Thursday’s Best Bets: NBA, College Basketball, NHL & Super Bowl LVII
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
Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets
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- Leg 1: Nikola Vucevic Under 3.5 assists (+130)
- Leg 2: Ben Simmons Over 6.5 points (-108)
- Leg 3: Spencer Dinwiddie Under 20.5 points (-104)
On the other side of chalky, you have 'betting the Nets after some major trades went down.' Despite no Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant, there is still major value to be offered with the holes needed filling in Brooklyn.
Someone who I expect not to slot in right away is Dinwiddie. It can always be challenging coming to a new team, and this would be his first game in a new uniform. I would be surprised to see him score over 20 points right out of the gate, especially considering he's averaged 17.7 all season.
Someone who I am begrudgingly banking on upping his scoring is Simmons. I simply believe 6.5 points to be way too low for his points total in this situation. Yes, he hasn't been scoring much of late, and he has only played in one game this month, but that number should still be higher in the given situation.
For Vucevic, I'm trusting the projections here as the BettingPros Prop Bet Cheat Sheet has given Vuc going under 3.5 assists a +36 percent expected value – one the best plays on the slate. On the road, in a pace-down spot, I'm generally fading Chicago's ability to score and putting one unit on this SGP.
Parlay Odds: +728
- Ryan Coleman
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NBA Game Picks
Denver Nuggets vs. Orlando Magic
It's the best team in the NBA (Denver) vs. a lottery team (you guessed it, Orlando). The Magic have been more than respectable lately, especially at home (16-11 ATS, rank 13th in Net Rating over the past month) - but the Nuggets are a different beast. The Magic gave Denver a scare in their previous matchup, but recall that the Nuggets led by 15 at the half before relinquishing their lead in that game.
There's obvious appeal in backing Orlando. Their win/loss record (17-13) over the past two months is sound, and they've been an exceptional bet on the year (31-23-1 ATS, 29-18-1 ATS as an Underdog). However, they don't stack up with the Nuggets. It's another square pick, but the price is fair. Take Denver to cover the spread in Disney World.
Bet: Nuggets -6 (-110 via PointsBet)
- Tommy Jurgens
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First Basket Scorer
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers won't have any bigs starting tonight's game. Anthony Davis will likely duel it out for the tip for the Lakers. Davis already lost to the Bucks on a tip on Dec. 2. The Bucks won the tip and scored first.
Both teams are earning tips at least 65% this season. The Bucks are still getting more first shots and first baskets.
You can expect Giannis Antetokounmpo to dictate this game early. He's got five first shots and seven first baskets and will be featured in this game plenty against LeBron James.
Bet: Giannis Antetokounmpo (+320)
- Jason Radowitz
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NBA Prop Bets
Dejounte Murray Over 20.5 Points (-125 @DraftKings)
Both of these teams are fun to watch. They have exciting players who can score in multiple ways. One of these players is DeJounte Murray. He is a versatile player that can do a little bit of everything.
Murray averages 21.1 points per game and gets plenty of shooting opportunities. Trae Young is the number one option in the Hawk’s offense, and that opens Murray up to take quality shots. The quality shots and the opportunities make Murray a great betting pick tonight.
- Cameron Lynch
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We round out the day with our top college basketball bets.
College Basketball Best Bets
College Basketball Game Picks
Northwestern vs. Ohio State Spread
Northwestern feels like an underdog in this matchup just because they have to be, given how difficult it is to win on the road in the Big Ten. Entering Wednesday, Big Ten home favorites were 51-13 SU against league opponents. However, the Wildcats are 7-5 in Big Ten play and in an excellent position for an at-large berth to the NCAA tournament with a No. 52 NET ranking and a 4-4 Quad 1 record. Northwestern is responsible for one of those rare road league upsets in its last game at Wisconsin, and the Wildcats are being underrated against a reeling Buckeyes team.
Ohio State is just 2-9 in Quad 1 games and has won just one of its last ten overall. Northwestern has enough veterans to go on the road and earn a big victory, as it ranks in the top 70 in D-1 experience and minutes continuity. In addition, senior point guard Boo Buie has scored 20+ points in five of his last seven games (and three consecutive road games), and he is a huge weapon as the Big Ten’s leading free throw shooter (90.5% in league play) if the game is tight late.
The Wildcats have covered five of their last seven road games, and we expect them to do so again tonight. We are getting better value making this wager at DraftKings, as most other sportsbooks are at +4.5.
Bet: Northwestern +5 (-110 at DraftKings)
- Mike Spector
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Check out our best NHL bets.
NHL Best Bets
NHL Game Picks
San Jose Sharks (+185) @ Florida Panthers (-235) | O/U 7 (+102/-122)
The Atlantic Division’s Florida Panthers host the Pacific Division’s San Jose Sharks in this cross-country tilt. While the Panthers are obviously the better team and correctly priced as the betting favorite, the Sharks should not be listed as this big of an underdog.
San Jose has been playing some better hockey lately, winning two straight games and covering the puck line in each of its last four. The Sharks’ blue line is starting to play better as they rank 13th in the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes (xGA/60) at 5-on-5.
On the flip side, their offense should be able to stay somewhat competitive with Florida’s, as San Jose ranks in the top half of the league in expected goals for per 60 minutes (xGF/60) at 5-on-5. Meanwhile, the Panthers’ edge in net is only a slight one as both Sergei Bobrovsky and James Reimer rank in the bottom half among starting goaltenders in goals saved above expected per 60 minutes (GSAx/60).
