NBA playoff picks today including every game on the board with full Saturday slate odds, lines and betting preview. Looking for NBA playoff picks today? Steve Merril breaks down EVERY GAME on the board for Saturday, April 18, covering the opening round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs, which officially begin this weekend.
0:00 – Intro
0:57 – Raptors at Cavaliers (-8, 219.5) – 1 pm ET (Prime)
2:05 – Timberwolves at Nuggets (-6, 231.5) – 3:30 pm ET (Prime)
3:44 – NBA Futures Research
5:18 – NBA Futures Odds
6:28 – Hawks at Knicks (-5.5, 216.5) – 6 pm ET (Prime)
8:14 – Rockets (-5.5, 207) – 8:30 pm (ABC)
12:50 – Save HUGE On Steve’s All Access
14:28 – 30 Years Experience
14:59 – Follow On Social @SteveMerril
This full-slate preview includes current betting odds, spreads, totals, and key matchup insights to help you stay ahead of the market on one of the biggest betting days of the postseason.
🏀 SATURDAY NBA PLAYOFF MATCHUPS + ODDS
🏀 Cleveland Cavaliers vs Toronto Raptors
• Spread: Cavaliers -5.5
• Total: 214.5
• Series: Cavs heavy favorite (~ -500 range)
🏀 Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers
• Spread: Celtics -8.5 to -10
• Total: 215–218
• Series: Celtics ~ -900 favorites
🏀 New York Knicks vs Atlanta Hawks
• Spread: Knicks -5 to -6
• Total: 220 range
• Series: Knicks -275 favorites
🏀 Denver Nuggets vs Minnesota Timberwolves
• Spread: Nuggets -6 to -7
• Total: 218–222
• Series: Nuggets -350 favorites
🏀 Los Angeles Lakers vs Houston Rockets
• Spread: Rockets -4 to -5
• Total: 222–226
• Series: Rockets -600 favorites
📊 Note: Odds may vary by sportsbook and move throughout the day based on injuries, lineup news, and betting action.
📊 WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS VIDEO
🔥 Every NBA Playoff Game (Full Slate)
• Game-by-game breakdown across the board
• Matchup analysis and key betting angles
• Playoff trends and situational spots
📊 Odds, Lines & Market Movement
• Opening vs current betting lines
• Sharp money vs public betting splits
• Totals and pace-of-play analysis
📈 Advanced Playoff Betting Analysis
• Rotations and coaching adjustments
• Offensive vs defensive efficiency
• Playoff experience and pressure spots
📊 NBA PLAYOFF BETTING MARKETS
• Point Spread
• Moneyline
• Total (Over/Under)
• Player Props
• First Half / Live Betting
Lines move quickly during the postseason due to injuries, rotations, and market action.
📺 HOW TO WATCH
• ESPN
• ABC
• TNT
💻 HOW TO WATCH ONLINE
• ESPN App
• TNT App
• YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, FuboTV
📻 HOW TO LISTEN
• SiriusXM NBA channels
• NBA radio broadcasts
• TuneIn Radio
NBA playoff picks
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🤷♂ What is your BEST BET for NBA tonight? Let us know in the comments below 👇
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sir may i ask, all the wagertalk handicappers seem to have profitable results. Why do you guys sell picks considering you show to make a profit? I mean, you guys bet major markets, so one could blissfully bet their edge every season, year in year out, and make a good living. I understand if you were betting niche leagues, 4th division polish soccer etc… due to account limits. Although beating major markets and the correlation with account health is generally not an issue. Appreciate all that you share, and hope you understand my question as general curiosity! can't wait for more plays in the Playoffs.
Again wtf u didn't make a pic,Houston or Lakers, fuck props pic a side
U didn't pic a side Knicks or atl?
I like Denver under
Rite on Steve. Good luck buddy. Hope u go 4 for 4 today👍
Thanks Steve!
Be The Bookie…
Own your Sports Predictions App
In App Liquidity
I thought for sure you would've gone with Toronto +8 and the Hawks+5.5
Sorry to ask a dumb question? Can somebody please explain the zigzags? Asking for a friend
Raptors lead the league in unders. Cavs worse team ATS. We need Quigley to play tho. I’m a wait let the Cavs catch a lead , live bet and tease down to 10.5 for + money. Lock it n
Rolling with Zig Zags today!
"On PRIIIIIMMMEEE"
Thanks Steve for the great insight and the Zig Zag is definitely REAL
ML Cavs , Knicks , Houston +177 LFG 🔥
Keep on rockin' Steve.
Cavs don't play well in early games
T Wolves did not have a healthy team in April and we do not know who shows up today. Agree with Nuggets call.
What do you think about Mitchell Robinson o8.5 rebounds? He's gone over in 6 straight vs the Hawks (who lack size) and if we do think the Hawks need to win by taking a lot of threes, there's the chance for more rebound opportunities
Thanks
What's the O/U on how many times grandpa LeFraud flops????
Here we goooooooooooooooo
Steve 🤞🏽🔐🔐💰
thanks so much steve!