Category: Basketball

PHILADELPHIA — Game 3 was too soon for OG Anunoby.

Despite the Knicks’ optimism that his injury is minor, Anunoby was out for their clash against the 76ers Friday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena. He had been listed as questionable heading into the game.

Anunoby suffered a right hamstring strain during the Knicks’ 108-102 Game 2 win on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. But imaging revealed that it is a “very minor” strain, The Post’s Stefan Bondy reported, and he is truly considered day-to-day with confidence he should not miss much time.

The Knicks had to play at least one game without him, however. Miles McBride was elevated into the starting lineup in his place.

“Obviously things change a little bit,” Josh Hart said before Game 3. “He’s a great defensive player. So it just means guys that are playing are going to have to step up, cover for each other.”

The Knicks would not elaborate on whether Anunoby is able to run or what he is actually able to do on the court.

“We just have to go out and try to do our job, whatever our job is,” coach Mike Brown said before Game 3. “Nobody has to do anything extraordinary. Defensively and offensively, it’s the same with OG being out. It’s going to be a collective effort for everybody to step up. You always talk about next man up, that’s what it is during this time of the year or the regular season.”

Anunoby appeared to suffer the injury while driving to the basket during the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game. He began visibly limping, but remained in the game for a few plays and even attempted a dunk — though he was blocked. He asked for a sub and came out with 2:31 left in the game, went to the locker room and did not return.

He has arguably been the Knicks’ most consistent player this postseason — he is averaging 20.3 points on stellar 61.9 percent shooting from the field and 53.8 percent shooting from 3-point range. His defense — on Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu in the first round against the Hawks and primarily Paul George in this second-round series against the 76ers — has been superb.

Anunoby’s absence left a major hole to fill.

“OG’s been unbelievable,” 76ers coach Nick Nurse said before Game 3. “He’s been amazing both in the Atlanta series and in this series. He has been as good as I’ve ever seen him. He just keeps getting better and better, it’s a testament to him to continue to just keep playing. He guards every position. His shooting’s been great, now he’s even, his cutting game is great. Once he dribbles inside the line, you used to kind of think ‘let’s force him inside the line and who knows what’s going to happen.’ Now he’s dunking on people and hitting that 17-footer. He’s been doing everything at a super high level. … I’m a big fan of OG’s.”

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As the series shifts to Minnesota, the Timberwolves return home looking to respond in Game 3 against the San Antonio Spurs, with our NBA player prop projections identifying several strong value spots on the board.

By breaking down the data and comparing it to the latest market lines, we’ve uncovered where the strongest betting edges lie for this pivotal matchup.

These Spurs vs. Timberwolves predictions are driven by numbers instead of guesswork.

If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Friday, May 8.

Spurs vs Timberwolves computer picks for Game 3

Spurs	Timberwolves
Wembanyama o12.5 rebounds -110	Edwards u23.5 points -115
Castle o16.5 points -112	Gobert o10.5 rebounds -135
Fox o5.5 assists -105	Reid o1.5 3-pointers  -150

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Spurs Game 3 computer picks

Victor Wembanyama Over 10.5 rebounds (-110)

Projection: 13.44 rebounds

Death. Taxes. And Victor Wembanyama snatching up rebounds for the San Antonio Spurs like it's going out of style.

This one has become a staple for a reason, and there’s little indication that changes now. Expect Wemby to keep doing Wemby things and stay active on the boards.

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

Stephon Castle Over 16.5 points (-112)

Projection: 17.18 points

Stephon Castle has been operating like a well-oiled machine throughout the playoffs, especially against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He’s shot 50% or better in both Game 1 and Game 2 against Minnesota and has cleared his points prop in each outing.

With that level of consistency, there’s little reason to expect the trend to slow down anytime soon.

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

De'Aaron Fox Over 5.5 assists (-105)

Projection: 6.18 assists

De’Aaron Fox has cleared this assists line in five of the Spurs’ last seven playoff games, reinforcing how effective San Antonio is when he’s setting the table and keeping them within striking distance — or outright in control.

Playmaking is built into Fox’s game, and he’s not likely to drift away from what makes him most effective.

