The NBA Playoffs will resume with a trio of Game 2s tonight — Tuesday, April 21. Our staff of betting experts dug into the latest NBA odds and identified best bets for all three of today's matchups, including picks for 76ers vs. Celtics, Rockets vs. Lakers and more.
Continue below for our NBA picks and predictions for Tuesday's playoff games.
NBA Best Bets, Picks, Predictions for Tuesday, April 21
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76ers vs. Celtics
By Matt Moore
Celtics -14.5
Game 2s are always a puzzle—how much do you shift your analysis based on one result? While a model won’t move off one game, I’ve manually adjusted my numbers by layering in some four-factor data, and I make this line upwards of 15. That gives me more than enough edge to back Boston here.
The glaring issue for Philadelphia is an absolute lack of preparation. In Game 1, the Sixers looked like a team that didn't know what hit them. You see it in the "young guy" mistakes: Adem Bona picking up a second foul on a pass-and-crash charge, or VJ Edgecombe making a brilliant steal only to throw it right back in-bounds to the Celtics for an easy bucket.
You simply cannot gift possessions to a team as disciplined as Boston and expect to stay within two touchdowns.
Philadelphia has too many guys like Justin Edwards and Quentin Grimes who just aren’t playoff-tested. While I expect the veterans—Paul George and Tyrese Maxey—to shoot better than they did in the opener, you can't coach out those mental errors in 48 hours.
The Sixers need to get back to Philly to find their legs and hit the reset button. Game 3 is the Philadelphia spot; Game 2 is another Celtics blowout.
Pick: Celtics -14.5 (-110)
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Trail Blazers vs. Spurs
By Matt Moore
Scoot Henderson Over 10.5 Points
If you watched Game 1 on Sunday, the biggest takeaway wasn't just the final score—it was how comfortable Scoot Henderson looked in a playoff environment.
For a young guard, he handled the pressure and the pace of the Spurs' defense remarkably well. He finished that opener with 18 points on an efficient 7-of-11 shooting, and he looked like a guy who finally knows exactly what he wants to do on the floor.
The Blazers' offense, led by Deni Avdija, desperately needs players who can consistently get downhill against this San Antonio frontcourt.
Portland’s strategy involves using Donovan Clingan in pick-and-pop actions specifically to pull Victor Wembanyama away from the rim. When Wemby is forced to the perimeter, the lane opens up, and that is where Scoot thrives.
I was especially impressed with his decision-making in transition; he’s not just playing fast, he’s playing with a level of control we didn't always see earlier in the year.
While Avdija is the primary engine of this offense, Scoot is proving he can be more than just a secondary piece. He’s going to get the opportunities, and in an environment where the Blazers need scoring punch to keep up with San Antonio’s pace, 11 points feels like a very low bar.
I was really impressed with him in the series opener, and I’m ready to test that read in Game 2.
Pick: Scoot Henderson Over 10.5 Points (-105)
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Rockets vs. Lakers
Amen Thompson Double-Double
I am looking at Amen Thompson to record a double-double (+280) for my top prop play tonight.
I’m not just chasing a double-double because we hit one recently; I’m targeting this market because Amen is seeing a significant increase in minutes — and in the playoffs, more minutes directly translate to more opportunities.
The real X-factor for this prop is the status of Kevin Durant. If KD is out there, I actually think it increases Amen’s double-double equity.
With Durant taking his usual diet of mid-range jumpers, it allows Amen to play more off-ball on offense, which puts him in a prime position to crash the glass for offensive rebounds. Furthermore, having a scorer like KD on the floor naturally boosts Amen's assist opportunities.
The Thompson twins looked more than ready for the postseason in their openers. Even though their respective teams lost, Amen and Ausar were great and looked unfazed by the playoff stage. I’m betting on that energy and projected volume to come to fruition at +280.
Pick: Amen Thompson Double-Double (+280)
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