Friday’s NBA Playoff slate features multiple teams on the precipice. We have Odds, expert picks and Friday’s TV schedule for all three games.

The Atlanta Hawks and Minnesota Timberwolves are one more misstep away from historically insurmountable 3-0 Series deficits. The Knicks and Cavaliers, meanwhile, will play for a 2-1 series lead at Madison Square Garden — and a leg up in what is expected to be a contentious first-round bout until the finish.

During the Nba Playoffs, The Athletic’s writers will make their straight-up picks. You’ll find picks, coverage and the latest odds here. Our in-depth NBA coverage is linked below the picks. For live NBA odds from BetMGM, click here.

No. 7 Hawks vs. No. 2 Celtics

7 p.m. ET on ESPN

What are the odds for Hawks vs. Celtics?

Series: Celtics lead 2-0

Series odds: Celtics -5000, Hawks +1500

The Celtics took care of business on their home floor in Games 1 and 2, building 20-plus point leads in both contests before winning each by 13.

Game 3 might be the Hawks’ last chance to make this series truly competitive. No team in NBA history has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in a best-of-seven round. Only three have even dragged themselves to a Game 7 after facing such a hole.

But Atlanta will need more from star guard Trae Young to have a puncher’s chance. Boston’s waves of long and physical perimeter defenders have neutralized Young through two games, holding him to 40 total points on 35% field goal shooting with 10 turnovers.

Needless to say, winning as underdogs on their home court will require significantly better efficiency.

Expert picks for Hawks vs. Celtics

No. 5 Knicks vs. No. 4 Cavaliers

8:30 p.m. ET on ABC

What are the odds for Knicks vs. Cavs?

Series tied 1-1

Series odds: Cavs -120, Knicks +100

The Cavaliers bounced back from a hard-fought Game 1 loss on Tuesday by authoring a dominant 107-90 win to level this first-round series 1-1. But make no mistake: there was drama to be parsed.

With just over two minutes to play in the fourth quarter and Cleveland ahead by 23, Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen picked up a flagrant foul for this block attempt on a fast break dunk by Julius Randle:

THIS RANDLE DUNK

Jarrett Allen was called for a flagrant 1 pic.twitter.com/8Osbh6ayXR

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 19, 2023

No suspensions needed to be handed out. No overtly seething words were exchanged. But Randle’s steely postgame challenge further set the tone for what has been a physical and competitive matchup thus far.

After the Knicks delivered the first punch in Game 1, the Cavaliers responded with the help of breakout performances by Darius Garland (32 points) and Caris LeVert (24), plus a collective defensive effort that limited New York to 36.7% shooting and scored 32 points off 18 turnovers.

The Knicks are now favored to jump back in the driver’s seat in Game 3 — but only slightly.

Expert picks for Knicks vs. Cavs

No. 8 Timberwolves vs. No. 1 Nuggets

9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

What are the odds for Timberwolves vs. Nuggets?

Series: Nuggets lead 2-0

Series odds: Nuggets -2500, Timberwolves +1100

The Timberwolves made clear in Game 2 that they are no pushovers, overcoming a double-digit first half deficit to trade blows deep into the fourth. Anthony Edwards headlined the effort with his first career 40-plus point playoff performance.

However, the Nuggets ultimately pulled away in closing time to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.

In Game 1, Denver’s defense stood out. In Game 2, they got a different — but equally encouraging — sign for their prospects of a deep playoff run in Jamal Murray exploding for 40 points and six 3-pointers.

A DUEL IN DENVER

Ant Edwards: 41 PTS, 4 AST, 6 3PM
Jamal Murray: 40 PTS, 5 AST, 6 3PM

Nuggets get the W and secure a 2-0 series lead.#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google Pixel pic.twitter.com/SN0Ay4iUfK

— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2023

This is the Nuggets’ first full-strength playoff run — i.e., with Murray and Michael Porter Jr. healthy — since the bubble in 2020, when they reached the conference finals. They’ve looked the part of the West’s top seed so far and remain the favorites on a game-by-game basis as the series shifts to Minnesota.

Expert picks for Timberwolves vs. Nuggets

More on the NBA Playoffs

Celtics encouraging Robert Williams to add new tricks to his high-flying act

Hollinger: Warriors-Kings highlights possession battle’s impact in NBA playoffs

Knicks-Cavs series: Immanuel Quickley’s struggles, Evan Mobley effect and more

(Photo of Julius Randle: Jason Miller/Getty Images)