Now that the weekend is here, it’s time to simplify the grind. Instead of splitting sides/totals and player props into separate pieces, my weekend columns bring everything under one roof — a streamlined look at my favorite bets for the day’s slate. Fewer words, hopefully the same results. Keep reading for my NBA picks and predictions for Sunday, April 12, which is the final day of the 2025-26 regular season.
RELATED: Check out the Pro Picks page for more selections from our talented VSiN hosts and analysts!
NBA Best Bets Today
PARLAY: Magic ML vs. Celtics, Hornets ML vs. Knicks, 76ers ML vs. Bucks, Lakers ML vs. Jazz, Trail Blazers ML vs. Kings (-139 – 1.5 units)
First games tip at 6:00 pm ET
I’m not going to try playing any sides or totals today. There will be too much wackiness on the final day of the regular season, as everyone is resting players and only a few teams have the motivation to actually win. Instead, I’m just parlaying the teams that can use victories. There’s no need to overthink things.
NBA Player Props Today
Kon Knueppel Over 4.5 1Q Points (+115) vs. Knicks
Hornets at Knicks – 6:00 pm ET
Charlotte can really use a win today, so the team will play the key rotation pieces until it’s no longer necessary. Well, give me Knueppel to have at least five first-quarter points against the New York B-team. Knueppel is one of the best shooters on the planet, so he should be able to take advantage of an unorganized Knicks squad.
Leonard Miller Over 2.5 Assists (+200 – 0.5 units) vs. Mavericks
Bulls at Mavericks – 8:30 pm ET
I’m sure a play on Bulls-Mavericks that doesn’t feature Cooper Flagg is exactly what everyone was hoping for today. However, I do like Miller to finish with three assists, which is available at 2-1 odds at Hard Rock. He has had three or more assists in back-to-back games, finishing with six potential assists in both. He’s just going to have his chances to make plays, and Dallas’ defense is miserable.
Bronny James Over 9.5 Points (-122) vs. Jazz
Jazz at Lakers – 8:30 pm ET
The Lakers can use a victory tonight, but there’s a good chance they wrap things up early. That means we could see extended minutes for Bronny against one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Well, Bronny has scored at least 10 points in two of the last five games, and I like him to take advantage of extended garbage time.
Jared McCain Over 2.5 Made Threes (+115) vs. Suns
Suns at Thunder – 8:30 pm ET
McCain should have a sky-high usage rate in tonight’s meeting with the Suns. That might not mean an automatic Over, but I’ll take my chances with an explosive scorer with the ultimate green light. He didn’t end up going Over for me on points against the Nuggets last game, but he did knock down three triples in that game. I’ll take him to do the same here.
Derik Queen Over 5.5 Assists (-136 – 1.5 units) & Queen Alt Assists 8+ (+178 – 0.5 units) & Queen Alt Assists 10+ (+400 – 0.25 units) & Queen To Record Triple-Double (+600 – 0.1 units) vs. Timberwolves
Pelicans at Timberwolves – 8:30 pm ET
I haven’t played a Queen assist ladder in a long time, as I simply haven’t had any faith in New Orleans’ coaching staff to find him big minutes. Well, in the final game of the regular season, the rookie has a chance of playing close to 40 minutes. And with the Timberwolves having nothing to play for — and many rotation players sitting — I’ll take a shot on the big man to have a big game as a passer. I’ll even dabble on him to have a triple-double.
Sunday Playoff Scenarios
I’m borrowing this from The VSiN Daily newsletter, which Bill Adee does a fantastic job with:
What’s at stake on final day of the regular season:
West: Seeds 3, 4, 8, and 9
East: Seeds 5–10
Three teams can clinch the No. 6 spot in the East — and avoid the Play-In.
Raptors: A win — OR losses by Orlando AND Philadelphia.
Magic: A win AND a Toronto loss.
76ers: A win AND losses by Toronto AND Orlando.
