NBA Betting Tips: Nuggets and Knicks feature in tonight’s play-off picks
NBA play-off action continues on Thursday night, with some pivotal game three match-ups taking place.
There's three matches to enjoy, and I've picked out a tip for each one. Read on to find my NBA betting tips for 23 April 2026.
NBA Betting Tips - 23 April 2026
- Atlanta Hawks to beat New York Knicks @ 1/1
- Cleveland Cavaliers -2.5 (@ Toronto Raptors) @ 5/6
- Denver Nuggets -2.5 (@ Minnesota Timberwolves) @ 20/23
*odds correct at time of publication
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Atlanta Hawks to beat New York Knicks @ 1/1
This game three between Atlanta and New York feels crucial after the sides split the two games in the Big Apple.
The Knicks blew a double-digit fourth-quarter lead in game two to shift all the momentum in Atlanta's favour heading into Thursday's contest, and while I think NY will put in an improved performance here, I think the Hawks can steal another game here and really put the pressure on Mike Brown's side.
The Knicks have been touted all season as one of the contenders from the Eastern Conference, and they were heavily favoured in this play-off series before the first tip, so if Atlanta claim control of the series here, the Knicks could fold completely under the pressure.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Cleveland Cavaliers -2.5 (@ Toronto Raptors) @ 5/6
It's been easy work for the Cavaliers so far against Toronto, as they boast a 2-0 series lead heading into game three.
It goes without saying that this is a must win for the Raptors, and they'll need for from star forward Brandon Ingram, who managed just seven points in the game two defeat.
It's hard to oppose Cleveland here, who've hardly broken a sweat so far, so I'm taking them on the spread.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
Denver Nuggets -2.5 (@ Minnesota Timberwolves) @ 20/23
I think this is the best series of the opening round of the play-offs, and it's delivered so far as it's all square at 1-1 heading into Thursday night's game three.
There's plenty of star power on display in this match-up in the likes of Anthony Edwards, who put on a scoring clinic in game two, and Nikola Jokic, who's probably the best player in the series.
The Nuggets are the best scoring team in the league, and I believe they can steal game three in Minnesota, if they get hot early. Jokic tends to bring the best out of his teammates, and with Denver not being a fantastic defensive unit, their best chance to lighting up the scoreboard here.
Odds correct at time of publishing.
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