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Our NBA player prop projections are all set for tonight's Game 3 matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves, with the model flagging several high-value opportunities.

By breaking down the data and stacking it up against current market lines, we’ve identified where the strongest edges lie.

These Nuggets vs. Timberwolves predictions aren’t based on feel — they’re backed by the numbers.

If you’re building out your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Thursday, April 23.

Nuggets vs Timberwolves computer picks for Game 3

Nuggets	Timberwolves
Murray o26.5 points -105	Randle o19.5 points -115
Hardaway Jr. o1.5 threes +150	Edwards o5.5 rebounds -150
Jokic o13.5 rebounds -120	Edwards o3.5 threes +122

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Nuggets Game 3 computer picks

Jamal Murray Over 26.5 points (-105)

Projection: 26.7 points

When it comes to putting points on the board, the Denver Nuggets have been unmatched, leading the league with 121.9 points per game.

Jamal Murray has been a driving force behind that firepower, clearing this 25.5-point line in six of his last 10 outings.

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Tim Hardaway Jr. Over 1.5 threes (+150)

Projection: 2.1 3-pointers

The Nuggets have been the league’s most efficient team from beyond the arc this season, and Tim Hardaway Jr. has played a key role in keeping that edge.

Hardaway has cleared his 1.5 made threes line in six of his last 10 games, as the veteran continues to deliver from deep.

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Nikola Jokic Over 13.5 rebounds (-120)

Projection: 14.9 rebounds

Nikola Jokic makes rebounding look effortless, and Game 3 should be no exception.

Expect an even more aggressive effort on the glass after a quiet Game 2 — one the Nuggets will be eager to move past — as the reigning force in the paint looks to swing the series back in their favor.

Jokic has also been clearing his rebounding line consistently, eclipsing 13.5 boards in seven of his last 10 games.

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Timberwolves Game 3 computer picks

Julius Randle Over 19.5 points (-115)

Projection: 20.4 points

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been playing at a fast clip at home over the last 20 games, ranking among the league’s most up-tempo teams, and they’ll look to keep that pace rolling in this matchup.

They draw a similarly high-speed opponent in the Denver Nuggets, one of the fastest visiting offenses over the last 10 games, setting the stage for an increased number of possessions and more scoring chances for Julius Randle to stay productive within Minnesota’s offense.

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Anthony Edwards Over 5.5 rebounds (-150)

Projection: 5.54 rebounds

The T-Wolves have been dominant on the offensive glass at home, ranking near the top of the league with 13.6 offensive rebounds per game over their last five outings.

Anthony Edwards also brings strong rebounding production that exceeds that mark, and with Game 3 back in Minnesota, expect him to be especially active on the boards, fueled by the energy of the home crowd.

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Anthony Edwards Over 3.5 threes (+122)

Projection: 3.7 3-pointers

There’s no question Anthony Edwards will come into Game 3 with plenty of energy after helping the Minnesota Timberwolves steal a win in Denver.

That momentum should carry into his perimeter game, where he’ll look to bounce back from recent misses after finishing with Under 3.5 threes per game in eight of his last 10 outings. He'll change that luck for tonight.

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How to watch Nuggets vs Timberwolves Game 3

Location	Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date	Friday, April 23, 2026
Tip-off	9:30 p.m. ET
TV	Prime Video

Not intended for use in MA.
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After an upset win in Boston in Game 2 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs, the Sixers could have reinforcements on the way as the series turns to South Philadelphia.

The Sixers said on Thursday afternoon that Joel Embiid participated “in parts” of practice the day before the team’s Game 3 matchup with the Celtics.

This would be quite the turnaround for Embiid, who had an emergency appendectomy on April 9 that has kept him off the court since then. The team stated on April 20 that Embiid has started a strength and conditioning program as he’s recovered from that surgery.

To say that an Embiid return this weekend, whether for Game 3 on Friday or Game 4 on Sunday, would be a boost for the Sixers would be a colossal understatement. The Sixers hung tough while stealing a road victory on Tuesday, but they’ve been getting nothing from their big men. Even a version of Embiid that’s not 100 percent, which Sixers fans have been accustomed to seeing in the postseason anyway, would do wonders for their chances of prolonging this series against the vaunted Celtics.

Embiid’s getting back into action would mean this is the fourth time he’s faced Boston in the playoffs during his career. While 2018 and 2020 saw the Celtics making quick work of the team, that 2023 loss still stings. I’m not necessarily banking on it, but perhaps Embiid combining with the backcourt duo of VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey could have the Sixers doing something they haven’t done in 44 years: eliminating the Celtics.

