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NBA first basket picks and predictions for Playoffs today, Monday, April 20, 2026
Updated: | First published:
Written by Damien Souness, Chief Innovation Officer
Get first basket predictions today guided by expert analysis of NBA slate on 4/20.
Our NBA first basket picks and predictions for today—Monday, April 20, 2026—are live with the Knicks' Jalen Brunson projected as the most likely player to score first.
These projections draw on key first basket stats, including player efficiency, shot frequency, and expected starting lineups, forming part of our daily NBA player projections.
Brunson, Donovan Mitchell and Nikola Jokic lead Monday’s most likely first basket scorers, while we also showcase tonight's top first basket value picks by comparing real-time odds to model-generated probabilities.
NBA Playoffs first basket predictions tonight (April 20, 2026)
| Player | Team | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Jalen Brunson | Knicks | 14.1% |
| Donovan Mitchell | Cavaliers | 13.6% |
| Nikola Jokic | Nuggets | 13.2% |
| CJ McCollum | Hawks | 12.8% |
| Karl-Anthony Towns | Knicks | 12.6% |
| Jarrett Allen | Cavaliers | 12.1% |
| Anthony Edwards | Timberwolves | 11.8% |
| Jamal Murray | Nuggets | 11.8% |
| RJ Barrett | Raptors | 11.6% |
| Evan Mobley | Cavaliers | 11.5% |
| Jaden McDaniels | Timberwolves | 11.3% |
| Brandon Ingram | Raptors | 11.2% |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker | Hawks | 11.2% |
| Julius Randle | Timberwolves | 11.1% |
| Jalen Johnson | Hawks | 10.8% |
NBA first basket picks today (April 20, 2026)
| Player | Team | Edge | Odds | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RJ Barrett | Raptors | 2.1% | +950 | 11.6% |
| Christian Braun | Nuggets | 1.9% | +1500 | 8.2% |
| Jaden McDaniels | Timberwolves | 1.8% | +950 | 11.3% |
| CJ McCollum | Hawks | 1.1% | +750 | 12.8% |
| Scottie Barnes | Raptors | 0.6% | +1000 | 9.7% |
| Jalen Johnson | Hawks | 0.3% | +850 | 10.9% |
Edges represent the difference between model probability and implied odds.
For more insights on prop markets and value plays across the league, explore our full list of NBA prop bets for 4/20.
Conclusion: Betting on today's NBA first basket
For the Playoffs action onMonday, April 20, 2026, Jalen Brunson, Donovan Mitchell and Nikola Jokic lead our first basket projections, while RJ Barrett shapes as the strongest value play at +950. All picks and predictions are derived from Dimers’ NBA first basket model.
Additional tools and information for betting safely can be found in our Responsible Gambling hub.
Damien Souness leverages over 15 years of experience to create engaging content focused on sports, online gaming and wagering. As Chief Innovation Officer at Cipher Sports Technology Group, the parent company of Dimers, he offers strategic insights and innovative solutions to enhance the player experience.
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