Our Daily NBA Tips focus on two crucial Game 4’s on Tuesday, starting with the Celtics looking to level things up in the Garden against the Knicks, before the Wolves and Warriors square off.
New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics
9:30am, Madison Square Garden
The Celtics managed to accomplish what they couldn’t in the opening two games on Sunday, blowing out the Knicks 115- 93 in the Garden. Boston finally held on to a lead, shooting 50 per-cent from three with a huge contribution from Payton Pritchard off the bench. The Knicks have shown already that they have enough fight to make this a seven-game series, but it feels as though the Celtics can get by with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown just playing okay, as opposed to the Knicks, who need the absolute very best from Jalen Brunson. As always, Game 4 will depend heavily on how the Celtics shoot from three, but with their defence around the rim improving and Pritchard likely to receive increased minutes, this series feels like it’s starting to swing back in Boston’s favour.
Tip: Celtics 1-10 @ $2.80
Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves
12:00pm, Chase Center
It sounds like Steph Curry is a chance at returning by Game 6, but based on what we saw in Game 3 on Sunday, the Warriors have more pressing matters to address. Anthony Edwards erupted for a monster second-half, outdone only by Julius Randle, who was an absolute force down low on his way to a historic triple-double. Missing every three-pointer they attempted in the first half severely put the Warriors on the back foot last time out, and it’s become clear that when they fall behind, they tend to panic a little without Curry. The Wolves are prone to hot and cold performances quarter to quarter, but if Edwards picks up where he finished off, we should watch Minnesota go up 3-1 quite comfortably.
Tip: Wolves to Cover (-5)