The NBA Playoffs resume with another jam packed slate this Sunday, with a total of four Game 1s scattered throughout the day. So, our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified all the best value on the board.
Our betting experts have looked over the odds and made NBA picks for all 4 of today's contests. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Sunday, April 20.
NBA Best Bets for First Round Playoff Games: Sunday, April 20
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 1 p.m. | |
  | 3:30 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 9:30 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. | ||
Heat vs. Cavaliers
Screw it. We're back. If you remember (or you are new here), I played Heat moneyline a ton during the 2023 Playoffs, to the points where it became an Action Network bit. Often times, Joe Dellera, Matt Moore and Brandon Anderson, among others, will joke with me about this run, but hey, a lot of +300 or larger cashes happened that spring.
I've been on the Buckets Podcast saying whoever gets Cleveland, I'm taking them in Game 1. Cleveland feels like the team who can lose Game 1 and win 2-5. I think this series is Cavs in 5, but this is the one to roll the dice on Miami. I'm also playing the against the spread.
Erik Spoelstra is 3-2 in road Game 1s since 2023 and 9-4 in Game 1s since 2020.
I love the Cavs. I think they can win the title. And I had them over in their win total with alternates at 50 and 60. But they're going to get the Heat's best shot early in this series. The Heat have also altered their rotation, which matters.
Terry Rozier and Jaime Jaquez no longer play. Tyler Herro is, for now, back to his early season All-Star form. Bam Adebayo is a walking top 10 defense (and elite defender). And Nikola Jovic is a sneaky add who may play this series, giving the Heat some size.
It's a great Round 1 test for the Cavs to make a statement before a tough series against the Pacers or Bucks. I think they'll win it in five… maybe six, at tops. But I think the Heat are worth a sprinkle in Game 1. If they get it done, it's Cavs smack city in Game 2.
Pick: Heat Moneyline (+550)
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Warriors vs. Rockets
The Rockets' recent win at Golden State late in the season is factored in too heavily in the discourse of this game. Amen Thompson was electric guarding Steph Curry, who shot 1-for-10 for just 3 points.
Coach Ime Udoka was jawing at Curry and the Warriors, and the Rockets made their mark of, "We are here and not scared going into the playoffs." But I really don't care what happened in a single game, I prefer the pricing of it!
The Warriors closed as a -5.5 favorite at home in that matchup, and even played in Houston in February shortly after the Jimmy Butler trade, and closed -2 in Houston.
The main change is perception, and a slightly stronger homecourt, but the veteran Warriors with rest and locked in, I think we'll see Golden State take Game 1 tonight.
Pick: Warriors Moneyline (+100)
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Grizzlies vs. Thunder
The Thunder have taken a step forward in the rebounding department with the addition of Isaiah Hartenstein, but they're still an exploitable matchup on the glass. The Thunder ranked 19th in rebounding rate and 20th in rebounds allowed per game in the regular season. They allowed the 8th-most rebounds per game to centers.
After the Taylor Jenkins firing, Zach Edey closed the regular season with an 8-game stretch averaging 13.4 rebounds, 21.9 rebound chances, and 27.8 minutes. He averaged 14 rebounds and 32.5 minutes in Memphis' two play-in games. Edey has now played 30+ minutes in five straight games. He maxed out at 28 minutes when Jenkins was in charge.
The offensive glass is going to be crucial in this series. OKC's defense is incredible, but they'll give up 2nd chances. The Thunder allowed the 8th-most offensive rebounds and the 7th-most 2nd-chance points in the regular season. Edey ranked 8th in the league in offensive rebounds per game. Of Edey's 28 rebounds in the play-in games, an insane 13 of them were on offense. He's going to be a factor on the offensive glass this afternoon.
Pick: Zach Edey Over 11.5 Rebounds (+100)
Magic vs. Celtics
By Joe Dellera
The Celtics kick off their title defense against the Magic today, in what they hope to be a short series. Jayson Tatum has continually stepped up his game in the playoffs. He secures more rebounds and his minutes rise into the 40s. This extra opportunity gives him more of a chance to excel.
Tatum has found success against the Magic recently, but only played them once this season. In that game he scored 30 points and grabbed 6 rebounds. While his rebounds have been a relative weak spot against Orlando, I’m backing a bit of his playoff pedigree here where he’s averaged 9.7 and 10.5 rebounds per game over the last two seasons.
Orlando does not have anyone skilled enough defensively to handle Tatum. And in that January contest he played in, there were multiple possessions where Tatum absolutely cooked Paolo in single coverage. I’ll bet on a big game from Tatum to kick off the playoffs, especially with Jaylen Brown a bit banged up.