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

---

Timberwolves Game 3 computer picks

Anthony Edwards Under 23.5 points (-115)

Projection: 20.95 points

The Timberwolves are taking a cautious approach with Anthony Edwards’ health, making it no surprise that his points prop is leaning toward the Under.

While he’d undoubtedly like to bounce back and help erase the disappointment from Game 2, Minnesota’s priority is keeping his minutes in check to avoid aggravating his knee issue and risking further setback.

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

Rudy Gobert Over 10.5 rebounds (-135)

Projection: 11.56 rebounds

Rudy Gobert has been right on the edge of this rebounds line, grabbing 10 boards in both Games 1 and 2 against the Spurs.

With the Timberwolves looking to respond in Game 3, he should have another strong opportunity on the glass—and this time, it feels like he finally breaks through and hits the Over.

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

Naz Reid Over 1.5 3-pointers

Projection: 2.04 3-pointers

Naz Reid has been knocking down threes at a hot clip against the Spurs, shooting 67% in Game 1 and 75% in Game 2.

He’s consistently been good for at least one or two triples throughout the playoffs, and with the series shifting back to Minnesota, there’s little reason to expect that trend to slow down now. He'll do enough from beyond the arc to clear the Over in Game 3.

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

How to watch Spurs vs Timberwolves Game 3

Location	Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Date	Friday, May 8, 2026
Tip-off	9:30 p.m. ET
TV	Prime Video

Not intended for use in MA.
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With free agency still more than a month away, teams already eliminated from the postseason are putting together their big boards. Targets they’re interested in. Assets they have available. Ways to start piecing together the puzzle that will become the 2026-27 Phoenix Suns roster.

We all have our theories about who the Suns should add, who they could add, and how they can make the money work. At the same time, the front office is building its own board. And according to reports, two names on that list are players still active in the postseason. Two players who bring very similar traits.

Per Clutch Points reporter Brett Siegel, the Suns have been linked to Dean Wade of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Harrison Barnes of the San Antonio Spurs.

Both players are power forwards who can stretch the floor. Neither gives you much interior size, still, both provide a real presence from beyond the arc.

Harrison Barnes will be 34 next season and entering his 13th year in the league. He’s coming off his second season with the San Antonio Spurs and made $19 million last year. San Antonio does hold his Bird rights if they want to bring him back. Given the youth movement happening there, it’s hard to see them spending heavily to retain Barnes at this stage.

Dean Wade is interesting for different reasons. He’s 29 years old with six seasons of NBA experience, all spent with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He’s finishing up a three-year, $18.5 million contract. Cleveland is operating over the second apron, which means tough business decisions are coming. They also hold Wade’s Bird rights, still, retaining him could become difficult depending on how aggressive they want to be financially.

So the question becomes, what is their value on the open market? And is it something the Phoenix Suns would be willing to pay?

There are other factors involved as well. If the Suns move off either Grayson Allen or Royce O’Neale, or both, then Dean Wade becomes a much more intriguing target. You don’t want to overpay for him, still, he could replicate parts of the outgoing skill set while giving you more size in the process.

Harrison Barnes is different for me. On a veteran minimum deal, sure. Beyond that, I’m not interested at this point.

Given the fact that Phoenix will probably operate on the fringes instead of chasing splashy trades, these are the kinds of names you should expect them to be tied to. Moving off Allen or O’Neale is realistic, and doing so could open different ways to improve around the margins. You still have to replace what those players provide.

Wade shot 36.2% from three this season. Barnes shot 38.8%. Both are complementary pieces that can help in spot starts and rotational roles. The question becomes role expectation. They’re unrestricted free agents. Maybe they want more. Maybe they want starting opportunities, similar to what Tyus Jones once sought in Phoenix.

That’s where restraint matters. If starting promises are part of the pitch, the Suns should pass. You already have Rasheer Fleming sitting there. He should be getting starts at power forward next season, not veterans born during the Bush administration.

That’s my two cents. Let us know in the comments how you feel about the Suns being linked to these two players.

DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks hired Mike Schmitz as general manager on Friday, naming the Portland Trail Blazers' assistant GM to his new role three days after introducing Masai Ujiri as team president and alternate governor.

The announcement gives Schmitz the title Nico Harrison held until he was fired in November, nine months after trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a move that backfired badly on the franchise.

