NBA Playoffs picks, odds, how to watch Sunday: Lakers, Pistons, Magic, Bucks try to even series in Game 4s

Sunday’s NBA action sees four teams enter Game 4 attempting to even up the series. The Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks are down 2-1. On the other hand, the New York Knicks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers could increase the daylight between themselves and their first-round rivals. We’ve got odds, picks and how to watch every Sunday NBA playoff game.

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New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons Game 4

Knicks lead series 2-1

Series odds: Knicks -600, Pistons +425

Why the Knicks could win: This has been a contentious series, and the Knicks pulled out a road win when they really needed it after a poor showing in Game 2. New York found a way to get Karl-Anthony Towns involved (31 points), gaining control early. According to The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III, “Much of what got Towns going was in the flow of the offense. If the Knicks can continue that and put together significant stretches of stellar defense like they did in the second quarter, things should bode well for them the rest of the series.”

Why the Pistons could win: Even with Towns unlocked, the Pistons nearly won it in their first home playoff game since 2019, losing by just two points. The Pistons were steady and cut the Knicks’ lead multiple times in the fourth quarter. Dennis Schroder showed up in Game 3 with 18 points off the bench. Detroit needs more of that — offensive production outside of Cade Cunningham and Tim Hardaway Jr. — if they’re going to come back in this series.

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Los Angeles Lakers at Minnesota Timberwolves Game 4

Timberwolves lead series 2-1

Series odds: Timberwolves -210, Lakers +170

Why Minnesota could win: After notching their second win of the series in Game 3, Minnesota jumped from series underdog to favorite as the series heads into Game 4 in Minneapolis. The Wolves have looked the better team over the first three games: They’ve won eight of 12 quarters and have a plus-25 margin. Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid showed fans what clutch looks like in Game 3, closing the game on a 13-1 run after being tied with less than five minutes to go.

Why LA could win: After dominating the first two games of the series, Luka Dončić wasn’t himself on Friday, struggling with a stomach ailment. LeBron James, as he does, did his work to fill the Dončić-sized gap, putting up 22 points in just the first half. There’s room for improvement in the team around James; as The Athletic’s Jovan Buha wrote, the Lakers need more from everyone. But, despite Dončić’s illness, LA still nearly won Game 3. The game was tied with less than five minutes remaining. If Dončić is back to full health Sunday, the Lake Show has a good chance of gritting out a win and bringing the series to even before heading back to Los Angeles.

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Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic Game 4

Celtics lead series 2-1

Series odds: Celtics -5000, Magic +1900

Why Boston could win: The Magic hung on at the buzzer to take Game 3, 95-93, and start a comeback in the series. But how far will that comeback stretch? Boston, playing without Jrue Holiday (hamstring) and with a banged-up Jayson Tatum, scored a measly 11 points in the third quarter, struggled from 3 and had 19 turnovers — and yet still almost pulled out a win. Despite a bone bruise on his wrist, Tatum was back in Game 3 action and had a game-high 36 points.

Why Orlando could win: Orlando found a way to limit Boston to only nine 3s (9-for-27) in Game 3, and will look to keep that up in Sunday’s action. Kristaps Porziņģis is now an uncharacteristic 0-for-10 from beyond the arc in the series. The Magic made good on Tatum and Jaylen Brown combining for 13 of the Celtics’ 19 turnovers in Game 3. Paolo Banchero was a point away from continuing a 30-point streak in the postseason, and Franz Wagner had 32 in Game 3.

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Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks Game 4

Pacers lead series 2-1

Series odds: Pacers -200, Bucks +165

Why Indiana could win: Listen, the Pacers blew a second-half lead in Game 3 and let the Bucks get a foot in the door of the series. The two teams shot a combined 11-for-46 from 3 in the first half. But the Pacers have been the better team in this series, winning the first two games by an average of 13.5 points. Tyrese Haliburton is a master creator, with double-digit assists in all three games. One off-game does not a losing series make.

Why Milwaukee could win: Friday night, the Bucks adjusted. The Pacers have been pushing the tempo of this series, and it seemed to wear Milwaukee down in the first two games. Not so on Friday, when the Bucks came back from a second-half 10-point deficit to win by 16. Giannis Antetokounmpo ended the game with 37 points, as did Gary Trent Jr., a career playoff high for Trent in his first start of the series. With Trent in the starting lineup, the Bucks are moving in the right direction.

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(Photo of Anthony Edwards: Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images)