The Grizzlies, Magic, and Heat managed to advance from the Play-In Tournament, and while they are all happy to be still playing, their reward is facing off against one of the top-2 seeds from their respective conferences in the first round of the playoffs.
Three players I will be targeting for player props today are Isaiah Hartenstein, Franz Wagner, and Evan Mobley. Continue below for my NBA player props for Sunday, April 20.
NBA Player Props for Sunday, April 20
- Franz Wagner Under 22.5 Points
- Evan Mobley Over 27.5 Points + Rebounds
- Isaiah Hartenstein Over 9.5 Points
Franz Wagner Under 22.5 Points
Magic vs Celtics, 3:30 p.m. ET
In his fourth season, Franz Wagner took another leap, averaging 24.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. However, his playoff debut did not go so well last season; he averaged 18.9 points per game and shot just 40.8% from the field as the Magic lost to the Cavaliers in seven games. That trend continued in the Magic's Play-In victory over the Hawks with Wagner scoring just 13 points.
The Magic cruised to a 25-point victory so it did not need a big scoring night from Wagner. However, no one would classify the Hawks as a stellar defensive team unlike the Celtics. That may keep Wagner under 20 points once again.
Wagner has scored 20 points in just of one of 11 career games against Boston, which came 11 days ago when they rested all of its starters. The Celtics finished the regular season fourth in defensive rating, which is why this game has such a low total despite Boston's offensive firepower. If the Celtics keep Wagner in check again, he should finish under 23 points once again.
Pick: Franz Wagner Under 22.5 Points (-120, Fanatics)
Evan Mobley Over 27.5 Points + Rebounds
Heat vs Cavaliers, 7:00 p.m. ET
Over the past two seasons, the Cavaliers offense has been heavily centered on Donovan Mitchell. While Mitchell is still the team’s leading scorer, a more balanced attack has led to the growth of Evan Mobley. In his fourth year, Mobley averaged 18.5 points and 9.3 rebounds, earning his first All-Star appearance in the process.
In three games against the Heat this season, Mobley has recorded 28 points and rebounds in two of them, playing just 12 minutes in the lone miss. In the two overs, he had 22 points and 15 rebounds and then 16 points and 13 rebounds. Mobley may be defended by Bam Adebayo tonight, but he may also be defended by Mitchell tonight when Miami switches.
Additionally, the Heat just surrendered 28 points and 12 rebounds to Atlanta’s Onyeka Okongwu. It is also 23rd in rebounds allowed to power forwards this season. That should favor Mobley in clearing this line. If he has a standard 18-point and 10-rebound kind of game, we will cash.
Pick: Evan Mobley Over 27.5 Points + Rebounds (-115, Fanatics)
Isaiah Hartenstein Over 9.5 Points
Grizzlies vs Thunder, 1:00 p.m. ET
In his first season with the Thunder, Isaiah Hartenstein averaged a career-high 11.2 points to go along with 10.7 rebounds per game. He closed the regular season by cracking double figures in points in five of his last 10 games. That includes an 18-point outburst against the Grizzlies.
Hartenstein has scored 10 points or more in 11 of his last 12 games against the Grizzlies, including in all four games as a member of the Thunder. He was more featured at times when Chet Holmgren was out with injuries. However, it is important that Holmgren was on the floor for the last meeting between these clubs.
Oklahoma City acquired Hartenstein to be able to play another big alongside Holmgren in the playoffs. Memphis is one of those matchups that will require a double big lineup with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey on the other side. That should keep Hartenstein on the floor for 25 minutes or more. When playing 27 minutes or more this season, he has cleared this line at a 75% clip. I expect that trend to continue today.
Pick: Isaiah Hartenstein Over 9.5 Points (-115, Fanatics)
Sunday's NBA Player Props
- Isaiah Hartenstein Over 9.5 Points
- Franz Wagner Under 22.5 Points
- Evan Mobley Over 27.5 Points + Rebounds