The Mavericks said Schmitz would oversee day-to-day management and strategic alignment in the club's basketball operations department.

The move comes with Dallas still not having provided any clarity on the future roles of Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi. They were named co-interim GMs when Harrison was fired and engineered the trade of Anthony Davis, the centerpiece acquired by Dallas in the Doncic deal, to Washington.

Schmitz and the Nigerian-raised Ujiri have strong ties to Africa. Schmitz has spent time working on youth basketball development in Ujiri's homeland and has served as an assistant coach with the Ugandan national team.

Schmitz joined the Trail Blazers in 2022 after spending five years as a draft analyst at ESPN.

“I have tremendous respect for Masai, this ownership group and the vision they have for the future of the franchise,” Schmitz said. “I'm excited to get to work alongside the talented people already in place and help build a championship-caliber organization.”

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

The San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves meet in Game 3 of their Western Conference semifinals series. The teams split the first two games in San Antonio. Game 3 is in Minneapolis. The Spurs are favored by 4.5 points. The over/under for the matchup is set at 216.5.

How to watch San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

• Date: Friday, May 8

• Time: 9:30 p.m. ET / 6:30 p.m. PT

• Where: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota

• TV Channels: Amaz

• Live Stream:NBA League Pass | Follow on Yahoo Sports

Odds

• Spread: Minnesota Timberwolves +4.5

• Moneyline: Minnesota Timberwolves +165 (36.2%) / San Antonio Spurs -198 (63.8%)

• Over/Under: 216.5

Series schedule, results

Game 1:Timberwolves 104, Spurs 102
Game 2:Spurs 133, Timberwolves 95
Game 3: San Antonio at Minnesota (Friday May 8, 9:30 ET, Prime Video)
Game 4: San Antonio at Minnesota (Sunday May 10, 7:30 ET, NBC/Peacock)
Game 5: Minnesota at San Antonio (Tuesday May 12)*
Game 6: San Antonio at Minnesota (Friday May 15)*
Game 7: Minnesota at San Antonio (Sunday May 17)*

The game of basketball can be complex. But often, its solutions can be simple. For the Lakers, there are two things they consistently haven’t been able to do this postseason: grab rebounds and control the basketball.

Against Houston in the first round, they eventually won the battle of the boards as the series progressed, but now in the second round, the Thunder are winning in this department.

Across two games, OKC has outrebounded Los Angeles 76-71. Turnovers have been even more concerning. The Lakers lead the playoffs in turnovers, averaging 18.1 per game. In their Game 2 loss, the Lakers had 21 turnovers, and the Thunder scored 26 points off them.

“You can start seeing some trends here,” Lakers head coach JJ Redick said postgame. “We probably need to go back to the two keys we had against Houston which is take care of the ball and box out. It’s not on a high volume, but they’ve killed us in both games. Every time they’ve gotten an offensive rebound, they’ve scored.”

If you give the Thunder additional opportunities, they will make you pay. OKC leads the NBA in 2nd chance points, averaging 18 per game in the playoffs. Against the Lakers, that number has increased to 19. With LA struggling to take care of the ball and unable to retain possession on misses, it’s no surprise they are down 2-0 in this series.

“I think tonight, we did a good job with our first defense, but we have to clean glass,” LeBron James said. “We have to do a better job. We let Chet get some offensive rebounds and some putbacks, either get to the free throw line or some putbacks. [Against] a team like that, you can’t give up second-chance points. We did a great job in the Houston series as the series went on of being better at that. We got to do a better job of hitting and not allowing them to get second-chance points. When you’re able to hold a team like that to a first stop, I think we can get better at that.”

Before this series started, LeBron mentioned a need to take care of the details. In Game 1, the Lakers all agreed that it didn’t happen. Now, after Game 2, the chatter after the loss is more of the same.

So far, the Lakers haven’t been able to execute on all phases of a game for four quarters. The reason is a combination of the Lakers not taking care of things and the Thunder making that happen. This is a tough matchup for the Lakers. OKC is the favorite to win it all and hasn’t shown any cracks in its armor.

It’s up to the Lakers to create them, and that starts with controlling what they can control. In Game 3, they need to grab those boards and be smarter with the basketball. If not, they’ll be one step closer to elimination.

