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Top 3 NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions: Thursday (4/25)

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The National Basketball Association has three first-round playoff games on tap for Thursday night. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic tip-off at 7 p.m. ET on NBA TV, while Game 3 of the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers tips at 7:30 p.m. ET, and it kicks off a doubleheader on TNT. The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers square off for Game 3 at Crypto.com Arena, with a tip time of 10 p.m. ET.

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Thursday’s Best NBA Bets

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All wagers are for 1 unit

Cleveland Cavaliers (+104) at Orlando Magic (-122) | O/U 198.5 (-112/-108)

The Cavaliers picked up a 97-83 win in Game 1 as a 5.5-point favorite, with the Under (206.5) cashing. Game 2 was basically a carbon copy, as Cleveland posted the 96-86 win as a 5.5-point favorite while the Under (205) connected, as the Cavs held serve at home. Now, the Magic get their crack on the home court in O-Town.

Cleveland has dominated this series of late, winning eight of the past 10 meetings since Oct. 26, 2022, while going an impressive 7-2-1 against the spread (ATS). The Under holds a 6-4 edge in that 10-game span, too.

While the scoring has resembled the days before the 24-second shot clock and the 3-point line, I am expecting a little more scoring in Central Florida. A total less than 200 points in this day and age of the NBA, even with the putrid offensive showings we’ve seen so far in this series, is insanity. Look, it isn’t going to suddenly be an up-tempo battle with end-to-end action, but we’ll see our first triple-digit score of the series, likely by Orlando. Back the Magic and the Over, as they get back into the series.

Bet: Magic Moneyline (-122) & Over 198.5 (-112)

New York Knicks (+156) at Philadelphia 76ers (-186) | O/U 202 (-110/-110)

The Knicks and 76ers shift to the City of Brotherly Love for Game 3. New York has surprised with a pair of victories to take a commanding 2-0 series lead. New York won 111-104 in Game 1 as a 4.5-point favorite with the Over (208.5) cashing. In Game 2, the Knicks won 104-101, but the Sixers covered as a 4.5-point ‘dog and the Under (206.5) hung on.

The Knicks have won five of the last six meetings this season since Jan. 5, while going 4-2 ATS. The Under is on a 5-1 run in these six meetings, too. Additionally, the Knicks have surprisingly won three of the past four trips to Wells Fargo Center, while the Under is 3-1 in those four outings.

Philadelphia was on fire to close out the regular season, covering 10 straight, while going 14-2 ATS in the final 16 games. While the 76ers posted a 105-104 win in the Play-In game against the Miami Heat, it failed to cover. The 76ers are just 1-2 SU/ATS in three postseason games. Something is missing on this Sixers team, and the Knicks are humming along. New York has won seven in a row dating back to April 7. What a value to back the Knicks, as they look to put away the Sixers, who are like a race car with a blown head gasket or cracked engine block. Conservative bettors should take the points, while more adventurous bettors should roll with the ML.

Bet: Knicks +4.5 (-110)

Denver Nuggets (-104) at Los Angeles Lakers (-112) | O/U 215.5 (-110/-110)

The defending NBA champions picked up a 114-103 win in Game 1 against the Lakers in Game 1, covering a 6.5-point number at Ball Arena in the Mile High City. The Lakers took the Nuggets to the mat in Game 2, but Denver escaped with a 101-99 win, while Los Angeles covered as a 7-point underdog. The Under has cashed in both games in this series.

The series shifts to Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, and the Lakers are looking to deal their way back into the series. Denver has been the kryptonite for LeBron James and the Lakers, with the Nuggets winning 10 consecutive meetings. The Lakers covered in Game 2, but Denver had covered the previous six in the series.

It’s hard to believe Denver is an underdog in Game 3. Take advantage, and back the champs on the moneyline. And if you’re looking for a Same Game Parlay (SGP), take the Under, too. The total has gone low in both playoff meetings while also going low in five of the past six meetings.

Bet: Nuggets Moneyline (-104) & Under 215.5 (-110)

Make sure to check out our other best bets for Thursday:

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Daniel E. Dobish is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Daniel, check out his archive and follow him @danieledobish.