The 2026 NBA playoffs continue on Monday, April 20 as many teams look to even their respective series while others aim to take commanding 2-0 leads.
Game 2 is set to take place in a few different series throughout the NBA. As a result, there are plenty of opportunities to make NBA predictions during Monday’s three-game slate on PrizePicks Team Picks.
Let’s dive into our top NBA playoff predictions and expert picks for Monday, April 20, including a player projection for PrizePicks.
Make your picks for the NBA Playoffs on PrizePicks now.
{{nba_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
NBA Playoff Predictions and Expert Picks for Monday, April 20
Monday’s schedule of games gets underway with the No. 4 seed Cleveland Cavaliers hosting the No. 5 seed Toronto Raptors at 7:00 p.m. ET on Peacock. It wraps up with the No. 3 seed Denver Nuggets facing the No. 6 seed Minnesota Timberwolves at 10:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
The Eastern Conference matchup between the Cavaliers and Raptors carries a ton of weight after Cleveland secured a convincing victory in Game 1. The Cavaliers are being tabbed as 9.5-point favorites for Game 2 by PrizePicks Team Picks.
Elsewhere, Denver secured a 116-105 win against Minnesota in Game 1, and Team Picks has projected the Nuggets as 7.5-point home favorites in Game 2.
Stay tuned to Playbook’s NBA coverage for continued predictions and picks throughout the NBA postseason and NBA Finals. Let’s break down our favorite NBA predictions and expert picks for Monday, April 20 on PrizePicks Team Picks.
Get a Payout Boost every night of the NBA Playoffs on PrizePicks.
Team Picks payouts are live as of writing and are subject to change.
Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Prediction on Over/Under – 4/20/26
NBA Over/Under Pick: Over 221.5 (1.78x) | Under 221.5 (1.96x)
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: Peacock
Lock in your Raptors vs. Cavaliers prediction on PrizePicks before the line moves.
- The over is 4-2 across the last six meetings between the Raptors and Cavaliers. Game's 1's total (222.5) was easily cleared in a 126-113 Cleveland win.
- The Cavaliers average 119.5 PPG, which ranks fourth in the NBA behind only the Denver Nuggets (122.1), Miami Heat (120.9), and San Antonio Spurs (119.8).
- According to NBA Advanced Stats, Cleveland owned the fifth-best effective field goal percentage (56.1%) during the regular season. In the postseason, the Cavaliers have the second-best eFG% (64.2%).
- The Cavaliers and Raptors are both incredibly efficient, shooting 48.2% from the field (tied for seventh).
- The Raptors record 29.5 APG, which ranked third during the regular season.
- The over is 6-4 in the last 10 meetings between Cleveland and Toronto dating back to 2023-24.
Cavaliers PG James Harden vs. Raptors Projection: 7 Assists
- Harden has averaged 10.0 assists per game in two contests vs. the Raptors this season, one of which came as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers. The Cavaliers' PG dished out 10 assists across 33 minutes in Game 1.
- According to databallr, Harden has averaged 19.0 potential assists per 100 possessions, ranking in the 99th percentile.
- Harden has averaged 8.1 APG in 32 career contests against the Raptors.
- The Cavaliers’ star has registered at least 8 assists in five of his last 12 games, including double-digit assists in four of those games.
Add James Harden to your PrizePicks Lineup now.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets Prediction on Spread – 4/20/26
NBA Spread Pick: Denver Nuggets -7.5 (1.92x) | Minnesota Timberwolves +7.5 (1.72x)
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
TV: NBC & Peacock
Lock in your Timberwolves vs. Nuggets prediction on PrizePicks before the line moves.
- The Nuggets are 4-1 against the spread in their last five meetings vs. the Timberwolves.
- The Timberwolves are 7-10 ATS as an away underdog, producing the NBA’s fifth-lowest cover rate (41.2%).
- Denver led the NBA in PPG (122.1) and 3-point shooting (39.6%) during the regular season.
- According to NBA Advanced Stats, the Nuggets produce an NBA-best assist-to-turnover ratio (2.2).
- Nuggets PG Jamal Murray has thrived against the Timberwolves this campaign. In five games, Murray has averaged 31.2 PPG and scored 30+ points three times.
- The Timberwolves commit 14.1 turnovers each night, 19th in the sport.
Make NBA Playoff Picks on PrizePicks
Might the Cavaliers and Raptors continue to pile on the points in Game 2? Meanwhile, can the Nuggets cover the spread for a second consecutive game against the Timberwolves?
Don’t wait until tip-off — make your NBA Playoffs picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.
Pick players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on game winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 35 states.
Stay locked in on Playbook for daily NBA predictions, picks, and news every day all the way through the 2026 NBA Finals.