You can follow Edwin on Twitter at @ECreates88 or on Bluesky at @ecreates88.bsky.social.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers head home today looking earn a much-needed win over the Detroit Pistons, as they trail 2-0 in this second-round series.

My Pistons vs. Cavaliers predictions are looking for superstar guard James Harden to get back on track in front of the home crowd.

Here are my best free NBA picks for Game 3 from Rocket Arena on Saturday, May 9. Don't miss tip-off at 3 p.m. ET on NBC, and for more on this game, read Ed Scimia's Pistons vs. Cavaliers props.

Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 3 prediction today

Who will win Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 3?

Cavaliers: The Cavaliers kept things close in Game 2 despite a poor performance from James Harden, and Harden should get back on track in the pivotal Game 3. Donovan Mitchell has played his best basketball at home, and the Cavs are 31-14 at Rocket Arena compared to just 25-21 across all other venues this season.

Pistons vs Cavaliers best bet: James Harden Over 18.5 points (-120)

James Harden delivered a dud in Game 2, scoring 10 points on just 3-of-13 shooting while failing to do much as a rebounder or facilitator. He’s been hounded with a reputation for flopping in the playoffs throughout his career, and I expect him to respond with a bounce-back effort in Game 3.

Harden is averaging 19.6 points per game in the playoffs, and he’s scored 19+ in five of nine outings. He’s reached that scoring milestone in 21 of 35 games with the Cleveland Cavaliersoverall and in nine of 16 at home. He finished with exactly 18 points in three more home appearances.

The superstar guard has averaged 22.8 points at home compared to just 17 on the road in his first postseason run with Cleveland, scoring at least 18 in all four games at Rocket Arena and at least 19 three times.

It’s do-or-die time for Cleveland, and with the series — and his reputation — on the line, I’m betting on a big game from Harden.

COVERS INTEL:James Harden has scored 19+ points in 112 of 182 career playoff games, good for 61.5%.

Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 3 same-game parlay

Harden has averaged 7.2 assists across 35 appearances with the Cavaliers, and he's dished at least seven dimes 23 times. Harden finished with exactly seven assists in four of five matchups against the Detroit Pistons this season, failing to do so only in his disappointing Game 2 performance.

The Cavaliers have failed to cover the spread in five straight road games, but they're 4-1 ATS across their last five at home. Cleveland will be playing with a major sense of urgency, looking to avoid a 3-0 hole that has never been overcome in playoff history.

I expect Harden to be better, and the combination of him and Donovan Mitchell will be too much for Detroit to contain.

Pistons vs Cavaliers SGP

• James Harden Over 18.5 points
• James Harden Over 6.5 assists
• Cavaliers -4.5

Our "from downtown" SGP: Comeback season

Donovan Mitchell averaged a career-best 28.7 points per game at home this season, scoring 26+ in 28 of 41 games at Rocket Arena and reaching that mark in 47 of 79 games overall. He averaged 29.8 points across four matchups with the Pistons, scoring 30+ and hitting the Over on this line three times.

Jarrett Allen bounced back from a poor showing in Game 1 with 22 points in Game 2. He's averaged 15.4 points across five matchups with the Pistons this season, hitting the Over on this line three times. Allen has averaged 12.8 points per game at home compared to just 10.6 on the road in this season's playoffs.

Pistons vs Cavaliers SGP

• Donovan Mitchell Over 25.5 points
• James Harden Over 18.5 points
• Jarrett Allen Over 10.5 points
• Cavaliers -4.5

Pistons vs Cavaliers odds for Game 3 today

• Spread: Pistons +4.5 (-105) | Cavaliers -4.5 (-115)
• Moneyline: Pistons +155 | Cavaliers -185
• Over/Under: Over 212.5 (-110) | Under 212.5 (-110)

Pistons vs Cavaliers betting trend to know

The Cavaliers have covered the spread in four of their last five home games. Find more NBA betting trends for Pistons vs. Cavaliers.

How to watch Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 3

Pistons vs Cavaliers latest injuries

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The Dallas Mavericks made something of a surprising hire on Friday after welcoming Masai Ujiri in as president of basketball operations and alternate governor in a press conference on Tuesday.

