Quick Recap:
• Record: 2-1
• Units: +0.8
• Best Win: Timberwolves +5.5 (+0.9u)
• Tough Loss: Atlanta Hawks +2.5 (-1.0u)
Bryan Bash posted a 2-1 record on April 30, 2026, navigating a challenging playoff slate with two successful underdog plays offsetting one lopsided loss. The handicapper found value on both the Timberwolves and 76ers as home underdogs while coming up short on the Hawks in what became a historic blowout.
Nuggets at Timberwolves
Bash opened his night with a winner on the Timberwolves +5.5 at -110 odds. Minnesota cruised to a 110-98 victory over Denver in Game 6, easily covering the spread by 17 points. The injury-ravaged Timberwolves, missing their top three guards, went big with Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid and dominated the paint to the tune of a 64-40 advantage in points in the paint and a 50-33 rebounding edge. Jaden McDaniels led the way with 32 points and 10 rebounds, while Terrence Shannon Jr. added 24 points in a surprise start. The Timberwolves controlled the game from the second quarter onward, outscoring Denver 28-20 in the second period to take a 57-50 halftime lead and never looking back. Minnesota’s rebounding dominance proved decisive, as the 17-board advantage neutralized Denver’s superior three-point shooting (37.0% to 24.1%). Nikola Jokic’s 28 points, 9 rebounds, and 10 assists weren’t enough to keep the Nuggets’ season alive.
Knicks at Hawks
The Hawks +2.5 selection proved to be Bash’s lone loss of the evening, and it wasn’t even close. New York demolished Atlanta 140-89 in a historic blowout, with the 51-point margin tied for the sixth-largest in NBA playoff history. The Knicks led by as many as 61 points, turning what looked like a competitive matchup into a rout from the opening tip. New York’s first-half onslaught was particularly devastating—the Knicks outscored the Hawks 40-15 in the first quarter and 43-21 in the second to build an insurmountable 83-36 halftime lead. The shooting disparity told the story: New York shot a blistering 58.8% from the field while Atlanta managed just 37.8%. The Knicks also dominated the glass with a 46-35 rebounding advantage and dished out 33 assists compared to Atlanta’s 22. OG Anunoby led the balanced New York attack with 29 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals, while Jalen Johnson’s 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists provided little consolation for the Hawks in what marked the end of their playoff run.
Celtics at 76ers
Bash closed the night with another winner, backing the 76ers +6.0 in their must-win Game 6 against Boston. Philadelphia delivered their most complete performance of the season with a 106-93 victory, covering comfortably by 19 points and forcing a decisive Game 7 in Boston. Tyrese Maxey paced the Sixers with 30 points, while a resurgent Paul George added 23 points in a balanced attack. The 76ers seized control in the second quarter, outscoring Boston 38-26 to take a 58-49 halftime advantage, then extended the lead with a dominant 24-14 third quarter. Philadelphia’s 89.5% free throw shooting compared to Boston’s woeful 56.3% from the charity stripe proved critical down the stretch. The Sixers also held a slight 48-46 rebounding edge and distributed 22 assists while limiting the Celtics to just 18. Jayson Tatum managed only 17 points and 11 rebounds as Boston shot just 41.9% from the field and 29.3% from three-point range in the loss.
Bash’s 2-1 performance on April 30 demonstrated solid handicapping on playoff underdogs, with both winning selections covering by double digits. The only blemish came in an unprecedented blowout that few could have predicted, making for an overall profitable day despite the Hawks debacle.
