Quick Recap:
• Record: 2-0
• Units: +1.8
• Best Win: Magic +3.0 (+0.9u)
• Tough Loss: —
Bryan Bash delivered a perfect 2-0 performance on April 27, 2026, cashing both of his NBA playoff selections. The handicapper found success backing underdogs in both contests, capitalizing on a pair of covers that came via different routes—one a straight-up upset victory and the other a competitive loss that stayed within the number.
Pistons at Magic
Bash’s first winner came on the Orlando Magic +3.0 against the Detroit Pistons, and it proved to be the more comfortable of his two covers. The Magic claimed a 94-88 victory in Orlando, moving within one win of their first playoff series victory in 16 years and putting the East’s top-seeded Pistons on the brink of elimination with a 3-1 series lead. The result was Won.
Desmond Bane led Orlando with 22 points, while Franz Wagner contributed 19 points in just three quarters of action, adding four steals in an efficient performance. Despite Cade Cunningham’s strong effort for Detroit—25 points, nine rebounds, and six assists—the Pistons couldn’t overcome their offensive struggles. The game featured remarkably poor shooting from both sides, with Orlando converting just 32.6% from the field and 25.7% from three-point range, while Detroit managed only slightly better at 37.8% from the field and a dismal 20.0% from beyond the arc. In a defensive slugfest, the Magic built their advantage gradually, outscoring Detroit 28-25 in the second quarter and 21-17 in the third to establish control. Orlando’s 52-49 rebounding edge proved crucial in a low-possession game where every extra opportunity mattered.
Thunder at Suns
Bash’s second selection, Phoenix Suns +10.5 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, required a sweat but ultimately cashed as the Suns fell 131-122. The nine-point margin kept Phoenix comfortably inside the double-digit spread for a Won result.
This contest played out in stark contrast to the defensive battle in Orlando, as both teams lit up the scoreboard with exceptional shooting performances. Oklahoma City shot 53.7% from the field and a blistering 50.0% from three-point range, while Phoenix nearly matched them at 53.3% from the field and 35.9% from deep. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander paced the Thunder with 31 points and eight assists, while Dillon Brooks led the Suns with 23 points in the losing effort. The Thunder built their lead early, outscoring Phoenix 37-33 in the first quarter and extending it with a 38-34 advantage in the second frame to take a 75-67 halftime lead. However, the Suns remained competitive throughout, matching Oklahoma City 31-31 in the third quarter and staying within striking distance in the fourth. The Thunder’s 86.7% free throw shooting compared to Phoenix’s 75.0% mark, combined with a 39-33 rebounding advantage and 28-24 assist edge, provided just enough separation to secure the victory without threatening the spread.
Bryan Bash’s perfect 2-0 day showcased solid handicapping across two very different game scripts. Both underdog selections proved profitable, with the Magic delivering an outright upset and the Suns keeping things competitive despite the loss. The clean sweep moves Bash’s recent form in a positive direction heading into the next slate of playoff action.
