NBA Picks & Predictions: Monday (4/27)
The NBA playoffs roll on Monday night, with three total games. The Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic tip off the night at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC/Peacock for Game 4 at Kia Center in O-Town. At 9:30 p.m. ET, the Oklahoma City Thunder look to complete the sweep of the Phoenix Suns on NBCSN/Peacock in Game 4. At 10:30 p.m. ET, the Minnesota Timberwolves can show the Denver Nuggets the door in Game 5 at Ball Arena, as the Wolves hold a surprising 3-1 series lead, but they’ll have to play on without a big piece. Let’s build our bankroll with our best NBA picks & predictions for Monday, April 27th.
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Monday’s Best NBA Picks & Predictions
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook | All bets are for 1 unit
Oklahoma City Thunder (-550) at Phoenix Suns (+410) | O/U 213.5 (-110/-110)
The defending World Champion Thunder meet the Suns in Game 4 at Mortgage Matchup Center in the Valley of the Sun, looking to send Phoenix off into the sunset after winning the first three games.
OKC has averaged 120.0 points per game (PPG), while allowing just 96.7 PPG. The series has been as lopsided as those numbers sound, with victories by 35, 13, and 12. To be fair, Phoenix has been getting a little closer, but the Thunder are 2-1 against the spread (ATS), including a 121-109 win in Game 3 as 8.5-point favorites. The Over (212.5) cashed in Game 3, and the total has gone high in each of the past two outings, too.
In Game 3, OKC hit 49% (45-of-91) from the field, and 32% (12-of-37) from behind the 3-point line, while Phoenix was just 44% (38-of-87) from the floor. The Suns actually had a plus-2 margin in assists, but OKC was plus-4 in both blocks and steals, while posting a plus-3 in total turnover margin, and plus-20 in points in the paint, while leading 87% of the game. Phoenix had no answers for defending MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who went 15-of-18 from the field for 42 points, eight assists, four rebounds, a steal, and a 3-pointer.
Phoenix did well to get into the playoffs, topping the Golden State Warriors in the Play-In Round. However, the Suns are 2-3 ATS in five games in the postseason, while the Over holds a 3-2 edge. Dillon Brooks has done a great job, going for 33 points on 11-of-21 from the field, with four treys, and seven boards. He is averaging 31.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG, and 4.5 3PT in the past two games, while hitting a total of 12 3-pointers in this series.
The Suns do not have a superstar like SGA, and that’s the difference between these teams. The Thunder run deep, and they’re ready to move on to the second round. Expect another double-digit win and cover, and we’ll go high on the total.
Picks: Thunder -11.5 (-102) & Over 213.5 Points (-110)
Minnesota Timberwolves (+390) at Denver Nuggets (-510) | O/U 222.5 (-106/-114)
The Timberwolves have stunningly rolled to a 3-1 series lead through the first four games of this series, including a 113-96 win in Game 3, and a 112-96 victory in Game 4, both in the Twin Cities. The series shifts back to the Mile High City for Game 5, and Denver has its collective backs against the wall.
The bad news for Minnesota is that Anthony Edwards has been diagnosed with a bone bruise and hyperextension in his left knee, and he is out for at least the rest of the series, if not more, should the Timberwolves be able to advance.
In the first three games of this series, Ant Man averaged 23.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, and 4.0 APG with seven total 3-pointers made, so his loss is going to be a huge one.
The Under has cashed in three of four games in this series, and with a major offensive component for the Timberwolves in street clothes, we’ll stick with the Under, as far as the total is concerned.
Looking to the side, even with Edwards on the shelf, it’s hard to trust Denver laying the double-digit point total. The Nuggets “should” be able to cover that number, but the way things are going, especially with the Timberwolves playing lockdown defense, we’ll take Minnesota with the big points.
Picks: Timberwolves +11.5 (-112) & Under 222.5 Points (-114)
Joe Williams is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Joe, check out his archive and follow him @winwithjoe