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Saturday’s Best Bets: NBA, NCAA Tournament, NHL & UFC 286

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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

Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are still without Ja Morant. Therefore, everyone on the roster is stepping up more than usual.

Desmond Bane averages just 4.3 assists per game this season. However, he’s hit six or more in four of his last five games. Bane hasn’t shot it, particularly well over the last couple of games. So he’s dishing off some passes and earning assists to get others involved, who will score.

The same can be said about Tyus Jones. Jones has hit at least nine assists in three of his last five games. He’s also had four games with at least ten assists since Morant left the team. The Warriors are in the lower half of the league in assists allowed. Bane and Jones will be racking up the assists tonight.

Hopefully, a couple of those assists go to Jaren Jackson Jr. from three. Jackson has attempted 4.9 threes per game in the month of March, but he’s only hitting them at 31.8%.

He’s coming off an 0-for-3 night despite going 12-20 from the field. Look for Jackson Jr. to bounce back from downtown. Ultimately, you can expect him to take around five threes tonight. Just two need to go down.

Parlay Odds: +708

  • Jason Radowitz

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NBA Game Picks

New York Knicks vs. Denver Nuggets

Let’s be worried about the Nuggets for a bit. Denver has lost four of their last six games, with their two wins being both unimpressive and fortunate. It is now seven straight games that the Nuggets have been either tied (once) or trailing heading into the fourth quarter. We can be worried, right?

These last two weeks, the Nuggets rate 21st in Net Rating and 24th in Pts/Poss differential. For context, Denver is fifth and sixth in these respective categories for the year. If we didn’t know better, Denver looks like a fringe play-in team in the West– not the Conference’s top seed, with the reigning 2x MVP on their roster. The team’s fall from grace is inexplicable but inarguable, and it would be fortuitous to expect that they solve their issues in the Garden this Saturday afternoon.

Let’s talk about the Knicks. New York actually rates higher than the Nuggets in Adjusted Net Rating for the year and is the NBA’s second-best team in Pts/Poss differential since the All-Star break. Further, the team may get G Jalen Brunson back (click here for full injury reports), and his return to the court should only bolster New York’s chances for victory.

There’s no good sell for Denver right now, and it’s very likely that their skid continues until they return home to Colorado. Bet the Knicks, this game should be a pick’em (at the least).

Bet: Knicks +2 (-110)

  • Tommy Jurgens

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First Basket Scorer

Philadelphia 76ers vs. Indiana Pacers

There’s no reason to fix what isn’t broken. Philadelphia is playing at Indiana on the second night of a back-to-back so Embiid may get a rest day. However, if Embiid is in the lineup he’s a must-play again for First Basket.

Indiana is one of the worst teams in the league at scoring First Baskets. They’ve only cashed this prop in about one-third of their games. This points to Philadelphia players and, as I highlighted ad nauseam, also points to Embiid.

Indiana, much like other teams that struggle to prevent First Baskets, have defensive holes in the paint. The Pacers give up more first field goals to centers than any other position. I’m going to the well once more this weekend and taking Joel Embiid.

Pick: 0.25u on Joel Embiid (+260)

  • Jason Radowitz

Check out our other NBA First Basket Scorer Odds, Picks & Predictions >>

NBA Prop Bets

Pascal Siakam OVER 35.5 Points/Rebounds/Assists (-104)

The Raptors are playing important games in the final stretch of the season.

They are currently in the ninth spot in the Eastern Conference. A good run could have them move out of the play-in tournament, but a bad one could result in them missing the playoffs.

Siakm has been their best player all season and leads the team in points and rebounds. Tonight he’ll go against the Timberwolves, who are on the second leg of a back-to-back. Siakm has been profitable with this prop and has gone over 35 Points/Rebounds/Assists in 60% of his games this season. Minnesota is allowing the eighth-most points to power forwards.

