2025 NBA, NHL Playoffs best bets: Back Clippers, Avalanche to start hot

Geoff Schwartz delivers his best bets for Thursday night’s NBA and NHL playoff action. Find out where he’s putting his money ahead of a few crucial contests.

Subscribe for free daily odds

Odds Betting Calculator

Wager Amount: Odds Format: Decimal Odds: Bet Type:

LeBron on his future: ‘I don’t have the answer’

LeBron James wasn’t ready to make any decisions about his future in the moments immediately after his 22nd NBA season

Basketball

1 May 2025

Dubs irked as Rockets take aim at Curry’s thumb

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Rockets defenders are trying to “outsmart the rules” by hitting Stephen Curry’s hand after he

Basketball

1 May 2025

Thompson’s steals reward Rockets in Game 5 rout

Amen Thompson notched five steals in the first half to establish a tone of tenacity on defense that galvanized the

img:is([sizes="auto" i],[sizes^="auto," i]){contain-intrinsic-size:3000px 1500px;}img.wp-smiley,img.emoji{display:inline !important;border:none !important;box-shadow:none !important;height:1em !important;width:1em !important;margin:0 .07em !important;vertical-align:-.1em !important;background:none !important;padding:0 !important;}.wp-block-feedzy-rss-feeds-loop{display:grid;gap:24px;grid-template-columns:repeat(1,1fr);}@media (min-width:782px){.wp-block-feedzy-rss-feeds-loop.feedzy-loop-columns-2,.wp-block-feedzy-rss-feeds-loop.feedzy-loop-columns-3,.wp-block-feedzy-rss-feeds-loop.feedzy-loop-columns-4,.wp-block-feedzy-rss-feeds-loop.feedzy-loop-columns-5{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr);}}@media (min-width:960px){.wp-block-feedzy-rss-feeds-loop.feedzy-loop-columns-2{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr);}.wp-block-feedzy-rss-feeds-loop.feedzy-loop-columns-3{grid-template-columns:repeat(3,1fr);}.wp-block-feedzy-rss-feeds-loop.feedzy-loop-columns-4{grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr);}.wp-block-feedzy-rss-feeds-loop.feedzy-loop-columns-5{grid-template-columns:repeat(5,1fr);}}.wp-block-feedzy-rss-feeds-loop .wp-block-image.is-style-rounded img{border-radius:9999px;}:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square:1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3:4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4:3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2:3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3:2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9:16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16:9/16;--wp--preset--color--black:#000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray:#abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white:#fff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink:#f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red:#cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange:#ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber:#fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan:#7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan:#00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue:#8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue:#0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple:#9b51e0;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,#9b51e0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan:linear-gradient(135deg,#7adcb4 0%,#00d082 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,#cf2e2e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray:linear-gradient(135deg,#eee 0%,#a9b8c3 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum:linear-gradient(135deg,#4aeadc 0%,#9778d1 20%,#cf2aba 40%,#ee2c82 60%,#fb6962 80%,#fef84c 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffceec 0%,#9896f0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux:linear-gradient(135deg,#fecda5 0%,#fe2d2d 50%,#6b003e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffcb70 0%,#c751c0 50%,#4158d0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean:linear-gradient(135deg,#fff5cb 0%,#b6e3d4 50%,#33a7b5 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass:linear-gradient(135deg,#caf880 0%,#71ce7e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381 0%,#2874fc 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small:13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium:20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large:36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large:42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20:.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30:.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40:1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50:1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60:2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70:3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80:5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural:6px 6px 9px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep:12px 12px 50px rgba(0,0,0,.