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Scott Foster might grab the headlines tonight, but the real story belongs to the players on the floor. Someone might want to remind him before tip-off in Minnesota, because Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and more are ready to take center stage for their respective teams in a Game 3 slate.

So keep your attention where it matters — on these player props and NBA picks for Thursday, April 23 — not on the whistles trying to steal the spotlight.

Best NBA player props today

Player	Pick
Karl-Anthony Towns	Over 1.5 3-pointers	+135
Collin Murray-Boyles	Over 10.5 points	+100
Anthony Edwards	Over 5.5 rebounds	-140

Prop #1: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 3-pointers

+135 at bet365

The New York Knicks center has hit multiple 3-pointers in each game of this series against the Atlanta Hawks, going 5-of-9 in the first two games at home. Why in the world is this prop priced at such plus-money?

No, really, why? Let’s try to think of reasons.

Karl-Anthony Towns struggled in the last month of the regular season, going just 13-of-37 from deep in his final 12 games. But even a month of struggles featured Towns shooting 35.1% from beyond the arc.

The bigger worry then may have been attempting just 3.1 triples per game, but upping that to 4.5 already in this series is reason enough to expect Towns to keep hitting multiple 3-pointers in each game. At that rate, even Towns’ struggling rate of 35.1% would make him more likely than not to hit two 3-pointers.

• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Prop #2: Collin Murray-Boyles Over 10.5 points

+100 at bet365

Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic benched Jakob Poeltl in the second half of Game 2, trying a small-ball lineup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Did it work? Well, Toronto trailed by six at halftime and lost by 10, so not really.

But the Raptors’ shooting percentage jumped to 60% in the second half, compared to 41.9% in the first. That may be enough proof of concept to encourage Rajakovic to continue leaning on his wings, even if he said on Wednesday, “[Poeltl] needs to be part of the solution for us. He needs to be more aggressive. … He’s going to be a big part of Game 3.”

Collin Murray-Boyles played 12 minutes in Game 2’s first half and then 14 in the second half. He plays regardless of Poeltl’s action, though a slight uptick makes sense if Poeltl sees fewer minutes.

So this prop has potential no matter Poeltl’s workload.

Murray-Boyles has cleared this prop in both games of this series, scoring 14 and then 17. He topped it in six of his final eight regular-season games, discounting his truncated appearance in the season finale.

• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

Prop #3: Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 rebounds

-140 at bet365

Anthony Edwards has grabbed 19 rebounds so far in this series against the Denver Nuggets. This is a common postseason emphasis of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ superstar, now clearing this prop in 24 of his last 33 playoff games.

Sure, he tends to average 5+ rebounds per game in the regular season — 5.4 two years ago, 5.7 last season and 5.0 this year — but he then plays a more all-around game when games matter most.

Much like Towns and Murray-Boyles, sportsbooks are putting too much of an emphasis on regular-season results, not recognizing tangible and intangible postseason changes.

• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
• Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video

These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.

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The Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves head to the North Star State as their first-round series shifts venues, with the matchup tied 1-1.

Our Nuggets vs. Timberwolves predictions and free NBA picks have the visitors reclaiming the series lead on April 23.

Who will win Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 3?

Nuggets win probability:56% (-126)
Timberwolves win probability:46% (+114)

The Timberwolves return to their home floor with a slight edge in setting, but still head into Game 3 as 46% underdogs, while the Nuggets draw the spotlight as 54% favorites to snag a road win.

Our prediction:Nuggets to win

The Minnesota Timberwolves came back from 19 points down in Game 2 and held on convincingly in the final minutes. The praise is deserved.

But no one should be shocked if Minnesota now offers an absolute let down, something that the Denver Nuggets will gladly take advantage of.

Read more in Douglas Farmer's full Nuggets vs. Timberwolves predictions.

More Nuggets vs Timberwolves prediction markets

You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for Nuggets vs. Timberwolves at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, and more, among other NBA odds markets.

You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the Nuggets -1.5 spread means the Nuggets will cover, while "No" means the Timberwolves will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using the Covers odds converter).

Nuggets vs Timberwolves spread and total at prediction markets

Our predictions:Nuggets -1.5 — Yes and Over 232.5 points — No

Game 3 should be a Nikola Jokic showcase, even if the game’s overall defense drastically improves thanks to the added day between games.

