{"id":716639,"date":"2026-04-23T17:03:27","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T17:03:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/716639\/"},"modified":"2026-04-23T17:03:27","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T17:03:27","slug":"nba-playoff-picks-knicks-vs-hawks-prediction-odds-for-game-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/716639\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA playoff picks: Knicks vs. Hawks prediction, odds for Game 3"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Getty Images<\/p>\n

The\u00a0NBA<\/a>\u00a0playoffs roll on for another day, and we’ve got three Game 3s on the docket Thursday night. The\u00a0Knicks<\/a>\u00a0will try to avenge an epic meltdown in Game 2 against the\u00a0Hawks<\/a>, while the\u00a0Raptors<\/a>\u00a0are still looking for their first playoff win against the\u00a0Cavaliers<\/a>. Meanwhile, out West, the\u00a0Timberwolves<\/a>\u00a0responded in a major way with a win in Game 2, and will now take things back home to try and gain an advantage over the\u00a0Nuggets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Here’s the schedule and a prediction for each matchup:<\/p>\n

NBA games today: April 23 playoff schedule<\/p>\n

Odds via\u00a0FanDuel<\/a>, all times ET<\/p>\n

Game 3: New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks (+1.5), 7 p.m. — Prime VideoGame 3: Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors (+2.5), 8 p.m. — Prime VideoGame 3: Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves (+2.5), 9:30 p.m. — Prime Video
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Knicks at Hawks Game 3 prediction<\/p>\n

Things could not have gone worse for the Knicks in the closing minutes of Game 2. It was a meltdown of epic proportions, and they’ve likely only thought about the fact that they should be up 2-0 in this series ever since\u00a0CJ McCollum<\/a>\u00a0rattled off six points in the waning minutes of the game to complete the comeback for Atlanta and pull them even in the series. With that in mind, I’m going with New York to try and respond on the road and make a statement.\u00a0Pick: Knicks (-1.5)<\/p>\n

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Cavaliers at Raptors Game 3 prediction<\/p>\n

The Raptors tightened up defensively, but still aren’t making enough of an impact offensively for it to matter.\u00a0Brandon Ingram<\/a>\u00a0had a poor showing in Game 2, which is a shame given Toronto had a 45-19 bench scoring advantage. If Ingram made just a few more of his shots, the Raptors might’ve won that game, which sounds insane given the Cavs had three players score 25 points or more.<\/p>\n

I think Ingram will bounce back in Game 3, and the Raptors will get a win on the board to stave off a sweep in this series\u00a0Pick: Raptors (+2.5)<\/p>\n

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Nuggets at Timberwolves Game 3 prediction<\/p>\n

Jaden McDaniels<\/a>\u00a0made headlines following Minnesota’s Game 2 win when he said the key to Minnesota’s success was targeting their “bad defenders,”<\/a> and then proceeded to list them off by name. He wasn’t wrong, the Wolves picked apart Denver’s defense, and a more efficient offensive game from\u00a0Julius Randle<\/a>\u00a0certainly helped matters.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But Denver isn’t just going to take McDaniels comments lying down.\u00a0Cameron Johnson<\/a>\u00a0said it’s good “bulletin board material,” so I’m going with Denver to show their defense isn’t “bad” by any means in Game 3.\u00a0Pick: Nuggets (-2.5)<\/p>\n

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