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Sunday’s Best Bets: NBA, College Basketball, NHL & XFL (3/12)

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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 all of our best bets across each major sport in action today.

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Today’s Best Bets

Here are today’s best NBA bets.

NBA Best Bets

NBA Same Game Parlay Picks

New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers

D’Angelo Russell returned to the Lakers lineup on Friday and added 28 points with nine assists in 31 minutes. He shot 58.8% from the floor, including 5-of-8 from downtown.

Russell was playing freely and enjoying himself again. That’s big news for the Lakers. I don’t want to overreact, but Russell played so well against Toronto in his return. Now he’s facing a Knicks team that has struggled over the last week.

On the other hand, RJ Barrett has earned 5.2 rebounds per game this season. He’s hit at least five rebounds in 58% of games this season and in three of his last five games. Over the last four games, Barrett has 26 rebounds, with only one game where he went under. I’ll back Barrett to crash the glass tonight and earn at least five rebounds.

Parlay Odds: +433

  • Jason Radowitz

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First Basket Scorer

Donovan Mitchell (+470) vs. Charlotte Hornets

After a great beginning to February, Cleveland has won just four of their last nine games. They are starting to drop in the Eastern Conference standings, right now, they have a healthy plant with the fourth seed, but if they continue to lose, they could fall further.

The Hornets will not be in the postseason, but this is playing much better in the last few weeks. They have won seven of their previous 11, including against Minnesota, New York, Miami, and Atlanta.

The Cavs are one of the better teams in tip wins and first baskets this season, while the Hornets are in the bottom half. Donovan Mitchell has the sixth-most first baskets this season, including three of the last ten for the Cavs.

  • John Supowitz

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NBA Prop Bets

Jamal Murray UNDER 28.5 Points/Assists (-122) vs. Brooklyn Nets

The Nuggets have a firm lead as the top team in the Western Conference, with the regular season wrapping up this month. Back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic is making a case to become the first player Larry Bird from 1984-1986 to win this award three years in a row.

Tonight they host the Nets, who have been playing much better recently, winning four of their last five. Jamal Murray isn't far behind Jokic, averaging 20.2 points this season. This will be a tough matchup for him tonight as Brooklyn allows the seven fewest points and eight fewest assists.

  • John Supowitz

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NBA Bets

Brooklyn Nets vs. Denver Nuggets

The Nets went from championship contender to rebuild in a matter of days during the deadline. Brooklyn's new squad did not get off to a good start by losing six of eight after the Durant trade, but now they come in winning four of five. Mikal Bridges was a significant return for the Nets in that trade and has led the team in points in five of the last seven games.

Nikola Jokic and triple-doubles go together like peanut butter and jelly. A rarely did occur the other night - the Nuggets were 25-0 this year when Jokic had a triple-double but lost for the first time on Friday in San Antonio.

They return home where they've dominated all season, going 30-5. You look at Brooklyn, and this new lineup isn't ready to compete for a title, but they're playing much better, winning four of their last five and covering all five.

I like the Nuggets to win but the Nets to cover.

Pick: Nets +8.5 (-110)

  • John Supowitz

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College Basketball Best Bets

College Basketball Game Picks

Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Purdue Boilermakers

It's David vs. Goliath here in the Big Ten title game. Penn State entered the tournament as a clear bubble team while Purdue as the one seed has looked like nothing but that. 

If you've watched any of Penn State's games over the last few days, you know their preference for the perimeter look. Over 43 percent of the Nittany Lions’ points come from beyond the arc, the second highest in the nation. Purdue will pack the lane, allowing nothing but mid-range looks and 3pt shots, which should go well for Penn State, who rarely turns the ball over.

The Boilermakers, are going up against the 111th-ranked KenPom defense with Purdue repping the third-best offensive rebound rate in the nation. They've been playing like they have a chip on their shoulder with how they've been handling teams, and I don't expect that to stop. Despite both teams' slow pace, Purdue posted 76 and 80 points against Penn State when playing them earlier this year.

