The time for fun and games is over. The time for meaningful NBA games is upon us. The real playoffs kick off on Saturday with a four-game slate. Here are my NBA picks for April 20th. Go here for the latest NBA odds
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NBA Picks April 20th
Phoenix Suns vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Tipoff – 3:30 pm EST
Spread: Timberwolves -2
Total: 214.5
Perhaps I’m biased, as I’m typing these words while wearing a Phoenix Suns t-shirt, but I think the Suns are going to be able to get past the Minnesota Timberwolves in this first round series. And it starts in Game 1 tomorrow afternoon in Minneapolis.
Phoenix’s high-powered offense vs Minnesota’s lockdown defense has previously resulted in the Suns walking off the court victorious after 48 minutes of action. They’ve beaten the Wolves four straight times, including by 19 points last week. I like Phoenix +2 for Saturday.
Best Bet: Suns +2 (-104)
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets
Tipoff – 8:30 pm EST
Spread: Denver -7
Total: 223.5
The Los Angeles Lakers’ reward for winning their play-in game is a date with the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets. And at altitude for at least half the games. Fun times.
I’ve got to go with Denver covering the spread for Game 1 of this series. They’re rested, healthy, and ready to step it up for another run to the NBA Finals. The Nuggets beat the Lakers by 12, eight, and 10 points in their three meetings this season, and haven’t lost a game to the Lakers (including the playoffs) since December 2022.
Best Bet: Nuggets -7 (-110)
If you’d like even more info to help make your NBA bets for April 20th, check out the NBA Gambling Podcast. They’re dropping episodes five days a week to make you the smartest guy/gal at the bar.
