The opening weekend of the NBA playoffs didn’t hit the heights of the Play-In drama, but that could all change tonight with the Toronto Raptors, Atlanta Hawks, and Minnesota Timberwolves trying to rebound from Game 1 losses.
As those teams dig into adjustments and counters, I’ve brought a similar focus to the NBA player props market, and my favorite targets lean into the home squads, with wagers on James Harden and Aaron Gordon.
Check out my three favorite NBA picks for the April 20 hoops action.
Best NBA player props today
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 James Harden |
Over 2.5 threes | -112 |
 Dyson Daniels |
Over 5.5 assists | -112 |
 Aaron Gordon |
Over 22.5 points + rebounds | -110 |
Prop #1: James Harden Over 2.5 threes
James Harden feasted against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday, racking up 22 points and 10 assists, and I expect his shooting stroke to be there again in Game 2. The Beard knocked down four 3-pointers over the weekend, and he’s finished with 3+ triples in four of his past five outings.
It’s fair to pencil in a better defensive effort from Toronto tonight. Still, Harden can get to his stepback 3-ball in any matchup, and he’ll gladly hunt Toronto's weaker defenders on the perimeter.
Harden made his 3-pointers at a 44% clip in his 26 regular-season contests for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and he’s set to be a thorn in the Raptors’ side again at Rocket Arena.
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: Peacock/NBCSN
Prop #2: Dyson Daniels Over 5.5 assists
Dyson Daniels pushed the New York Knicks all the way in Game 1, and his motor will be a factor again tonight at MSG.
Daniels dished 11 assists at MSG on Saturday — his second straight outing with double-digit dimes — and we should see playmaking flashes from the Aussie again here, with New York clamping down on CJ McCollum, Jalen Johnson, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
That’ll leave the ball in Daniels’ hands on plenty of possessions, and he’s nailed this Over in four of his last five outings. Plus, look for his minutes to climb even higher as the Atlanta Hawks try to level the series tonight.
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: NBC/Peacock
Prop #3: Aaron Gordon Over 22.5 points + rebounds
Aaron Gordon was his usual steady self in Game 1, ending up with 17 points and eight rebounds, and I’m going back to the well tonight for another do-it-all performance from AG in this very familiar matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Denver Nuggets need Gordon at full strength to make a Finals run, and that’ll include more opportunistic sharpshooting from downtown, where he posted a 39% mark during the regular season.
Most of all, this pick banks on Gordon’s ability to go up a level in the playoffs. He averaged 16.2 ppg and 7.6 rpb in last year’s postseason, and he’s a natural beneficiary in the paint when Nikola Jokic draws a swarm of Minnesota defenders.
- Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: NBC/Peacock
These props are available now at bet365, one of our best betting sites.
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