The NBA playoff slate for Saturday, April 19, marks the opening of the first round of playoffs. There is no shortage of intriguing betting options on DraftKings Sportsbook to consider.
Here’s the full NBA schedule for Saturday, April 19 (all times Eastern):
- Bucks at Pacers, 1 p.m.
- Clippers at Nuggets, 3:30 p.m.
- Pistons at Knicks, 6 p.m.
- Timberwolves at Lakers, 8:30 p.m.
Pacers -6 (-110)
The Milwaukee Bucks enter their playoff series against the Indiana Pacers as the lower seed, and they’ll face a tough challenge on the road. Indiana has home-court advantage and has been playing well, finishing the regular season with a 7-1 stretch to close out the year, which helped it secure the No. 4 seed in the East.
While Giannis Antetokounmpo’s recent performances have been stellar, especially as he averages a triple-double in his last few games, the Pacers have plenty of talent to give a shorthanded opponent problems. Tyrese Haliburton has led the way for Indiana, and it’s played well at home this season. With the energy of the home crowd and their solid finish to the season, the Pacers should have what it takes to cover the -6 spread in Game 1, giving them a solid start to the series.
Nuggets -2.5 (-108)
The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers are set to battle in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series, and the Nuggets are slight favorites to win at home. Nikola Jokic has been dominant all season, averaging a triple-double, and his performance will be crucial in this series.
The Clippers, however, have been one of the hottest teams entering the postseason, winning 18 of their last 21 games. The strong recent play of Kawhi Leonard has been a key factor, and he, along with James Harden, has brought stability to the Clippers’ offense. While Los Angeles enters as the lower seed, it’s shown the ability to compete with the Nuggets in their season series. Still, Denver’s depth and home-court advantage make them the pick to cover the -2.5 spread in this tight series opener.
Knicks -7 (-112)
The New York Knicks begin their playoff journey with a strong matchup against the Detroit Pistons. The Knicks, who finished the regular season with a 51-31 record, are favorites to cover the -7 spread. Jalen Brunson has provided stability and will be crucial, especially since he’s healthy and ready to contribute after an ankle injury.
The Pistons, despite their improvement, will enter their first playoff series since 2019, and they will need to rely heavily on Cade Cunningham, who had an All-Star season. However, New York’s depth, which includes Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, likely gives it the edge. The Knicks’ defense has the capability to limit Detroit’s scoring opportunities, and their offensive efficiency should help them cover the -7 spread.
Lakers -4 (-112)
The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in a highly anticipated Game 1 of the Western Conference first round. The Lakers, with their star power—LeBron James and Luka Doncic—are favorites to cover the -4 spread. The Timberwolves will face a tough challenge, as the Lakers have been one of the top teams in the West lately. Doncic has found his form and built chemistry with the team.
Minnesota has had an impressive season but has struggled in its season series against the Lakers. Julius Randle has struggled in the postseason throughout his NBA career and will be attempting to get the job done for the first time with the Timberwolves in this setting. LeBron James’ floor-raising impact and the Lakers’ depth make them the more reliable pick to cover the -4 spread in this Game 1 matchup.
