2026 NBA playoffs first-round series odds: Knicks-Hawks Game 3 is a pick ’em
In an NBA playoffs that, coming into Wednesday, had seen the underdogs win half of the video games, normalcy was restored for a night time with the No. 1 seeds in motion. Detroit and Oklahoma City each took care of enterprise.
All eight first-round series have accomplished two video games, which suggests venue adjustments for each series. Only three groups have 2-0 series leads: Oklahoma City, Cleveland and the Los Angeles Lakers.
On Thursday, the New York Knicks head to Atlanta, Cleveland goes for a 3-0 lead and the Denver-Minnesota rivalry continues.
This is a have a look at the chances for all eight first-round series within the NBA playoffs. It might be up to date day by day all through the playoffs, as the chances to win every series will shift with outcomes.
Eastern Conference playoffs
No. 1 Detroit Pistons vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic
Series tied 1-1
Game 3: 1 pm ET, Saturday
Series odds: Pistons -255, Magic +210
The Pistons entered (*3*) Game 2 having misplaced 11 straight residence playoff video games. That’s the form of streak that must be not possible.
Richard Hamilton was in attendance on Wednesday. Hamilton, who is 48 years previous and has been retired for 13 years, was enjoying for the Pistons the final time Detroit received a residence playoff recreation in 2008.
That’s why the Pistons’ 30-3 run to start out the third quarter will need to have been so cathartic for Pistons followers. The recreation was tied at halftime, however immediately the Pistons held a 27-point lead. Detroit received by 15.
The series is tied because it heads to Orlando. The Pistons are small favorites on the highway for Game 3.
No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers
Series tied 1-1
Game 3: 7 pm ET, Friday
Series odds: Celtics -500, 76ers +380
Philadelphia received on the highway in Game 2 as a 13.5-point underdog. The playoffs have had a justifiable share of upsets thus far, however this is the most important on paper. Now the series is even and going to Philly.
After having powerful capturing nights in Game 1, VJ Edgecombe and Tyrese Maxey mixed for 59 factors in a 111-97 win. Edgecombe, a rookie, went from 13 factors and 0-for-5 from 3-point vary in Game 1 to 30 factors and 6-for-10 from past the arc in Game 2.
Jaylen Brown poured in 36 factors, and Jayson Tatum was an help shy of a triple-double (19 factors, 14 rebounds, 9 assists), however no different Celtic reached double in scoring figures.
This is all with Joel Embiid nonetheless out. While Embiid continues to work his method again from appendicitis, the 76ers are hoping to hold within the series lengthy sufficient for Embiid to come back again.
Boston is nonetheless favored to advance and in Game 3 on the highway, however the 76ers can have hope of pulling off the upset of the Eastern Conference favorites.
No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 6 Atlanta Hawks
Series tied 1-1
Game 3: 7 pm ET, Thursday
Series odds: Knicks -185, Hawks +155
The hush that fell over Madison Square Garden because the Hawks pulled forward within the last minute of Game 2 was chilling. CJ McCollum went off for 32 factors, and the Knicks did not punish him for lacking two free throws within the last seconds of a one-point recreation.
Atlanta had one lead within the first 45 minutes, and it was by a single level. New York led by as many as 14 factors within the second half. It felt like a principally comfy, business-as-usual recreation for the Knicks till it wasn’t. Atlanta took the lead with an 11-0 run within the last 5 minutes, and the Knicks scored simply six factors within the last five-plus minutes.
After Atlanta’s 107-106 win, the series is tied, and now the Knicks must win on the highway to advance. New York is nonetheless favored to advance, however it’s shut with the Knicks at -185 on DraftKings, implying a almost 65 p.c likelihood of successful the series.
No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Toronto Raptors
Cavaliers lead series 2-0
Game 3: 8 pm ET, Thursday
Series odds: Cavaliers -1600, Raptors +900
Entering the playoffs, it wasn’t totally clear how the remade Cavs would jell in huge video games. Well, how does 83 mixed factors from Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley sound?