In some potentially good news for the Spurs, Victor Wembanyama is going to travel with the team to Portland, per ESPN’s Shams Charania. Wemby entered concussion protocol after falling and smacking his chin on the court in the second quarter of Game 2 on Tuesday. He appeared dazed before getting up and heading to the locker room. The Spurs were quick dispel rumors that were going around during/after the game he had been taken to the hospital for x-rays on his head or jaw.

Per the NBA’s concussion protocol rules, he must go through a 48-hour observation period with no contact basketball allowed, although he can do workouts such as cardio and non-contact drills as deemed fit, which he was seen doing at practice yesterday and today. Players must also undergo cognitive/neurological testing, be symptom free and cleared by team and league doctors to return to play.

Head coach Mitch Johnson told reporters at practice today that Wemby is progressing well, but they have not yet determined whether he will be available for Games 3 and 4 in Portland.

Game 3 is on Friday, which is outside the mandatory 48-hour window since the incident occurred on Tuesday. While it would be rare for a player to return that quickly from a concussion — 5-7 days is the most common time frame — it’s not unheard of. That being said, there are levels of severity to concussions, and it would appear this is a mild one based on his quick progression. If he was in any danger to fly or the Spurs did not think he stood a chance of returning on Friday or Sunday for Game 4, he would not be traveling with them.

In other injury related news, Harrison Barnes and Dylan Harper are cleared to play in Game 3. Barnes exited in the fourth quarter Game 2 after suffering a shoulder stinger in a collision with Deni Avdija, and Harper reaggravated an existing thumb injury after getting tangled with Donovan Clingan a play later. Harper returned to that game, Barnes did not.

Game 3 will be tomorrow at 9:30 PM CT and streamed on Prime. The Spurs went 2-1 against Portland in the regular season without Wemby, including a win at the Moda Center in November. De’Aaron Fox scored 37 points in that game, and they will need a similar performance from him and for everyone else to step up in Wemby’s absence should he miss one or both games. The Spurs were down two points when he exited early in the second quarter of Game 2, and while regrouped and got the lead up to 14 in the fourth quarter, the offense fell apart down the stretch to lose the game 103-106. The series is currently tied 1-1.

After the Lakers took Game 1, desperation naturally had to set in for the Rockets. No team wants to fall down 2-0, as those who hold that lead go on to win 92.7% of the time.

Houston was held to an abysmal 37% from the floor in the playoff opener, setting the stage for superstar Kevin Durant to return and, theoretically, fix their offensive problems in Game 2. He was upgraded to available hours before tipoff, seemingly shifting the series back in their control.

The Lakers had other plans.

They held the Rockets to under 100 points for the second straight game and took a commanding 2-0 series lead. The purple and gold dished out a cold serving of deja vu, pulling out the exact same defensive game plan they used a month ago with Houston once again failing to come up with any solutions.

Durant started Game 2 on fire, hitting his first four shots before the purple and gold decided it was enough. They switched back into their defensive rotation bag and got the ball out KD’s hands.​

It began at the end of the first quarter. In the clip below, Durant comes to the screen for Alperen Şengün. The Lakers’ scheme is to switch any of his screen actions, negating its advantage, and then to blitz or “fire,” as head coach J.J. Redick calls it, to get the ball out of his hands.

LeBron James meets Şengün at the free throw line, Jake Laravia plays the low man role, dropping down on Amen Thompson, and they strategically leave the player on the wing, Tari Eason, open. The intention is to live with a late contest on shooters they deem unable to consistently hurt them.

This defense not only takes the ball out of the superstar’s hands, but it also forces role players who are not accustomed to being playmakers to make split-second pass-shot decisions, which are even more sped up by playoff intensity and physicality.

LA has practiced this defense numerous times in the regular season, so it is prepared to dish out now. Every player being in sync means any hesitation from the offense allows the connective group to recover and take away the given advantage.

Watch below as Durant is doubled once again on a straight line drive attempt. The Rockets made five passes following his kick out, including one that got the basketball back in his hands.

No open shot created as the Lakers cleanly recover and Jabari Smith is forced to heave at the end of the clock.

This all culminated in one of the bigger moments of Game 2. With LA nursing a five-point lead late in the fourth, Durant and Şengün run their pet screen action in the clip below. The Lakers switch the play, with a double likely coming once Durant decides to attack.

​Looking to move the ball before it happens, Durant whips a one-handed pass to the corner that’s deflected by LeBron and stolen by Luke Kennard. LA scores on the other end and pushes the lead back to a comfortable spot.

