Best NBA Bets Today: Free Betting Picks, Predictions & Player Props 4/18

Injuries are already a big storyline and the NBA is just one game into their month-and-a-half playoff journey. With all 16 NBA playoff teams getting their feet wet this weekend, tonight will begin Game 2 of the first round for six teams. The Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers will tip things off at 7:30 p.m. ET as the Raptors will try to bounce back from the shellacking they took on Saturday. However, they could be without three key rotational players, including two starters. Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors will look to take a 2-0 lead in their series against the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets, respectively.

This daily NBA article will examine the best betting picks, and NBA player prop bets today. With OddsShopper, bettors can maximize their profits and see the best bets with the highest expected return on investment. OddsShopper can find which sportsbooks offer the best prices for these prop bets. The following are the 11 best NBA bets today for April 18.

Best NBA Bets Today: Player Props & Expert Betting

76ers Spread (-7.5) Over Raptors

After a long layoff, Philadelphia beat Toronto in Game 1 131-111, as the 76ers shot 51.2% from the field and knocked down 16 3’s at a 50% clip. Tyrese Maxey led the way with 38 points for the 76ers, Tobias Harris added 26 points and James Harden and Joel Embiid recorded a double-double. The Sixers are such a different team with Harden and they are much more explosive offensively than the Raptors, who will likely be without Gary Trent Jr. (illness, doubtful), Thaddeus Young and Scottie Barnes (ankle, out). OddsShopper gives Philadelphia a 73% chance of winning the game and a 51% chance of covering.

The loss of Trent is huge for Toronto offensively as he can fill up the scoreboard when he is hitting on all cylinders. The Raptors are 2.5% points less efficient on the offensive end when Trent is off the court. Meanwhile, Barnes can contribute in all facets of the game, and his length and athleticism will be particularly missed on the glass. However, the Raptors are better defensively without both players.

Philadelphia has been much better offensively since Harden came on board, and they are 15-7 in games that he has played in. Moreover, the Sixers shot 47.5% from the field after the All-Star break. They have shot at least 50% from the field and have scored 120 or more points on 12 occasions in the 22 games that Harden has played in. Also, Maxey has been terrific against the Raptors all season long and he, Embiid and Harris have all been much more efficient with Harden on the floor. Plus, do not expect Embiid to be held under 20 points again tonight. Embiid averaged 29 points along with 11 rebounds against Toronto during the regular season.

76ers Spread (-2.5) Over Raptors First Quarter

Like their scoring overall, Philadelphia’s first-quarter production has increased since the All-Star break from 28.5 points to 30 points. The 76ers have also increased their scoring margin in the opening frame slightly during this stretch to 1.6 points a game. Meanwhile, the Raptors averaged 28 points in the first 12 minutes throughout the regular season, though they have a positive scoring margin (+0.2). However, the Sixers have outscored the Raptors in the opening frame in all five games this year, including 35-27 in Game 1. Overall, they have averaged 32 points and shot over 51% from the field while also outscoring the Raptors by more than six points in the first quarter this year.

Jazz Spread (-5.5) Over Mavericks

Utah struggled mightily on the offensive end in their 99-93 victory on Saturday though they dominated the boards and were terrific on the defensive end. The Jazz are the most efficient offensive team in the league, but they have struggled in three games at American Airlines Arena. The Jazz have shot just 45.4% from the field in Dallas this year, however, they are the second-best rebounding team in the league. They have controlled the boards in the series, outrebounding the Mavericks by an average of 3.5 boards in the regular season. Also, Bojan Bogdanovic has been terrific against the Mavs as he compiled 26 points in Game 1 and has produced 24.5 points in his four appearances against them this year.

Luka Doncic (hamstring) is expected to miss his second straight game, which will likely hinder Dallas offensively. The Mavericks shot just 38.2% from the field, including 28.1% beyond the arc. The Mavs offense is slightly less efficient when Doncic is off the floor compared to when he is playing. Granted, Spencer Dinwiddie and Jalen Brunson have been terrific in the games that Doncic has missed recently. Dallas is 8-10 without Doncic, with seven setbacks coming by six or more points.

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Dwight Powell Over 9.5 Points

Powell did not have a good Game 1 performance though that can be said about the entire Mavericks team offensively except Brunson and Dinwiddie. Powell finished the contest with just four points on two for six shooting from the field to go along with five rebounds, two assists and two blocks. However, this is a plus money bet (+105) and he averaged 11.5 points while shooting 60% from the field in four regular-season games against the Jazz. Utah has given up over 21 points a game to opposing centers this year and that number increases to 23.5 points when the Jazz are on the road. Powell is projected for 10.88 points tonight. OddsShopper gives the over a 60% chance of hitting and an expected ROI of 22%.

Danny Green Under 3.5 Rebounds

Green has done a better job on the boards recently, but he only grabbed three caroms in Game 1 against Toronto and averaged 3.5 boards over his final 10 games. Also, Green has only hauled in 11 rebounds in four games against Toronto this season and has failed to bring down at least four rebounds in 10 of his last 16 appearances. His minutes fluctuate drastically and he is grabbing a career-low 6.2% of all available this year. Green is projected for 2.5 rebounds tonight. OddsShopper gives the under a 76% chance of hitting and an expected ROI of 29%.

Other Top NBA Bets Today

Nuggets Spread (+7) Over Warriors
Tobias Harris Over 5.5 Rebounds
Royce O’Neal Over 3.5 Rebounds
Draymond Green Under 8.5 Assists
Aaron Gordon Over 1.5 Assists
Fred VanVleet Over 3.5 3-pointers

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