Expert NBA Picks
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Yesterday's Expert NBA Picks from our handicappers.
Just so the public knows we are always transparent and honest with our reporting, in this spot we will list all of the previous days picks and analysis. This will be updated daily at around 5AM Eastern Time.
Get free NBA Picks including expert parlay picks for betting tonight's NBA games against the spread.
Results for Monday 20th of April 2026
| Handicapper | Units | Dollars |
| Doc's Sports | 0 | $0.00 |
| Scott Rickenbach | 5 | $500.00 |
| Scott Spreitzer | 4 | $400.00 |
Sunday 19th of April 2026
Doc's Sports
4-Unit Play Take Boston -12.5 over Philadelphia (1 p.m. EST, Sunday April 19)
The Celtics are the most complete team in the NBA and they have a championship pedigree. They know the assignment here and we expect a blowout. The Sixers are without their best player and the Celtics will amp up their NBA-best defense for a resounding Game 1 blowout.
Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports
Robert Ferringo
2-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 215.5 Philadelphia at Boston (1 p.m., Sunday, April 19)
1-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 215.5 Phoenix at Oklahoma City (3:30 p.m., Sunday, April 19)
1-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 222.0 Portland at San Antonio (9 p.m., Sunday, April 19)
4-Unit Play. Take #590 Detroit (-8.5) over Orlando (6:30 p.m., Sunday, April 19)
2-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 219.5 Orlando at Detroit (6:30 p.m., Sunday, April 19)
Detroit isn’t a fluke No. 1 seed in the East. This team has been on a six-month tear and I think that their home arena will be rocking. Orlando played out of its mind against Charlotte at home. But the game before that they were a dud at Cleveland. I think the Pistons are going to come out firing and win this one in a blowout.
Carpe diem. Good luck.
Craig Trapp
7-Unit Play. Take #591 Portland (+11) Over San Antonio (9 pm, Sunday April 19)
The Spurs are the better team, but Portland could be rusty after a week off while the Blazers have been playing meaningful games. I expect Portland to keep this close — take the Blazers to cover the large spread Sunday night.
Craig
Scott Rickenbach
3-Unit Play. Take #585 Philadelphia +12.5 at Boston (1 p.m., Sun, Apr. 19)
This is just too many points. Yes, the Sixers are without Embiid but they are so use to playing without him and what is important is they have all their other guys ready to go for this game. Remember George missed a lot of the season but he is back now and he combines with Maxey, Edgecombe and Oubre to give the Sixers their regular starting five when Embiid is available. Even without him, just as they showed against Orlando - the same Magic team that just destroyed Charlotte - the Sixers can get the job done. That is not to say they win this game or win this series. I am certainly not saying that. I am just saying this is too many points. Could the Celtics also be rusty as they rested all their regulars in the season finale and it has been awhile since they played. The Sixers, on the other hand, have kept momentum going and really got a lot of confidence back with the solid win over the Magic in the play-in round. This Sixers team has now won 3 straight games and I see them keeping this game to single digits. 3* PHILADELPHIA +12.5
4-Unit Play. Take #591 Portland +11.5 at San Antonio (9 p.m., Sun, Apr. 19)
A lot of pressure on San Antonio to perform as they are finally back in the post-season after many seasons falling short. But they are not just in the playoffs, they also are one of the favorites to win it all. So, how will they handle this pressure? Eventually they will likely be okay but here in Game 1 against a Portland team that no one is worried about, I think this is a dangerous game. That is not to say that San Antonio does not prevail. I am just saying it will likely be a lot closer than what most are expecting and I see the Blazers keeping this to single digits. Portland took 1 of the 3 regular season meetings and they hung around in the other 2 meetings as well. Both the losses saw the Blazers down by just single digits in the 4th quarter. Portland has that "nobody is giving us a chance" mentality entering this game and they could surprise here in Game 1. Especially with rust a factor for the Spurs after the layoff. 4* PORTLAND +11.5
Arun Shiva (Indian Cowboy)
6-Unit Play. #590. Take Detroit Pistons -8.5 over Orlando Magic (Sunday @ 6:30pm est)
Note, 6*MLB Today (4-0 Run), 7* NHL Today (6-0 Run), let's have a great day. We roll with Detroit here as they hook up against Orlando. What you have here is a Detroit team actually lost to Orlando recently and they will be motivated coming in. Detroit also gets their man Cade back in this game who only scored 7 points against the Pacers last game, but he got his feet wet and without a doubt that is important. Orlando beat them 123-107 last time and Orlando comes off a monumental win over Charlotte 121-90 and I'm telling you, when you come off such a big win like that, it also makes you take such a sigh of relief you won an elimination game, you take a breather and it affects you. Detroit has won 3 straight games, they beat Charlotte by 18 in a game Charlotte needed of sorts, they beat Toronto by 11 and Minnesota by 22 points. Detroit will want to truly prove they belong and they will be more than excited about their first relevant playoff game in forever it seems and I think they will get it done here.
