The NBA playoffs are heating up, and Thursday, April 30, promises a thrilling triple-header of Game 6 action. With three pivotal matchups on the slate, fans are in for a night of high-stakes basketball where every possession could decide a series. For those looking to add some excitement to the viewing experience, SportsLine’s advanced computer model has crunched the numbers and identified a three-way parlay that could return over +600.
Thursday’s schedule tips off in the Eastern Conference, where the New York Knicks visit the Atlanta Hawks as 2.5-point favorites at 7 p.m. ET. Later, the Boston Celtics host the Philadelphia 76ers as 6.5-point favorites at 8 p.m. ET. In the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets welcome the Minnesota Timberwolves as 6.5-point favorites at 9:30 p.m. ET. The over/under totals for these games are set at 213.5, 212.5, and 224.5 points, respectively.
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, has been on an incredible run. Over the past eight-plus seasons, it has generated over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated picks. Entering the second full week of the 2026 playoffs, the model is riding a sizzling 25-9 streak (74%) on top-rated spread picks this season. For those following its advice at sportsbooks or betting apps, the returns have been substantial.
After simulating all three games 10,000 times, the model has locked in three confident NBA best bets. If you combine them into a parlay, the potential payout exceeds +600. One of the key picks is backing the New York Knicks (-2.5) to cover the spread against the Hawks. While Atlanta is fighting to stay alive on its home court—where it went 25-18 this season, including playoffs—the Knicks have the momentum to close out the series 4-2.
New York’s balanced attack has been a hallmark of their success. During the regular season, the Knicks boasted the 10th-best scoring offense, averaging 116.5 points per game, while allowing the fifth-fewest points at 110.1. Jalen Brunson is projected to lead the way with 26.4 points on Thursday, and five Knicks are forecasted to score 11.3 points or more. On the other side, Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson is expected to contribute 21.9 points, with six Hawks players projected to reach double figures. The model predicts the Knicks will win by three points, making the -2.5 spread a strong play in well over 50% of simulations.
As the playoffs intensify, every game brings new drama and opportunities. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just looking for some basketball insight, these predictions offer a data-driven look at what could unfold on the court. For the full breakdown of the model’s top picks and the complete parlay, be sure to check out the latest analysis.