Friday’s NBA playoff schedule features two Game 3s with a 2-0 series lead, but very different feels in these series. The New York Knicks head to Indiana after escaping two close games at Madison Square Garden. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves return home after two of the biggest wins in franchise history.
The Indiana Pacers are down 2-0 against the Knicks, but feel like they’re still in the series because they’ve been in both games and now get to play at home. The Denver Nuggets are down 2-0 and must hit the road. Will the defending champions be able to find a solution against Minnesota? Are the Timberwolves a legitimate surprise NBA title contender?
Home teams are favored in both games. Here’s a look at Friday’s NBA playoff games with staff picks, odds and previews.
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New York Knicks No. 2 vs. Indiana Pacers No. 6
How to watch: 7 p.m. ET on ESPN
Series odds: Knicks -400, Pacers +310
New York leads the series 2-0
The Pacers are probably frustrated at being down 2-0 in this series after Game 1 ended in the final seconds and after having a double-digit lead in Game 2. The good thing for the Pacers is that they can go home now. The value of this land is strong in the betting odds, with the Pacers favored by several points.
Indiana competed in both games despite having no answers for the Knicks on the defensive end. The Knicks shot over 50% from the field in both games (53.7 in Game 1, 57 in Game 2). New York was also hot at 3 points (11 of 23 in the first game, 14 of 30 in Game 2). This is either unsustainable or another sign of how bad Indiana’s defense is.
Jalen Brunson had “only” 29 points while nursing a foot injury in Game 2. He played 32 minutes, his lowest of the playoffs. Donte DiVincenzo and OG Anunoby took over, both scoring 28 points. Anunoby will be out for Game 3 with a hamstring injury.
Beyond the defensive struggles, Indiana experienced inconsistent play from its top players. Tyrese Haliburton only scored six points in the first game, although he backed it up with 34 in the second game. Myles Turner was the lone player in game two, scoring just six points. Pascal Siakam hasn’t really gotten going yet either, scoring less than 20 points in both games.
It’s possible the first two games showcased trends that will continue and the Knicks will improve, but there are plenty of things the Pacers can do better, and they were present in both games in New York in the fourth quarter. This is probably why Indiana is such a big home favorite.
Expert Picks for Knicks at Pacers
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No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves
How to watch: 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
Series odds: Timberwolves -550, Nuggets +400
Minnesota leads the series 2-0
The defending champions are on the ropes in this one. Denver had a few days to recover from its 2-0 series deficit. Game 2 was back on Monday, giving these teams three days off.
Those three days off could be critical for Jamal Murray, who clearly wasn’t at full strength while playing due to a calf injury. Murray didn’t score from the field in the first half of Game 1 (and finished with 17 points) and was even worse in Game 2. Murray was 3 for 18 on Monday with just eight points.
Minnesota may be a transcendent team with a rising superstar in Anthony Edwards, but Denver also isn’t the same team that won the title last year if Murray can barely make a shot. If Murray is closer to 100 percent, this series will look a lot different – if it’s not already too late. This should be a raucous Minnesota crowd, with the Timberwolves looking like a serious threat to win it all.
The most shocking thing about Minnesota’s two wins in Denver is that neither game came down to the wire. The first game was close for most of the game, but Minnesota went up by 11 points with less than two minutes left to eliminate any late-game drama. Game 2 was a blowout from the second quarter onwards, and that was with Rudy Gobert not playing to witness the birth of his child.
The Timberwolves are home favorites, and after watching both games in Denver, it’s hard to be surprised. However, it’s also hard to believe that this Denver team won’t have an answer.
Expert Picks for Nuggets at Timberwolves
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(Photo by Anthony Edwards: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)