Raphael Esparza (VSI)
NBA BASKETBALL
3 Unit Play. Take #587 Over 215.5 Phoenix at Oklahoma City (3:30 p.m., Sunday April 19)
Tony George
Passing for today.
Vernon Croy
7-Unit Play: #591 Portland +11-110 over San Antonio (Sunday, April 19, 2026, 9:00pm ET)
Take Portland ATS as my top NBA pick for Sunday night. This pick falls into one of my top NBA systems and I really like Portland a lot in the spot especially in the first game of this series. Portland is a red-hot team coming into this matchup with several impressive victories down the stretch and they have also covered the spread in six of their last eight games overall. Portland did win their second last meeting at San Antonio back on January 3rd by five points 115-110 despite being an 8-point underdog. Portland has really shown at times especially down the stretch that they can step up defensively and I expect them to do that on the road here tonight. The last time these two teams met back on April 8th San Antonio did win that game by 11 points but that does not bother me coming into this game. Portland shot just 50% from the line in that loss making it to the line only 10 times while San Antonio shot 79% from the line making it to the line 19 times and that was the main difference in that game. I do expect Portland to be very aggressive on the boards here tonight. Play Portland ATS
Scott Spreitzer
4-Unit Play: 592 Spurs -11 over Blazers (9 p.m., Sunday, April 19)
First round favorites of more than eight points have dominated, including a 99-14 SU / 68-45 ATS run, including yesterday’s win and cover by the Cavaliers. This is a bad matchup for the Blazers. They want to get their points in transition and put-backs on the offensive end and that’s not something you can count on against Wemby and the Spurs. San Antonio owns the style advantage, the angle advantage mentioned above, and of course, Wemanyama. I’m laying the points with the Spurs. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
August Young
Passing for today.
Strike Point Sports
3-Unit Play. Take #590 Detroit (-8.5) over Orlando (6:30 p.m., Sunday, April 19)
Orlando looked poor in their first game and then just caught the Hornets in the perfect let down spot. Detroit isn't going to take the Magic for granted and they are going to win this game by double-figures. Yesterday proved that home court in Game 1 means something and the Pistons are going to put on a show for their home fans. Detroit felt that they left some wins on the floor in the playoffs last year, and they are on a mission in 2026. This team is better, and hungrier than they were last season and their trek to the finals starts tonight. Lay the points here as this line is too low.
Best of Luck - Strike Point Sports
Jason Sharpe
Sunday April 19th 2026-
3 Unit Play Take #590 'under' 220 Orlando/Detroit (6:30pm est):
Detroit is the much better of these two teams. They have only scored above 109 points in one of their four head to head meetings with Orlando this season. The Pistons are a gritty team that I think brings the extra effort defensively in this playoff opener.
Play 'under' this total.
Thank you and good luck,
Jason Sharpe
Griffin Murphy
7-Unit Play. Take #592 Spurs (-11) Over Blazers (9:00p.m., Sunday, April 19th)
The Spurs have heard nothing in the media other than the fact that they are not ready for the big moment and they were not supposed to be this good this soon and that they are one year early in regard to being a contender. Wemby has negated that in the media, and we think they want to make a statement here right out of the gate that they are ready to go. Don't forget, the Blazers had to play a play-in game to get here, and the Spurs have been game planning for quite a while now. Like the Spurs here.
Griffin Murphy
Nick Menken
2 Unit: NBA Take ORL Magic vs. DET Pistons (UNDER 219.5 Total Points) (-110) (5:30p.m, Sunday, April 19th)
Nick Menken
Expert NBA Picks History:
Doc's Sports
4-Unit Play Take Boston -12.5 over Philadelphia (1 p.m. EST, Sunday April 19)The Celtics are the most complete team in the NBA and they have a championship pedigree. They know the assignment here and we expect a blowout. The Sixers are without their best player and the Celtics will amp up their NBA-best defense for a resounding Game 1 blowout.
