Knicks, Cavaliers, and Nuggets Face Game 3: Here's Where the Smart Money Is Going

The NBA Playoffs roll on tonight with Game Three action across three first-round matchups, and the underdogs are already 2-for-3 in terms of landing the best bets in Game Two. So do they keep the upset train rolling, or do the favorites finally lock in? Let's break down where the value actually is.

Knicks Need to Remember What Defense Looks Like

The Knicks had Game Two absolutely won. They were up 12 going into the fourth quarter and all they had to do was hold serve. Then Atlanta happened. The Hawks turned solid defense into an improbable comeback while the Knicks turned the basketball into a brick factory when it mattered most. Can the Hawks pull off the heist twice? Not counting on it. Yes, Atlanta made the plays when it mattered and they should bring some momentum into Game Three. But here's the thing: the Knicks have one of the best defenses in the NBA. It completely fell apart in the fourth quarter in Game Two, and I'm betting that doesn't happen again. The Knicks are not a great road team at 22-19, and Atlanta will have home court working for them. Still, take the Knicks on the money line at -110 on DraftKings. New York bounces back from those fourth-quarter meltdowns and wins this one outright.

Cavs Have Too Many Playmakers for Toronto to Stop

The Raptors have had a nightmare series in Cleveland. They lost both games played in Ohio, 126-113 and 115-105. The Cavaliers' trio of playmakers in Donovan Mitchell, James Harden, and Evan Mobley has been too much for Toronto's defense to contain. Toronto got a little bit smarter in the second half of Game Two by turning up the pressure on Mitchell, which could limit him from another 30-plus point night. But here's the trap: that pressure on Mitchell just becomes playmaking for Harden and Mobley to have career nights instead. Take the Cavaliers at -2.5 at -115 on DraftKings. Toronto will play better at home and hit some more threes to tighten things up, but Cleveland has way too many scoring threats. The Cavs cover.

Nuggets and Timberwolves in a Shootout

Denver's defense has been a concern all season, and it finally caught up to them in Game Two. They got outscored 29-21 in the fourth quarter and lost by five at home. Anthony Edwards is still banged up and won't be the same scorer he was in the regular season. That means Nikola Jokic and Jamaal Murray will be hungry to make up for a home loss. Expect them to bring it on offense, but don't bet on their defense improving. Denver put on a surprisingly solid defensive effort in Game One, then went back to their regular-season problems in Game Two. Take the OVER 233.5 at -108 on DraftKings. Minnesota will be more productive offensively at home, and Jokic and Murray will match them bucket for bucket. This game is a toss-up on the winner, but either way, expect a shootout.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.