The 2025-26 NBA Playoffs should deliver some memorable moments, and we’re going to work hard to make them as profitable as possible for all of our VSiN subscribers. So, make sure you head over to the VSiN NBA Playoffs Betting Hub for all of our postseason content. I’ll continue giving out NBA best bets and player props here throughout the playoffs, and I’ll also occasionally write up features on anything big that shakes up the league. So, make sure you check out my work over the next couple of weeks. With that out of the way, let’s get into some NBA best bets and NBA player props for Saturday, April 18. Also, make sure you check out the picks page (linked right below) before games tip off. I occasionally add picks throughout the day. That’s also where you’ll get picks from my talented VSiN colleagues.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have!
Game 1: Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers – 1:00 pm ET
When Allen played with both Donovan Mitchell and James Harden healthy this year, the big man scored at least 15 points in 10 of the 11 contests. Allen also happened to score 19.2 points per game over those 11 contests. Allen has always been a good pick-and-roll finisher, but getting to work with Harden, an all-time PnR initiator, has only made his life easier.
This is also a series in which Allen and Evan Mobley should make their marks around the basket. The Raptors are just 19th in the NBA when it comes to defending at the rim, where Allen scores 65% of his points. Toronto is also a mediocre team when it comes to keeping opponents from scoring on putbacks, and the team is also 19th in the NBA when it comes to defending PnR rollers. So, while playing Mobley totals can also be an option, grabbing Allen at lower numbers could make more sense.
One last thing: I mentioned that the Raptors are 19th in the NBA defending PnR roll men this year. Well, Allen has scored at least 15 points in his last four meetings with teams ranked 15th or worse against rollers.
Bet: Jarrett Allen Over 14.5 Points (-110)
Game 1: Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets – 3:30 pm ET
Dosunmu has scored at least 12 points in 13 consecutive games, averaging 17.4 points per game in those contests. Of course, Anthony Edwards was out for some of those games, but Dosunmu was rock-solid as a scorer even with the superstar in the lineup. In fact, he averaged 12.6 points per game when playing with Edwards, and he also had at least 12 points in the final six games he played with him — and averaged 15.8 points per game in those games.
The Nuggets are also weak when it comes to defending spot-up shooters, so Dosunmu should get some quality looks from three. That’ll be huge considering he shot 43.9% from deep during the regular season. Dosunmu should also be a threat to score at the rim, whether that’s beating his man off the dribble, putting his head down and attacking in PnR situations, or simply finishing in transition.
I’m also not too worried about Dosunmu not playing a good chunk of minutes in this game — or in this series. Minnesota found time for Nickeil Alexander-Walker last year, and Dosunmu should simply slot into that playoff role this year. We could also see less Mike Conley Jr. in this year’s playoffs, meaning even more minutes for Dosunmu.
Bet: Ayo Dosunmu Over 10.5 Points (-105)
Game 1: Atlanta Hawks at New York Knicks – 6:00 pm ET
Hart finished the season with six or fewer rebounds in six of the last seven games he played, but I’m expecting a strong performance on the glass in Game 1. Last year, Hart averaged 8.7 rebounds per game in an opening-round series against the Pistons. He then averaged 8.3 rebounds per game in the series against the Celtics. Then, he was at his best on the boards in the Eastern Conference Finals, pulling down 9.3 rebounds per game against the Pacers.
Hart isn’t afraid to mix it up in the paint, he crashes hard on offense, and he understands that playing bigger than his size is what will keep him on the floor in this series.
The Hawks are also a good matchup for Hart. Onyeka Okongwu is undersized at the center position, plus Jock Landale is doubtful to appear in this series. That means Hart won’t have to deal with too many traditional bigs when looking to rebound.
Bet: Josh Hart Over 6.5 Rebounds (-128)
Additional Plays
PARLAY: Cavaliers ML vs. Raptors & Lakers Alt +8.5 vs. Rockets (+100 – 1.5 units): I don’t have any traditional sides or totals for the first day of real postseason action, but I am going to take a stab at a two-leg parlay. I like Cleveland to win Game 1 against Toronto, but laying 8.5 without getting a chance to see how the teams match up doesn’t interest me. So, I’m just going to take the Cavaliers, who are the much better offensive team, the much bigger team inside, and the team with more at stake, to win outright. I’ll pair them with the Lakers on an alternate spread of +8.5, as I already had a strong lean on Los Angeles on the normal spread. While it’s entirely possible the Rockets will win both games in Los Angeles, we should see the best punch from the Lakers in Game 1. JJ Redick has had time to really hammer home everything he’ll want to see out of his team, the Lakers will be juiced up in front of their home fans, and LeBron James will be the freshest he’ll be the rest of the playoffs.
