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Friday’s Best NBA, NHL & UFC Bets (2/23)

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No matter your sport of choice, there’s always sports betting action to be had. We’ll have you covered each and every day with our daily best bets. Here are our best bets across each major sport in action today.

Today’s Best Bets

NBA Best Bets

(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)

Milwaukee Bucks @ Minnesota Timberwolves

Minnesota was one of the biggest surprise stories in the first half for their stellar play, earning them the pole position for the Western Conference’s one seed. Their team defense has been fantastic. They’ll host another team that made headlines in the first half of the season, the Milwaukee Bucks.

Milwaukee is looking to put the first half behind them. A team full of stars that admittedly underachieved, they’ll look to turn the page immediately. There is no better time to back them for First Basket. They’re already one of the best teams in the league regarding the prop, and no one is better than their superstar forward, Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“The Greek Freak” has already accounted for 16 first-team field goals for the Bucks on the season. This has translated to nine First Baskets. I like him to get his 10th in a matchup with a Minnesota defense that has allowed forwards to score first at a pretty decent clip.

Milwaukee needs to flip a switch here in the second half. There is no one better to drive that engine forward than Giannis.

Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo (+380)

Check out our other NBA Odds, Picks & Predictions:

NHL Best Bets

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Winnipeg Jets @ Chicago Blackhawks

Even with Connor Bedard, the Blackhawks still remain rather dismal. The Hawks are 1-8-1 over their last 10 contests, with the lone win coming in a game against the Ottawa Senators in which goalie Petr Mrazek stopped 40-of-42 shots. Bedard also put up a goal and an assist in the win.

The formula for Chicago to win games is simple: Bedard needs to carry the water and pray for tremendous goaltending. The Blackhawks actually accomplished this goal the last time the Jets visited the United Center. Mrazek stopped 37 of 38 shots, and the Blackhawks eked out a 2-1 upset.

Mrazek should be in the net for the Hawks in this game after backup Arvid Soderblom took the crease against the Flyers Wednesday night. His presence gives Chicago a semblance of hope, but he can only do so much to overcome a roster that gets caved in on a nightly basis. The Blackhawks have an expected goals percentage barely above 41%, which is actually better than the team’s actual goals for percentage of 27%.

The Jets haven’t been playing as well as they were before the All-Star Game, but they’ve still posted an expected goals for percentage above 50%. The Jets can’t afford to drop points against inferior opponents if they’re to stick around in a tightly contested Central Division race.

This is one of the rare moments where I’ll endorse backing a massive favorite. If you’re looking to reduce the juice, I don’t mind a play on Winnipeg to win in regulation.

Bet: Winnipeg (-270) or Winnipeg (-160) To Win in Regulation

Check out our other NHL Odds, Picks & Predictions:

UFC Best Bets

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Brandon Moreno vs. Brandon Royval

Brandon Moreno returns after what arguably should have been the fight of the year in 2023 against Alexandre Pantoja. Moreno is an extremely disciplined and well-rounded fighter. He has elite-level boxing and movement with a formidable ground game. Moreno has multiple paths to victory in this fight and is the better overall fighter.

Brandon Royval had an absolute electric three-fight winning streak stopped by Pantoja. The Brazilian imposed his will on Royval in a fight that wasn’t even close. Royval fights at a break-neck pace, and that greatly affects his distance defense. I honestly do not see how he competes in this fight with a 45% distance defense (one of the worst in the UFC) and a defensive control % of 56.1%. The blueprint was pretty much laid down in his previous fight and Moreno should have little resistance implementing that.

Bet: Brandon Moreno (-298)

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