NBA Picks: Expert Picks Against the Spread, NBA Player Props, Best Bets & Parlays.

Today's NBA expert picks, player props, NBA best bets and parlays. All of our NBA predictions are against the spread. (ATS) Bookmark this page as it will be updated daily.

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Please note that the NBA picks above for tonight's games are not computer based picks. All of these articles are written by our talented staff. If you have any comments or suggestions please email service@docsports.com

NBA Picks

The NBA is considered by many to be the best league for sports betting. Yes, the NFL is king in terms of popularity and wagering volume per game but nothing beats NBA basketball over the course of a season. Why? There are many opportunities to make NBA picks every night. NBA lines move more often and are not as sharp as football lines which are under the microscope all week. NBA odds have a much shorter lifespan meaning there are greater opportunities to find value. That gives Doc's basketball handicappers exponentially more opportunities to offer daily free NBA picks and be even more selective when offering expert NBA picks.

Free NBA Picks and Expert Predictions

You can find Free NBA picks throughout the Doc's Sports network including this free NBA predictions page; on our Doc's NBA Experts page; and on the Youtube channels of our expert NBA handicappers. We now also have a very popular NBA video section that is updated daily with several videos during the NBA season. Check the video link on the top navigation. Those ready to take advantage of our Free $60 in member selections can click the button at the top of this page and start receiving free expert predictions.

Get your NBA Picks Today, and Everyday!

Doc's offers expert NBA picks today and every day of the NBA season! Sure, there are the days when the NBA card consists of only tanking teams competing for the right to draft the next Zion Williamson. These teams are bad and their competition for an audience is Seinfeld reruns or maybe getting an extra hour of sleep. At Doc's we don't see this as trash basketball, we see this as a huge opportunity to make money...on trash basketball. Each day during the basketball season is an opportunity to make valuable and profitable predictions

What are NBA Picks Against the Spread?

Most NBA bettors are going to make NBA picks against the spread. This is also known as NBA picks ATS. Sportsbooks give each NBA team a handicap of X amount of points. That means if books think the Lakers are 4 points better than the Celtics they will offer a line of Lakers -4. If a Doc's handicapper has reason to believe the Lakers are much more than 4 points better, his pick against the spread would be to take the Lakers -4. This is how all bets on the spread work unless bookmakers consider both teams to be evenly matched, in which case the line is a pick, AKA pick'em. At Doc's the majority of our NBA selections are against the spread. However, there can be outstanding value on betting NBA totals.

What are NBA Over/Under Picks?

The pace of the game, as well as which team dictates the pace, is a key factor when handicapping basketball games. When pace is an especially strong signal, it may dictate a pick on the over/under. An NBA over/under pick is another way of referring to a prediction on an NBA game point total. NBA total lines are usually well above 200 in today's NBA making them harder for the betting public to find value. For example, the 2004 Detroit Pistons team was very consistently within 5 points of the 90 they averaged. In today's NBA, greater scoring means greater variance. However, professional basketball handicappers can use this to their advantage as the sportsbooks also try to keep track of the higher scoring NBA totals. Doc's sports NBA total picks are some of the best in the business and our total prediction write-ups are insightful. Along with offering our NBA expert picks, we provide free selections that are intended to help bettors with their handicapping legwork.

What are NBA Parlay Picks?

Parlay picks are sucker bets they say! Never bet and NBA parlay they say! Bettors that speak in these absolutes clearly haven't learned how to find value betting basketball. Sure, the payout on parlays at most sportsbooks have gone down to the point where putting two of your picks together for the sake of winning more is not a good investment. But what if your parlay picks could be made on the same game? That is called a correlated NBA parlay. Many sportsbooks offer the ability to make NBA bets against the spread and total in the same game. So if you have a great read on a game and expect one team to quit and fall behind, you may decide to make an NBA parlay prediction. At Doc's our experts will offer a free parlay pick in rare cases. It is not common because we need to find value for our customers on both lines before they move. If our parlay prediction is indeed on the same game, we need to confirm there is value regardless of the fact that you can't line shop the odds on a parlay. Both bets in a parlay must be made at the same sportsbook. If there is a free selection on the total over of -14 and under 200 it was offered knowing that those lines can be found at most Las Vegas sportsbooks and online.

What are NBA Playoff Predictions?

Once the regular season is over the NBA tends to resemble the national football league in many ways. Bettors have much more time to make their NBA playoff picks as teams travel to each other's arenas and rest between series. Making successful NBA playoff predictions is as much about when you bet as it is who you bet on. A series might not start for days. That means an NBA spread may move quite a few points especially as the public bets closer to the action. If we see value in a playoff prediction it will rely heavily on getting the line we are quoting in said NBA pick. In the words of the great Tony George, "We are betting numbers, not teams!" That may not be more relevant than when making picks on the NBA playoff games.

