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NBA Playoffs Best Bets (April 27): Thunder, Timberwolves, Pistons Odds & Game Props

Sports Writer

Publish Date: Apr 27, 2026

Fact checked by: Matt Moreno

Key Points

The OKC Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves can finish off the first round with victories.
The No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons teeter on edge against the Orlando Magic.
The NBA Playoffs will feature three games on Monday starting at 8 p.m. (EDT).

The NBA Playoffs are approaching the end of Round 1. This week we'll find out which teams have the talent to move on to the next round, and get one step closer to the NBA Finals.

So far, three teams have looked superior to the others: the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder; the deep Boston Celtics; and the intense Minnesota Timberwolves.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder controls the ball during the second half of Game Six of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on May 18, 2024 in Dallas, Texas.

(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

Apologies to the Los Angeles Lakers, but until LA faces a stiff challenge in the postseason, we're not sold on King James & The Jamesettes. Next round, when the Lakers likely face the Thunder, we'll see how good they are.

Tonight, three NBA Playoff games are on the schedule. Two road teams can finish off their opponents and move to the second round. The No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference is a near must-win situation. It's as close to must-win as a non-must-win game can be for the Pistons, who are down 2-1 to the gritty Magic.

My NBA playoffs best bets picks in this article are courtesy odds from BetMGM.

NBA Playoffs Best Bets: Pistons at Magic (Game 4 Odds & Prediction)

Spread: Detroit Pistons -3.5 (-110) | Orlando Magic +3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Detroit Pistons -150 | Orlando Magic +125
Total: O/U 214.5 (-115/-105)

The Pistons will need to win three of the final four games in this series to advance as the No. 1 seed in the East. This is a 60-win team teetering on the precipice of being cast aside. Detroit is seeking its first playoff series win since 2008. It's trying to avoid becoming the fifth team to lose an opening round seven-game series as the top seed in the conference.

If Detroit is going to thump Orlando on the road tonight, it will need much more from Jalen Duren. The All-Star center is averaging nine points and three turnovers in this series against Orlando. Thus far, the Magic have kept Duren from getting the ball where he can attack the rim or shoot his favorite short face-to-the-basket jumper. He's also coming in shy of his typical output in rebounds, coming in at 8.3 RPG compared to 10.5 in the regular season.

Thrillz

I don't anticipate the Pistons will be able to get what they need from players not named Cade Cunningham. This feels like a roster that lacks the toughness to compete in the difficult grind of an intense seven-game series where the opponent knows all your moves, all your weaknesses. The Pistons are a veteran forward away from being a title contender.

BEST BET: Detroit Pistons UNDER 105.5 Points (+140, BetMGM)

Detroit is averaging 101.3 points this series. The Pistons have yet to top 105 points this postseason, and in their four losses to Orlando this season, Detroit is averaging 105 points. On the road, in a loud, antagonizing environment, I can't see the Pistons scoring enough from beyond the 3-point line to get their score over 105. My bet is $100 on Detroit to score under 105.5, to win $140.

NBA Playoffs Best Bets: Thunder vs Suns (Game 4 Odds & Prediction)

Spread: Oklahoma City -10.5 (-110) | Phoenix Suns +10.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Oklahoma City -550 | Phoenix Suns +400
Total: O/U 214.5 (-110/-110)

Get out the brooms, basketball fans. Get ready for some days without hoops, OKC rooters. The Thunder are going to wrap it up tonight.

OKC has won 11 consecutive games in the first round. Its winning margin in those 11 victories is 18.3 points. This team is capable of stepping on your throat and finishing you off. Tonight, they don't even need Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to pour in the points. The Thunder can use a well-balanced attack to bury the overmatched Suns. And I think they will.

Note that SGA is averaging 34.7 PPG, but still hasn't shot well from deep. If he hits a few triples, watch out, the Thunder could roll to a 15+ margin win.

BEST BET: Oklahoma City by 16-20 Points on Winning Margin (+625, BetMGM)

Long odds here, as we're tied into a five-point window. If the Thunder win by 21+, we lose this wager. That's why I'm tossing $20 on these odds, to win $125. Your mileage may vary: follow your budget and strategy. If you feel adamant about a Thunder rout and want lower odds, go Thunder -12.5 at +125 (BetMGM). In that case, you could wager closer to your full unit, whatever that may be.

Thrillzz

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NBA Playoffs Best Bets: Timberwolves vs Nuggets Game 5 Prediction

Spread: Denver Nuggets -11.5 (-110) | Minnesota Timberwolves +11.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Denver Nuggets -550 | Minnesota Timberwolves +400
Total: O/U 222.5 (-110/-110)

The Nuggets suddenly look old. Try as hard as he might, Nikola Jokić seems unable to slow the frenetic Timberwolves and make them play at his methodical pace. Minnesota can finish off the Suns with a win in Denver on Monday night.

Oddsmakers are tempting us to bet on Minnesota. Odds are over +300 (3-to-1) on the TWolves on the road. And yes, I love that temptation. I like Minnesota's suffocating defense, its iron-first approach to 94-feet of pressure. The odds experts are underestimating this team even after injuries to star Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo in Game 4.

In the last three seasons, Minnesota is 19-6 in the first two rounds of the playoffs. This roster is built for the grind of long playoff series and intense action. No other team in the NBA can play the in-your-face, ultra-effort defense that the Timberwolves seem to thrive on.

The Nuggets may be able to withstand the T-Wolves for a quarter. But eventually, as the game wears on, Minnesota will defeat the will of the Denver players.

This is all I need to know: Nikola Jokić shot 56% in the regular season; but Minnesota has held him to 39% in this series. For the second time in three years, the Nuggets will be sent home by the Timberwolves.