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Thursday’s Best Bets: NBA, NHL & College Basketball

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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

Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers

After some time off, the re-tooled Lakers squad that has caused so many problems already this season should be ready to lock in for the second half of the season. At least, that's the hope.

What D'Angelo Russell does is make this offense a lot more dynamic. I still think the books seem hesitant to bump up the props all too much, but I'm trying to get ahead of the curve here, especially against one of the fastest teams in the nation that is playing shorthanded.

While it may be a small sample size, Russell has scored at least 15 points in each of his three games in a Lakers uniform. After averaging nearly 18 a game all season, I imagine that number is due for an uptick with a bit more time under his belt in LA. Davis has comfortably averaged 2.5 assists a game, and with more possessions, I love his ability to clear that number at plus money. I'll be putting a single unit on this parlay.

Parlay Odds: +692

  • Ryan Coleman

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NBA Game Picks

Boston Celtics vs. Indiana Pacers

The Pacers have fallen off drastically since the New Year, but much of their struggles coincided with the prolonged absence of G Tyrese Haliburton. Too, the Pacers have only won two games this season without Haliburton in the lineup, and although their lackluster play cannot be overlooked, this spread seems fitting only for a Pacers team absent their floor general. Indiana’s projected starting five (Haliburton, Nembhard, Hield, Nesmith, Turner) has a positive Net Rating on the year, as does nearly every lineup of theirs with Haliburton, Turner, and Hield all active.

Boston may be the NBA’s best team, but this number is off and inflated due to its stature in the league. Further, the Pacers have fared pretty well as a Home Underdog this season (13-8 ATS) and won two teams’ previous meetings outright (as a 9.5-point underdog). It’s a hard button to click, but there’s value on Indiana tonight.

Bet: Pacers +8.5 (-110)

  • Tommy Jurgens

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First Basket Scorer

Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic

The Orlando Magic have already won the tip against the Detroit Pistons in two games this season. The Magic scored the first basket in both games, with buckets from Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner.

Throughout the season, the Magic have won the tip 58% of the time, compared to the Pistons, who have only won the tip 36% of the time.

The Magic certainly have the edge to score first, going up against Isaiah Stewart of the Pistons in the tip-off.

Banchero has attempted nine first shots and has made eight first baskets this season. He’s the most consistent first-basket scorer on the team and already had a first basket against the Pistons earlier this year.

Bet: Paolo Banchero (+700)

  • Jason Radowitz

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NBA Prop Bets

Sacramento Kings vs. Portland Trail Blazers

These are two of the worst defensive teams in the NBA. The Kings are the 23rd-ranked defense, and the Trail Blazers are the 18th-ranked. That means there is a betting opportunity for players to score points. 

One of my favorite players this season has been Murray. Last year he was one of college basketball's best scorers. This year he averages 11.9 points per game. He didn't play the last time these two teams met, but the final score was 115-108. That means there will be plenty of scoring opportunities for Murray tonight. 

Keegan Murray – Over 11.5 Points (-115)

  • Cameron Lynch

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College Basketball Best Bets

College Basketball Game Picks

Michigan vs. Rutgers Spread

It may seem blasphemous to fade Rutgers at home given how much of a homecourt advantage Jersey Mike’s Arena (formerly the RAC) is. Rutgers entered this season with a 32-4 home record since 2019, with the .889 winning percentage being the fifth-best among Power 5 teams. However, Rutgers is 13-3 at home this year with an inexcusable loss as 14-point favorites against Nebraska in its last home game. In addition, the Wolverines are brimming with confidence, having won four of its previous five games in Piscataway.

Given how banged up the Scarlet Knights are, this line feels too big. Rutgers will be without forward Mawot Mag (out for the year with a torn ACL) and guard Caleb McConnell could be limited after missing the last game with back spasms. Those two are Rutgers’ best on-ball defenders, and the Scarlet Knights will have difficulty disrupting a Michigan offense that ranks eighth nationally in lowest turnover percentage (14.4%). In addition, Rutgers has little frontcourt depth behind center Cliff Omoruyi, making defending Wolverines center Hunter Dickinson much more difficult. Dickinson averaged 20.5 points per game in two games against Rutgers last year.