  • John Supowitz

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NHL Best Bets

NHL Game Picks

Edmonton Oilers (-132) vs. Seattle Kraken (+110) | O/U 6.5 (-134/+110)

The Oilers are coming with the top-scoring offense and have scored 14 goals in their last three games. Edmonton moved to third place in the Pacific over the Kraken by one point.

We can’t talk about the Oilers without mentioning Connor McDavid. It’s rare not only to have a game where he doesn’t have a point, but you feel disappointed when he doesn’t have multiple, as he’s averaging 1.89 points per game.

The Kraken snapped their three-gaming losing streak with a 2-1 win over the Sharks. Seattle’s success comes from their offense and an excellent blue line, but the goaltending has struggled. Martin Jones and Phillip Grubaer have each received significant playing time, but neither has been able to play consistently well.

Each game has been lopsided, but one thing they’ve had in common is a high score. Each team knows they’ll have to rely on their offense to win. Neither side has exceptional goaltending, so take the over.

Pick: Over 6.5

  • John Supowitz

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NHL Player Prop Bet Picks

Zach Parise OVER 0.5 Points (+155)

The Islanders are currently tied with the Penguins in the Eastern Conference Wild Card race, but each is only three points up in the playoff race altogether. The Isles got off to a bad start on the west coast trip but got a win against the Ducks.

Zach Priase ended his four-game points drought with a goal and an assist against the Ducks. The veteran has been very successful in The Shark Tank and has come away with a point in three of his last four games in the SAP Arena.

  • John Supowitz

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NCAA Tournament Best Bets

Duke vs. Tennessee

The Blue Devils have absolutely dominated on the offensive glass this year. Duke has added 36.3% of offensive rebounds and continue to shoot it well from the field.

Duke has nailed 33.7% from deep and 51.5% from inside the arc. But more importantly, the Blue Devils have hit 76.8% from the free throw line this year.

Tennessee fouls at a very high rate due to their aggressive style of defense. But that style of defense also earns Tennessee 22.2% of turnovers per game this season.

The Vols have held teams to 26.4% from three and 44.5% from inside the arc. Those are incredible numbers, especially from downtown. Duke doesn’t take a ton of three-pointers. The Blue Devils will work inside and try to get easier buckets against Tennessee.

On the other hand, Duke won’t earn a ton of turnovers. But that defense has done well, holding teams to 30.1% from three and 46.4% from inside the arc. The Vols, just like Duke, dominate the glass but Duke should be fundamentally sound on the defensive glass, as the Blue Devils have held teams to 25.8% offensive rebounds.

Plus, Duke has also kept fouls very low, which should help them towards the end of the game.

Tennessee couldn’t score at a solid rate against Louisiana in the first game. Meanwhile, Duke held Oral Roberts to a low number. I like Duke to dominate Tennessee and keep this game lower scoring.

The pick: Duke -3 (-110)

Check out all of our March Madness Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions >>

UFC 286

Leon Edwards vs. Kamaru Usman

This should be a fantastic Welterweight Title fight that sees Usman travel to Edwards’ home country of the United Kingdom as he tries to reclaim his belt. The oddsmakers lean heavily on Usman completing the feat, offering as a -240 betting favorite. Edwards comes back as a +200 underdog to get his hand raised on Saturday night.

While the Englishman was able to land that unfathomable head kick with under a minute left last time out, I can’t imagine lightning will strike the same place twice in this one. Most people, myself included, would’ve ended up scoring those fights 50-45 should Usman have made it the full 25 minutes.

While I don’t want to take anything away from Edwards, as he won fair and square, Usman is still the more well-rounded fighter. With The Nigerian Nightmare still having a massive edge in the wrestling department, I’m expecting another technical domination in this one. Rocky has never been knocked out or submitted inside the final horn, so I’ll roll with Usman to get his hand raised via the judges’ scorecards.

Pick: Kamaru Usman To Win By Decision (-115 via DraftKings Sportsbook)

Check out our other UFC 286 Odds, Picks & Predictions >>

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 â€” to learn more.


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