67%, 221.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Pistons: Jaden Ivey, (OUT - Lower Leg)
Knicks: Ariel Hukporti, (GTD - Knee)
Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers
8:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Line: Timberwolves +4.5 (-110) | Lakers -4.5 (-104)
Money line: Timberwolves +155 | Lakers -180
Total: 216.5 (-107 O, -107 U)
BPI Projection: Lakers by 4.8, straight up 65%, 214.7 total points.
Injury Report:
Timberwolves: None reported
Lakers: LeBron James, (GTD - Hip); Maxi Kleber, (OUT - Foot)