The first round of the NBA Playoffs continue on Wednesday where we have three games on the schedule. Catch our previews and best spread and player prop betting tips for all games right here!
Also, be sure to check out our NBA Tips page regularly to find our best betting tips for the key slates each and every week. On top of that, we provide NBL betting tips for every round of the season for those who love a good punt on the basketball as much as we do!
NBA Playoffs Betting Tips: Wednesday April 20th
Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat
FTX Arena, 9:30am AEST
Game 1 of this series couldn’t have been anymore one-sided, with the Heat running over the top of the Hawks from the opening tip to win 115-91. Jimmy Butler only had to log 33 minutes but still delivered a strong 21/6/4 line for the winning team, while Trae Young dished up one of the worst performances in playoff history with just eight points on 8% shooting from the floor.
John Collins returned to the court for the Hawks in Monday’s loss but wasn’t his productive self, although he’s been taken completely off the injury list ahead of Game 2, which is obviously a good sign. Clint Capela continues to miss for the Hawks through injury while for the Heat, Bam Adebayo and PJ Tucker are both listed as doubtful for Wednesday.
The Heat will start as seven-point favourites in the spread market in Game 2 and justifiably so after their dominant win on Sunday. However, the Heat have a number of players who may not be available to play, which could tilt the odds in favour of the Hawks. Regardless, I believe the value lies in the ‘overs’ in the total points market. I can’t see Trae Young struggling so badly once again and I expect them to gel a lot better on offence with some nerves out of the way.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Memphis Grizzlies
FedExForum, 10:30am AEST
The Timberwolves caused the first major upset of the playoffs when they defeated the #2 seed Grizzlies on the road in Game 1. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards combined for 65 points in the win, outdueling the duo of Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks who had 56 points between them. That win swings homecourt advantage back in favour of the Timberwolves, but there’s still a very long way to go.
Both teams have a healthy roster ahead of Game 2, which means there will be no excuses for either team in this department. I’m expecting both sides to go with the same starting line-ups they sent out in Game 1.
The Grizzlies have had way too good of a season to go down 2-0 against a team that secured a playoff berth via the Play-In Tournament. They won both games at home against them in the regular season and will be desperate to get one on the board in the playoffs. I expect the Grizzlies to bounce back in a bad way in Game 2.
Memphis Grizzlies -7
$1.90
New Orleans Pelicans at Phoenix Suns
Footprint Center, 12pm AEST
It was business as usual in Game 1 of the playoffs for the Suns who will be looking to go one better than last season when they finished as runners-up to the Bucks. Chris Paul continued to show he’s one of the most clutch players in the NBA with 19 fourth quarter points on Monday to finish with a line of 30/7/10, while CJ McCollum was the best for the Pelicans with 25/8/6.
There has been no news from any injury concerns after their Game 1 clash on Monday. Zion Williamson will continue to sit out for the remainder of the Pelicans season, while Dario Saric is the only players on the Suns roster that is unavailable due to injury.
The Suns have dominated the Pelicans over the last couple of seasons, winning six of their last seven meetings. They were far too good in Game 1 with a comfortable wire-to-wire win and in my opinion, Game 2 will follow a very similar trend. Suns to win by double-digits here.
Player Props
9:30am Hawks at Heat – Trae Young 27+ Points $1.87 Picklebet
10:30am Timberwolves at Grizzlies – Ja Morant 30+ Points $1.87 Ladbrokes
12pm Pelicans at Suns – Jonas Valanciunas 13+ Rebounds $1.88 Ladbrokes