The Mavericks announced that Mike Schmitz will be the team’s next general manager, working under Ujiri. All of a sudden, the uncertainty surrounding Ujiri’s titles, neither of which were “general manager,” becomes a little clearer.

Schmitz comes to Dallas from the Portland Trail Blazers, where he has served as assistant GM since 2022. He is widely regarded as a keen talent evaluator. Shams Charania of ESPN first reported the news.

Schmitz worked as an NBA Draft analyst for ESPN before the Blazers hired him in 2022. Portland’s picks during Schmitz’s tenure in the Trail Blazers’ front office include Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, Kris Murray, Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen.

Schmitz was suspended for two weeks without pay by the NBA in April after the team self-reported that Schmitz and his fellow co-general manager, Sergio Oliva, made illegal contact with Yang in 2023, two years before the youngster from China was eventually drafted by the team. The NBA fined the Blazers $100,000 for that self-reported violation.

In Dallas, Schmitz will “oversee the day-to-day management and strategic alignment of the Mavericks’ basketball operations department,” according to a press release from the Mavericks’ PR machine. His experience across both domestic and international ball-knowing landscapes make him a unique fit under Ujiri, who also specializes in procuring talent from overseas.

“Mike is one of the most respected evaluators and basketball minds in the NBA,” Ujiri said in the release. “He brings intelligence, discipline, humility and a relentless work ethic to everything he does. Just as importantly, he understands how to build an aligned, collaborative culture across every part of a basketball organization. We are building something special in Dallas, and Mike will be a major part of that vision.”

At least part of Schmitz’ quote in the release will be of interest to those fans wondering what the move means for Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi, who served as co-interim general managers for most of the 2025-26 season, following the highly satisfying ouster of former GM Nico Harrison.

“Joining the Dallas Mavericks is an incredible opportunity,” Schmitz said in the release. “I have tremendous respect for Masai, this ownership group and the vision they have for the future of this franchise. I’m excited to get to work alongside the talented people already in place and help build a championship-caliber organization.” 

Finley and Riccardi are net positives in the front office, even if they didn’t have the juice to squeeze the GM seat in the end. The fact that Schmitz acknowledged “the talented people already in place” may bode well for Fincardi’s future with the organization. NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Friday after Schmitz’ hiring that Riccardi is still planning to attend Sunday’s NBA Draft Lottery, representing the Mavericks off-camera.

Schmitz has worked as an assistant coach for the Ugandan national team since 2018 and traveled around the globe as a scout for DraftExpress since 2012. Schmitz worked as a video coordinator for the Bakersfield Jam of the NBA G League during the 2012-13 season. He is a 2012 graduate of the University of Arizona.

The New York Knicks will try to take a commanding 3-0 lead over the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinals series. The Knicks won the first two games. The 76ers are favored by 1.5 points in Game 3. Joel Embiid is listed as questionable for Game 3.

How to watch New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers

• Date: Friday, May 8

• Time: 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT

• Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• TV Channels: Amazon

• Live Stream:NBA League Pass | Follow on Yahoo Sports

Odds

• Spread: Philadelphia 76ers -1.5

• Moneyline: Philadelphia 76ers -121 (52.4%) / New York Knicks +101 (47.6%)

• Over/Under: 213.5Series schedule, results

Game 1:Knicks 137, 76ers 98
Game 2:Knicks 108, 76ers 102
Game 3: New York at Philadelphia (Friday May 8, 7 ET, Prime Video)
Game 4: New York at Philadelphia (Sunday May 10, 3:30 ET, ABC)
Game 5: Philadelphia at New York (Tuesday May 12)*
Game 6: New York at Philadelphia (Thursday May 14)*
Game 7: Philadelphia at New York (Sunday May 17)*

*if necessary

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The Philadelphia 76ers return home in desperate need of a spark down 0-2, leaning on the energy of the Wells Fargo Center crowd as they try to claw back into the series. 

For Game 3 against the New York Knicks, our NBA player prop projections are locked in, highlighting several high-value opportunities identified by the model.

By analyzing the data against current market lines, we’ve identified where the strongest edges exist.

These 76ers vs. Knicks predictions are driven by numbers instead of guesswork.

If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Friday, May 8.

