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 Tuesday, April 22nd. 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 22nd
NBA Best Bets Today – April 22nd
Game 2: Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder – 7:30 pm ET
The Grizzlies got absolutely demolished in Game 1, as they lost by 51 points in a game that was over pretty much immediately. Obviously, Memphis was put in a rough spot, having to play early on Sunday after having just won a Play-In Tournament game against Dallas on Friday night. But that’s on the Grizzlies. They were shaky in the second half of the NBA season, and that’s why they’re currently in this position. And the rest situation in Game 2 isn’t much better than Game 1, as Memphis only had one full day off after Sunday’s beatdown. So, the Grizzlies aren’t going to make up rest, and nobody really cares for any excuses. They simply need to play better. But you know what? I think they will.
The law of averages should really come into play here. Memphis simply can’t shoot as poorly as it did in Game 1, as the team shot 34.4% from the floor and 17.6% from 3. I know Oklahoma City is one of the best defensive teams of all time, but that was something different on Sunday. The Grizzlies couldn’t hit anything, and it was contagious. I don’t see the rest of the series looking like that. Memphis is a top-five team in the league when it comes to adjusted offensive rating (117.1). The team has the shotmakers required to make Oklahoma City sweat — at least a little.
This Grizzlies team also happens to bounce back well after blowout losses. This season, Memphis is 4-1 straight-up and 3-2 against the spread when coming off a road loss of 20 or more points. And that really isn’t all that surprising considering some of the competitors the Grizzlies have scattered throughout their rotation.
There’s no denying that this series now looks like the most lopsided one of the entire NBA Playoffs. But I continue to believe Memphis has a more talented roster than people think, and I envision the Grizzlies playing a bit better after that embarrassment on Sunday. Memphis is a tough team that has the belief it can compete with anyone. Now that it’s gut-check time, we’ll see what the Grizzlies are made of. And it’s important to remember that teams are never as good or bad as their last performance.
Bet: Grizzlies +14.5 (-103)
NBA Player Props Today – April 22nd
Game 2: Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers – 7:00 pm ET
Andrew Nembhard is coming off a 17-point performance in Game 1. The 25-year-old has always been an awesome playoff performer, and this genuinely feels like a series in which he’ll continue to cook. Of course, the big news heading into Game 2 is that Damian Lillard is set to return from deep vein thrombosis. That should definitely give Milwaukee a nice jolt offensively. After all, the Bucks have been relying on an obscure group of players to help Giannis Antetokounmpo. But let’s not forget that Lillard is a sieve defensively. So, while Milwaukee’s offense should look better the rest of the series, the team’s defense isn’t going to be any better. In fact, the Bucks will probably be a bit worse — especially when it comes to defending opposing guards. Considering all of that, I just don’t see anybody stepping up and making Nembhard uncomfortable. He should continue to get to the rack. He’s also good for a couple of jumpers. And if he happens to hit a couple of 3s, it’s going to be nearly impossible for him to go Under 10.5 points.
Bet: Nembhard Over 10.5 Points (-118)
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.
PARLAY: Pacers Alt +5.5 vs. Bucks [Game 2] & Lakers ML vs. Timberwolves [Game 2] (-123 – 1.5 units)
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2024-25 NBA Record: 375-378-2 (+1.21 units)
