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 Tuesday, April 21. 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 2: Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics – 7:00 pm ET
This game isn’t an easy one to call when looking at the side or total. I have a slight lean on Philadelphia +15.5 (available via prediction markets), as I am expecting some shots to go down for the Sixers backcourt at some point in this series. However, the only play I feel very confident in is Jaylen Brown to go Over 25.5 points, and I’m also sprinkling the superstar to finish with 30 or more.
Brown had 26 points in Game 1, going 11 for 21 from the floor and 2 for 2 from three. However, if the game was a little closer, we probably would have seen way more volume. Brown only needed to play 30 minutes in the game, so there was food left on the table and I expect Brown to collect on Tuesday.
This remains a great matchup for Brown. The Sixers are one of the worst teams in the league when it comes to defending the rim, where Brown scores 30% of his points. That doesn’t get much better with no Joel Embiid out there. Also, Philly struggles to defend spot-up jumpers, the team isn’t great in transition, and the group fouls quite a bit. Brown should take advantage of all of that.
Bet: Jaylen Brown Over 25.5 Points (-113 – 1.5 units) & Brown Alt Points 30+ (+200 – 0.5 units)
Game 2: Portland Trail Blazers at San Antonio Spurs – 7:00 pm ET
The Blazers lost 111-98 in Game 1, failing to cover the 11.5-point spread. But I still placed Portland +12.5 for Game 2 on Monday, taking advantage of a number that felt a little too big. That’s nowhere to be found now, but I would have taken +11.5 if I had to.
It’s just hard not to feel like Portland did a decent job defensively in Game 1. Ultimately, San Antonio ended up shooting 15 for 33 from deep, which is good for 45%. Well, the Spurs shot only 35.9% from three during the regular season, and the Blazers do a good job of defending the three-point line. That means we could see San Antonio come crashing back to earth at some point soon. Also, while Portland isn’t the greatest three-point shooting team in the world, the Blazers are better than the 10 for 38 they shot from deep in Game 1. And I’d specifically say Jrue Holiday and Shaedon Sharpe can do a heck of a lot better than the 1 for 11 they shot together.
Portland is also 7-5 against the spread this season when coming off a game in which the team scored fewer than 100 points. Tiago Splitter should be able to push the right buttons to get his group going here. Also, the Blazers are 12-9 ATS when looking for revenge against an opponent.
I also feel we could see some obvious defensive adjustments from Portland in Game 2. One of them would mean Holiday chasing De’Aaron Fox around, with less switching across the board. I also see the Blazers eventually deciding to just park Donovan Clingan in the paint, forcing Victor Wembanyama to make more jumpers.
Bet: Trail Blazers +12.5 (-120)
Game 2: Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers – 10:30 pm ET
Kevin Durant’s status for tonight is still up in the air. The 37-year-old suffered a knee contusion in practice ahead of Game 1, and it doesn’t sound like he’s in great shape right now. Well, Durant averaged 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game this season, and he did it on 52.0/41.3/87.4 shooting splits. He’s still one of the best scorers on the planet, and the Rockets badly need him back. However, even if Durant is out there tonight, I like the Lakers to keep this one close.
Los Angeles just knows that winning at home is the only way to potentially steal this series, as winning in Houston will be impossible without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. So, while the Rockets will come to the floor with some desperation tonight, there should be a similar desire to win from the Lakers.
Los Angeles was also superb defensively in Game 1, packing the paint and forcing Houston into some tough looks from three. Also, Deandre Ayton was a real presence around the basket, making life hard on Alperen Sengun. Then, on the other end of the floor, LeBron James played a great game in terms of just creating advantages as a driver. And everyone else stepped up and knocked down shots.
Tonight could be a little more stressful for Los Angeles. However, I still see the result being the Lakers having a chance to win it late.
Bet: Lakers +5.5 (-115)
Additional Plays
Nothing yet.