Knicks vs 76ers computer picks for Game 3

Knicks	76ers
Brunson o26.5 points -112	George o2.5 3-pointers  -135
Towns u11.5 rebounds +100	Oubre Jr. o11.5 points -125
Hart o4.5 assists -135	Maxey o6.5 assists +120

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Knicks Game 3 computer picks

Jalen Brunson Over 26.5 points (-112)

Projection: 28.17 points

Jalen Brunson has been a driving force for the New York Knicks, helping them jump out to a 2–0 series lead over the Philadelphia 76ers. He was incredibly efficient in Game 1, shooting 67% from the field en route to 35 points, then followed it up in Game 2 with 26 points on 43% shooting.

He’s either cleared this prop or landed just short of it in recent outings, and he looks like he's well in position to keep that production rolling as the Knicks head to Philadelphia for Game 3.

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Karl-Anthony Towns Under 11.5 rebounds (+100)

Projection: 11.97 rebounds

Karl-Anthony Towns has posted 6 and 10 rebounds in Games 1 and 2 as the Knicks head on the road, and the task won’t get any easier on the glass in a hostile Philadelphia environment where the crowd will be eager to rattle him.

After falling short of this rebound line even at home in New York, it’s fair to expect an even tougher night trying to get there on the road in Philly.

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Josh Hart Over 4.5 assists (-135)

Projection: 4.83 assists

Josh Hart is currently listed as probable for Game 3 with a thumb injury, but if he’s cleared to play, expect him to be heavily involved on both ends as he looks to impact the game in whatever way the New York Knicks need.

From a production standpoint, Hart has consistently delivered in this area, clearing his assists line in 5 of 8 playoff games so far. He’s also recorded six assists in each of the first two games of this series against Philadelphia, reinforcing his steady playmaking presence.

Even with the thumb issue in the background, the expectation is that he continues facilitating and keeping the offense moving without much drop-off in involvement.

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76ers Game 3 computer picks

Paul George Over 2.5 3-pointers (-135)

Projection: 2.74 3-pointers

Paul George has been knocking down shots from beyond the arc with consistency. After drilling 67% of his threes in Game 1 against the Knicks and opening Game 2 on a heater with five made triples, he’ll look to stay aggressive from deep.

With that kind of rhythm already established, he should be even more inclined to keep firing from three-point range in front of the Philly crowd and push past this prop line.

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Kelly Oubre Jr. Over 11.5 points (-125)

Projection: 12.89 points

After putting up 12 and 19 points in Games 1 and 2 against the Knicks, Kelly Oubre Jr.’s scoring line looks well within reach. Philadelphia will need his offensive output — and then some — to help keep New York in check.

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Tyrese Maxey Over 6.5 assists (+120)

Projection: 6.56 assists

Whether Joel Embiid suits up for Game 3 or not, Tyrese Maxey will be the focal point in Philadelphia’s effort to keep their season alive and they’ll need him to do a little bit of everything.

Getting his teammates involved will be key to slowing down the Knicks, while also easing some of the scoring burden on his shoulders. That balance should work in Maxey’s favor with so much being asked of him.

The more Maxey leans into his role as a facilitator, the better chance the 76ers have of keeping New York off balance and less locked in on their primary playmaker.

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How to watch Knicks vs 76ers Game 3

Location	Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Date	Friday, May 8, 2026
Tip-off	7:00 p.m. ET
TV	Prime

Not intended for use in MA.
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The Milwaukee Bucks face a difficult decision this offseason regarding Giannis Antetokounmpo and his future with the franchise. Antetokounmpo could be seeking a trade to a team closer to competing for a championship as he enters his 30’s and the Bucks’ attempts at remaining competitive have fallen short, especially after a 50-loss campaign that saw Milwaukee miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 season.

What the Bucks are saying about Giannis

Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam spoke about Antetokounmpo’s future and what to expect from him to reporters, including Athletic insider Eric Nehm:

“Listen, Giannis has brought Milwaukee its second championship and the first in 50 years. He’s a phenomenal player. He’s a phenomenal person. He’s arguably one of the best basketball players in the world, and we will do what’s best for Giannis and what’s best for the organization… We don’t know whether Giannis will stay with us or not, but we’ll work through that with Giannis in the coming weeks.”