Other Nuggets vs Timberwolves prediction markets available

• Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 rebounds (Yes: 59¢)
• Nikola Jokic Over 29.5 points (Yes: 51¢)
• Donte DiVincenzo Over 11.5 points (Yes: 63¢)

What is Kalshi and how does it work?

Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts" which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the Timberwolves win tonight?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.

How does Kalshi differ from sportsbooks?

In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.

Why should I wager on Nuggets vs Timberwolves at Kalshi?

Kalshi offers four unique advantages over traditional sportsbooks:

1. Flexibility: Unlike a "locked-in" bet, you can sell your contract at any time.
   
   
2. Transparency: You trade against other users, which can allow you to find better value.
   
   
3. Federal regulation: As a CFTC-regulated exchange, your funds are held in a secure, transparent environment.
   
   
4. Availability: Kalshi is available in 49 states (excluding Nevada) and D.C., including many regions where traditional sportsbooks aren't yet legal.

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A former Kentucky Wildcat was awarded with the NBA’s 6th Man of the Year Award.

Keldon Johnson received the award after a season in which he averaged 13.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game for the San Antonio Spurs, while shooting just shy of 52 percent from the floor and about 36 percent from beyond the arc.

Johnson became the first Spur in franchise history to score at least 1,000 points off the bench in a season. His 1,081 points off the bench this season were the second-most in the NBA.

After becoming a starter early in his career with the Spurs, Johnson has flourished in his role coming off the bench in San Antonio, becoming a key piece for a Spurs team that won 62 games in the regular season and earned the 2-seed in the Western Conference.

Johnson beat out Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. for the award, earning 404 total points compared to 331 for Jaquez.

Johnson is the second former Wildcat to win the 6th Man award over the last few seasons, with Tyler Herro earning the award in 2022.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama will travel with the Spurs to Portland, but his status for Game 3 is not yet determined, coach says.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers head into Game 3 with a 2-0 lead over the Toronto Raptors as the series shifts to Toronto. The pressure is on the Raptors now, and that usually leads to changes in minutes, shot volume, and who actually has the ball.

We’re breaking down the Game 3 matchup with our best predictions and NBA player prop projections, along with a few NBA picks that stand out.

This is usually the point in a series where roles start to shift, and if you nail your Cavaliers vs. Raptors predictions, there’s value before the market fully adjusts.

Cavaliers vs Raptors computer picks for Game 3

Cavaliers	Raptors
Mitchell u27.5 points  -110	Barrett o3.5 assists  +131
Allen o7.5 rebounds  +110	Barnes o17.5 points  -105
Mobley o15.5 points  -125	Quickley o11.5 points  -105

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Cavaliers Game 3 computer picks

Donovan Mitchell Under 27.5 points (-110)

Projection: 24.02 points

Donovan Mitchell has carried the scoring load through two games, but this is a different spot on the road. If Toronto tightens up defensively and forces the ball out of his hands more, this number starts to look a bit high.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Mitchell Now at bet365!/span

Jarrett Allen Over 7.5 rebounds (+110)

Projection: 8.51 rebounds

Jarrett Allen has been active on the glass all series, and the minutes are there for him to clear this number. At plus money, you’re getting a strong role with a favorable matchup.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Allen Now at bet365!/span

Even Mobley Over 15.5 points (-125)

Projection: 17.83 points

Evan Mobley is starting to find his spots offensively, and Cleveland has leaned on him more as the series has gone on. If that continues, this number is a little short.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Mobley Now at bet365!/span

---

Raptors Game 3 computer picks

RJ Barrett Over 3.5 assists (+131)

Projection: 3.95 assists

RJ Barrett is going to have the ball a lot more with Toronto trying to settle into a better offense at home. Cleveland has been comfortable loading up on drives, which opens up kick-out chances if Barrett makes the right reads. He does not need a huge jump here, just a few more possessions running through him.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Barrett Now at bet365!/span

Scottie Barnes Over 17.5 points (-105)

Projection: 20.04 points

Scottie Barnes is the one guy Toronto can lean on to create his own offense, and in a 2-0 hole, that usually means more shots and more touches. He has been involved across the board, but this feels like a spot where he looks to score first. If the game stays competitive, the volume should be there.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Barnes Now at bet365!/span

Immanuel Quickley Over 11.5 points (-105)

Projection: 12.46 points

Immanuel Quickley is one of the few Raptors who can generate points without the offense needing to be perfect. He is not shy about getting shots up, especially from deep, and Toronto needs that right now. If his minutes stay steady, he has a clear path to get into the mid-teens.

span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Quickley Now at bet365!/span

How to watch Cavaliers vs Raptors Game 3

Location	Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Date	Friday, April 23, 2026
Tip-off	8:00 p.m. ET
TV	Prime Video

Not intended for use in MA.
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Nearly 5,000 men's college basketball players entered the transfer portal this window (4,949 to be exact).