That trio bought no matter it needed, combining to shoot 33-for-50 from the sphere in a 115-105 Game 2 win. Mitchell has scored not less than 30 factors in each video games.
The Raptors must discover a technique to cease, or not less than restrict, Cleveland’s finest gamers after failing thus far. Having Brandon Ingram shoot higher than 3-for-15, as he did in Game 2, would assist, too.
After Cleveland held serve twice at residence, the series shifted to Canada. A Cavs sweep is the probably series final result on DraftKings at +165.
Western Conference playoffs
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 Phoenix Suns
Thunder lead series 2-0
Game 3: 3:30 pm ET, Saturday
Series odds: Thunder -20000, Suns +6000
The Thunder have been favored by 17.5 factors in a playoff recreation on Wednesday, which is a loopy factor to consider. The Suns received 45 video games within the common season. They aren’t scrubs. Yet, the Thunder are a dominant pressure, particularly at residence.
OKC did not cowl in Game 2, successful by 13 after Phoenix made a rally to get inside 10 factors with lower than 4 minutes remaining. Still, the Thunder are a digital lock to advance within the betting odds.
The Thunder are “only” favored by 9.5 for Game 3 in Phoenix.
No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 7 Portland Trail Blazers
Series tied 1-1
Game 3: 10:30 pm ET, Friday
Series odds: Spurs -550, Trail Blazers +400
This is the nightmare state of affairs for the Spurs. Victor Wembanyama bounced his head on the ground twice in Tuesday’s Game 2 and left with a concussion after enjoying simply 12 minutes. It’s unclear how lengthy he might be out, however it’s a large shift within the series, particularly after the Trail Blazers received to even the series.
The Spurs have been down by two within the second quarter when Wemby left and misplaced 106-103. De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell and Stephon Castle all had off capturing nights, going a mixed 19-for-52 from the sphere and 3-for-14 from 3-point vary. Everything is more durable on each ends with out the unanimous Defensive Player of the Year.
Scoot Henderson went off for a season-high 31 factors, pouring in 5-of-9 3-pointers, in Portland’s victory.
San Antonio is nonetheless a heavy favourite to advance. Wemby seemingly will not miss your complete series with a concussion, however Portland has a nice alternative to place the Spurs in a gap with two residence video games arising.
No. 3 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves
Series tied 1-1
Game 3: 9:30 pm ET, Thursday
Series odds: Nuggets -240, Timberwolves +200
The Nuggets had a 17-0 run within the first quarter of Game 2 that constructed a 13-point lead earlier than Nikola Jokić took a shot. Denver additionally had three 4-point performs in a span of 4 possessions within the first quarter. And but, Minnesota received the sport and evened the series.
Denver’s nice begin resulted in a 19-point lead, however earlier than halftime, Minnesota turned issues round and led by as many as eight. The second half featured each groups arising with huge performs till Denver went chilly down the stretch.
It appears to be like like we may very well be in for one more doozy of a series between these two groups. Denver is nonetheless favored to advance, however Minnesota confirmed it must be a shut and really entertaining series.
No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 5 Houston Rockets
Lakers lead series 2-0
Game 3: 8 pm ET, Friday
Series odds: Lakers -135, Rockets +115
Kevin Durant returned for Houston in Game 2 whereas Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves nonetheless watched from the bench for the Lakers. The Lakers received anyway and are actually favored to advance.
The 2-0 series lead for LA provides the Lakers the luxurious of having the ability to be affected person with their lacking scorers. Even if LA loses each in Houston, 2-2 with a home-court benefit is nonetheless a first rate spot for the Lakers. The stress is on Houston to come back again.
The Lakers led by 15 within the first half, Houston got here again after which the Lakers rebuilt a 10-point lead within the fourth quarter and held off the Rockets down the stretch. LeBron James continues to defy the growing older course of with a 28-point night time. Plus, Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard mixed for 48 factors. Durant scored 23 factors, however had 9 turnovers within the loss.
It’s been ugly thus far for Houston, however residence courtroom might flip issues.