Tuesday NBA Playoff Picks: Top Bets and Parlays for April 22

The postseason is a beautiful time for NBA fans, as every game comes with the potential for greatness and the expectation for high drama.

For bettors, it means fewer games and markets. It also offers the chance to make what should be great games even better when you participate in the action.

To help you shop for the game that suits you best, we’d like to offer our “Best Bets” list for today’s NBA postseason games (odds via DraftKings).

Milwaukee Bucks (+160) vs. Indiana Pacers (-4), o/u 229

The Pacers really took it to the Bucks in Game 1, walking away with a dominant 117–98 victory. Since it’s the playoffs, I’d expect a much more competitive contest in Game 2, but in Round 1, that doesn’t always happen.

The Bucks need someone other than Giannis Antetokounmpo to step up and play. There is no reason why two starters on a playoff-caliber team should do as little as Kyle Kuzma and Taurean Prince did in Game 1.

Even with Damian Lillard, the Bucks will put forth a much better effort in this game, but it will not be enough.

Pick: Pacers -4

Memphis Grizzlies (+675) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (-14.5), o/u 229

Pick: Thunder -14.5 (-110)
Prop: Chet Holmgren to make 2+ 3-pointers (+110)
Same Game Parlay Odds: +246

Here you have one team that was dominant throughout the season and another that barely snuck through the back door to make the playoffs. I would hope for a better effort from the Grizzlies in Game 2, but it’s not unusual for 2-vs.-7 matchups to be blowouts.

Holmgren averaged 1.4 threes per game during the regular season but had 2+ in all but two games played in April. I wouldn’t bank on him to make three like in Game 1 again. But with how he’s been shooting from behind the arc lately, I’m comfortable taking him at 2+.

A $100 wager will result in a $346 payday—your stake ($100) plus $246 in winnings.

Minnesota Timberwolves (+190) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (-6), o/u 210.5

Surely LeBron, Luka and the mighty Lakers will not go down 0–2 at home in the postseason, right? I’m not so sure.

Yes, Luka Dončić and LeBron James are incredible talents, but as a team, the Timberwolves are deeper, have more size and play better defense.

I don’t expect Minnesota to shoot as well as it did in Game 1 (51.2% from the floor and 50% from 3-point range). If the Lakers can shoot better than they did (39.8% and 36.6%), this could be a close game. But I don’t see the Lakers getting the job done.

Pick: Timberwolves ML (+190)