NBA betting: Five bets that stand out for Thursday's playoff games - ESPN
The 2025 NBA playoffs continue Thursday with three Game 3s, starting with the Detroit Pistons hosting the New York Knicks (-1.5, 214.5). That is followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder (-9.5, 227.5) at Memphis Grizzlies, then the Denver Nuggets at LA Clippers (-5.5, 212.5).
Here are some of the bets that stand out for Thursday's games.
Odds are as of publication time. For the most up-to-date odds, visit ESPN BET
Karl-Anthony Towns to score 25+ points (+150). The Knicks didn't acquire Towns just to limit his shot volume in the playoffs. He had only 14.0 field goal attempts in Game 1 and 11.0 in Game 2 — well below his regular-season average of 17.0 attempts per game. Towns also averaged 24.4 PPG during the regular season, giving him a reasonably high scoring floor. He can score from anywhere on the court and is capable of putting up points in bunches. The Knicks should lean heavily on Towns in Game 3. — Eric Moody
Kris Dunn over 12.5 points, rebounds and assists (-105). The Nuggets were torched by Kawhi Leonard in Game 2, and they'll likely adjust by throwing multiple defenders at him in Game 3. But will they leave James Harden or Norman Powell open? That's unlikely, and could free up Dunn for some clean looks. He's gone over this line in both Games 1 and 2 of the series. Dunn has also hit this mark in nine of 14 games this season when playing 20+ minutes alongside Leonard, Harden and Powell. — Moody
Malik Beasley over 3.5 total 3-pointers (-125). Beasley has averaged 3.9 3-pointers per game on the season, but when he's on from downtown he tends to make them in bunches. In the three games leading up to Game 2, Beasley dropped 20 3-pointers with at least six made treys in each game. He's got a similar trend against the