LA frustrated Durant into nine turnovers overall and just 1-5 shooting in the second half. Every successful defensive possession that leads to a turnover, an indecisive shot, or a rushed pass increases the brewing confidence of the Lakers team to dig their teeth in more.

It’s filled a squad left for dead in public perception with the belief of life. A roster of subpar defenders, at best, has a blueprint to follow that’s leading to playoff wins.

Houston has two days to sit with this film and make adjustments before Game 3 on Friday. The questions to the test are readily available, as they’ve been available for months before this matchup, but it remains to be seen if the Rockets have any answers.

You can follow Raj on X at @RajChipalu

I don’t know if the Rockets are going to come back and win this series or not. I’ll admit it looks bleak. However, I’ve seen too many things happen in sports to write them off completely. Here’s what I do know. If they go out, they better go out with a fight, and that starts with the man they choose to make the centerpiece of their franchise.

Alperen Sengun has not been good in this series offensively or defensively. Yes, he has outscored and slightly outrebounded his Laker counterpart, but DeAndre Ayton has completely outshined Sengun in his role. Sengun is shooting 38-percent from the field with the majority of his shots coming in the paint. When Sengun gets the ball, it seems he wants nothing to do with it until he is forced into a feeble shot attempt. This was especially the case in Game 2 when Kevin Durant returned.

This is a far cry from the Alperen Sengun we saw in the playoffs a season ago against the Golden State Warriors, and it speaks to the culture that has been set by this version of the Houston Rockets. “When all else fails, look to Kevin Durant.” That was not supposed to be the case. The role KD is playing on this team was never going to be a winning formula and it was proven so in Game 2. You cannot strictly rely on a 37-year-old Kevin Durant to carry your team to a championship. Kevin Durant was supposed to be the perfect complement to the Rockets young core, not their crutch.

If the Rockets are going to get back in this series Alperen Sengun has to play like a star. If he can’t do that against DeAndre Ayton and a depleted Lakers squad, then whom in the league can he do it against? Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets? Chet Holmgren and the Thunder? The Houston Rockets traded away a hyper athletic two-way guard with star potential and an absolute junkyard dog in Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks and yes, it was to acquire Kevin Durant, but it was also because they believe that Alperen Sengun is the future of this franchise.

A conversation is to be had about the culpability of Ime Udoka in all this mess and believe me, we will have that discussion. However, the playoffs are still going on until the Rockets have lost four games, and Ime Udoka isn’t getting fired mid-series. The players ultimately have to play. Sengun has that dog in him, we’ve seen it in flashes. We need to see it in droves if the Rockets are going to come back and tie this series at 2-2. That is the only way that the Rockets are coming back to win and get to the next round.

It won’t be easy, especially with LeBron James standing in their way. But crazier things have happened in Houston Rockets history. This writer for one is not throwing in the towel just yet. Now, it’s up to these players to show they have as much pride in themselves as you and I have in this franchise. May the ghosts of Clutch City reside at Toyota Center for the next 72 hours.

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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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The Phoenix Suns might be down 0-2 after losing Game 2 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but I walked away from that one appreciating some of the adjustments from Jordan Ott. I know. Words I didn’t know if I’d be typing for the remainder of this season. The final two months of the season were rough for the Suns, and while injuries played a big role, the team struggled with rotations, couldn’t close games, and lost some of the competitive edge and execution that defined them early on.

From a fanalyst perspective, one of the more frustrating parts of that final stretch was the lack of minutes for the rookie class. This is a team that needs internal development to sustain anything long-term, yet Khaman Maluach and Rasheer Fleming were collecting DNPs when clear opportunities were available.

Maluach’s absence stood out the most because the situation was tailor-made to give him an opportunity. Mark Williams missed 17 of the final 21 games, and in that stretch, the 7’2” center out of Duke averaged only 13.7 minutes per game. He put up 4.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks, which scale to 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per 36 minutes. You had the seventh seed locked in. Your starting center was out. The minutes were sitting there. It felt like the right time to see more of him.

I get it. He’s 19. There is going to be hesitation. But he is also the 10th overall pick. At some point, you have to put him on the floor, take the training wheels off, and let him grow.

On Wednesday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder, we finally saw more of Khaman Maluach. I am not sure if it was a planned adjustment by Jordan Ott and his staff or if they reached a point where they said, “Eff it, let’s see what this looks like.” Because Oso Ighodaro did not look good in this game. My apologies. “Did not look good” is being nice. He was bloody awful. He was short-rimming shots, turning the ball over, and doing a convincing impression of a traffic cone as the Thunder repeatedly waltzed to the rim. It wasn’t pretty. And perhaps Jordan Ott finally realized that I might as well try out this Malauch thing, give it some extended minutes, and see what happens.