Believe it or not, that's actually down from last season's number of 5,428, which was a five-year high from all three NCAA levels — Division I, II, III.

Per transfer portal data reviewed by USA TODAY Sports this week after the women's and men's windows closed, April 20 and 21, respectively, the overall number of transfers is down, but movement in Power Four conferences increased.

Transfer portal team rankings: Which school has best class so far?

A year after 477 players entered the men’s basketball portal from P-4 programs, that figured climbed this week to 480; the women’s P-4 numbers jumped 10% from 305 to 336.

The ACC led the way in men's and women's basketball with 232 entrants, with the Big 12 close behind at 213.

Among the Power conferences on the men’s side, the numbers were the following:

• ACC: 138
• Big 12: 127
• SEC: 110
• Big Ten: 105

Conferencestrackers: ACC | SEC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Big East

The women’s side saw total portal entrants down, year over year, from 2,801 to 2,570.

Here's the P-4 breakdown for the women this year:

• ACC: 94
• Big 12: 86
• SEC: 80
• Big Ten: 76

No league appeared to be hit any harder, per team, than men’s basketball in the Southern Conference. The 10-team league saw a total of 82 men’s portal entrants this month. It had 76 one year ago.

Broken down further, SoCon teams like The Citadel had 19 players combined enter into the past two basketball portal cycles, while VMI added 18.

Here’s a look at total portal entrants across the past five seasons for both men’s and women’s college basketball:

How many men's college basketball players entered transfer portal? NCAA portal numbers:

• 2025-26: 4,939 (2,605 D-I)
• 2024-25: 5,438 (2,754 D-I)   
• 2023-24: 4,343  (2,146 D-I)
• 2022-23: 3,663 (1,843 D-I)
• 2021-22: 3,355 (1,788 D-I)

How many women's college basketball players entered transfer portal? NCAA portal numbers:

• 2025-26: 2,570 (1,561 D-I)
• 2024-25; 2,801 (1,571 D-I)
• 2023-24: 2,507 (1,414 D-I)
• 2022-23: 2,244 (1,242 D-I)
• 2021-22: 2,154 (1,354 D-I)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College basketball transfer portal: How many players entered? What numbers reveal

The Knicks play the Hawks in Manhatlanta tonight, with flocks of New Yorkers expected to take over.

Don’t get it twisted—Knicks fans in town or not, the folks better get that dub and return home with a 2-2 balance at the very worst, or else.

Here’s the latest from around NYK world.

Mike Brown

On the late-game execution in Game 2:
“We didn’t execute well enough offensively. Starting with me, I didn’t mix it up enough offensively going down the stretch. And then we didn’t mix it up as well as we could have defensively. So there were a few things down the stretch we could’ve done better.”

On the never-ending playoff adjustments:
“First of all, anything’s open to discussion offensively, defensively. Maybe changing this defensively. Maybe changing that offensively. I’m comfortable with all of our guys playing, no matter who the five is out there. But at the end of the day, just like offensively and defensively, I mean we changed both of those things halfway through the year. Anything can happen, and when you’re in the playoffs, everything should be on the table. But I do feel comfortable with what we’ve had.”

On responding to Game 2 on the road:
“They hit us in the mouth the second half [of Game 2], not just the fourth quarter, but the second half, and we have to respond. And like I said, at the end of the day, I don’t know if there are many teams that have gone 16-0 on their run to a championship. So you’ve got to figure out how to win on the road if you expect to be who you want to be anyway.”

On facing adversity:
“I don’t know how much of adversity it is. I guess it’s a little bit when you lose. When you lose, you tend to feel it. Like I said before, that’s why it’s good to go through it during the year so you can continue to have belief in the ability to bounce back because you’ve been there and done it. And it’s a little easier to handle when you lose. … So anytime you struggle, especially if you have a resilient group, it could be a good thing. Our group is resilient.”

