Best Betting Picks for Saturday’s NBA Playoff Matchups | Deadspin.com Apr 22, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) is defended by Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane (3) in the second half during game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images The tension between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves is already high with this being their third playoff battle in a four-season span. But a Minnesota victory on Saturday would really make things interesting.That would give the Timberwolves a 3-1 lead and this version of the Nuggets doesn’t really look like the team that can dig out of such a hole. So Game 4 rates as nearly a must-win for Denver if it wants to win the best-of-seven series.The Atlanta Hawks are also vying to take a 3-1 lead over the New York Knicks and that would rate as a stunning development. The Detroit Pistons are tied with the Magic after two games and an Orlando win on Saturday would be another interesting development.DENVER NUGGETS AT MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVESMinnesota delivered a first-half knockout blow in the Game 3 victory (113-96), limiting Denver to 11 first-quarter points and holding a 61-39 halftime advantage. The Nuggets can’t afford another tepid start and their poor showing was summed up by three-time MVP Nikola Jokic going 7-of-26 from the field and posting only three assists. Can’t win that way.Jokic, who still scored 27 points, will be counted on to find his usual form and the same goes for Jamal Murray (12 points on 5-of-17 shooting). Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels regularly earns raves for his defense but he contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds on the same night in which reserve Ayo Dosunmu produced 25 points on a night in which star Anthony Edwards had just 17 points.Motivated Minnesota won a Game 7 over Denver two seasons ago to reach the Western Conference finals for the first of two straight seasons. However, a bounce-back Jokic performance could be a series-changer and return the momentum to the Nuggets.Nikola Jokic to score 31-plus points, -116 (DraftKings) Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting NEW YORK KNICKS AT ATLANTA HAWKSThe Hawks have taken the series lead with back-to-back one-point wins and they can increase the pressure on New York with a Game 4 victory. Atlanta led by as many as 18 points in Game 3 but still needed CJ McCollum’s winning jumper to leave victorious. McCollum also stood out with 32 points in the Hawks’ Game 2 victory.Atlanta has won 15 of its past 16 home games with the lone blemish coming against the Knicks on April 6. New York would surely like to even the series before going home and Jalen Brunson (27.7 average in the series) will be counted on to forget an 0-for-5 from 3-point range performance and show the form of the first two games when he made 7 of 14.OG Anunbody stood out with 29 points and nine rebounds for the Knicks in Game 3 and a repeat showing would help New York’s chance. Meanwhile, Jalen Johnson is coming off a stellar performance for the Hawks with 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists and New York needs to clamp down on him and McCollum down the stretch.Knicks minus 2.5-point spread, -102 (DraftKings) Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting DETROIT PISTONS AT ORLANDO MAGICThe Pistons ceded homecourt advantage to Orlando with their Game 1 setback and now have their sights on returning serve. Detroit was much sharper with a 98-83 victory in Game 2, a contest it led by as many as 27 points.Pistons star Cade Cunningham had 27 points and 11 assists in Game 2 after pouring in 39 points in the opener. Orlando has yet to show it can contain Cunningham so coach J.B. Bickerstaff knows exactly what to do – continually feed the ball to Cunningham until the Magic show some resistance.Jalen Suggs (19 points) was Orlando’s leading scorer in Game 2 and that’s not a good thing when you have Paolo Banchero (18), Franz Wagner (12) and Desmond Bane (12) on the roster. Bane is just 9-of-31 shooting in the series and Orlando can’t win this series – or Game 3 – without Bane shooting significantly better.Pistons minus 2.5-point spread, -110 (DraftKings) Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting #Betting #Picks #Saturdays #NBA #Playoff #Matchups #Deadspin.com

Yastika Bhatia says it is ‘unbelievable’ to be on Lord’s honours board Yastika Bhatia said it felt “unbelievable” to have gained a coveted place on the Lord’s honours boards after becoming the first woman to score a Test century at the ‘Home of Cricket’ on Sunday.Yastika’s 113 was the cornerstone of India’s second-innings 341-7 declared on Sunday that left England needing a mammoth 427 to win the inaugural women’s Test at Lord’s.At stumps on the third day, England had slumped to 130-6 with India well-placed to complete victory in a fixture being played 142 years – and 150 matches – on from the first men’s Test at the celebrated London ground.Yastika’s innings, her maiden international century, was all the more creditable as it took place just six months after she endured surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament injury in her left knee.RELATED | Yastika’s century brings India to the precipice of victoryAnd the 25-year-old also had the additional responsibility of keeping wicket at Lord’s amid soaring temperatures in London.“I think it’s unbelievable,” Yastika told reporters after stumps.“Six months ago, I was in a very different place. And if you would have told me then I would have my name on the honours board, I wouldn’t have believed it.”‘Your time will come’Yastika spent part of her innings batting alongside fellow left-hander Smriti Mandhana, who was dismissed for 70 after scoring 83 in India’s first innings.As well as admiring the opener’s qualities as a batter, Yastika said Mandhana had also provided important guidance in her rehabilitation after also suffering an ACL injury.“I had a conversation with her and she just looked at me and she said this is going to be the turning point in your career.“We also met when I was in rehab and a little nervous But she said ‘you are a sincere kid, you are a good human — just keep doing the hard work and your time will come’.”But Yastika stressed it had been a long road back to full fitness.“I had to start from scratch,” she explained. “Each muscle you train, all the muscles around the knee you have to train.“And then slowly, slowly progress will happen, not like in one or two days. So it’s very frustrating missing out on big tournaments and just doing rehab.”Yastika, who thanked her family for their support, said it was wicket-keeping training that rekindled her love for cricket. Yastika spent part of her innings batting alongside fellow left-hander Smriti Mandhana, who was dismissed for 70 after scoring 83 in India’s first innings.
| Photo Credit:
AFP

