Bryan Bash posted a 2-3 record on April 6, 2026, splitting five NBA plays with two wins and three losses. The handicapper found success with underdogs Orlando and San Antonio covering, but couldn’t connect on favorites Atlanta and Denver or the Memphis spread.
Knicks at Hawks
Bash opened with a loss on Atlanta Hawks -1.5, as the New York Knicks escaped with a 108-105 victory in dramatic fashion. Jalen Brunson’s two free throws with 1.2 seconds remaining provided the decisive margin, and while CJ McCollum appeared to hit a half-court buzzer-beater, replays confirmed the ball was still in his hands as time expired. The Hawks’ shooting woes proved costly—they managed just 40.0% from the field compared to New York’s 50.0% clip. Despite Nickeil Alexander-Walker’s 36-point outburst for Atlanta, Brunson’s 30 points and 13 assists led a more balanced Knicks attack that handed the Hawks their first home loss since early February.
Pistons at Magic
Bash bounced back with a comfortable win on Orlando Magic +3.5, as the home team dominated Detroit 123-107. Paolo Banchero paced Orlando with 31 points while Desmond Bane added 25 in the Magic’s fourth victory in five games. The second quarter proved decisive, with Orlando outscoring the already-playoff-bound Pistons 39-27 to build a commanding cushion. The Magic shot an efficient 50.6% from the field and an impressive 42.3% from three-point range, while Detroit’s 21 turnovers undermined their offensive efforts. The 16-point final margin easily cleared the 3.5-point spread.
Trail Blazers at Nuggets
Denver Nuggets -8.0 resulted in a loss for Bash despite a 137-132 overtime victory for the home team. The Nuggets needed extra time to secure the win after Portland forced overtime, and the five-point final margin fell well short of the eight-point spread. Nikola Jokic delivered a monster triple-double with 35 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists, and five steals, but Portland’s Toumani Camara erupted for 30 points. The Trail Blazers’ exceptional 48.1% shooting from three-point range kept them competitive throughout, and while Denver dominated the fourth quarter 38-24 to force overtime, they couldn’t pull away sufficiently in the extra period to cover the number.
76ers at Spurs
Bash collected his second win with San Antonio Spurs -8.0, as the home team cruised to a 115-102 victory despite losing Victor Wembanyama to a left rib contusion in the first half. Stephon Castle stepped up with 17 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds to lead San Antonio, which maintained control throughout and pulled away in the fourth quarter by outscoring Philadelphia 23-17. The Spurs’ 13-point margin comfortably exceeded the eight-point spread. Philadelphia’s offensive struggles were evident in their 38.2% field goal percentage and just 17 assists, while Joel Embiid’s 34 points and 12 rebounds weren’t enough to keep the 76ers competitive as they dropped their second straight game.
Cavaliers at Grizzlies
Bash closed the night with a loss on Memphis Grizzlies +13.5, as Cleveland rolled to a 142-126 victory. Despite Memphis tying the NBA single-game record with 29 three-pointers on 49.2% shooting from beyond the arc, the Grizzlies couldn’t keep pace with Cleveland’s offensive onslaught. The Cavaliers shot a blistering 58.4% from the field and dominated the boards 48-31, which proved decisive. Cleveland’s 44-point second quarter shifted momentum dramatically after Memphis had jumped ahead 36-24 in the opening period. The 16-point final margin exceeded the 13.5-point spread by 2.5 points, handing Bash his third loss of the evening.
Bash’s 2-3 showing on April 6 saw both underdog plays cash while all three favorites or larger spreads failed to deliver. The handicapper’s two wins came decisively, but narrow margins in Atlanta and overtime drama in Denver contributed to a losing day overall.
