Handicapper Bryan Bash posted a 5-4 record on April 7, 2026, finishing the day slightly above .500 with a mix of comfortable covers and narrow misses across nine NBA matchups.
Hornets at Celtics
Bash opened with a winner on the Celtics -5.5, as Boston defeated Charlotte 113-102. Jaylen Brown’s 35 points and nine rebounds led the Celtics to their 11th-point victory, easily clearing the spread. Brown has now scored 26 or more points in his last 10 games, while Jayson Tatum added 23 points in his sixth consecutive 20-point performance. The Celtics dominated after a slow start, outscoring Charlotte 35-26 in the third quarter to pull away. Boston shot 49.4% from the field and 40.5% from three-point range, while the Hornets struggled at 32.7% from beyond the arc despite LaMelo Ball’s 36 points. Result: Won
Thunder at Lakers
The Lakers +17.0 proved too optimistic as Oklahoma City demolished Los Angeles 123-87, a 36-point margin that crushed the spread. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 25 points and eight assists as the Thunder recorded their sixth straight victory. The Lakers posted their lowest-scoring performance of the season, hampered by injuries and abysmal 45.2% free throw shooting. Oklahoma City built the lead methodically, outscoring the Lakers 31-20 in the second quarter and 28-15 in the third to turn the game into a rout. Result: Lost
Heat at Raptors
Bash cashed comfortably on the Raptors -1.0 as Toronto crushed Miami 121-95. Scottie Barnes scored 25 points and Brandon Ingram added 23 as the Raptors dominated throughout, winning each quarter. The 26-point victory locked Miami into the play-in tournament for a fourth consecutive season while Toronto moved within a game of Atlanta for the No. 5 seed. The Raptors controlled the boards with a 56-44 rebounding advantage and shot 49.5% from the field compared to Miami’s dismal 36.3%. The Heat’s 27.3% three-point shooting doomed any comeback hopes. Result: Won
Timberwolves at Pacers
The Pacers +12.5 fell short as Minnesota won 124-104, a 20-point margin that missed the cover by 7.5 points. Ayo Dosunmu led the Timberwolves with 24 points while Julius Randle and Bones Hyland each added 19. Minnesota’s 39-24 third quarter proved decisive, breaking open what had been a manageable game. The Timberwolves shot 51.7% from the field and an impressive 93.8% from the free throw line, clinching a top-six seed and avoiding the Western Conference play-in tournament. Result: Lost
Mavericks at Clippers
Bash hit on the Clippers -11.5 as Los Angeles defeated Dallas 116-103. Kawhi Leonard’s 34 points, including six three-pointers, powered the Clippers to a 13-point victory that covered by 1.5 points. The Clippers built a 23-point lead before having to hold off a Dallas rally. Leonard played in his 62nd game, keeping his postseason eligibility hopes alive. The Mavericks shot just 35.0% from the field and a brutal 18.2% from three-point range, dooming rookie Cooper Flagg and company despite near-perfect 96.4% free throw shooting. Result: Won
Jazz at Pelicans
The Pelicans -11.5 covered easily in a 156-137 shootout victory. Rookie Jeremiah Fears set a Pelicans franchise rookie record with 40 points, shooting 17-for-29 from the field. Jordan Poole added 34 points, including 22 in a third quarter where New Orleans set a franchise record with 50 points in a single period. The Pelicans’ 57.5% field goal percentage and dominant 50-27 third quarter turned a close game into a blowout, snapping an eight-game losing streak. The 19-point margin comfortably cleared the 11.5-point spread. Result: Won
Bucks at Nets
Bash cashed on the Nets +2.0 as Brooklyn won outright 96-90. E.J. Liddell’s career-high 21 points led the Nets to their second straight victory. Brooklyn never trailed, building leads of 30-29 after one quarter and 49-43 at halftime before holding off Milwaukee’s fourth-quarter push. The Nets shot 91.3% from the free throw line compared to Milwaukee’s 62.5%, a discrepancy that proved crucial in the six-point game. Result: Won
Bulls at Wizards
The Wizards +6.5 was never competitive as Chicago demolished Washington 129-98. Rob Dillingham scored a career-high 26 points as the Bulls ended a seven-game skid with a 31-point victory. Chicago jumped out to a 38-18 first-quarter lead and extended it to 66-37 by halftime, rendering the spread meaningless early. The Bulls’ 48.9% shooting and 52-46 rebounding edge overwhelmed the NBA-worst Wizards. Result: Lost
Kings at Warriors
Bash’s final play, the Warriors -15.5, fell short despite a 110-105 Golden State victory. Stephen Curry scored 17 points in his second game back from knee injury, hitting two four-point plays and delivering the game-tying three-pointer with 2:38 remaining. The Warriors’ five-point margin fell well short of the 15.5-point spread. Sacramento’s strong third quarter, outscoring Golden State 28-19, kept the game close enough to cover despite the loss. Result: Lost
Bash finished the evening 5-4, with his winners coming on spreads ranging from narrow one-point favorites to double-digit lines. His losses included both blowouts that missed badly and close games that failed to cover, reflecting the unpredictable nature of Tuesday’s slate.