Best of Luck – Doc’s Sports
Robert Ferringo
2-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 215.5 Philadelphia at Boston (1 p.m., Sunday, April 19)1-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 215.5 Phoenix at Oklahoma City (3:30 p.m., Sunday, April 19)
1-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 222.0 Portland at San Antonio (9 p.m., Sunday, April 19)
4-Unit Play. Take #590 Detroit (-8.5) over Orlando (6:30 p.m., Sunday, April 19)
2-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 219.5 Orlando at Detroit (6:30 p.m., Sunday, April 19)
Detroit isn’t a fluke No. 1 seed in the East. This team has been on a six-month tear and I think that their home arena will be rocking. Orlando played out of its mind against Charlotte at home. But the game before that they were a dud at Cleveland. I think the Pistons are going to come out firing and win this one in a blowout.
Carpe diem. Good luck.
Craig Trapp
7-Unit Play. Take #591 Portland (+11) Over San Antonio (9 pm, Sunday April 19)The Spurs are the better team, but Portland could be rusty after a week off while the Blazers have been playing meaningful games. I expect Portland to keep this close — take the Blazers to cover the large spread Sunday night.
Craig
Scott Rickenbach
3-Unit Play. Take #585 Philadelphia +12.5 at Boston (1 p.m., Sun, Apr. 19)This is just too many points. Yes, the Sixers are without Embiid but they are so use to playing without him and what is important is they have all their other guys ready to go for this game. Remember George missed a lot of the season but he is back now and he combines with Maxey, Edgecombe and Oubre to give the Sixers their regular starting five when Embiid is available. Even without him, just as they showed against Orlando - the same Magic team that just destroyed Charlotte - the Sixers can get the job done. That is not to say they win this game or win this series. I am certainly not saying that. I am just saying this is too many points. Could the Celtics also be rusty as they rested all their regulars in the season finale and it has been awhile since they played. The Sixers, on the other hand, have kept momentum going and really got a lot of confidence back with the solid win over the Magic in the play-in round. This Sixers team has now won 3 straight games and I see them keeping this game to single digits. 3* PHILADELPHIA +12.5
4-Unit Play. Take #591 Portland +11.5 at San Antonio (9 p.m., Sun, Apr. 19)
A lot of pressure on San Antonio to perform as they are finally back in the post-season after many seasons falling short. But they are not just in the playoffs, they also are one of the favorites to win it all. So, how will they handle this pressure? Eventually they will likely be okay but here in Game 1 against a Portland team that no one is worried about, I think this is a dangerous game. That is not to say that San Antonio does not prevail. I am just saying it will likely be a lot closer than what most are expecting and I see the Blazers keeping this to single digits. Portland took 1 of the 3 regular season meetings and they hung around in the other 2 meetings as well. Both the losses saw the Blazers down by just single digits in the 4th quarter. Portland has that "nobody is giving us a chance" mentality entering this game and they could surprise here in Game 1. Especially with rust a factor for the Spurs after the layoff. 4* PORTLAND +11.5
Arun Shiva (Indian Cowboy)
6-Unit Play. #590. Take Detroit Pistons -8.5 over Orlando Magic (Sunday @ 6:30pm est)Note, 6*MLB Today (4-0 Run), 7* NHL Today (6-0 Run), let's have a great day. We roll with Detroit here as they hook up against Orlando. What you have here is a Detroit team actually lost to Orlando recently and they will be motivated coming in. Detroit also gets their man Cade back in this game who only scored 7 points against the Pacers last game, but he got his feet wet and without a doubt that is important. Orlando beat them 123-107 last time and Orlando comes off a monumental win over Charlotte 121-90 and I'm telling you, when you come off such a big win like that, it also makes you take such a sigh of relief you won an elimination game, you take a breather and it affects you. Detroit has won 3 straight games, they beat Charlotte by 18 in a game Charlotte needed of sorts, they beat Toronto by 11 and Minnesota by 22 points. Detroit will want to truly prove they belong and they will be more than excited about their first relevant playoff game in forever it seems and I think they will get it done here.