What were Yesterdays Expert NBA Picks Results from our Handicappers?

For transparency in this spot we will list all of the previous days picks and analysis. This will be updated daily at around 5AM Eastern Time.

Monday 20th of April 2026

Doc's Sports

Passing for today.

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Robert Ferringo

1-Unit Play. Take #504 New York (-6) over Atlanta (8 p.m., Monday, April 20)
Now the Knicks really can shorten their bench and just play their studs. And the bottom line is that New York’s starting five is just better than Atlanta’s starting five. On top of that, New York is fantastic in MSG. I just think it’s too much for this surprising Hawks team to overcome.

6-Unit Play. Take #506 Denver (-7) over Minnesota (10:30 p.m., Monday, April 20)
2-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ 232.0 Minnesota at Denver (10:30 p.m., Monday, April 20)
On paper, this looked like by far the best series in either conference and a matchup of two teams that are real contenders against either the Spurs or Thunder. Games aren’t played on paper. What if the Timberwolves, who bumbled their way to the No. 6 seed this year, just aren’t that good anymore? Anthony Edwards is battling a sore knee and there is only so much he can do. Minnesota cannot stop The Joker. And now that they have a third (Aaron Gordon) and fourth (Cam Johnson) scoring option, the Nuggets offense is just too much. Denver won handily in the first game and they didn’t even shoot well, going just 10-for-36 from 3-point range (including 5-for-27 from their top four guys). If they are hitting from outside tonight this one could be a bloodbath. I know I’m going against the Zig-Zag here. But through the first 48 hours of the playoffs it looks like there is a clear top tier and bottom tier and we know where Denver is. I see another double-digit blowout.

Carpe diem. Good luck.

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Craig Trapp

3-Unit Play. Take #502 Cleveland (-8.5) Over Toronto (7 pm, Monday April 20)

The Cavaliers’ explosive offense is too much for a Raptors team that struggles to score, especially from three. Toronto’s lack of perimeter shooting will be exposed by Cleveland’s pace and firepower in Game 2. Take Cleveland to win and cover the spread.

Craig

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Scott Rickenbach

5-Unit Play. Take #505 Minnesota +7.5 at Denver (10:30 p.m., Mon, Apr. 20)
Plenty of value here on the big dog Timberwolves. Yes, the Nuggets won Game 1 by double digits but the Wolves hung around in that game more than the final score shows and I expect them to be even better here. We get some line value because Edwards (questionable) is again on the injury report. Certainly I do not see him missing this one as it is a very important game for Minnesota and the teams have two full days off after this any way. He can rest then and I do expect Edwards to be even better here after shaking off the rust in Game 1 of the series as had missed a lot of time over the past month. I know the Nuggets are on a long winning streak (and in fact I had them for a top game in Game 1) but the hungry Wolves are not going to back down and they have been strong off a loss when they have Edwards and I expect him to be ready tonight. The hungry dog gets the money here in this one and we take advantage of generous points. 5* MINNESOTA +7.5

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Arun Shiva (Indian Cowboy)

4-Unit Play. #503. Take Atlanta Hawks +6 over New York Knicks (Monday @ 8pm est)

We roll with the Hawks here as we think they hang tough against these Knicks. The last contest had a 19 to 30 free throw differential and we don't see that happening here. It's a quality public fade and these Hawks started out strong and then faded near the end but that was because this team is young and they gained some valuable experience there and with Okongwu possibly out today too, I think that will focus them even more as Risacher takes more of a role today. The Hawks have lost back to back games coming in, Kuminga only shot the ball 7 times last game, that too will change coming into this game. The Knicks were great but if they can only beat my Hawks by 11 given the massive inexperience the Hawks had in the playoffs with Trae, I think the Hawks are just fine here in their 2nd game and I think they will surprise more than folks realize.

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Raphael Esparza (VSI)

NBA BASKETBALL

3 Unit Play. Take #501 Toronto +9.5 over Cleveland (7:00 p.m., Monday April 20)
Wow! I liked this game when the line was +8.5 and this number has moved a full point this morning. I know the Cavs won by 13-points in Game #1 but look for the Raptors to keep this game close from the start.

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Tony George

NBA

4/20/26

3 Units

Take #501 Toronto (+8.5) over Cleveland

*7 EST

Toronto lost by 13 with the Cavs shooting lights out in Game 1, missing the cover on this very same number. I do not see Cleveland shooting their brains out in back to back games like that. Toronto is a good team with star power and beating a team by double digits back to back in the Playoffs is hard to do unless it is a #1 seed against a losing team that made the postseason scenario. Cleveland shot 54% from the floor and 50% from 3 point range and I do not see a repeat. Bear in mind the Raptors shot 52% from the floor. I expect more contested shot and a closer game than the last one.

