Four NBA Playoffs series head into Game 4 on Sunday, with three series at 2-1 and one 3-0. The day tips off with the New York Knicks–Philadelphia 76ers series that has been rife with drama. The 76ers are favored by 4.5 points to win Game 4 and tie the series.
Next is a fading Los Angeles Clippers team that hasn’t gotten stronger with the return of Kawhi Leonard. They’re staring down another road game in a series that the Dallas Mavericks could easily push to 3-1.
Next up, the Milwaukee Bucks visit the Indiana Pacers in a tale of unfortunate injuries, with potentially both Bucks stars out for Game 4 against a determined Pacers lineup. The final matchup is Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Phoenix Suns, where the Suns are facing elimination at home.
We have odds, previews and staff picks for all of Sunday’s NBA Playoff action.
All odds from BetMGM. Find the best deals on StubHub for tickets.
No. 2 New York Knicks at No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers
How to watch: 1 p.m. ET on ABC
New York leads series 2-1
Series odds: Knicks -250, 76ers +190
And in one wild night in Philadelphia, we have ourselves a series. Joel Embiid had a monster night, scoring 50 points on 68 percent shooting — plus four assists and eight rebounds.
If you missed the game, maybe this will help you imagine how physical things got: 19 of Embiid’s points were free throws (13-of-19 from the field and 19-of-21 from the free-throw line), and Embiid was called for a flagrant foul for pulling on Mitchell Robinson’s legs from the ground. That’s not to mention the Embiid’s-knee-to-Isaiah-Hartenstein’s-groin encounter. In the words of Zach Harper, who writes The Athletic’s NBA newsletter, “They can’t ever have one normal matchup.”
The first two games, in New York, were close matchups, with Jalen Brunson struggling to find his rhythm and shooting just 29 percent over both games. In Game 3 in Philly, Brunson looked like himself, shooting 48 percent and getting 39 points (13-of-27), 13 assists and two rebounds. But it wasn’t enough to overcome Embiid’s furious play and Philly’s overall 54.7 percent shooting (41-of-75 and 15-of-31 from three). Tyrese Maxey shot 25 points and added seven assists and four rebounds.
It’s hard to see either team losing at home in this series.
Expert picks for Knicks at Sixers
No. 4 LA Clippers at No. 5 Dallas Mavericks
How to watch: 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC
Dallas leads series 2-1
Series odds: Mavs -400, Clippers +310
The irony of this matchup is that the Clippers looked better without superstar Kawhi Leonard on the court. Leonard was out in Game 1 due to a knee injury, and the Clippers won 109-97 with leading performances by James Harden (28 points, eight assists, two rebounds), Paul George (22 points, three assists, six rebounds) and Ivica Zubac and his double-double (20 points and 15 rebounds).
In Friday’s Game 3, Leonard looked far less than 100 percent, and he’s questionable for Game 4. He scored nine points and two assists, though he did contribute nine rebounds. Only three Clippers got double figures on the scoreboard Friday, with 21 coming from Norman Powell off the bench.
Meanwhile, Dallas has found its footing since winning Game 2. It won Game 3 101-90 and with roleplayers showing up in a big way on the home court. Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic got 21 and 22 points, respectively, with Doncic adding 10 rebounds and nine assists. But we also saw great performances from P.J. Washington and Dereck Lively II.
Expert picks for Clippers at Mavs
No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks at No. 6 Indiana Pacers
How to watch: 7 p.m. ET on TNT
Indiana leads series 2-1
Series odds: Pacers -600, Bucks +425
Game 3 was a tough hit for the struggling Bucks. In the absence of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Damian Lillard gave two heroic performances in Games 1 and 2 — he scored 69 points, 35 points, eight assists and 10 rebounds. But in Game 3, near the end of the fourth quarter before the game went to overtime, Lillard got hurt, which hampered his performance in OT. The Bucks lost 121-118, despite an also-heroic performance from Khris Middleton with 42 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports Lillard is doubtful for Game 4 after aggravating an Achilles injury.
Milwaukee Bucks star Damian Lillard has suffered a strained Achilles, is in a walking boot and there is serious doubt over his availability for Game 4 vs. Pacers on Sunday, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/jQUJpovsSM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 27, 2024
With potentially both of the Bucks’ big stars out, the Pacers’ advantage grew to a 9.5-point spread on BetMGM.
And this Pacers squad does deserve praise. Pascal Siakam has averaged 30 points and 11 assists per game in this series. Myles Turner is averaging 22.7 points, eight rebounds and three assists per game. In Game 3, Jalen Smith was the only Pacer not to score and he only spent three minutes on the court. Six Pacers got double figures.
If Lillard is out for Game 4, Indiana has what it takes to cover.
Expert picks for Bucks at Pacers
No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 6 Phoenix Suns
How to watch: 9:30 p.m. ET on TNT
Minnesota leads series 3-0
Series odds: Timberwolves -3000, Suns +1600
Can the Phoenix Suns win a game at home and avoid a sweep? The playoff dominance of this young T-Wolves core came as something of a surprise, considering the Suns beat them comfortably in all three regular-season meetings.
Anthony Edwards has had a magnificent playoff showing so far and was the high scorer in Games 1 and 3, dropping 33 and 36 respectively. But even with his off-shooting night in Game 2 (15 points), the Timberwolves roleplayers stepped up. Six T-Wolves were in double digits, with Jaden McDaniels getting the game-high 25 points, and adding three assists and eight rebounds.
But will Minnesota keep it up for Game 4? If the Suns come out hot, which they are capable of doing, it’s easy to see the Timberwolves losing Game 4 in Phoenix and win the series at home in Game 5. The odds for the matchup seem to suggest this outcome because the Timberwolves are only favored by 1.5, even though they’ve won every game by 12 points or more.
Minnesota has crushed the Suns on rebounds (except for Game 2), and the supposed killer trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal has not been so killer in these playoffs. Will a 3-0 deficit be enough to spark more life into this Suns team?
Expert picks for Timberwolves at Suns
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(Photo of Joel Embiid and Donte DiVincenzo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images)
