Following Saturday’s opening day of the NBA Playoffs, Sunday, April 19, features four series-opening matchups.
The top dogs are in action today, as the No. 1 and 2 seeds from both conferences will be on display, providing a look at some of the favorites to make the NBA Finals. Among the four matchups, three games have spreads above 10 points, while the lowest mark is the Pistons favored by 9.5 points, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
While Sunday may provide some lopsided affairs, there’s still opportunity for our best NBA playoffs predictions. Below, we’ll lay out two NBA playoff picks among point spreads and over/unders on PrizePicks.
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NBA Playoff Predictions and Expert Picks for Sunday, April 19
The action tips off with a doubleheader on ABC, beginning with the No. 7 seed Philadelphia 76ers vs. the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics at 1:00 p.m. ET, followed by the No. 8 seed Phoenix Suns against the No. 1 seed Oklahoma City Thunder at 3:30 p.m. ET.
NBC and Peacock have the closing doubleheader of Sunday, featuring the No. 8 seed Orlando Magic vs. the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons at 6:30 p.m. ET and the No. 7 seed Portland Trail Blazers against the No. 2 seed San Antonio Spurs tipping off at 9:00 p.m. ET.
As mentioned, today is full of heavy favorites, with the Celtics (-13.5), Thunder (-15.5), and Spurs (-11.5) holding large point spreads.
Let’s sift through Sunday’s slate, as there are still intriguing options on PrizePicks Team picks — including live picks.
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 Sunday, April 19, on PrizePicks Team Picks.
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Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Prediction on Spread – 4/19/26
NBA Spread Pick: Phoenix Suns +15.5 (1.75x) | Oklahoma City Thunder -15.5 (2x)
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
- The Thunder are favored by a whopping 15.5 points, the largest spread of Sunday.
- Sunday’s over/under is 215.5, and that’s the second-lowest total for today — suggesting covering 15.5 points could be a tall task.
- Furthermore, Oklahoma City attempts only 89.1 shots per game (19th) while giving up 38.7 made field goals per game (third). Once again, this suggests a low-scoring matchup, helping the Suns’ case to keep it close.
- According to Dunks & Threes, the Thunder allow a 44.0% 3-point shot distribution (25th), 14.3 made triples per game (28th), and a 36.9% 3-point percentage (25th).
- Phoenix launches 40.7 treys (fifth) and converts 14.7 3-pointers per contest (fifth), capped by its 45.3% 3-point shot distribution (seventh).
- The Suns rank seventh in offensive rebounding rate, while OKC is 28th in the category.
- If Phoenix is getting looks from deep along with extra possessions, it may keep it closer than expected in Game 1.
Lock in your Suns vs. Thunder prediction on PrizePicks before the line moves.
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Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons Prediction on Over/Under – 4/19/26
Over/Under Pick: Under 218.5 (1.92x) | Over 218.5 (1.81x)
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
TV: NBC, Peacock
- NBA Advanced Stats rank the Pistons 19th in pace, while the Magic sit 14th.
- Detroit cedes 37.8 made field goals (first) and 85.2 shots per game (second).
- Orlando also excels at limiting opportunities, holding opponents to 87.6 field goal attempts per contest (eighth).
- Furthermore, neither team shoots the 3-ball often, as the Pistons have a 34.5% 3-point shot distribution (29th) compared to the Magic’s 38.6% mark (24th).
- Both offenses heavily lean on 2-pointers, but each defense sits in the top half for the lowest shot distribution around the rim allowed.
- If these squads shoot more triples than usual, Detroit converts only 35.6% of its looks from deep (18th), while Orlando cashes in a measly 34.2% (28th).
- Frankly, this game will likely be controlled by the paint attacks, and this paired with a slow pace may mean few points.
Lock in your Magic vs. Pistons prediction on PrizePicks before the line moves.
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The Suns may be among the best underdog picks for Sunday’s first-round action. If you’re sick and tired of 3-pointers, the Magic-Pistons could be exactly what the doctor ordered.
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