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined:6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255,255,255,1),6px 6px rgba(0,0,0,1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,1);}:root{--wp--style--global--content-size:800px;--wp--style--global--wide-size:1200px;}:where(body){margin:0;}.wp-site-blocks > .alignleft{float:left;margin-right:2em;}.wp-site-blocks > .alignright{float:right;margin-left:2em;}.wp-site-blocks > .aligncenter{justify-content:center;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;}:where(.wp-site-blocks) > *{margin-block-start:24px;margin-block-end:0;}:where(.wp-site-blocks) > :first-child{margin-block-start:0;}:where(.wp-site-blocks) > :last-child{margin-block-end:0;}:root{--wp--style--block-gap:24px;}:root :where(.is-layout-flow) > :first-child{margin-block-start:0;}:root :where(.is-layout-flow) > :last-child{margin-block-end:0;}:root :where(.is-layout-flow) > *{margin-block-start:24px;margin-block-end:0;}:root :where(.is-layout-constrained) > :first-child{margin-block-start:0;}:root :where(.is-layout-constrained) > :last-child{margin-block-end:0;}:root :where(.is-layout-constrained) > *{margin-block-start:24px;margin-block-end:0;}:root :where(.is-layout-flex){gap:24px;}:root :where(.is-layout-grid){gap:24px;}.is-layout-flow > .alignleft{float:left;margin-inline-start:0;margin-inline-end:2em;}.is-layout-flow > .alignright{float:right;margin-inline-start:2em;margin-inline-end:0;}.is-layout-flow > .aligncenter{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;}.is-layout-constrained > .alignleft{float:left;margin-inline-start:0;margin-inline-end:2em;}.is-layout-constrained > .alignright{float:right;margin-inline-start:2em;margin-inline-end:0;}.is-layout-constrained > .aligncenter{margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;}.is-layout-constrained > :where(:not(.alignleft):not(.alignright):not(.alignfull)){max-width:var(--wp--style--global--content-size);margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;}.is-layout-constrained > .alignwide{max-width:var(--wp--style--global--wide-size);}body .is-layout-flex{display:flex;}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center;}.is-layout-flex > :is(*,div){margin:0;}body .is-layout-grid{display:grid;}.is-layout-grid > :is(*,div){margin:0;}body{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}a:where(:not(.wp-element-button)){text-decoration:underline;}:root :where(.wp-element-button,.wp-block-button__link){background-color:#32373c;border-width:0;color:#fff;font-family:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);text-decoration:none;}.has-black-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-black-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important;}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-white-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important;}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important;}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important;}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important;}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important;}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important;}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important;}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important;}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important;}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important;}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important;}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important;}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important;}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important;}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important;}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important;}.has-small-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important;}.has-medium-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important;}.has-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important;}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important;}:root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size:1.5em;line-height:1.6;}.feedzy-rss-link-icon:after{content:url("https://cdn-kjbbn.nitrocdn.com/HvxtuGawlgkOKchqWKJILckMCkGZJPeK/assets/images/optimized/rev-caaf170/oddsbacking.com/wp-content/plugins/feedzy-rss-feeds/img/external-link.png");margin-left:3px;}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload),.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *{background-image:none !important;}@media screen and (max-height: 1024px){.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload),.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *{background-image:none !important;}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload).nitro-lazy,.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *.nitro-lazy{background-image:none !important;}}@media screen and (max-height: 640px){.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload),.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *{background-image:none !important;}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload).nitro-lazy,.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *.nitro-lazy{background-image:none !important;}}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload).nitro-lazy,.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *.nitro-lazy{background-image:none !important;}.container{max-width:400px;margin:0 auto;padding:20px;background-color:#fff;border-radius:10px;box-shadow:0 0 10px rgba(0,0,0,.1);}h1{font-size:24px;margin-bottom:20px;text-align:center;}.button-container{text-align:center;}button{background-color:#fe2029;color:#fff;border:none;padding:10px 20px;border-radius:5px;cursor:pointer;margin-top:15px;margin-left:5px;}button:hover{background-color:#990a0f;}#results{margin-top:20px;font-weight:bold;font-size:20px;text-align:center;}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-3ad2f66d{--display:flex;--flex-direction:column;--container-widget-width:100%;--container-widget-height:initial;--container-widget-flex-grow:0;--container-widget-align-self:initial;--flex-wrap-mobile:wrap;--gap:5px 5px;--row-gap:5px;--column-gap:5px;--border-radius:20px 20px 20px 20px;box-shadow:0px 4px 44px 0px