Yastika spent part of her innings batting alongside fellow left-hander Smriti Mandhana, who was dismissed for 70 after scoring 83 in India’s first innings.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
“Just catches I did, not even batting, first I did keeping. So I was very happy. That day I was like a little kid smiling whole day that I did keeping after four months… And I felt the love of the game again after that.”Yastika had one moment of good fortune when to the first ball of Sunday’s play and still on her overnight 39 not out, a delivery from Lauren Bell brushed her off stump without dislodging the bails.But from then on she was in complete command, with Yastika 91 not out at lunch.There were no ‘nervous 90s’ for Yastika as she raced to her century in the first over after the interval, consecutive fours off Issy Wong taking her to 99 before a single off the fast bowler completed a century in 145 balls including 12 fours.“I thought that if I get some loose deliveries, I’ll try to make the most of it,” Yastika explained.“There was no rush from the dressing room, no extra pressure.“We also had wickets in hand. I always play best when I play for the team, so I was thinking that if we accelerate here, get some runs at good pace, it will be good.”Yastika eventually holed out to Sophie Ecclestone, with the England left-arm spinner also securing a place on the honours boards with a five-wicket haul.“She batted so well, and she really deserved that,” said Ecclestone of Yastika. “It’s pretty cool for her to be on the honours board.”Published on Jul 13, 2026 #Yastika #Bhatia #unbelievable #Lords #honours #board — Yastika spent part of her innings batting alongside fellow left-hander Smriti Mandhana, who was dismissed for 70 after scoring 83 in India’s first innings. | Photo Credit: AFP

#Yastika #Bhatia #unbelievable #Lords #honours #board">

mwasimuddin125 0

Yastika Bhatia said it felt “unbelievable” to have gained a coveted place on the Lord’s honours boards after becoming the first woman to score a Test century at the ‘Home of Cricket’ on Sunday.
Yastika’s 113 was the cornerstone of India’s second-innings 341-7 declared on Sunday that left England needing a mammoth 427 to win the inaugural women’s Test at Lord’s.
At stumps on the third day, England had slumped to 130-6 with India well-placed to complete victory in a fixture being played 142 years – and 150 matches – on from the first men’s Test at the celebrated London ground.
Yastika’s innings, her maiden international century, was all the more creditable as it took place just six months after she endured surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament injury in her left knee.
RELATED | Yastika’s century brings India to the precipice of victory
And the 25-year-old also had the additional responsibility of keeping wicket at Lord’s amid soaring temperatures in London.
“I think it’s unbelievable,” Yastika told reporters after stumps.
“Six months ago, I was in a very different place. And if you would have told me then I would have my name on the honours board, I wouldn’t have believed it.”
‘Your time will come’
Yastika spent part of her innings batting alongside fellow left-hander Smriti Mandhana, who was dismissed for 70 after scoring 83 in India’s first innings.
As well as admiring the opener’s qualities as a batter, Yastika said Mandhana had also provided important guidance in her rehabilitation after also suffering an ACL injury.
“I had a conversation with her and she just looked at me and she said this is going to be the turning point in your career.
“We also met when I was in rehab and a little nervous But she said ‘you are a sincere kid, you are a good human — just keep doing the hard work and your time will come’.”
But Yastika stressed it had been a long road back to full fitness.
“I had to start from scratch,” she explained. “Each muscle you train, all the muscles around the knee you have to train.
“And then slowly, slowly progress will happen, not like in one or two days. So it’s very frustrating missing out on big tournaments and just doing rehab.”
Yastika, who thanked her family for their support, said it was wicket-keeping training that rekindled her love for cricket.
Yastika spent part of her innings batting alongside fellow left-hander Smriti Mandhana, who was dismissed for 70 after scoring 83 in India’s first innings. | Photo Credit: AFP
Yastika spent part of her innings batting alongside fellow left-hander Smriti Mandhana, who was dismissed for 70 after scoring 83 in India’s first innings. | Photo Credit: AFP
“Just catches I did, not even batting, first I did keeping. So I was very happy. That day I was like a little kid smiling whole day that I did keeping after four months… And I felt the love of the game again after that.”
Yastika had one moment of good fortune when to the first ball of Sunday’s play and still on her overnight 39 not out, a delivery from Lauren Bell brushed her off stump without dislodging the bails.
But from then on she was in complete command, with Yastika 91 not out at lunch.
There were no ‘nervous 90s’ for Yastika as she raced to her century in the first over after the interval, consecutive fours off Issy Wong taking her to 99 before a single off the fast bowler completed a century in 145 balls including 12 fours.
“I thought that if I get some loose deliveries, I’ll try to make the most of it,” Yastika explained.
“There was no rush from the dressing room, no extra pressure.
“We also had wickets in hand. I always play best when I play for the team, so I was thinking that if we accelerate here, get some runs at good pace, it will be good.”
Yastika eventually holed out to Sophie Ecclestone, with the England left-arm spinner also securing a place on the honours boards with a five-wicket haul.
“She batted so well, and she really deserved that,” said Ecclestone of Yastika. “It’s pretty cool for her to be on the honours board.”
Published on Jul 13, 2026

