NBA Playoffs Betting Picks: Best ATS Bets for April 22

The NBA playoffs ramp back up tonight with several intriguing Game 2s. Teams can’t win or lose a series after two games, but I know - and you know - that after two games series can certainly feel like it’s over.

If the Lakers can’t win tonight at home against Minnesota, well, that series is almost certainly done. Memphis is just looking to find something, anything, in Oklahoma City, or that series is done, too.

I’m not done yet, let’s do a two-for-Tuesday.

Grizzlies vs. Thunder Odds

The Thunder have been the best team in the NBA this season, but have still flown under the radar (small market, you know). OKC is 56-24-4 against the spread and an impressive 36-6 at home.

And they totally have the Grizzlies number. The Thunder have beaten Memphis 10 straight times, and are 9-1 against the spread in those 10 games. Eight of the 10 have hit the under. How can you not like the Thunder?

Grizzlies vs. Thunder Prediction

About the only thing Memphis figured out after Game 1 was that it doesn’t matter if you lost by one or lose by 50, it still only counts as one game.

Oklahoma City beat the Grizzlies by 51 points in Game 1, the fifth biggest win by a team in NBA postseason history and the worst loss in Memphis franchise history.

And the Thunder did it without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander really having a big game. He only had 15 points, but the Thunder got whatever shot they wanted and made them. Jalen Williams had 20. Chet Holmgren, who is a much better NBA player than I thought he would be, had 19 and 10.

Grizzlies star Ja Morant said that his team would play a lot better in Game 2. I believe it. It’s hard for them to play worse. I still don’t think it matters. OKC is just too good and too confident right now.

The pick: Thunder -14.5 (-110 at BetMGM)

Wolves at Lakers Odds

Minnesota is 40-42-1 against the spread, while the Lakers are 45-36-2. Minnesota covered the spread in Game 1 easily (I got my pick right on that one). The difference was the Wolves strength inside.

The Wolves have beaten the Lakers three of the last four games, and something else I have noticed, when the Lakers lose, it’s usually by a big number. The Lakers last three losses have all been by double figures.

Wolves at Lakers Prediction

I’m not sure if the Lakers can fix the problem they have against Minnesota, which is basically they don’t have the size and bulk inside to match the Wolves physicality.

Minnesota outshot and out-rebounded the Lakers. Luka Doncic had 37 points, 16 in the first quarter, but Minnesota pulled away in the first half with a big run.

The Wolves didn’t stop LeBron James, but they made him work for his shots, and he was just 8-18 from the floor. Minnesota also won while Anthony Edwards wasn’t super incredible. He had 22 points. If LeBron and Edwards are a wash in this series, and Minnesota can basically let Luka have a big game and shut everyone else down, LA is in trouble.

I don’t like the Lakers long-term chances in this series, but I think they win a close one tonight. Still, I will take Minnesota and the points.

The pick: Wolves +5.5 (-110 at BetMGM)