Bryan Bash posted a 2-1 record on April 20, 2026, securing winning plays on both the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers while dropping his selection on the New York Knicks. The handicapper navigated a challenging slate of playoff matchups with solid execution on two of three picks.
Timberwolves at Nuggets
Bash opened the day with a winning selection on the Minnesota Timberwolves +6.5 (-110) as they defeated the Denver Nuggets 119-114 outright. The Timberwolves overcame a 19-point deficit in Denver, with Anthony Edwards leading the charge with 30 points and Julius Randle adding 24 to tie their first-round playoff series at one game apiece. The quarter-by-quarter breakdown tells the story of Minnesota’s resilience: after falling behind 39-25 in the opening quarter, the Timberwolves flipped the script with a dominant 39-25 second quarter to claw back into the game. Minnesota’s superior shooting performance proved decisive, as they hit 47.8% from the field and 41.2% from three-point range compared to Denver’s 44.2% and 36.6% respectively. The Timberwolves also controlled the glass with a 49-43 rebounding advantage over the Nuggets. Despite a strong performance from Nikola Jokic (24 points, 15 rebounds, 8 assists), Denver couldn’t hold off the surging visitors, and Bash’s underdog pick cashed comfortably with the outright victory.
Hawks at Knicks
Bash’s lone loss of the day came on the New York Knicks -5.5 (-115), as the Atlanta Hawks rallied to stun New York 107-106 in a heartbreaking finish. CJ McCollum scored 32 points and led a late surge that nearly unraveled when he missed two free throws with 5.6 seconds remaining. The Knicks had a final opportunity but Mikal Bridges missed a jumper as time expired. The Hawks’ dominant fourth quarter proved to be the difference, as they outscored New York 28-15 in the final frame to erase what had been a comfortable Knicks lead. Atlanta shot an impressive 49.4% from the field overall and converted 78.3% from the free-throw line, while New York struggled with just 63.0% from the charity stripe—a discrepancy that loomed large in the one-point outcome. The Knicks’ poor free-throw shooting and fourth-quarter collapse cost Bash this cover, as New York failed to hold serve at home despite 29 points from Jalen Brunson.
Raptors at Cavaliers
Bash closed the evening with a winning pick on the Cleveland Cavaliers -8.0 (-110), as they defeated the Toronto Raptors 115-105 to take a 2-0 series lead. Donovan Mitchell paced Cleveland with 30 points while James Harden contributed 28 and Evan Mobley added 25 points and eight rebounds. The Cavaliers became just the fourth team in franchise history to have at least three players score 25-plus points in a postseason game. Cleveland’s offensive efficiency was the story, as they shot an outstanding 53.0% from the field to overwhelm Toronto’s defense. The Cavaliers built their lead methodically, winning three of four quarters and covering the eight-point spread with relative ease. Toronto’s RJ Barrett managed 22 points and nine rebounds, but the Raptors couldn’t keep pace with Cleveland’s balanced attack despite shooting a respectable 50.6% themselves.
Bryan Bash delivered a profitable day with his 2-1 performance on April 20, 2026. His underdog selection on Minnesota and his confident backing of Cleveland both proved prescient, while only the Knicks’ fourth-quarter meltdown prevented a perfect 3-0 sweep. The handicapper demonstrated solid judgment across playoff matchups, banking 0.85 units on the day.
