NBA Player Props and Best Bets: Nikola Jokic, Brandon Ingram & More Picks for Monday, April 20

The NBA Playoffs are back on Monday, and I have my favorite player prop picks from around the league.

Jayson Tatum did not look like a guy who tore his Achilles tendon less than one year ago as he led the Boston Celtics with 25 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in their win over the Philadelphia 76ers. Victor Wembanyama also torched the Portland Trail Blazers for 35 efficient points as the San Antonio Spurs took a 1-0 series lead.

Monday’s matchups will see the Toronto Raptors visit the Cleveland Cavaliers (CLE 1-0), the Atlanta Hawks take on the New York Knicks (NY 1-0), and the Denver Nuggets host the Minnesota Timberwolves (DEN 1-0).

Here are my top NBA player prop picks and bets for the Monday playoffs.

Best NBA Prop Bets for Monday, April 20

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Brandon Ingram Over 21.5 Points (-120) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Ingram barely got to shoot the ball in Game 1 because of the way that the Cavaliers defended him. He still reached 17 points on only nine field goal attempts, and for how frustrated he sounded in his postgame interview, I expect him to get more shots off in Game 2.

Ingram beat this number in three of four games leading up to Saturday’s first encounter, and he scored 37 points in the teams’ final regular-season matchup. Toronto will need scoring to have a hope in this series, and Ingram can provide just that.

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Josh Hart Over 10.5 Points (-120) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Hart is definitely going to have a role to play in this series. The Atlanta Hawks want to get out in transition and push the pace to create free-flowing offense, whereas Hart is one of the best transition players in the league, and just got 37 minutes of game time in Game 1.

The 31-year-old guard only took eight shots on Saturday, but he scored 11 points without making a single three-pointer. The Hawks were only 18th in points allowed per game, and Hart’s unique role and comfort level driving to the basket give him a sustainable niche in this series.

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Nickeil Alexander-Walker Under 20.5 Points (-132) at FanDuel Sportsbook

One of the biggest reasons that I was skeptical of the Hawks’ chances of winning this series was the defensive effort that would be required by Alexander-Walker, who is also one of his team’s top scorers. That manifested itself in Game 1, when he only scored 17 points on 35.3 percent shooting after he averaged 20.8 points and 45.9 percent shooting for the year.

Jalen Brunson is a handful for any defender, and he came out of the gates scorching-hot to begin the series. The Knicks also ranked fifth in points allowed per game and held Atlanta to just 102 in the opening clash, which gives me even more belief in this playoff player prop.

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Julius Randle Over 4.5 Assists (+108) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Randle did not do enough in Game 1, putting up 16 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in 31 minutes of action. That’s despite him going over his assists line in three of four regular-season matchups with the Nuggets, including the final three, in which he never totaled fewer than six assists.

The Timberwolves are underdogs in this series, and they don’t stand a chance if Randle doesn’t step up his game, particularly with Anthony Edwards battling through a nagging injury. Denver was only 19th in assists allowed per game, so the opportunity is there if Randle can play up to his standard. 

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Nikola Jokic Under 28.5 Points (-130) at FanDuel sportsbook

Jokic picked apart the Timberwolves in Game 1, getting 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists in 40 minutes, seemingly without ever getting past second gear. However, that just might be the way that the Wolves want to play him, if Edwards isn’t fully healthy and capable of matching explosive scoring nights with 40 of his own.

The Joker scored 35 and 56 points in the two final regular-season matchups between these teams, and I believe that influenced their defensive strategy entering the series. Rudy Gobert played excellent defense in Game 1, and if he can roll that into Game 2, I would lean toward the under here.

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