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Wednesday’s Best Bets: NBA Picks & NHL Predictions (3/29)

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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 Game Picks

Dallas Mavericks vs. Philadelphia 76ers

It’s officially do-or-die time for the Mavs, as the recent acquisition of Kyrie Irving may prove to be costly for the franchise for years to come. Having won just three of their past 10 games, the Mavericks picked up a critical win on Monday, beating the Pacers on the road 127-104 to cover as 7.5-point favorites.

The road will get more difficult on Wednesday, as they take on a 76ers team who is firmly in the postseason as the 3rd seed in the East. With their backs against the wall currently .5 games outside even the play-in tournament, I expect a concerted effort from a talented Mavericks team as they win this one likely outright.

Bet: Mavericks +5.5 (-110)

  • Johnny Perun

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First Basket Scorer

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers

The Milwaukee Bucks have won the tip in 65% of games this year. Meanwhile, the Pacers have won the tip in just 32% of games this season. These teams have played in three games this year, and Milwaukee has won the tip in every single one of those games.

Although the Pacers added one first basket against the Bucks, there is a much higher probability that the Bucks get the ball first and take the first shot. So, of course, you’d want to be backing the Bucks to score first.

Brook Lopez has attempted 10 first shots for the Bucks this season. He’s also drained nine first baskets. He’s tied with Jrue Holiday for most first shots this season and has more first baskets than everyone but Giannis.

Let’s try Lopez in this spot.

Bet: Brook Lopez (+500)

  • Jason Radowitz

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NBA Prop Bets

Devin Booker Over 27.5 Points (-115)

The Timberwolves and the Suns are playing for a position in the playoffs. That means both teams will be fighting hard to position themselves the best they can in the postseason. 

The player who will benefit the most from this matchup is Devin Booker. He averages 28.1 points per game. The Suns will try to win this game. Therefore, Booker will get more minutes than he typically does. That increase in minutes will mean more shot opportunities and more points. 

  • Cameron Lynch

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NHL Best Bets

NHL Game Picks

Florida Panthers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

The Panthers are running out of time to make a push for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. They're currently the first team out, trailing Pittsburgh (82 points) by three points. Each team has eight games remaining. As for the Maple Leafs (97 points), they're comfortably in control of the second position in the Atlantic, holding a five-point edge over the Lightning. Puck drop between these two Atlantic Division foes is set for 7:30 p.m. ET from Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON. 

These two sides just played in Sunrise on Thursday in a 6-2 affair that went to the Leafs. The victory moved Toronto to 2-0-0 in the season series, adding to the 5-4 overtime win at home back in January. I'll go ahead and lock in the Maple Leafs to pick up another two points tonight and back them on the moneyline. 

In Florida's case, you can point to a couple of key metrics as to why they're not in the playoffs. They're currently 22nd in overall defense (3.2 GAA) and just 28th on the penalty kill (74.1%). The Panthers use this loose, run-and-gun style of play that often leaves them exposed on the backend. That, combined with the unreliable netminding of Sergei Bobrovsky (24-20-3, 3.07 GAA, .901 SV%) are clearly the reasons why they're on the outside looking in. You can't play that way and expect to beat a dynamic offense like the Maple Leafs. If Toronto can play a fundamentally clean hockey game, they should have no issue outpacing the Panthers tonight in Ontario. 

Bet: Maple Leafs Moneyline (-145) 

  • Trenton Pruitt

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NHL Same Game Parlay

New York Islanders vs. Washington Capitals

  • Leg 1: UNDER 1.5 Total First Period Goals (+110)
  • Leg 2: UNDER 6.5 Total Goals (-165)
  • Leg 3: Capitals ML (-110)

I don't think the Islanders appreciated the negative talk about their offense because they flipped a switch. The shutout loss to Buffalo was shocking, but they were on the second leg of a back-to-back, and the previous game went to overtime. The offense is still on a great run scoring 26 goals in their last six games and putting up seven against Toronto and five on New Jersey.

Washington would need a miracle to get into the playoffs because they've dropped four of their last five. The Capitals have had success against the Islanders by winning both games, and Darcy Kuemper is 2-0-0 with a 1.94 GAA and a .938 save percentage.

I like Washington to halt New York's offensive flow and get a win.

Parlay Odds: +544

  • John Supowitz

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