#Yastika #Bhatia #unbelievable #Lords #honours #board">Yastika Bhatia says it is ‘unbelievable’ to be on Lord’s honours board

Yastika Bhatia said it felt “unbelievable” to have gained a coveted place on the Lord’s honours boards after becoming the first woman to score a Test century at the ‘Home of Cricket’ on Sunday.

Yastika’s 113 was the cornerstone of India’s second-innings 341-7 declared on Sunday that left England needing a mammoth 427 to win the inaugural women’s Test at Lord’s.

At stumps on the third day, England had slumped to 130-6 with India well-placed to complete victory in a fixture being played 142 years – and 150 matches – on from the first men’s Test at the celebrated London ground.

Yastika’s innings, her maiden international century, was all the more creditable as it took place just six months after she endured surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament injury in her left knee.

And the 25-year-old also had the additional responsibility of keeping wicket at Lord’s amid soaring temperatures in London.

“I think it’s unbelievable,” Yastika told reporters after stumps.

“Six months ago, I was in a very different place. And if you would have told me then I would have my name on the honours board, I wouldn’t have believed it.”

‘Your time will come’

Yastika spent part of her innings batting alongside fellow left-hander Smriti Mandhana, who was dismissed for 70 after scoring 83 in India’s first innings.

As well as admiring the opener’s qualities as a batter, Yastika said Mandhana had also provided important guidance in her rehabilitation after also suffering an ACL injury.

“I had a conversation with her and she just looked at me and she said this is going to be the turning point in your career.

“We also met when I was in rehab and a little nervous But she said ‘you are a sincere kid, you are a good human — just keep doing the hard work and your time will come’.”

But Yastika stressed it had been a long road back to full fitness.

“I had to start from scratch,” she explained. “Each muscle you train, all the muscles around the knee you have to train.

“And then slowly, slowly progress will happen, not like in one or two days. So it’s very frustrating missing out on big tournaments and just doing rehab.”

Yastika, who thanked her family for their support, said it was wicket-keeping training that rekindled her love for cricket.

Yastika spent part of her innings batting alongside fellow left-hander Smriti Mandhana, who was dismissed for 70 after scoring 83 in India’s first innings. | Photo Credit: AFP

Yastika spent part of her innings batting alongside fellow left-hander Smriti Mandhana, who was dismissed for 70 after scoring 83 in India’s first innings. | Photo Credit: AFP

“Just catches I did, not even batting, first I did keeping. So I was very happy. That day I was like a little kid smiling whole day that I did keeping after four months… And I felt the love of the game again after that.”

Yastika had one moment of good fortune when to the first ball of Sunday’s play and still on her overnight 39 not out, a delivery from Lauren Bell brushed her off stump without dislodging the bails.

But from then on she was in complete command, with Yastika 91 not out at lunch.

There were no ‘nervous 90s’ for Yastika as she raced to her century in the first over after the interval, consecutive fours off Issy Wong taking her to 99 before a single off the fast bowler completed a century in 145 balls including 12 fours.

“I thought that if I get some loose deliveries, I’ll try to make the most of it,” Yastika explained.

“There was no rush from the dressing room, no extra pressure.

“We also had wickets in hand. I always play best when I play for the team, so I was thinking that if we accelerate here, get some runs at good pace, it will be good.”

Yastika eventually holed out to Sophie Ecclestone, with the England left-arm spinner also securing a place on the honours boards with a five-wicket haul.

“She batted so well, and she really deserved that,” said Ecclestone of Yastika. “It’s pretty cool for her to be on the honours board.”

Published on Jul 13, 2026

#Yastika #Bhatia #unbelievable #Lords #honours #board

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