The NBA Playoffs continue on Friday with three crucial Game 3 matchups. The first tips off at 9:10am AEST as the Hawks host the Knicks. The Cavaliers at Raptors follows at 10:10am in a must-win game for the home team, and finally the Nuggets at Timberwolves is scheduled for 11:40am.
NBA Playoffs Betting Tips: Friday, April 24th 2026
New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks (9:10am AEST)
A chance to take a 2-1 lead is on the line as the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks meet in Game 3 with the series tied. After winning the opening game of the series, the Knicks couldn’t hold onto a double-digit fourth quarter lead as the Hawks came surging past to win 107-106. CJ McCollum has been turning back the clock as he dropped 32 points to lead the way for Atlanta.
Poor free throw shooting was to blame for the Game 2 loss as the Knicks finished 17-27 at the line. Much like the previous game, it should be contrasting offensive styles as Atlanta will push the pace aggressively in transition while New York will rely on half-court sets started by star point guard Jalen Brunson.
One concern for the Hawks is that the Knicks have won the previous three games in Atlanta. This should be a close game but I think Jalen Johnson can lead the way for the Hawks to buck that trend and notch a second win in this playoff series.
Hawks WIN
$1.95 (1.5 Units)
Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors (10:10am AEST)
It has been easy enough work for the Cleveland Cavaliers as they boast a 2-0 lead over the Toronto Raptors. The series now shifts to Ontario, Canada, and it is a must-win game for the Raptors. Game 1 was a 126-113 scoreline followed by a 115-105 Game 2 result. As to be expected, Donovan Mitchell has led the charge with 32 points and 30 points in the first two games. James Harden who was acquired mid-season, has been terrific, distributing the rock and scoring efficiently.
Brandon Ingram will shoulder a lot of the blame for the Game 2 loss, finishing with seven points on 3-15 shooting. His teammate Scottie Barnes tried his best with 26 points and two steals. The Raptors bench needs to outplay the Cavaliers bench because the gap between both sides’ starters has been evident so far – the Cavs are heavily outscoring the Raptors starting five.
While this one should be closer, it is hard to go against this Cavs team that is playing so well. They look a strong chance to cover the -2.5 line and take a decisive 3-0 lead in the series.
Cavaliers -2.5
$1.87 (2 Units)
Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves (11:40am AEST)
This Western Conference matchup is delivering so far with both teams collecting a win. The Denver Nuggets won Game 1 116-105 before losing Game 2 119-114. Both games were played in Denver so the advantage lies with Minnesota who will try and defend their home court to take a 2-1 lead in this pivotal third game.
Anthony Edwards quickly put an average game behind him to score 30 points in the Game 2 victory. Despite a knee issue, Edwards is anticipated to play. Aaron Gordon is also expected to play for the Nuggets.
The best player in the league, Nikola Jokic, will have to shoulder the load as always for Denver. An almost automatic triple-double beast, Jokic makes his teammates better around him and the best scoring team in the league will be relying on their offensive output to win the game, as they are not a great defensive side. If their shooting gets going early, enter Jamal Murray, they will be hard to beat in Game 3.
Nuggets -2.5
$1.92 (2 Units)
