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

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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.

Today’s Best Bets

Here are today’s best NBA bets.

NBA Best Bets

NBA Same Game Parlay Picks

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Philadelphia 76ers

Against Cleveland, I am usually more hesitant to bet overs but in Philadelphia with what should be an awesome game, I expect the stars to shine.

Harden going over 5.5 rebounds is a solid value. He has averaged 6.0 boards a game over the past two months and there's no reason he can't repeat that success tonight.

Harden's also been averaging 21.5 points per game this season and has gone over 20 points in each of his last four games. While this isn't a remarkably sustainable accomplishment, I expect him to get plenty of playing time and usage tonight, and I like the boost from playing at home.

To go with Harden's scoring, I'm adding the value play of Embiid going over his assist total at plus money. Again, I think this prop is too low going against the Cleveland defense, and I am simply zigging while others zag. I'll be putting one unit on this bet.  

Parlay Odds: +596

  • Ryan Coleman

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NBA Game Picks

Mavericks vs. Nuggets

Now 0-2 since acquiring Kyrie Irving in exchange for their future, the Mavericks have ground to a halt as their defensive woes continue to plague them. They should get a boost tonight in the return of All-Star Luka Doncic, although playing in altitude in Denver won’t be easy in his first game back.

I think therein lies the edge, not to mention a Nuggets team that is surging head into the All-Star break. Winning three of their past four (3-1 ATS), the Nuggets have now covered seven of 10 and I think they do it again here.

Bet: Nuggets -5.5 (-110)

  • Johnny Perun

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First Basket Scorer

Chicago Bulls vs. Indiana Pacers

The Chicago Bulls have only won the tip in 16 of 57 games this season. Nikola Vucevic is not someone you’re going to want to count on when it comes to winning the tip.

He’ll take on Myles Turner for the tip, who has already earned the tip in two games against Vucevic this season. The Pacers have earned 34% of the tip and have attempted 44% of first shots. The Bulls have only attempted 37% of the first shot.

The Pacers and Bulls each earned one first basket in those two previous games. But the Pacers had the ball first in both games and have the advantage tonight too.

Aaron Nesmith already has one first basket against the Bulls this season. He’s attempted six first baskets and has scored on five first baskets. I like him to get the first basket in tonight’s game too.

Bet: Aaron Nesmith (+1000)

  • Jason Radowitz

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NBA Prop Bets

Brooklyn Nets vs. Miami Heat 

The era of James Hardin, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving is officially over in Brooklyn. Last week both Durant and Irving requested trades. That means Brooklyn is official without a true star player. That gap provides an opportunity for a player to increase their scoring. 

That player is Spencer Dinwiddie. He averages 20.7 points per game. During his previous stint with the Nets, he led the team in scoring points. Without a true scorer, Dinwiddie will have a chance to start from where he left off. That is the Net’s leading scorer. 

Spencer Dinwiddie Over 18.5 Points -115 @ DraftKings

  • 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

Kentucky vs. Mississippi State

Mississippi State is playing its best basketball of the season, and its five-game winning streak is the longest current winning streak among all SEC teams. The Bulldogs have a strong case for an at-large NCAA tournament berth, owning a neutral site win over Marquette, a road win at Arkansas, and a home victory against TCU. They have three Quad 1 wins in total and face a Kentucky team that has struggled against elite competition. The Wildcats own a 1-7 Quad 1 record and are 15-2 against everyone else.

Mississippi State ranks fourth nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency (per KenPom) and forces an SEC-best 23.4% turnover rate in league play. Kentucky needed overtime to beat the Bulldogs at Rupp Arena last year, and Mississippi State is a profitable 10-6-1 ATS on 2-3 days of rest this season. So while the Wildcats get most of the betting attention as one of the sport’s biggest blue bloods, we are backing an under-the-radar Bulldogs team in a mid-season resurgence.

Bet: Mississippi State ML (-150 at DraftKings)

  • Mike Spector

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Check out our best NHL bets.

NHL Best Bets

NHL Game Picks

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Arizona Coyotes 

The Lightning picked up a 4-3 shootout win over the Avalanche last night, marking their third straight win and 11th in 15 tries. They'll head to Tempe tonight to take on the Coyotes, who notched a 4-2 victory in Nashville on Monday. Puck drop is scheduled for 9:00 ET from Mullet Arena in Arizona. 

Despite being on a back-to-back, the Bolts come in as a -230 favorite against the Desert Dogs tonight. However, based on the statistics, I have to side with the bookmakers in that Tampa Bay should make light work of Arizona. I'll back the Lightning on the puck line tonight. 

The biggest discrepancy that I see here comes on special teams. Tampa Bay brings in the third-ranked power play in the NHL, cashing in on 26.0% of their opportunities. Arizona, on the other hand, comes in at 23rd on the PK, killing off just 75.4% of their penalties. The Yotes haven't been very disciplined this year, racking up the seventh-most penalty minutes in the league with 583. Tampa Bay has an incredible offense (4th, 3.6 GPG), and I expect them to pour it on an Arizona team that's allowing 3.3 goals per game (27th). 

Bet: Tampa Bay Lightning -1.5 (+110 via BetRivers)

  • Trenton Pruitt

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NHL Same Game Parlay

New York Rangers vs. Vancouver Canucks

  • Leg 1: Rangers -1.5 (+125)
  • Leg 2: OVER 6.5 Total Goals (-125)
  • Leg 3: OVER 3.5 Total Ranger Goals (-125)

The Rangers have burst out of the gate after the All Star break and won five straight. These were convingin wins against quality teams, including in Carolina.

The addition of Vladimir Tarasenko improved an already efficient offense, and with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, that's an excellent frontline.

The defense is also strong, with Igor Shesterkin between the pipes having a 23-8-7 record and 16.5 Goals Saved Above Expected.

Vancouver has basically packed in this season. They traded Bo Harvat to the Islanders, and more moves should be expected before the March 3rd trade deadline.

They have a strong forward unit without Harvat. Elias Pettersson, J.T. Miller, and Andrei Kuzmenko are each stellar playmakers with 45 or more points.

It's the goaltending that's been a problem, and it looks like Collin Delia will be the starter with Thatcher Demko sidelined and Spencer Martin sent down to the minors.

Vancouver has the offense to compete with New York, but the Rangers are playing so well right now.

Parlay Odds: +629

  • John Supowitz

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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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