The first round of the NBA playoffs is in full swing, with the reverse fixtures continuing, as three game 3 matches are up on the Saturday slate. We kick things off with the Hawks trying to get on the board, as they host the Boston Celtics who lead the series 2-0. Next up, the Cavs head to Madison Square Garden to take on the Knicks, with the series locked at 1-1. Finally, the Nuggets try to go ahead 3-0, as they head to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves.
Check out our NBA betting tips for Saturday’s slate below!
2022-23 NBA Playoffs Betting Tips: Saturday, April 22nd 2023
Boston Celtics at Atlanta Hawks
State Farm Arena, 9:00am AEST
The Celtics covered both home games, winning both games by 13 points and never really being in any danger of losing. We head now to Atlanta, where the Hawks had a solid regular season record (24-17), however they appear out of answers when it comes to the Celtics.
In the two matchups between these teams in Atlanta this season, the Celtics have had no trouble, trouncing the Hawks 126-101 in mid-November, before getting by them again in mid-March 134-125.
As for the two post-season matches, the Celtics have shut the Hawks perimeter shooting down. In game 1, the Hawks only managed to shoot 5/29 (.172) from deep, before improving slightly in game 2, shooting 16/48 (.333). They will need to be a lot better here, but I don’t see it.
Boston Celtics -5
$1.92 (2 Units)
Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks
Madison Square Garden, 10:30am AEST
The Cavs dominated the Knicks in game 2, after the Knicks took home court advantage away from the Cavs in their 101-97 win in game 1. Game 2 though was all the Cavs, with the Knicks trailing by 20 at half time, with the game essentially all but done.
Game 3 should give us a really good idea as to whether the Cavs have figured the Knicks out, or whether this is just going to be one of those series that neither team can take over, and we go back and forth on our way to a 7-game series.
So, the side doesn’t really interest me here. The total, however, is a completely different proposition. These teams are both playing at a deathly slow pace, and both appear to want to play at this pace. The totals have slowly been reduced by the books, but I don’t believe it’s been dropped anywhere near enough. With the first 2 matches not sniffing 200 total points, I’ll take the under here confidently, and continue to do so throughout the series.
Under 211.5 total points
$1.90 (3 Units)
Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves
Target Center, 11:30am AEST
I’m finding this the toughest on the slate, with my numbers sitting around the same as the side in this contest. I make the total a tad low, however playoffs are notoriously low scoring compared to the regular season, so I’m not overly confident on this either.
The Nuggets have looked rather good in both opening games, and that’s despite the fact Nikola Jokic has struggled, at least by his standards. He fouled out in game 1, registering just the 13 points and 14 rebounds. He was better in game 2, however he was outshone by teammate Jamal Murray, who scored 40 in the Nuggets 9-point win.
The Timberwolves seem to have found a way to slow down Jokic, and if they can do it at home in this must win clash, I can see them getting home as slight underdogs.
Very low staking as I’m not convinced the Timberwolves have anything left to give, but if they don’t win here, it’s curtains on their season.
Minnesota Timberwolves to Win
$2.10 (1 Unit)
