NBA Best Bets Today: Expert NBA Betting Picks for 04/21/2025

The Knicks showed their championship mettle in Game 1, overcoming a nine-point deficit by unleashing a devastating 21-0 run in the fourth quarter to secure a comfortable win. Their home-court advantage at Madison Square Garden remains one of the most formidable in the NBA playoffs.

Jalen Brunson continues to establish himself as a postseason force, dropping 34 points in the opener. The balanced scoring attack with OG Anunoby and Karl-Anthony Towns each adding 23 points demonstrates why New York is so difficult to defend when firing on all cylinders.

The Pistons have now lost 13 straight Eastern Conference First Round games, an alarming trend that speaks to their playoff inexperience. Despite getting solid contributions from Tobias Harris (25 points) and Cade Cunningham (21 points, 12 assists), Detroit's fourth-quarter collapse revealed their vulnerability to pressure.

Detroit's shorthanded rotation is another concern, with Jaden Ivey still sidelined and Isaiah Stewart questionable. The Knicks, meanwhile, have a clean injury report and have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games as home favorites.

New York's momentum after their Game 1 comeback should carry over, particularly with the passionate Garden crowd behind them. The Knicks have won eight of their last nine playoff home games against Central Division opponents, a trend that bodes well for tonight's matchup.

The Clippers have to feel like they let Game 1 slip away after leading by as many as 15 points, but they're in prime position to bounce back tonight in Denver. LA hasn't lost consecutive games since early March, showing their resilience as a veteran squad.

James Harden dropped 32 points in Game 1, while Kawhi Leonard struggled with 7 turnovers. It's unlikely we see Leonard repeat such a poor performance, especially with his playoff experience. The Clippers also need more from their bench, which contributed just 13 points in the opener.

Analytics support the Clippers here, with models giving them a 56.7% win probability. Despite Denver's home-court advantage, the Clippers' depth and coaching edge should help them clean up the late-game execution issues that plagued them in the opener.

Denver is dealing with Jamal Murray's hamstring issues, even though he played all 48 minutes in Game 1. The Nuggets also got just 3 points from Michael Porter Jr., which likely won't happen again, but the Clippers' defensive adjustments should counter any potential MPJ bounce-back.

With 11 players aged 28 or older, the Clippers have the veteran savvy to steal home court in this pivotal Game 2. They're the better-coached, deeper team who simply need to avoid the turnover problems and late-quarter collapses that cost them Game 1.

Denver demonstrated their championship DNA in Game 1, weathering an early Clippers lead and executing better down the stretch to secure the overtime victory. The Nuggets' resilience at home makes them particularly dangerous as slight underdogs in Game 2.

Nikola Jokic was dominant despite facing DPOY candidate Ivica Zubac, nearly notching a triple-double with 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 12 assists. Aaron Gordon outplayed Kawhi Leonard, and Jamal Murray contributed 21 points with 9 rebounds and 7 assists despite hamstring concerns.

What's especially encouraging for Denver backers is that they won Game 1 with Michael Porter Jr. scoring just 3 points - an anomaly that's unlikely to repeat. If MPJ finds his shot in Game 2, the Nuggets' offense becomes even more potent.

The Nuggets have a playoff-tested core that knows how to make adjustments, and coach David Adelman will have counters ready for whatever the Clippers try to change. Denver's defensive game plan against Kawhi Leonard was particularly effective, forcing him into 7 turnovers.

With Denver already up 1-0 in the series and playing on their home court, where altitude is always a factor, the value lies with taking the defending champions getting a point at home. The Nuggets' championship pedigree and home-court advantage outweigh the Clippers' veteran experience in this spot.