Now, both teams are playing their best basketball. They have experience with the court and rims their using, and it should be one awesome game. 

Play: Over 134.5 (-115)

  • Ryan Coleman

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Check out our best NHL bets.

NHL Best Bets

NHL Game Picks

Carolina Hurricanes (-113) vs. New Jersey Devils (-106) | O/U 6.5 (+106/-130)

The Devils come into this game, winning eight of their last 11 and are just two points behind the Hurricanes for the top of the Metro. The top line has been incredible, with Nico Hischier, Tomas Tatar, and Dawson Mercer collectively having 17 goals and 35 points in their last ten games.

Being a two-way team will help them through this tough Eastern Conference. Vitek Vanecek has been outstanding between the pipes, going 27-7-3 and allowing 2.55 goals per game.

The Hurricanes are playing really well and are 16-3-1, and these haven't been tight games because 11 of those wins are by multiple goals.

This roster runs deep with 11 double-digit goal scorers, and they lead the league in Expected Goals Percentage.

This is also one of the more dominant defenses overall. Good luck getting through a blue line allowing 25.8 shots per game, with Antti Raanta and Frederik Andersen allowing the second-fewest goals this season.

This is a big game as it could change the landscape of the Metropolitan Division. The Canes are currently playing better than most teams on both sides of the ice, including the Devils. I love Carolina building a cushion in the Metro.

Pick: Hurricanes ML (-113)

  • John Supowitz

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XFL Best Bets

St. Louis Battlehawks -4.0 Points (-110) vs. Arlington Renegades

The Battlehawks are playing their first home game of the 2023 season. The juices should flow in front of the home crowd in a battle of 2-1 teams. The home-field advantage has been kind to teams this year. Clubs have gone 7-5 in home games, outscoring the visitors 243-230. Yet, the overall record doesn’t provide the perfect context. The winless Vipers and winless Guardians have contributed three losses to the ledger.

Additionally, St. Louis has been the more impressive of the two-win teams in this matchup. First, Pro Football Focus (PFF) has graded the Battlehawks as the best passing team. They’ve wisely leaned on NFL veteran A.J. McCarron, attempting 104 passes versus only 58 rushes. The hosts have the most impressive wins, too. St. Louis beat the Brahmas in Week 1, turned around, and won a road tilt against the high-flying Sea Dragons in Week 2. Their only loss was a six-point loss to undefeated DC.

Meanwhile, Arlington’s two wins have come by a combined three points at home against winless Vegas in Week 1 and winless Orlando in Week 3. Yikes. They escaped by the skin of their teeth against the laughingstocks of the XFL. They were trounced by nine points in their only road game of the young season against the undefeated Roughnecks.

Arlington has the second-fewest pass attempts (77), fewest yards per pass attempt (4.7) and the second-lowest Pro Football Focus (PFF) passing grade. Sadly, a quarterback switch to Kyle Sloter didn’t cure what ailed their passing attack last week. Their rushing attack is pitiful, as well. Arlington has the fourth-most rushing attempts (77) but the fewest yards per carry (2.5). No other team has averaged fewer than 3.0 yards per carry, with the second-lowest mark checking in at 3.2.

Finally, Arlington’s defensive strength is defending the run. PFF grades them as the best run defense. However, their strength won’t help them much against St. Louis’s pass-first attack. As a result, the Battlehawks should win and might cover the 4.0-point spread. Yet, a parlay combining a bet from this contest and one from the next game is my preferred approach to betting Sunday’s games.

  • Josh Shepardson

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Whether you're new to sports betting or a betting pro, our Sports Betting Strategy and Advice page is for you. You can get started with our 101 section - including 10 Sports Betting Tips for Beginners - or head to more advanced strategies - like Key Numbers When Betting Against the Spread - to learn more.


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