On the Game 2 lineup struggles:
“We weren’t good tonight. But we had opportunities where our starters were in and we were up eight to 10, and Atlanta closed it. So I wouldn’t say that specific lineup caused it.”

On officiating and physicality:
“I’m still trying to figure out what’s a bump and what’s not a bump. You see a guy like CJ, he gets a drive and if you chest him, it’s a foul. And I even asked the officials about it — Jalen’s driving and he’s getting the same bump. Now, he’s not as light or as quick as CJ, so the speed might not be the same, but when he’s going, he’s getting hit and he’s getting knocked away from the bucket. So, trying to figure that out a little bit better is something I need to do. But I thought Jalen got to his spots. I thought he could have gotten to the free-throw line a couple more times that sometimes [he didn’t] throughout the course of the game, especially with how aggressive he is. But it is what it is.”

On Game 2 defensive breakdowns:
“You gotta give Atlanta credit. We didn’t execute our defense the way that we could have. Or the way we should have, or the way that we have been doing throughout the first six quarters [of the series].”

On Towns’ aggressiveness:
“KAT’s a great player. He’s got to impose his will on the game. If he was a young guy, I would need to say something to him. But as a veteran guy, I don’t need to tell him to be aggressive.”

Josh Hart

On Brunson’s need to step up his defensive game himself:
“We can talk to him. We can do those kinds of things, let him know where to force the ball. But at the end of the day, he has to take pride in it. Just knowing him, I’m sure watching the film, he was probably frustrated at some of the spots CJ was able to get to. … I know the kind of guy he is, the kind of character he is. He’ll be better defensively for us.”

On the team needing to help Brunson defensively:
“Defensively, we need him to get stops. And we need to make sure we have his back and are talking to him when he’s on those isolations on CJ or whoever it is. We can talk to him. We can do those kinds of things to let him know where to force the ball or those kinds of things. But at the end of the day, he has to take pride in it. I think that’s just knowing him and watching the film, he was frustrated at some of those spots that CJ was able to get to and those kinds of things. I know the kind of guy he is and character he is and he’ll be better defensively for us.”

On the lack of physicality in Game 2:
“I feel like we didn’t have that physicality that we did Game 1 and in the first half [of Game 2]. I think that was the biggest thing. When you lose that physicality, then you allow them to kinda move at their own pace, kinda dictate their offense instead of you dictating it. Just gotta make sure we’re physical, have attention to detail and focus for a full 48.”

On stayed playoff-focused:
“That’s why being focused and having attention to detail is so big in the playoffs, because sometimes, it goes away from plays — and it just goes into schemes, it goes into personnel. You gotta be able to react on the fly. When you’re locked in, you have that attention to detail, you’re able to do that pretty seamlessly.”

Jalen Brunson

On succumbing to CJ McCollum:
“He was in a great rhythm. I’ve got to disrupt it, make him play on his heels, make him react to me defensively. He was just in a rhythm.”

Mikal Bridges

On the need for helping Brunson defensively:
“You’ve got four guys that [are] behind him, that [are] gonna help him. Just know [the] personnel, who we guard and how we guard them, and then do your best to stay in front. You’ve got help behind you.”

CJ McCollum

On whether or not he liked the Brunson matchup:
“What do you think? Yeah.”

On the Garden boos and the villain narrative:
“It’s just fans booing you or cheering you on. It’s really not that serious. I think when you look at it that way, it’s just a game. It’s fun to compete at the highest level. It’s fun to be recognized by people, but I don’t play for Spike Lee’s approval. I don’t play for Knicks fans’ approval. I don’t play for anybody’s approval. I play for my family, myself and God, so it’s just a game, at the end of the day.”

Onyeka Okongwu

On McCollum’s impact in Game 2:
“Happy for him, he shut that Knicks crowd up.”

On what to expect from the Game 3 atmosphere in Atlanta:
“Very, very loud. Obviously, you know, Knicks fans are gonna be there as well, but I know ATL faithful will be there as well. Excited for [Thursday] night.”

Iman Shumpert

On Mike Brown’s future if the Knicks fail in the playoffs:
“It’s over with. I know how that sounds, but I’m just going off of the Knicks organization. It’s been over with for people who have been going in the proper direction all the time. It’s been going great for some players, and they had to leave. I just know that the organization puts pressure on itself every year, and then to be so close and to have a team that we all feel like should be successful in the playoffs, built for success in the playoffs … I could totally see it happening right away.”

