Two NBA games on Apr 23 offer a standout parlay setup. We break down the best bets, top prices, and where the value really lies.
NBA Parlay Picks - April 23, 2026
We have two NBA fixtures on the slate for Thursday April 23, and while the card is short, the betting angles are anything but boring. From a heavy home favorite in Detroit to one of the most lopsided lines you will ever see in Oklahoma City, there is real parlay potential here - if you know where to look. Let us break it all down.
Game 1: Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons (00:00 UTC)
Best Available Odds (FanDuel)
- Detroit Pistons: -417 (FanDuel)
- Orlando Magic: +360 (FanDuel)
Detroit opens as a heavy home favorite at -417 on FanDuel, implying a win probability of roughly 80.7%. That is a steep price to pay on the moneyline outright, but when you are building a parlay, the Pistons make for a reliable anchor leg.
The Magic come in as significant underdogs at +360, which implies just under a 22% win probability. Now here is where it gets interesting - if you genuinely believe Orlando has any kind of upset potential, +360 is a number worth a small standalone flyer. That is a generous payout for a team that, at this stage of the season, may have playoff positioning or rest management on their mind.
Value Flag: Orlando Magic at +360 looks generous on the surface. If there is any lineup uncertainty on the Detroit side or the Magic are playing with something to prove, this number could be offering real overlay. Worth monitoring injury reports closely before tip-off.
Game 2: Phoenix Suns @ Oklahoma City Thunder (02:40 UTC)
Best Available Odds (FanDuel)
- Oklahoma City Thunder: -1667 (FanDuel)
- Phoenix Suns: +1200 (FanDuel)
This is one of the most extreme moneylines you will see outside of a blowout playoff series. The Thunder are priced at -1667 on FanDuel - implying a staggering win probability of approximately 94.3%. To put that in perspective, you would need to risk $1,667 to win just $100 outright. That is not a standalone bet anyone should be making.
The Suns at +1200 are essentially a lottery ticket. Yes, upsets happen in the NBA, but a +1200 price means the market sees Phoenix winning this game less than 8% of the time. Unless there is major news out of the Thunder camp - injuries, load management, or a dead-rubber situation - this line reflects reality.
Value Flag: Phoenix Suns at +1200 is technically a value play ONLY if you have strong reason to believe OKC is resting key players. Keep an eye on the Thunder's rotation news. If stars are sitting, that number could balloon even further or shift dramatically, but as a parlay inclusion it remains too volatile.
Recommended Parlay Combinations
Parlay 1 - The Safe Double (Best for Low-Risk Bettors)
- Detroit Pistons ML (-417, FanDuel)
- Oklahoma City Thunder ML (-1667, FanDuel)
Combined odds on this two-leg parlay land at approximately -165 to -175 depending on the book's parlay calculator. You are essentially betting on two heavy favorites, which reduces your payout but maximizes your hit rate. This is the kind of parlay you attach to a longer ticket to boost overall odds. Both teams are priced as near certainties, making this a solid foundation leg for a larger same-game or multi-game parlay.
Parlay 2 - The Value Hunter (Medium Risk)
- Detroit Pistons ML (-417, FanDuel)
- Orlando Magic +360 (FanDuel) - small unit side bet
This one sounds counterintuitive - backing both teams in the same game is not a parlay, of course - but the idea here is to split your action. Back Detroit in the parlay, and place a small standalone on Magic +360 as a hedge with real upside. If you want to build a parlay around the Magic, combine Orlando Magic +360 with any other strong pick from another sport or the Thunder ML to create a high-variance, high-reward ticket. Combined odds with OKC: approximately +290 to +310 - a solid payout if both dogs somehow cover, but realistically this is a fun-money play.
Parlay 3 - The Value Longshot (High Risk, High Reward)
- Orlando Magic ML (+360, FanDuel)
- Phoenix Suns ML (+1200, FanDuel)
Combined odds here would be in the range of +5500 to +6000 - a true lottery ticket. This is two-leg upset parlay territory. Only consider this with the absolute smallest unit you are comfortable losing entirely. The fun factor is real, but so is the near-certainty of losing. Flag this as a dream parlay only.
Best Bets Summary
- Best Single Value: Orlando Magic +360 (FanDuel) - monitor lineup news
- Best Parlay Anchor: Detroit Pistons -417 (FanDuel)
- Best Safe Double: Pistons + Thunder ML - approx -170 combined
- Best High-Variance Ticket: Magic + Suns ML - approx +5800 combined
Final Thoughts
Thursday's NBA slate is thin but workable. The Thunder-Suns line is historically extreme and should only be used as a cheap parlay add-on - never a standalone. Detroit at home is the most logical anchor for any ticket tonight. If you are feeling bold, Orlando at +360 represents the best pure value on the board and deserves a small unit of attention. Build smart, stay disciplined, and let the numbers work for you.
Always gamble responsibly - only bet what you can afford to lose, and visit the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 if you need support.