Raphael Esparza (VSI)
NBA BASKETBALL3 Unit Play. Take #587 Over 215.5 Phoenix at Oklahoma City (3:30 p.m., Sunday April 19)
Tony George
Passing for today.Vernon Croy
7-Unit Play: #591 Portland +11-110 over San Antonio (Sunday, April 19, 2026, 9:00pm ET)Take Portland ATS as my top NBA pick for Sunday night. This pick falls into one of my top NBA systems and I really like Portland a lot in the spot especially in the first game of this series. Portland is a red-hot team coming into this matchup with several impressive victories down the stretch and they have also covered the spread in six of their last eight games overall. Portland did win their second last meeting at San Antonio back on January 3rd by five points 115-110 despite being an 8-point underdog. Portland has really shown at times especially down the stretch that they can step up defensively and I expect them to do that on the road here tonight. The last time these two teams met back on April 8th San Antonio did win that game by 11 points but that does not bother me coming into this game. Portland shot just 50% from the line in that loss making it to the line only 10 times while San Antonio shot 79% from the line making it to the line 19 times and that was the main difference in that game. I do expect Portland to be very aggressive on the boards here tonight. Play Portland ATS
Scott Spreitzer
4-Unit Play: 592 Spurs -11 over Blazers (9 p.m., Sunday, April 19)First round favorites of more than eight points have dominated, including a 99-14 SU / 68-45 ATS run, including yesterday’s win and cover by the Cavaliers. This is a bad matchup for the Blazers. They want to get their points in transition and put-backs on the offensive end and that’s not something you can count on against Wemby and the Spurs. San Antonio owns the style advantage, the angle advantage mentioned above, and of course, Wemanyama. I’m laying the points with the Spurs. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
August Young
Passing for today.Strike Point Sports
3-Unit Play. Take #590 Detroit (-8.5) over Orlando (6:30 p.m., Sunday, April 19)Orlando looked poor in their first game and then just caught the Hornets in the perfect let down spot. Detroit isn't going to take the Magic for granted and they are going to win this game by double-figures. Yesterday proved that home court in Game 1 means something and the Pistons are going to put on a show for their home fans. Detroit felt that they left some wins on the floor in the playoffs last year, and they are on a mission in 2026. This team is better, and hungrier than they were last season and their trek to the finals starts tonight. Lay the points here as this line is too low.
Best of Luck - Strike Point Sports
Jason Sharpe
Sunday April 19th 2026-3 Unit Play Take #590 'under' 220 Orlando/Detroit (6:30pm est):
Detroit is the much better of these two teams. They have only scored above 109 points in one of their four head to head meetings with Orlando this season. The Pistons are a gritty team that I think brings the extra effort defensively in this playoff opener.
Play 'under' this total.
Thank you and good luck,
Jason Sharpe
Griffin Murphy
7-Unit Play. Take #592 Spurs (-11) Over Blazers (9:00p.m., Sunday, April 19th)The Spurs have heard nothing in the media other than the fact that they are not ready for the big moment and they were not supposed to be this good this soon and that they are one year early in regard to being a contender. Wemby has negated that in the media, and we think they want to make a statement here right out of the gate that they are ready to go. Don't forget, the Blazers had to play a play-in game to get here, and the Spurs have been game planning for quite a while now. Like the Spurs here.
Griffin Murphy
Nick Menken
2 Unit: NBA Take ORL Magic vs. DET Pistons (UNDER 219.5 Total Points) (-110) (5:30p.m, Sunday, April 19th)Nick Menken
Expert NBA Picks History:
Doc's Sports is excited about the 2025-26 season and they have done extra research this season and plan to be one of the best NBA handicappers in the nation, like they were in the Bubble season where they earned nearly +13,000 profit in one year! They have nearly 20 years of experience handicapping the NBA, and they plan on a strong start and to make their clients lots of money this season. They are also on a 12-3 run for 8-Unit NBA predictions, so you are going to want to follow then when they release a big play.
Robert Ferringo has burned the sportsbooks for three of four winning NBA years, including +16,670 between 2021-2024. Robert was the No. 1 NBA profit producer between 2014-2024, posting a ridiculous 9 of 10 winning NBA years and banking an astounding +40,500 in winnings. Robert has tallied an amazing 12 of 15 winning NBA years, averaging +3,420 per season during that stretch, and he is going to continue utilizing his unique Ferringo Method, which has helped him become one of the most profitable all-sports handicappers in the nation since 2010. Take advantage today!