Rutgers has covered 12 of 16 home games and is 13-5-1 as a favorite. However, consider this a contrarian play on the Wolverines, with the Scarlet Knights’ injuries being the primary concern.

Bet: Michigan +6 (-110 at DraftKings)

  • Mike Spector

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Check out our best NHL bets.

NHL Best Bets

NHL Game Picks

Vancouver Canucks (+105) @ St. Louis Blues (-125) | O/U 7 (-105/-115)

Later in the evening, there is a Western Conference tilt with the Blues hosting the Canucks. While both of these teams are terrible, the Blues should not be favored against anyone.

At 5-on-5, Vancouver ranks higher than St. Louis in both xGF/60 and xGA/60. Backing up the Blues’ terrible lineup is goaltender Jordan Binnington, who has struggled mightily this season.

Through 44 starts, Binnington possesses a .893 SV% and 3.29 GAA. Entering this game in particularly poor form, he is 3-6 with a .887 SV% and 3.74 GAA over his last nine outings. Among starting goaltenders, he ranks 24th in GSAx/60 at 5-on-5.

This game should be closer to -110/-110. I am taking the value on Vancouver at +105.

Best Bet: Canucks ML (+105 via DraftKings)

  • Tony Sartori

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NHL Same Game Parlay

Buffalo Sabres vs. Tampa Bay Lightning

    • Leg 1: Lightning ML (-215)
    • Leg 2: OVER 6.5 Total Goals (-140)
    • Leg 3: OVER 2.5 Total First Period Goals (+185)

The Sabres possess one of the most dynamic top lines in the league with Tage Thompson, Jeff Skinner, and Alex Tuch. The depth is what makes them dangerous, with Dylan Cozens having three goals in his last five games and Casey Mittelstadt and Peyton Krebs having a pair each.

The goaltending continues to cost them games, allowing 4.42 goals per game over the last seven and -1.7 Goals Saved Above Expected this season.

The Lightning offense has also been on their own great run recently. The top line of Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Brandon Hagel has 12 goals and 19 assists over the last ten games. They've also been getting contributions throughout the lineup, with Anthony Cirelli and Corey Perry each having four goals in their previous five.

Andrei Vasilevskiy's surface numbers aren't up to his high standards, but his defense has not been great this year. He's been more vital than ever with the fifth-best GAA Better Than Expected (Min. 36 games).

These are two very fast and efficient offenses. Tampa Bay should have a great day, and Vasilevskiy will let a couple go by.

Parlay Odds: +616

  • John Supowitz

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NHL Player Prop Bets

Connor McDavid OVER 4.5 Shots On Goal (+110) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

The Oilers' offense has been on a roll, scoring 17 goals in their last four games. It’s hard to describe how much of a phenomenal player Connor McDavid is. He has the Hart trophy locked up with 20 more points than the next man, his teammate Leon Draisaitl, but he also set a benchmark by becoming the fifth-fastest player to reach 800 points.

He will take on the Penguins, who have struggled on defense throughout the season. Missing Kris Letang and Jeff Petry for a portion of the year is a reason, but they’ve still struggled by allowing 34 shots per game.

Connor has gone over this prop in four of his last seven, and overall this should be an offensive-driven game.

  • John Supowitz

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NHL Goal In First Ten (GIFT) Picks

Seattle Kraken vs. Boston Bruins

The Bruins Are currently on pace to narrowly edge out the 1976-77 Canadiens for the most points in a season.

David Pasternak continues to have an outstanding season, and if it weren't for Connor McDavid, he'd be a strong Hart Trophy candidate. The defense continues to be one of the best in the league, allowing 2.05 goals, and Linus Ullmark will take the Vezina Trophy.

The Kraken has struggled since the All-Star break going 3-4-1. The offense has noticeably dipped without Andre Burakovsky in the lineup. Over the last couple of weeks, they’re scoring nearly one point less since his absence.

Martin Jones had a great start to the season but has struggled recently by allowing 17 goals in his last four games. Dave Hakstol has gone with the hot hand, and Philipp Grubauer is getting more starts. He's been great, allowing two goals or fewer in seven of his last eight.

This will be a more defensive battle than some might think. The Bruins have missed the GIFT in seven of their last ten and the Kraken in three of their previous five.

Pick: UNDER 0.5 (+120)

  • John Supowitz

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