Florida is the better team and should win this contest, but covering the puck line may be another story. In fact, the Panthers have won by two or more goals just once over their last five games.
To top things off, superstar forward Aleksander Barkov may not be able to play for Florida due to a hand injury, which would be a big blow for them on both ends of the ice.
Best Bet: Sharks +1.5 (-125 via Caesars Sportsbook)
- Tony Sartori
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NHL Same Game Parlay
Seattle Kraken vs. New Jersey Devils
- Leg 1: Kraken +1.5 (-180)
- Leg 2: UNDER 6.5 Total Goals (-110)
- Leg 3: UNDER 1.5 Total First Period Goals (+125)
The Kraken have simmered since their eight-game winning streak and are 3-4-1 in their last eight.
In that time, the offense has only scored four or more goals twice and is coming off being blanked by the Islanders. Now it's likely they'll be missing their points leader Andre Burakovsky who left that game with an injury.
The Devils are on another stellar run winning nine of their last 11.
They’re also dealing with an injury to a top player. Jack Hughes left the game against Vancouver with an upper-body injury and hasn't practiced this week.
With two excellent defenses and both teams' top scorers potentially out, ride with a low-scoring game.
Parlay Odds: +568
- John Supowitz
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NHL Player Prop Bets
Jared McCann UNDER 2.5 Shots on Goal (-122)
The Kraken have cooled down since their eight-game winning streak and are 3-4-1 in their last eight.
In that time, the offense has only scored four or more goals twice and was just shut out by the Islanders. Now it's likely they'll be missing their points leader Andre Burakovsky who left that game.
No Burakovsky could have a domino effect on the whole offense. Seattle is an efficient scoring team and doesn't use high-volume shooting. Going against an excellent New Jersey defense doesn’t help, either.
McCann has gone under three shots on goal in 66% of his games this year, including the last matchup against the Devils.
- John Supowitz
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NHL Goal In First Ten (GIFT) Picks
Calgary Flames vs. Detroit Red Wings
The Flames made moves to change up the offense in the offseason, but the scoring has decreased since last season.
New addition Jonathan Huberdeau has struggled, but Nazem Kadri has been great. The best of the offense comes from their returning players Elias Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli, each with over 40 points.
The Red Wings went into the All-Star break winning two of three but faced the strong offense of Edmonton and took a 5-2 loss.
They have some talent on offense with Dylan Larkin, Dominik Kubalik, Lucas Raymond, and David Perron, all with 14 or more goals.
First-year goalie Vile Husso has been a letdown with -4.8 Goals Saved Above Expected. It's unfortunate because Red Wings' blue line only allows the 11th fewest high-danger shots.
The Flames are one of the better GIFT teams in the league, including the second-best percentage on the road. Going against a struggling goalie, we should see a goal early.
Pick: UNDER (+125)
- John Supowitz
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Check out our best bets for Super Bowl LVII.
Super Bowl LVII Best Bets
Eagles Same Game Parlay Picks
Leg 1: Eagles ML (-125)
As I mentioned, I think the Eagles come out ahead on Sunday night. It should be a tightly-contested game, but the Eagles are arguably better at every position on the field except QB and TE (and even those positions aren't lacking). Their defense thrives on making opponents one-dimensional. Even if that dimension is Patrick Mahomes, the Eagles can disadvantage the Chiefs by forcing them to keep the ball in the air and off the ground.
To neutralize the Chiefs' run threat and force them to throw, I expect the Eagles to play aggressively early and often. They followed this model against the 49ers last week, going for an early fourth down and calling bold pass plays to stake an early lead before Brock Purdy was forced to leave the game.
The Chiefs should keep things close - I'd never bet on Mahomes being blown out - but I think the Eagles have what it takes to get up early and hold their lead late. I like Philly ML, given the reasonable price of -125.
Leg 2: Jalen Hurts Anytime TD (+105)
I've bet Jalen Hurts Anytime TD in the majority of Eagles games this year, and it's been a very profitable play over the course of the season. Hurts has scored on the ground in seven of his last nine games, including both of the Eagles' postseason wins. Hurts has now eclipsed 50 red zone carries on the season (including playoffs). This is a high total for an RB but an unheard-of amount of carries for a QB.
As the Eagles' main red zone rushing threat, in a game that should be high scoring - with a total of 51.5 - I love the Hurts Anytime TD play at plus-money. This is, of course, also correlated with the Eagles’ ML outcome, making this a great leg to add to this parlay.
Leg 3: Kenneth Gainwell 3+ Catches (+160)
The Chiefs have the worst defense in the NFL at stopping opposing RBs in the passing game, and I expect the Eagles to exploit this on Sunday. Through the regular season and postseason, the Chiefs have allowed 6.2 receptions per game to opposing RBs - the highest mark in the NFL. They've allowed 10 catches on 12 targets to opposing RBs so far in the postseason.
While Miles Sanders should lead the Eagles in snaps, Kenneth Gainwell is the more intriguing bet as a receiver. Gainwell has 10 catches on 12 targets over his last five games, compared to just two catches on three targets for Sanders in that stretch. Three catches would be Gainwell's highest mark since Week 16, but this is a great way to get exposure to a weakness in the Chiefs' defense.
Parlay Odds: +750 (1u to win 7.5u)
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