The NBA Playoffs will resume with another full slate of Game 1s today — Sunday, April 19. Our staff of betting experts dug into the latest NBA odds and identified best bets for all four of today's matchups, including picks for Magic vs. Pistons, Trail Blazers vs. Spurs and more.
Continue below for our NBA picks and predictions for Sunday's playoff games.
NBA Best Bets for Sunday, April 19
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 1 p.m. | |
  | 3:30 p.m. | |
  | 6:30 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
76ers vs. Celtics
With Joel Embiid officially out for Philadelphia—and honestly, we don't know when he'll be back—Tyrese Maxey becomes the undisputed focal point of the 76ers' offense.
Nick Nurse has shown us his hand: he’s going to play Maxey 44 minutes and let him shoot 30 times if that’s what it takes.
Look at the volume in the last game against Orlando. Maxey hoisted 25 shots in 42 minutes. He only made 11 of them and had a relatively low assist count of six, but the opportunities were massive.
Even more telling is the last time he saw Boston back on March 1. Paul George and Embiid were out, and even though Jayson Tatum wasn't in the lineup for Boston yet, Maxey finished with 33 points and six assists. He shot 34 times in that game, and despite only making 12 of those shots, he still comfortably cleared this total.
I think Joe Mazzulla might even decide to take away everyone else and just let Maxey go crazy. Whether he’s efficient or not, the usage is going to be through the roof.
Pick: Tyrese Maxey Over 31.5 Points & Assists (-112)
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Suns vs. Thunder
By Bet Labs
This Bet Labs system specifically targets No. 1 or No. 2 seeds playing at home in the first round when they are favored by anywhere from 4 to 25 points. The Thunder fit this profile perfectly, currently laying -14 in today's game as they begin their quest for a repeat title.
The logic behind the system is the overwhelming talent and situational disparity in 1-vs-8 matchups. The Thunder enter the postseason as the top seed with a 64-18 record and the league’s No. 1 offensive efficiency.
Furthermore, Oklahoma City is reporting a clean bill of health, while the Suns arrive to this series fatigued after a physical Play-In battle to eliminate the Warriors just 48 hours ago.
Historically, elite favorites use Game 1 to exert physical dominance and beat up on lower-seeded opponents. Public perception often leans toward the underdog "keeping it close," but the market frequently underestimates the blowout potential of a rested, top-tier champion playing in front of a home crowd.
By targeting this large spread, the system bets on the Thunder's superior depth and motivation to end this contest early.
Pick: Thunder -14 (-115)
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Magic vs. Pistons
While the return of Cade Cunningham—who is back today after a scary month-long absence due to a collapsed lung suffered in mid-March—might lead some to believe Ausar Thompson’s playmaking will take a backseat, the data suggests otherwise.
Thompson has thrived as a secondary facilitator in the Pistons' system, recording 3+ assists in seven of his last eight games. His high-end volume is even more impressive, as he reached 5+ assists in five of those eight contests, including a near triple-double watch with 9 assists against Minnesota on April 2.
Even with Cade back to handle primary duties, Thompson’s role as a connector in transition and the short-roll remains a cornerstone of the Pistons' offense.
Action PRO is projecting 4.1 assists for Thompson in Game 1 today, showing a nice edge against his line of 2.5.
Pick: Ausar Thompson Over 2.5 Assists (-127)
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Trail Blazers vs. Spurs
I’m taking the Spurs First Quarter Spread -3.5 because the statistical mismatch at tipoff is staggering. We are looking at a 19-point swing in 1Q Net Rating alone: the Spurs rank second in the league at +14.7, while the Blazers sit 21st at -4.
The logic is simple: Victor Wembanyama plays a huge chunk of the first quarter, and I expect him to overwhelm a Blazers team that ranks 20th in road Net Rating.
Portland is facing a huge inexperience factor, making their playoff debut on the road in an arena that hasn't hosted a postseason game in 2,549 days. The last time the Spurs were here in 2019, DeMar DeRozan was the star; the fans have been waiting years for this Wemby era to hit the big stage, and the building will be rocking.
San Antonio has 18 first-quarter wins by double digits this season—13 of those coming just since January. Meanwhile, the Blazers have 14 double-digit losses in the opening frame.
I’m playing the -3.5, but I’m also riding the escalator: Spurs 1Q -9.5 (+375, bet365). I expect them to run out early and never look back.
Pick: Spurs First Quarter Spread -3.5 (-110)
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