Stephon Marbury

On Mike Brown’s adjustments for Game 3:
“It’s gonna come down to strategy with Mike Brown. It’s gonna come down to structure and strategy with Mike Brown — and I believe he’s going to make the adjustments.”

On Atlanta’s screening action:
“You know that they’re running a high pick and roll. It’s really like a brush screen, just so you can switch. And it’s slow. Like, it’s like stand there, touch his body, drag him down. And now you’ve gotta switch. And it’s embarrassing if you don’t switch, ‘cause you on the court, on the island, by yourself in the NBA. So you standing there like, ‘Damn.’ I could literally walk real slow and just grab you like, ‘it’s time,’ and that’s the switch. Now, you’ve gotta stomp your feet, slap the ground, and just get ready every time.”

On defensive coverage adjustments:
“Jalen will have to get over the screen on C.J.’s hip and push him downhill, then whoever’s man is creating the switch, they’ll stay in the help position to make C.J. pass the ball. Then, the wing man will cheat over to the middle, and the [Knicks’] corner man will have two men: [Atlanta’s] wing man and the corner man. If Jalen blitzes the screen, now if C.J. goes to drive and the help defender is in the blue position, Jalen can switch back to his man. He can switch to the other guy. And that’s how you kill it. Now we’re gonna watch, and we’re gonna see if they’re gonna make that adjustment. Because [Atlanta is] gonna run the same play. They’re gonna do it old-school and make us adjust.”

On Brunson’s need for adjustments:
“I feel like Jalen Brunson has to play like Allen Iverson and John Stockton. He has to find the balance. I don’t think it’s a hard transition for him because he’s smart, and he’s astute, and because he’s smart and astute, he’s aware of what happened. Right now, this is the first four years of him being the man where he’s making decisions and he’s going on the court. He’s playing at the highest level and everything is in his hand. And he’s got all of the support. We are going to support him because we believe him and we trust him. We believe that. I believe that.”

On Towns’ need for demanding the ball more:
“KAT’s not going to get plays drawn up in this system with Coach Brown. He has to assert himself. He has to demand — he has to demand the ball come his way, man. It’s different when you demand something. When you command it, now it’s like, ‘OK, that’s what we’re doing. We’re going there.’ When he puts his hand up and demands the ball, everybody knows to throw it.”

On what to expect from Brunson in Game 3:
“What he takes from [Game 2] and how he grows from that night — that’s him. That’s going to be the truth and true honesty in the next game. It’s not about playing harder or scoring more or not missing any shots. That’s not it. It’s evaluating how they play him. How am I going to play defensively? Am I going to submit and say, look, this is where I need help at? Am I thinking about knowing that I have a weakness right now and now everyone sees it? Everybody in the gym knew it. The whole world sees I can’t defend C.J. McCollum, and I’m gonna have to guard him in the next game. How are we gonna prep? And how are you gonna prepare to play against him?”

Patrick Ewing

On believing he’d dominate in the current NBA:
“I try not to compare my era to this era or eras in the past. I know whatever era I played in, I’d be dominant. I was one of the big men who could shoot, but I didn’t shoot a lot of 3s. Michael [Jordan] and I always joke about – He’s like, ‘Man, but you can’t dribble.’ I said – ‘All I need is two dribbles. Two dribbles. That’s it. Two dribbles, I can get from the free-throw line to the hole. So, it doesn’t make a difference what era I’m in. I think I can still dominate.”

Does anyone actually think the Sixers are going to beat the Celtics in this first round series after their Game 2 win in Boston? It’s still a long shot and Philadelphia is still a heavy underdog despite having claimed home-court advantage with its resounding victory in Game 2 on Tuesday night. No one’s arguing with the oddsmakers either in this case. Boston is still undoubtedly the better team and perhaps the Celtics just had a bad night and will win the next three games. But, as of this writing, the Celtics have as many wins as the Sixers do in the series. So, we might as well try to come up with a path for Philly while we can, right?

We already got a VJ Edgecombe game on Tuesday night for the Sixers’ first win in the series. Here’s our best guess as to how the Sixers can stun the sports world and win three more games:

The Tyrese Maxey game

Just because it’s obvious, doesn’t mean it isn’t true. Maxey did have 29 points on Tuesday night, but it was a pretty inefficient 29 points on 11-of-28 shooting despite a good night from the three-point line and some clutch buckets down the stretch. I’m going to define a “Maxey game” as at least 40 points and at least six made three-pointers, two benchmarks he failed to hit on Tuesday night.

