Two dramatic NBA Playoff showdowns on 6 May 2025 have left the basketball world reeling, as the Indiana Pacers pulled off a stunning late-game heist in Cleveland, while the Golden State Warriors delivered a defensive masterclass to silence the Timberwolves in Minneapolis. These Game 2 and Game 1 victories respectively have major implications for how the remainder of both series will unfold.
Pacers Stun Cavaliers with Late-Game Heroics
Just when the Cleveland Cavaliers looked poised to even their Eastern Conference semifinal series, Tyrese Haliburton’s buzzer-beating brilliance flipped the script. The Indiana Pacers escaped with a breathtaking 120-119 win at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, snatching a 2-0 series lead and delivering a dagger to the hearts of the home crowd.
Things had started perfectly for Cleveland. Despite missing starters Evan Mobley and Darius Garland, the Cavaliers stormed to a 32-15 lead in the first quarter and built a 20-point cushion midway through the third. Donovan Mitchell was electric, dropping 48 points on a night that demanded everything he had.
But with fatigue setting in and the Pacers chipping away, Cleveland’s offence began to unravel. The game took a dramatic turn in the final minute, with Indiana mounting an 8-0 run over the last 47.2 seconds. The pivotal moment came after Mitchell fouled Haliburton on a drive with 12.1 seconds left, sending him to the line.
Haliburton made the first free throw, then missed the second—only to recover his own rebound, backpedal beyond the arc, and bury a stunning step-back three over Ty Jerome with 1.1 seconds left on the clock. That single possession will go down in Pacers folklore and may well define this series.
Haliburton finished with a modest stat line—19 points, nine rebounds and four assists—but his timing was nothing short of clutch. The performance carried added weight given that Cleveland fans had taunted him with chants of “overrated”, referencing a recent anonymous NBA poll.
Meanwhile, Mitchell’s monstrous 48-point outing was undone by a few late errors and minimal support. His Herculean efforts weren’t enough to prevent the Pacers from becoming just the second team this postseason to win back-to-back games in Cleveland.
From a betting perspective, Indiana’s win offered value for those who backed the Pacers outright as road underdogs—a tip we predicted in our original preview. While our forecasted scoreline of 114-108 was slightly conservative, the Over on total points landed comfortably. Tyrese Haliburton’s impact also rewarded player prop punters who took the over on clutch points or game-winner markets.
Warriors Lock In, Timberwolves Fade Out
If Indiana’s victory was about timely offence, Golden State’s was all about defensive domination. The Warriors opened their Western Conference semifinal with a gritty 99-88 road win over Minnesota, spoiling the Timberwolves’ homecoming and setting the tone for the series.
Stephen Curry played just 13 minutes due to an early knock, but Golden State’s supporting cast picked up the slack. In a performance that recalled their dynasty days, the Warriors applied suffocating pressure and forced Minnesota into a season-low scoring night—their fewest points in over a year.
It was a frustrating outing for the Timberwolves, whose previously high-flying offence evaporated under Golden State’s disciplined defence. Anthony Edwards, the team’s playoff standout so far, was neutralised effectively, while Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels struggled to assert themselves offensively.
The Warriors’ ability to win despite Curry’s absence showed just how deep and resilient this squad is—a theme we noted in our match preview. While Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green didn’t have standout offensive nights, their defensive IQ and leadership helped dictate the flow.
Our prediction of a 110-103 Minnesota win didn’t materialise—but the Under 215.5 total points bet was spot-on, as was the call to fade Curry’s usual scoring line due to defensive attention and unexpected early absence. The tight nature of the contest also rewarded those who backed alternative markets like ‘Game to be decided by 6–10 points margin’.
What’s Next?
With Indiana heading home holding a 2-0 lead, Cleveland are staring down the barrel of a disastrous series unless they can regroup. The Cavaliers must hope for the return of Garland and Mobley, but their margin for error has disappeared. Meanwhile, the Pacers will ride into Indianapolis with sky-high confidence and the belief that their depth and poise can carry them to the Conference Finals.
In the West, Minnesota now face real questions about their offensive cohesion against a Warriors side that can defend with championship-level grit. Game 2 in Minneapolis becomes crucial, especially if Curry is back at full strength.
For betting enthusiasts, the results from 06/05/25 reinforce the importance of nuance—understanding momentum, injury impact and defensive matchups is just as vital as raw stats. If you followed the expert guidance in our NBA Match Previews, you’ll have walked away with several winning bets and strong long-term insight.
