NBA Tips for Thursday, April 23rd 2026

We have NBA picks and predictions for Thursday, April 23rd, which features the Magic vs. Pistons and Suns vs. Thunder.

Our picks include a best bet and NBA same game multi, and we’re looking forward to the NBA action this week.

Magic vs. Pistons Best Bet

Pistons –8.5 @ $1.90

The Pistons were shocked by the Magic in Game 1, but a bounce back is likely for Game 2 at home.

They might have needed the game to prepare for the rest of the series, having not played for a few days while the play-in tournament was on. That should see them play much better on Thursday, and they will need to.

A better performance from the entire team is needed to cover the –8.5 spread, but the best team in the east isn’t likely to lose both home games to start the series. Punters should expect a much different outcome.

Magic vs. Pistons SGM

Pistons –8.5, Cade Cunningham Over 28.5 Points, Paolo Banchero Over 20.5 Points, Over 218.5 Points @ $8.50

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Cade Cunningham did all he could do on Tuesday, scoring 39 points. It was a good effort from the Pistons’ best player, and although not enough for the Pistons to win, it wasn’t his fault. We expect him to score over 28.5 points again.

Paolo Banchero dropped 23 points in Game 1, and although the Magic could struggle this time around, scoring over 20.5 points shouldn’t be too hard for him.

They combined for 213 points, but with more points likely to come from Detroit, punters should include over 218.5 points in NBA SGM picks.

Suns vs. Thunder Best Bet

Thunder –17.5 @ $1.90

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It was an easy win for the Thunder in Game 1 when limiting the Suns to 89 points, and another top defensive performance is expected.

We can’t get excited about the Suns during the playoffs, especially when facing the best team in the NBA. The Thunder rarely have a bad game, and they have far too much depth for the Suns to keep up in the scoring department.

They won by 35 points earlier this week, and although covering a –17.5 line isn’t easy, if there is any team capable of doing it, it’s the Thunder. They have the reigning MVP, and he doesn’t even need to have 30+ points for the Thunder to win in a rout.

Suns vs. Thunder SGM

Thunder -17.5, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 29.5 Points, Devin Booker Under 20.5 Points, Under 215.5 Points @ $8.00

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Gilgeous-Alexander got to the free throw line plenty of lines in Game 1, and that’s why he’s so hard to defend. Even though he plays for the foul, it’s effective, and scoring with no time coming off the clock is his specialty. We have him scoring 30+ points, so take the over 29.5 line.

Devin Booker had 23 points in Game 1, when the Suns were locked down. We expect something similar, and Booker could struggle to get off quality shots.

Under 215.5 points is worth including in NBA same game multis. The Suns should struggle on offence again, which could see them scoring under 100 points in consecutive games.

Editor In Chief

Daryl Curnow

After graduating from the University of Auckland (BA - English), Daryl was thrown into the world of sports and horse racing journalism.

Having worked as a racing journalist for two years, he decided to move into the online world of horse racing and sports writing. After years of honing his craft, Daryl became a professional punter in 2009 - with a focus on horse racing, NRL, AFL, NBA, Rugby, NFL, and US college sports.

Daryl's tips have been featured on various websites around the world before joining the GoBet team. When he's not working, Daryl tries to avoid making bogeys on the golf course.