rgba(0,0,0,.1);--padding-top:10px;--padding-bottom:10px;--padding-left:10px;--padding-right:10px;}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-3ad2f66d:hover{box-shadow:0px 2px 25px 0px rgba(0,0,0,.2);}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-3ad2f66d.e-con{--flex-grow:0;--flex-shrink:0;}.elementor-widget-theme-post-featured-image .widget-image-caption{color:var(--e-global-color-text);font-family:var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family),Sans-serif;font-weight:var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-18092f8b{width:100%;max-width:100%;}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-18092f8b img{width:100%;height:200px;object-fit:cover;object-position:center center;filter:brightness(100%) contrast(100%) saturate(100%) blur(0px) hue-rotate(0deg);transition-duration:.3s;border-radius:10px 10px 10px 10px;}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-18092f8b:hover img{opacity:.6;filter:brightness(105%) contrast(100%) saturate(105%) blur(0px) hue-rotate(0deg);}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-5bbd38a2{--display:flex;--flex-direction:row;--container-widget-width:calc(( 1 - var(--container-widget-flex-grow) ) * 100%);--container-widget-height:100%;--container-widget-flex-grow:1;--container-widget-align-self:stretch;--flex-wrap-mobile:wrap;--align-items:center;--gap:14px 14px;--row-gap:14px;--column-gap:14px;--margin-top:15px;--margin-bottom:15px;--margin-left:0px;--margin-right:0px;--padding-top:0px;--padding-bottom:0px;--padding-left:0px;--padding-right:0px;}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title{font-family:var(--e-global-typography-primary-font-family),Sans-serif;font-weight:var(--e-global-typography-primary-font-weight);color:var(--e-global-color-primary);}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-4733c9c7 > .elementor-widget-container{background-color:var(--e-global-color-566402c);padding:3px 12px 2px 12px;border-radius:30px 30px 30px 30px;}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-4733c9c7 .elementor-heading-title{font-family:"Poppins",Sans-serif;font-size:10px;font-weight:500;text-transform:uppercase;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.7em;letter-spacing:-.02em;word-spacing:0em;color:#181818;}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-38b5129d > .elementor-widget-container{padding:6px 0px 6px 0px;}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-38b5129d .elementor-heading-title{font-family:"Poppins",Sans-serif;font-size:10px;font-weight:600;text-transform:uppercase;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5em;letter-spacing:-.01em;word-spacing:0em;color:#8d8d8d;}.elementor-widget-theme-post-title .elementor-heading-title{font-family:var(--e-global-typography-primary-font-family),Sans-serif;font-weight:var(--e-global-typography-primary-font-weight);color:var(--e-global-color-primary);}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-cb9f2d2 .elementor-heading-title{font-family:"Poppins",Sans-serif;font-size:20px;font-weight:500;text-transform:none;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.2em;letter-spacing:-.04em;word-spacing:0em;color:#181818;}.elementor-widget-theme-post-excerpt .elementor-widget-container{color:var(--e-global-color-text);font-family:var(--e-global-typography-text-font-family),Sans-serif;font-weight:var(--e-global-typography-text-font-weight);}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6515b692 .elementor-widget-container{color:#181818;font-family:"Poppins",Sans-serif;font-size:12px;font-weight:400;text-transform:none;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none;line-height:1.5em;letter-spacing:-.01em;word-spacing:0em;}@media (max-width:1366px) and (min-width:768px){.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-3ad2f66d{--width:400px;}}@media (max-width:1024px){.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-18092f8b img{height:200px;}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-5bbd38a2{--justify-content:space-between;}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-4733c9c7 .elementor-heading-title{line-height:2.3em;}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6515b692 .elementor-widget-container{font-size:14px;}}@media (max-width:767px){.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-18092f8b img{height:168px;}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-5bbd38a2{--justify-content:flex-start;}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-4733c9c7 > .elementor-widget-container{padding:1px 12px 1px 12px;}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-4733c9c7 .elementor-heading-title{font-size:15px;line-height:2.1em;}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-38b5129d .elementor-heading-title{font-size:17px;}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-cb9f2d2{text-align:left;}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-cb9f2d2 .elementor-heading-title{font-size:27px;}.elementor-2286 .elementor-element.elementor-element-6515b692 .elementor-widget-container{text-align:left;font-size:13px;}}

2025 NBA, NHL Playoffs best bets: Back Clippers, Avalanche to start hot

Share:

Recent Posts

LeBron: ‘I don’t have the answer’ to questions about his future after Lakers’ NBA playoffs exit

What (fun! annoying!) narratives will emerge if each remaining NBA team wins the title

Game 7, anyone? The key factors behind a trio of NBA playoff Game 6s

NBA draft lottery 101: Date, time, odds, format, history

LeBron on his future: ‘I don’t have the answer’

Subscribe for free daily odds

Odds Betting Calculator

Categories

Related Posts

LeBron on his future: ‘I don’t have the answer’

Dubs irked as Rockets take aim at Curry’s thumb

Thompson’s steals reward Rockets in Game 5 rout