To be completely honest, Boston is probably pretty happy with the way it has defended Maxey two games into the series. Maxey’s +/- in Game 2 was a +6. That’s not bad for someone who plays as many minutes as Maxey does, but Philly was also a +8 on Tuesday night in the minutes Maxey didn’t play. The Sixers being slightly better without Maxey on the court is probably a bet Boston is willing to make moving forward. In other words, Maxey needs to find another level, however hard that might be for him to do.

The “role players got hot” game

If it feels like a pipedream that the role players of a seven seed could outplay the role players of a two seed, that’s because it probably is. But Philly needs at least one game where a few of its role players catch lightning in a bottle. The most obvious way for this to happen would be for a big shooting night from Kelly Oubre, Quentin Grimes, Paul George (yes, he’s more of a role player at this point), Andre Drummond or Justin Edwards.

Oubre and Grimes have been mainstays in Philadelphia’s rotation and both have shown the ability to score 20-30 points on certain nights. Could the Sixers get a game in which these two make a combined 10-12 three-pointers and finish with a combined 50 points between the two of them? It’s probably the most plausible path to a victory driven by players not named Edgecombe or Maxey.

As for George, the bulk of his positive contributions would probably have to come with defense on Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown. Maybe there’s a world in which George locks up one of Boston’s elite wings and the Sixers can grind out a 100-98 kind of victory. 

I’ll lump Drummond and Edwards in together as the final two role players that could really make a difference for Philly in this series. Edwards has played about 20 minutes a night off the bench for the Sixers in this series and certainly plays with a lot of effort and can score at all three levels on occasion. Drummond was two rebounds shy of a double-double on Tuesday night and knocked down another triple in the Game 2 victory. Maybe there’s a game in which Drummond can have 13 and 10 and Edwards can score 15 points in a variety of ways and make a more serious impact on the series.

There’s different ingredients to this kind of win, and Philly doesn’t need all of them to come together in order to steal a second win in this series, but could enough of them come to light on one night in order for the Sixers to get closer to the second round?

The Joel Embiid Game

OK, we’re saving the best for last. Spare me from all of the “The Sixers don’t even need Embiid anymore!” takes. Does more greatness from Edgecombe and Maxey mean more than winning the series in a lot of ways even though those two outcomes could be tied together? It certainly does and, yes, the future of the franchise being tied to the two guards is very important. Being able to move forward with such a foundation in place would be quite the narrative shift from where this franchise was one year ago. But why does that suddenly mean ditching Embiid at the same time?

Of course, Embiid’s contract is extremely expensive and even the biggest Embiid fans would probably understand getting off his contract in a future offseason if it is to happen. But what if there’s still a world in which Embiid can be dominant, and it just doesn’t happen every night? Suddenly that would be OK if Maxey and Edgecombe are driving the car most nights. All of a sudden Embiid could be a passenger! Heck, for years it felt like Embiid was driving his own car with no passengers aboard. Shouldn’t we all welcome a world in which Embiid can just show up and be his old self once or twice in a playoff series instead of it needing to happen every night for the Sixers to have a chance?

There are the obvious unknowns about where the big man is in his recovery from an appendectomy, but I don’t think we should be looking to sell every last penny of the Joel Embiid stock that we own either. This doesn’t have to be so black and white. For as long as Embiid is on the Sixers, let’s get behind him and hope for a night in which he can turn back the clock. If he can dress at all in this series and give us one vintage Embiid game, then maybe the Sixers do have a chance to do the unthinkable here. 

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We're back with NBA player prop projections for Game 3 between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks.

Our computer picks include plays for big-time players like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns.

For more NBA picks, take a look at our complete Knicks vs. Hawks predictions for Thursday, April 23.

Knicks vs Hawks computer picks for Game 3

Knicks	Hawks
Towns o1.5 threes  +135	Okongwu o2.5 assists  +115
Bridges o12.5 points -105	Daniels o4.5 assists  -130
Brunson u26.5 points -115	Kuminga o12.5 points  -120

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Knicks Game 3 computer picks

Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 threes (+135)

Projection: 1.61 threes

Karl-Anthony Towns is one of the best shooting big men in NBA history, and his ability to stretch the floor will be needed against the Atlanta Hawks.

