The 2025-26 NBA Playoffs should deliver some memorable moments, and we’re going to work hard to make them as profitable as possible for all of our VSiN subscribers. So, make sure you head over to the VSiN NBA Playoffs Betting Hub for all of our postseason content. I’ll continue giving out NBA best bets and player props here throughout the playoffs, and I’ll also occasionally write up features on anything big that shakes up the league. So, make sure you check out my work over the next couple of weeks. With that out of the way, let’s get into some NBA best bets and NBA player props for Thursday, April 23. Also, make sure you check out the picks page (linked right below) before games tip off. I occasionally add picks throughout the day. That’s also where you’ll get picks from my talented VSiN colleagues.

MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have!

Game 3: New York Knicks at Atlanta Hawks – 7:00 pm ET

Karl-Anthony Towns only had two assists in Game 2, but it’s hard to overreact to that. The Knicks got a little rattled late in that game, and the team stopped running good offense. We should see a more organized approach in Game 3, and playing through Towns should be a focal point for the group.

Towns had four assists in a Game 1 win over Atlanta, and he also had six assists against this Hawks team on April 6. In fact, before finishing with only two dimes in Game 2, Towns had at least three assists in seven consecutive games.

Towns has always been a capable playmaking hub, and leaning into that is something Mike Brown is going to want to do. It’ll take pressure off Jalen Brunson, and it’ll also keep New York’s star guard from tiring out late in games.

I’ll also note that the Hawks played their best basketball when they replaced Dyson Daniels with Jonathan Kuminga last game. That unlocked Atlanta offensively, but it should also make the team much worse defensively. We’ll see if Towns can exploit that here.

Bet: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 2.5 Assists (-126)

Game 3: Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors – 8:00 pm ET

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The Raptors aren’t feeling too confident with Jakob Poeltl right now. After playing only 21 minutes in Game 1, Poeltl played only nine minutes in Game 2. Head coach Darko Rajakovic stated that he still believes Poeltl will find a way to impact this series, but I’ll need to see it to believe it. And right now, Sandro Mamukelashvili looks like a great bet to finish with at least five rebounds. Mamukelashvili is averaging 9.0 rebounds per game in this series, having grabbed eight boards in Game 1 and 10 in Game 2. Mamukelashvili has also had at least five rebounds in eight of his last 10 games, and he has also gone Over tonight’s number in all five of the games he has played against the Cavaliers this season.

I’m also playing Evan Mobley to finish with at least 17 points. The big man is averaging 19.7 points per game in the last 16 games he has played with both James Harden and Donovan Mitchell, so he’s clearly enjoying the extra dose of playmaking in the backcourt. Mobley is also averaging 21.0 points per game in this series. I’m just not sure this Toronto team has the size required to prevent him from scoring around the basket, and Mobley can also score with his face-up game.

Bet: Sandro Mamukelashvili Over 4.5 Rebounds (-130)
Bet: Evan Mobley Over 16.5 Points (-114)

Game 3: Denver Nuggets at Minnesota Timberwolves – 9:30 pm ET

Jamal Murray’s point totals are a little higher at traditional shops than you can find on prediction markets, so make sure you’re taking advantage of all of your options. However, I do like the star guard to show up in this massive road Game 3. Murray has had at least 25 points in five of his six meetings with the Timberwolves this year, and he dropped 30 points in Game 1 and Game 2.

This is just a strong matchup for Murray, which might be weird to hear considering how good this Minnesota defense can be. But the Wolves are just 30th in the NBA against PnR ball handlers, 27th when it comes to putting opponents on the free throw line, 29th guarding handoffs, and 20th defending in transition. Murray can take advantage of all of that.

Murray should also be in for an uptick in efficiency at some point soon. His shooting splits through two games in this series are 38.3/27.3/100. I’m no mathematician but I believe it’s impossible to improve that third number. However, getting his FG% and 3PT% up can absolutely happen.

Bet: Jamal Murray Over 24.5 Points (-131)

Additional Plays

Nothing yet.

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