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Vernon Croy

4-Unit Play: #506 Denver -7-110 over Minnesota (Monday, April 20, 2026, 10:30pm ET)

Take Denver ATS as my top NBA pick for Monday night. This pick falls into one of my top NBA systems and I really like Denver again in this spot at home. Denver's ability to make it to the line 33 times last game and they happen to knock down 30 of those shots was the difference in that game. Denver also dominated the boards which I expect them to do once again here tonight and they did step up defensively holding Minnesota to just 105 points against them. Minnesota actually shot better than Denver in their last game and still ended up losing by 11 points something that should be very disturbing for anyone thinking about backing Minnesota here tonight. Denver is the superior team especially at home. Play Denver ATS

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Scott Spreitzer

4-Unit Play: Take 502 Under 223.5 Raptors-Cavaliers (7 p.m., Monday, April 20)
The teams went over the total in Game-1 and it certainly didn’t hurt that 63 free throw attempts were taken. I believe that number goes down tonight. Also, Max Strus, who averaged 11 ppg on the season scored 24 points in slightly less than 24 minutes. I highly doubt Strus goes off again. Cleveland won Game-1 and Toronto games are on an 18-5 Under run in same season revenge, because the Raptors normally focus on defense in the next meeting. Toronto 5th in defensive efficiency. They’re top-10 in ppg allowed, FG percentage allowed, and 3-point defense. In fact, they’ve been tremendous defending the 3-pointer this season. Cleveland makes 36% of their 3’s and Toronto games are 17-4 to the Under against teams that shoot 36% of better on the season. I’m playing the Under. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

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August Young

Passing for today.

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Strike Point Sports

3-Unit Play. Take #505 Minnesota (+7) over Denver (10:30 p.m., Monday, April 20)
Game one in this series was back and forth as both teams had double-digit leads, but in the end it came down to two possessions late. Denver had to heave up a half-court shot as the shot clock buzzed, and it grazed the rim as the Wolves stood around and watched the rebound get put back in to push the lead from five to seven. Then on the next possession Rudy Gobert got called for offensive basket interference and the Nuggets scored again making it a nine point game late. Minnesota was about to cut the game to three and possibly one, but then found themselves down nine and couldn't get it within the number. I don't see that happening again, and the zig zag theory will come to fruition here. Take the points.

2-Unit Play. Take #503 Atlanta (+6) over New York (8 p.m., Monday, April 20)

Best of Luck - Strike Point Sports

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Jason Sharpe

Passing for today.

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Griffin Murphy

4-Unit Play. Take #505 Timberwolves vs Spurs Over 231 (10:30p.m., Monday, April 20th)

Remember, the Nuggets were an outstanding over team this year, at 52-31 to the over, and we think with Anthony Edwards getting his feet back under him in Game 2, this game sees a lot of points. Denver was the #1 offense in the league as it relates to PPG, and the Timberwolves were #6. Let's roll with the over here in Denver in the altitude, which could lead to some defensive fatigue issues for Minnesota.

Griffin Murphy

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Nick Menken

1 Unit: NBA Take MIN Timberwolves vs. DEN Nuggets (OVER 231.5 Total Points) (-110) (10:30p.m, Monday, April 20th)
3 Unit: NBA Take MIN Timberwolves (+7) over DEN Nuggets (-110) (10:30p.m, Monday, April 20th)
Tonight is a high-stakes Game 2 in Denver, and the Timberwolves are heading into Ball Arena with a clear mission to even the series. After a hard-fought 116-105 loss in the opener, Minnesota has plenty of room for improvement, specifically regarding their efficiency and composure. While Denver looked dominant down the stretch in Game 1, it wasn't the cleanest performance from either side. Minnesota showed they can compete with the Nuggets for long stretches, and with a few adjustments to their shot selection and better discipline, they are poised to keep this one close. Anthony Edwards, despite battling a nagging knee issue, is a star who elevates his game in response to a loss, and he’ll need to be aggressive early to force the Nuggets into uncomfortable defensive positions. Taking the Timberwolves at +7 is the right move because this series is closer than the final score of Game 1 suggests. Minnesota isn't going to roll over, and that seven-point cushion provides plenty of breathing room in what should be a physical, back-and-forth battle. Additionally, with both offenses looking to find a better rhythm tonight, the total is trending in the right direction. Back the Minnesota Timberwolves to cover the +7 spread.
Nick Menken

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