It’s officially time for the NBA Playoffs. We’ve been working hard to get you ready for some of these awesome opening-round matchups, 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 Monday, April 21st. Also, make sure you check out the picks page (linked right below) before games tip off. I occasionally add picks throughout the day.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on April 21st
NBA Best Bets Today – April 21st
Game 2: Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks – 7:30 pm ET
The way the Pistons finished Game 1 was pretty embarrassing, but the reality is that they played the Knicks close for most of the game. Detroit was up eight heading into the final quarter and showed that it has what it takes to make life difficult on New York. And even in an off game for Cade Cunningham, the Pistons were generating good looks and getting some solid production out of their questionable supporting cast. So, moving forward, it’s hard not to like these teams to play close games.
Speaking of Cunningham, it’s hard to imagine the All-Star shooting 8 for 21 from the floor and 1 for 4 from 3 again. He should be able to turn in some much better offensive performances the rest of the way. Of course, the flip side of that is that Tobias Harris probably won’t be scoring 25 very often the rest of the series. But all in all, I’d be surprised if we don’t see 30-point performances out of Cunningham the rest of the series. I’m also not sure the Knicks can count on 14 points out of Cameron Payne off the bench. He was a big spark for New York in Game 1, but he likely won’t have too many big games throughout the course of the postseason.
Overall, I mentioned before Game 1 that I like the Knicks to find ways to win close games — and potentially win this series in five or fewer games. But it’s hard to turn down 7 with Detroit. The advanced stats don’t show a huge difference between these teams, and the Pistons should be eager to get back out there and try to finish what they started in Game 1.
Bet: Pistons +7 (-110)
Game 2: Los Angeles Clippers at Denver Nuggets – 10:00 pm ET
Like the Pistons, the Clippers also have to feel pretty lousy about the way Game 1 ended. Los Angeles blew a 15-point lead in the series opener in Denver, and the team wasted a 32-point effort from James Harden in the process. However, the Nuggets won by two in overtime and didn’t do much to prove to anybody that they’re the better team in this series. And this is now where in-series coaching becomes incredibly important.
Ty Lue has proven throughout his career that he is one of the best game-by-game coaches when it comes to making adjustments in the playoffs. So, he’s going to pour over the Game 1 film and find anything he can to give his team an edge heading into Game 2. Will David Adelman be able to do the same? I have spoken highly of Adelman on my VSiN spots over the last few weeks, noting he’s a great offensive mind that players enjoy playing for. But being the main voice in the locker room during a playoff series is new to him, and I think that gives Los Angeles a big advantage heading into Game 2.
I also don’t see Norman Powell playing as poorly as he did in Game 1, and I’d be stunned if we see Aaron Gordon score 25 points on 8 for 14 shooting again. And I’m not sure there’s a stronger word than “stunned” but I can’t say I envision Russell Westbrook hitting two 3s and being a +7 on the floor here.
Bet: Clippers ML (-115 – 2 units)
NBA Player Props Today – April 21st
Game 2: Detroit Pistons at New York Knicks – 7:30 pm ET
While I don’t see Tobias Harris scoring 25 points again, I do think it’s worth playing him to hit two 3s tonight. Harris knocked down four triples in Game 1, marking four times in the last six games in which he has made at least three 3s. One of those other games happened to be against New York, so he clearly likes this matchup. And that really isn’t all that surprising considering the Knicks allowed opponents to shoot 36.7% from 3 during the regular season. Only four teams did a worse job of defending the 3-point line. Harris is also from New York, so it’s possible he’s just comfortable with his surroundings when playing at Madison Square Garden. Either way, I love these odds for a player that is feeling good at the moment.
Bet: Harris Over 1.5 Made 3s (+150)
Additional Plays
This is where I’ll include any late added plays, teasers/parlays or in-season futures. Come back before tip if you don’t want to miss anything. It’s always possible I’ll add something to my card.
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2024-25 NBA Record: 373-377-2 (-0.79 units)