Scott Spreitzer has dominated the NBA hardwood and he plans on continuing his book-busting ways in 2025-26. Spreitzer is up +17,595 since the start of the 2021 season and looks to add to that today. Spreitzer has gone 99-64 with all his NBA plays rated 5.0+, producing +17,570 in winnings, and he has topped the sportsbooks for three of four winning NBA years after a dynamite showing (+5,460) last season. Sign up and don’t miss a single winner!
Strike Point Sports scored nearly +4,000 in NBA winnings last season to post another year on the hardwood. SPS generally releases just one play per day and are the perfect option for bettors who like only the best of the best picks. In 2014-15 they annihilated the books for over +16,000, one of the best seasons in any sport in Doc’s history, and they plan on having another sensational season. Sign up and put them to work now!
Arun Shiva has had great success in the NBA and has proven himself as one of the top basketball handicappers in the country. Between 2013-2017 Shiva went 506-393 (56%) for an incredible +30,110 profit, and he posted a winning season in 2024-25 thanks to a thrilling 7-0, +3,400 run to close the season. He has one of the sharpest eyes for NBA value, and he is looking forward to another season with incredible potential for profit.
Nick Menken is one of the newest handicappers at Doc's Sports and absolutely loves the NBA. Menken went on an absolute tear in the playoffs last spring, banking nearly +4,000 over the last two months of the season. Menken scored a winning overall NBA season and is looking to do it again. He has over 10 years of sports betting experience and you can sign up now!
August Young rattled off back-to-back winning NBA seasons (+7,505) in 2022 and 2023 and is expecting to make it three of four winning years in 2025-2026. Young has been one of the best when it comes to his big plays, and his team have hired some added researchers for the upcoming season to take advantage of the forever changing dynamics of pro basketball in terms of injury reports and starter minute expectations. This season should be one like no other!
Jason Sharpe dominated the books for +13,000 in profit between the 2022 All-Star Game and the start of the 2024 season. Sharpe was the top NBA handicapper in 2020-21, posting more than +10,000 in overall profit and doubling his clients’ bankrolls. He has now posted five of eight winning NBA seasons and is 52-38 (57%) on his last 90 plays rated 6.0+. Sharpe is a true Las Vegas professional and a consistent and reliable earner across a variety of sports. You can put him to work today.
Griffin Murphy has battered the books with his top NBA plays over the last two seasons, banking +3,630 on plays rated 7.0+ and going 3-1 with his 8-Unit GOTY Plays. Murphy has 10 years of betting experience, with eight years of experience as a professional handicapper. He began his career in the Foreign Exchange market and this experience has made him an expert on probabilities, which is an essential part of an NBA handicapper's repertoire. Sign up now!
Tony George has done some of his best work on the pro hoops circuit. George has 30 years of sports betting experience to draw on with his NBA service, and he is looking to put it to good use again this winter. George is a proven veteran, and he is going to make it another winning season on the pro hardwood. Don't miss out!
Vernon Croy releases one top NBA play daily throughout the NBA season. Choosing quality over quantity is Croy's method across all sports and it has paid off big time. Croy had one of his best NBA seasons ever in 2023-24, taking home over +5,000 on the year, and he wants to do it again. Put this 25-year veteran betting expert on your side this NBA season and your bankroll will thank you. Sign-up today!
Raphael Esparza is going to add to his NBA resume this winter. He closed out 2018-2020 with a run of over +9,400 and tallied more than +16,000 in winnings from 2011-2013. He is looking for some serious ROI this winter. Esparza is a former Las Vegas sportsbook manager, and he knows all the tricks of the trade from both sides of the window. Put him to work for you today!
Craig Trapp joined Doc’s Sports last December and posted a winning season on the hardwood, including a +5,400 burst over his first four months. Trapp was rock solid with his top plays, going 32-24 (57%), +3,620 with his plays rated 6.0+ last season. He is looking to pick up where he left off. Sign up and put his experience to work for you today!
Scott Rickenbach is the newest addition to the Doc’s Sports team. With over two decades of experience, Rickenbach has a well-earned reputation and ranks among the most popular and sought after handicappers in the industry. Rickenbach has been a top earner in plenty of his 22 years as an NBA handicapper and there will be no better time to catch him than the 2025-26 pro hoops season!
The 2025-26 NBA season starts on Oct. 21. Be sure to check out Doc's football, hockey and college basketball picks as well.
Please note all of our NBA picks are against the spread (NBA picks ATS) or totals plays.