The NBA Playoffs will resume with a critical three-game slate today — Monday, April 27.
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 Pistons vs. Magic, Thunder vs. Suns, and Timberwolves vs. Nuggets.
Continue below for our NBA best bets, picks and predictions for tonight's playoff games.
NBA Picks, Predictions for Monday, April 27
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 9:30 p.m. | |
  | 10:30 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. | ||
Pistons vs. Magic Prop Bet
By Jim Turvey
When it comes to Ausar Thompson, the handicap is always about the minutes—they’ve been spotty all season—but it finally feels like he’s in the good graces of the coaching staff now, and frankly, it’s deserved. Thompson has been playing incredibly well in this series, and the coaching staff is starting to reward him with more time on the floor. Just look at the trend through the first three games.
In Game 1, he played 25 minutes; Game 2, he saw 28; and then in Game 3, he logged a massive 37 minutes. As the minutes have climbed, his production has mirrored that growth. He went from 16 PRA in the opener to 20 in Game 2, and then jumped all the way up to 28 PRA in Game 3.
The value here lies with the potential volume based on his projected minutes. On a per-36-minute basis, Ausar averages 25.9 PRA. We’re only getting this line at 19.5 because his playing time occasionally goes missing, but I think he’s established himself as a necessity in this rotation.
This is a perfect series for him—a gritty, defensive battle where his athleticism and motor can take over. I’m projecting him for around 33 minutes tonight. The Pistons have finally realized it makes sense to play their top-three defensive talent for more than 20 minutes per game. I'll take Ausar Over 19.5 PRA in Game 4 tonight.
Pick: Ausar Thompson Over 19.5 Points, Rebounds & Assists (-115)
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Thunder vs. Suns Spread Pick
By Matt Moore
Oklahoma City has the Suns dead to rights here. They just do.
There is a very specific historical profile for 1-seeds going for the sweep as a road favorite of four points or more. Since 2003, those teams are 27-9 straight up and 19-16-1 (54%) against the spread.
That’s a solid trend, but it’s the double-digit favorites that really tell the story: they are a perfect 5-0 straight up and 3-1-1 ATS in this spot.
To me, that’s indicative of where this series is at—you should be backing the heavy favorites in the first round.
The biggest factor for me is the injury report. With Mark Williams out, the Suns have no fundamental way to challenge the Thunder. If you’re going to push OKC, you need to have an inside presence that can hit the glass and put actual pressure on Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein.
Without that size, Phoenix is forced to go small—and you are never going to beat the Thunder at small-ball. Their wings are too physical, too strong, and far too athletic.
With Jordan Goodwin also questionable, the Suns simply lack the depth and the interior force to avoid the knockout punch. I’ll take OKC -10.5 to finish the job and complete the sweep.
Pick: Thunder -10.5 (-110)
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Timberwolves vs. Nuggets Prop Bet
By Joe Dellera
I’m going to back Naz Reid in Game 5 tonight. I know he’s dealing with that shoulder issue, and he’s been pretty vocal about it—basically saying, "it is what it is" and he just has to play through it.
But if you look at the way he’s actually scoring, the shoulder seems to be limiting his three-point volume more than anything else. He hasn't been hunting those looks from deep as much, but he’s still finding ways to be productive in the flow of the offense.
Reid is still attacking the paint at a high level. Denver is not necessarily a great defensive team at the rim, and those are the exact opportunities Naz is going to find tonight. Whether he’s acting as the roll-man or attacking slower defenders off the dribble, he’s shown he can get to his spots.
He put up 17 points last game, and a lot of that came down to opportunity. With some of the other guys in the rotation banged up—such as Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo—his role naturally expanded.
I’m expecting him to see minutes in the mid-twenties again tonight, which is a solid jump from the upper-teens he usually sees when everyone is 100% healthy. Even with a lingering shoulder issue, if he’s on the floor for 25 minutes against the Nuggets' frontcourt, 12.5 points should be a pretty easy target for him to clear.
Pick: Naz Reid Over 12.5 Points (-130)
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