If you are looking at the box score, what Malauch did does not stand out. 18 minutes, 4 points, 3 rebounds. No blocks, no steals, no assists. You can point to the plus/minus and see a +10, the only positive mark on the team, but that stat can be misleading in a single game. It says more about lineups than individual impact.

That +10, however, came in the fourth, when he played all 12 minutes. And what he brought was different. His size shifted the geometry of the game. All of a sudden, the Suns looked like a basketball team. His presence alone made opponents think twice about attacking the rim. Offensively, the team had someone who, when the ball touched his hands, the defense didn’t run away from. Because when you see the Thunder and how they react to Ighodaro, it’s comical. They know he can’t shoot. They know his primary function is to connect the possession. So they retreat, and all that is left is Oso in an arena with the ball in his hands, and that is not threatening.

I think back to that game against the Denver Nuggets, when Khaman Maluach did get some run with Mark Williams out. Nikola Jokic and that offense are a machine, and the Phoenix Suns had no real answer. But when Maluach was on the floor, you could feel it shift a bit. He was not shutting Jokic down — nobody does — but his size and length made things uncomfortable for the three-time MVP. He disrupted sight lines, forced tougher passes, and made everything a little less clean, especially compared to when Oso Ighodaro was on him.

And still, he only played 11 minutes. 6 points, 2 blocks. Meanwhile, Ighodaro logged 34. You know how it ended. Jokic gets a clean look over Oso and closes it out, 125-123.

That has been part of the frustration with the rotations. Oso is a good player. For a 40th overall pick, the return has been strong. He gives you a lot. He screens well, he connects the offense, you can run sets through him, he moves, he rebounds, and he can switch defensively. There is value in all of that.

But he is more of a Swiss Army knife. Useful in many ways, not overwhelming in any. And maybe that is why Jordan Ott leans on him. He fits into everything and allows for differing offensive connections and defensive switchability. But I’ll tell you this, if I’m eating a steak, I’m not reaching for a Swiss Army knife. I want a weapon. I want a damn steak knife. That is Khaman Maluach.

He does not have the same all-around skill set as Oso Ighodaro, but he brings something different. Power. Motor. Length. Shot deterrence. And there is a hint of shooting there. It is not polished yet. He has not had the reps, but you can see the possibility of him stretching the floor when needed.

More than anything, he changes that geometry. His presence alone shifts how teams approach the paint. He gives you size and length at the rim. He will have his issues in space, especially in high pick-and-roll situations where his closeouts need work, but around the basket, he alters his behavior. Teams think twice, and they settle more.

You saw it in the numbers. Through three quarters, the Oklahoma City Thunder were 21-of-31 in the paint, 46.5% of their attempts. In the fourth, that dropped to 3-of-6, 35%.

In short, he nudges teams toward jump shots instead of letting them live downhill.

Chances are Mark Williams is done for the year. I would be surprised if we see him in Game 3. That shifts the focus to Jordan Ott and how he handles the frontcourt minutes. Does he start Khaman Maluach? Does he expand his role?

On Wednesday, Oso Ighodaro played 29 minutes, and Maluach played 18. I think that should flip. It gives you a better chance to compete. It also matters for development. This is the time to start thinking about next season, about what this team could look like, and what the rotation might be. Rosters change, that is part of the league, but Maluach is part of the future. Give him the minutes, give him the reps, and let him provide the size this team needs.

I will end on something a little ridiculous. I have been diving into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, watching everything in chronological order. Not release order. Timeline order. I am 14 movies in and heading toward Avengers: Infinity War. It’s a maniacal way to end my days, but for some reason, I started something, and I can’t stop until I am finished.

Why bring it up? Because Maluach feels like one of the infinity stones. And if the Suns ever rolled out Maluach with Rasheer Fleming, it starts to feel like the set is complete. Snap your fingers, and defenses have to adjust. It is a little tongue-in-cheek. I have preached patience all season, and now I am leaning the other way. But at this point, what are you really risking?

At this point, the downside of playing it safe outweighs the risk of finding something real. You are already down 0–2. The known quantities have not been enough, and sticking to them is not going to suddenly change the trajectory of this series. Maluach might not be polished, and there will be mistakes, but he offers a dimension this team otherwise lacks. And sometimes that alone is enough to tilt a game, or at least force the opponent to think twice.

If this season is going to end, it should end with clarity, not hesitation. Give him the floor, live with the results, and see if there is something there worth carrying forward. Because right now, that possibility is more valuable than the illusion of control.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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