Our model sees this as a +EV play, and we're getting plus money for a line KAT has hit in both games of this series.

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Mikal Bridges Over 12.5 points (-105)

Projection: 13.67 points

Mikal Bridges is one of the streakiest shooters in the league, but his volume and play time alone make this bet enticing. Bridges possesses coveted 3-and-D capabilities, which kept him on the floor for 37 minutes in Game 2. 

He'll be asked to play heavy minutes again, and with a volume of eight to 12 shots, he can get Over this number.

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Jalen Brunson Under 26.5 points (-115)

Projection: 24.58 points

Make no mistake, Jalen Brunson's 29 points in Game 2 were not impressive. It took him 26 shots to get there, and his ill-advised "hero shots" in the fourth quarter hurt the New York Knicks more than they helped them.

Brunson is an excellent facilitator and will need to get the rest of his team involved if he hopes to keep up with Atlanta.

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Hawks Game 3 computer picks

Onyeka Okongwu Over 2.5 assists (+115)

Projection: 2.82 assists

Onyeka Okongwu isn't setting the world on fire with his playmaking, but this is an obtainable number. The Hawks are the best offensive rebounding team at home over the last 10 games, and second-chance opportunities will lead to more chances of assists for the Atlanta big man.

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Dyson Daniels Over 4.5 assists (-130)

Projection: 5.83 assists

Dyson Daniels has had a hard time scoring, but he's still an excellent facilitator. Before a rough Game 2, Daniels eclipsed this assist total in three straight.

Daniels' inability to shoot will force the Hawks to make him act as the playmaker for his teammates, leading to plenty of dimes.

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Jonathan Kuminga Over 12.5 points (-120)

Projection: 14.05 points

Jonathan Kuminga was a beast off the bench for Atlanta in Game 3, recording 19 points in 34 minutes of action. He's earned the playing time, and he'll be asked to score the rock early and often when he gets on the floor.

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How to watch Knicks vs Hawks Game 3

Location	State Farm Arena, Atlanta, GA
Date	Thursday, April 23, 2026
Tip-off	7:00 p.m. ET
TV	Prime Video

Not intended for use in MA.
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The New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks head to Georgia to continue their first-round series, all knotted up at one game apiece.

Our Knicks vs. Hawks predictions and free NBA picks expect the visitors to take back the series lead on April 23.

Who will win Knicks vs Hawks Game 3?

Knicks win probability:52% (-108)
Hawks win probability:49% (+104)

Despite being the home team, the Atlanta Hawks are slight underdogs at 49¢, while the Knicks have a 52% chance of stealing a game on the road.

Our prediction:Knicks to win

New York let Game 2 get away with turnovers and missed free throws, sparking Atlanta’s rally from 12 points down entering the fourth quarter. The Knicks can’t give the Hawks hope. They’ve done a good job checking Atlanta’s top scorers and will clean up their mess in Game 3.

Read more in Jason Logan's full Knicks vs. Hawks predictions.

More Knicks vs Hawks prediction markets

You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for Knicks vs. Hawks at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, and more, among other NBA odds markets.

You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the Knicks -1.5 spread means the Knicks will cover, while "No" means the Hawks will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using the Covers odds converter).

Knicks vs Hawks spread and total at prediction markets

Our predictions:Knicks -1.5 — Yes and Over 216.5 points — No

The Knicks will cut down on their mistakes in Game 3 and win by at least a bucket. Both games have gone Under tonight's total, and both teams will do enough on D to stay Under 216.5 points.

Other Knicks vs Hawks prediction markets available

• Jalen Brunson 30+ points (Yes: 36¢)
• Josh Hart 8+ rebounds (Yes: 62¢)
• Karl-Anthony Towns (Yes: 42¢)

What is Kalshi and how does it work?

Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts" which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the Hawks win tonight?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.

How does Kalshi differ from sportsbooks?

In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.

Why should I wager on Knicks vs Hawks at Kalshi?

Kalshi offers four unique advantages over traditional sportsbooks:

1. Flexibility: Unlike a "locked-in" bet, you can sell your contract at any time.
   
   
2. Transparency: You trade against other users, which can allow you to find better value.
   
   
3. Federal regulation: As a CFTC-regulated exchange, your funds are held in a secure, transparent environment.
   
   
4. Availability: Kalshi is available in 49 states (excluding Nevada) and D.C., including many regions where traditional sportsbooks aren't yet legal.

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