The Bucks appear to be putting the ball in Giannis’ court, at least publicly. If he wants to stay, the Bucks aren’t going to rush trading him away. As Haslam mentioned, he is one of the greatest players in franchise history, and the Bucks would be silly to trade him for a number of reasons. The owner also told reporters that if the decision is to trade him, they want to have it settled by the draft:

“I just think before the draft is a natural time, right? Because if Giannis does play somewhere else, then we ought to get a lot of assets, and it’s (general manager Jon Horst‘s) job to do it. If he’s here, then you build the team differently.”

Why the Bucks should trade Giannis

The Bucks could benefit from a trade as it will force them to start over with a clean slate to get the rebuild started. Antetokounmpo’s value may not be higher than what it currently is, so the Bucks should cash in and acquire a pillar or two that will help them lay the foundation for what the future of the team will look like. It’s not an easy decision to make and the Bucks have delayed this move for as long as possible, but they may be reaching the end of the road.

Why the Bucks should keep Giannis

Very few legends stay with one team their entire career, and it says something if the Bucks were capable of doing that with Giannis. It would help create a culture that could last way beyond the time Giannis plays his final game with the Bucks. This isn’t to say that once Giannis stops playing in Milwaukee, he won’t be remembered for his time with the franchise, but it will add an extra bit of legacy, satisfaction, and respect around the league if he were to stay with the Bucks for his entire career. The Bucks want to keep Giannis as long as possible, but their willingness to do right by their superstar is a sign of respect in itself, and the team has doubled down on that sentiment many times over the past several years.

Has Giannis played his final game with the Bucks? Chime in in the comments section below.

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The Knicks are heading to Philadelphia with a 2-0 lead ahead of Game 3.

In a Game 2 defined by lead changes and physical defense, the Knicks pulled away from the Sixers late thanks to Jalen Brunson, who finished with 26 points and hit a series of clutch jumpers in the final minutes.

Despite being without Joel Embiid, who was sidelined with hip and ankle soreness, the 76ers remained competitive throughout the night thanks to a 26-point effort from Tyrese Maxey and double-doubles from both Paul Reed and Kelly Oubre Jr.

Embiid is listed as questionable tonight, and the Knicks have two starters who left Game 2 with injuries. Both Josh Hart (thumb) and OG Anunoby (hamstring) will be game-time decisions tonight.

The next game in the Knicks vs. 76ers series is scheduled for Sunday night.

Knicks vs. 76ers start time:

Tonight’s (May 8) Knicks vs. 76ers Game 3 is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET.

How to watch Knicks vs. 76ers for free:

Tonight’s game is one of the NBA Playoffs games streaming exclusively on Prime Video, so you’ll need an Amazon Prime subscription to watch.

If you aren’t a Prime Video subscriber yet, you can get started with a 30-day Amazon Prime free trial, including Prime perks like the Prime Video streaming service, free two-day shipping, exclusive deals, and more. After the free trial, Amazon Prime costs $14.99/month or $139/year.

All 18- to 24-year-olds, regardless of student status, are eligible for a discounted Prime for Young Adults membership as well, with age verification. After a six-month free trial, you’ll pay 50% off the standard Prime monthly price of $14.99/month — just $7.49/month — for up to six yearswith all the perks.

Knicks-76ers second round playoff schedule

• Game 1: Knicks 137, 76ers 98
• Game 2: Knicks 108, 76ers 102
• Game 3: Friday, May 8 (7 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
• Game 4: Sunday, May 10 (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
• Game 5: Tuesday, May 12*
• Game 6: Thursday, May 14*
• Game 7: Sunday, May 17*

* if necessary

Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post

This article was written by Angela Tricarico, Commerce Streaming Reporter for Post Wanted Shopping, Page Six, and Decider.com. Angela keeps readers up to date with cord-cutter-friendly deals, and information on how to watch your favorite sports teams, TV shows, and movies on every streaming service. Not only does Angela test and compare the streaming services she writes about to ensure readers are getting the best prices, but she’s also a superfan specializing in the intersection of shopping, tech, sports, and pop culture. When she’s not writing about (or watching) TV, movies, and sports, she’s also keeping up on the underrated perfume dupes at Bath & Body Works and testing headphones. Prior to joining Decider and The New York Post in 2023, she wrote about streaming and consumer tech at Insider Reviews.