The Warriors have been better since acquiring Jimmy Butler during the NBA trade deadline last February, as they’re in a better position to compete for a playoff spot this season. With a 39-29 record, Golden State are sixth in the ultra-tough Western Conference, and they aim to win more games as the 2024-25 regular season is winding down.
After losing to the Nuggets last night, the Warriors plan to return to winning ways when they open their two-game homestand against the Bucks tomorrow. Meanwhile, the Hornets, Celtics, and Clippers will host the Hawks, Nets, and Cavaliers.
We may only have four matches, but SBOTOP basketball fans should be able to get their usual dose of NBA 2025 highlights. Which teams do you think will come out on top? Continue reading below for a preview of the games.
Atlanta Hawks @ Charlotte Hornets
The Hawks are the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference with a 32-36 record. They plan to go higher in the standings for a sure playoff spot, and beating the lowly Hornets should help their cause.
Atlanta were on a four-game winning streak last week but have lost two consecutive matches since then. They suffered a 122-114 road loss against Brooklyn last Sunday. Trae Young had 28 points, six rebounds, 12 assists, and two steals on 9-for-18 shooting from the field. However, he also recorded six turnovers. Onyeka Okongwu, Zaccharie Risacher, Dyson Daniels, Terance Mann, and Georges Niang added 21, 16, 14, 13, and 12 points.
The Hornets are the 14th seed with a 17-50 record. According to the NBA 2025 odds, Charlotte are again lottery-bound this summer.
The Charles Lee-coached squad is fresh from a 123-88 blowout defeat against the Clippers last Sunday. Mark Williams flirted with a triple-double in the losing effort with 18 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists on 9-for-15 shooting. LaMelo Ball added 16 points and five assists on a woeful 5-for-18 shooting from the field.
Betting tip – Atlanta Hawks Asian Handicap -6.50 @ 1.96
Brooklyn Nets @ Boston Celtics
The Celtics and Nets will meet for the fourth (and final) time tomorrow at TD Garden, and the former has won their three previous matchups, including last Saturday’s 115-113 victory at Barclays Center.
Kristaps Porzingis made his timely return from an illness and dropped 24 points (team-high) on 9-for-16 shooting from the field. Payton Pritchard, Jayson Tatum, Sam Hauser, Jrue Holiday, and Luke Kornet added 22, 20, 11, 11, and 10 points. Derrick White didn’t play due to a knee injury, but he’ll be available for tomorrow’s match.
Cameron Johnson led the Nets with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists on 9-for-19 shooting from the field. Keon Johnson, Maxwell Lewis, Jalen Wilson, Ziaire Williams, and D’Angelo Russell added 21, 15, 15, 14, and 11 points.
Betting tip – Boston Celtics Asian Handicap -13.50 @ 2.00
Milwaukee Bucks @ Golden State Warriors
The Warriors will meet the Bucks for the second (and final) time tomorrow with the aim of completing a season sweep.
Golden State saw their seven-game winning streak end at the hands of Denver last night. It was a tough loss for the Warriors since the Nuggets were without Nikola Jokic (elbow) and Jamal Murray (ankle).
Jimmy Butler posted 23 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals on 8-for-16 shooting from the field in the losing effort. Stephen Curry had 20 points, four rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and four three-pointers on 6-for-21 shooting. Gary Payton II, Jonathan Kuminga, and Draymond Green added 18, 13, and 10 points.
Milwaukee are coming off a 121-105 loss against Oklahoma City in a rematch of the NBA Cup final last November. Giannis Antetokounmpo registered 21 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists, and two blocks on 7-for-15 shooting from the field. Damian Lillard, Gary Trent Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., and Kyle Kuzma added 19, 12, 11, and 10 points.
Cleveland Cavaliers @ LA Clippers
The Cavaliers saw their 16-game winning streak end at the hands of the Magic last Sunday. Donovan Mitchell had 23 points, six rebounds, and five assists but only shot 9-for-28 from the field. Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland, Ty Jerome, and Max Strus added 20, 19, 12, and 10 points.
As mentioned, the Clippers blew out the Hornets last weekend to stretch their winning run to three games. James Harden dropped 31 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and four three-pointers on 9-for-15 shooting from the field and a perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe. Kawhi Leonard, Ivica Zubac, and Derrick Jones Jr. added 23, 17, and 12 points.
Betting tip – Cleveland Cavaliers Asian Handicap -3.00 @ 1.84
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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