Navigate

Sunday’s Best Bets: NBA, College Basketball, NHL & XFL (3/5)

by |

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.

Get ready for the big game with our Super Bowl LVII Betting Guide >>

Today’s Best Bets

Here are today’s best NBA bets.

NBA Best Bets

NBA Same Game Parlay Picks

New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics

The Knicks are now only two games away from 40 wins. They’re looking like genuine contenders since adding Josh Hart. They also turned things around when Mitchell Robinson returned to the lineup.

Robinson has averaged 7.5 points per game this season. He’s shot over 70% from the field and has scored at least ten points in all but one game since returning. The Miami Heat played him well through his 33 minutes last game. But he’s been averaging about five or six shot attempts per game if you take away that Miami game. That’ll be enough to get to seven points.

Meanwhile, RJ Barrett has added four rebounds in 72% of games this season. He’s not even getting 30 minutes a game, but a 3.5 line is too low for Barrett, who will still play around 30 minutes. The Celtics are usually a great defense, but they’re only average on the glass.

That’s also why I’ll be adding Julius Randle Over 8.5 rebounds. Randle has hit this line in nearly 70% of games this season and has reached nine rebounds in 75% of his last 20 games. Scoring has been on his mind a little more, but he’s ultimately done everything for the Knicks this year. Randle is averaging over ten rebounds per game. Let’s take this line.

Parlay Odds: +496

  • Jason Radowitz

Check out our other NBA Same Game Parlay Odds, Picks & Predictions >>

First Basket Scorer

Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks

This will be an important matchup with these two teams separated by just two games in the Western Conference.

The Suns have looked great with Kevin Durant in the lineup, winning both starts. Now, as they bring in another offensive weapon, having one of the better defenses in the league will make them a favorite in the playoffs.

This will be the first game featuring Durant and Kyrie Irving as opponents since they left Brooklyn. Adding Irving to the Mavericks has yet to be successful, however, as Dallas has dropped five of their last seven. Alas. the eye test shows the chemistry still needs time to develop.

Dallas plays with a smaller lineup, so Phoenix will have the tip advantage. Booker comes into today with two first baskets over his last six games.

Pick: Devin Booker (+480)

  • John Supowitz

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

NBA Prop Bets

Zach LaVine OVER 3.5 Rebounds (-140)

The Bulls are not playing well at the worse time. They’ve lost seven of their last ten, and now they’ve dropped out of a playoff spot.

They’ll take on the Pacers, whom they’ve lost the last two matchups against. LaVine’s currently rebound prop is set absurdly low. 3.5, which is half of his average against the Pacers this year, and he’s gone over that number in 66% of games this season.

  • John Supowitz

Check out our other NBA Player Prop Bet Odds, Picks & Predictions >>

College Basketball Best Bets

College Basketball Game Picks

Atlantic Sun Championship Game: Liberty (-4.5) at Kennesaw State, Total 136.5

Location: KSU Convocation Center, Kennesaw, Georgia (Kennsaw State home game)

Tip off time: 3 p.m. ET

Chalk has prevailed during the ASUN tournament, as top-seeded Kennesaw State will host second-seeded Liberty seeking its first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. To do so, they’ll have to take down the Flames, who have recently made the big dance in 2019 and 2021. The Owls won the lone meeting between these teams during the regular season, taking down the Flames 88-81 on their home floor.

This game features two proficient 3-point shooting teams and two subpar 3-point defenses. Kennesaw State ranks 37th in the country in 3-point shooting, but 253rd in 3-point defense. Liberty shoots threes on nearly 50% of their possessions and ranks 39th in 3-point shooting. However, the Flames are allowing opponents to make 35% of their shots from deep, ranking 239th.

There are a few key areas where Liberty holds an advantage on the road. The Flames play at an incredibly sluggish pace, are the top team in the nation in defensive rebounding and they defend without fouling. That third point is especially important against a Kennesaw State offense that ranks 52nd in the country in free throw rate. And should Liberty earn the auto bid, they could cause major issues for the higher-seeded team their matched up against in the NCAA Tournament.

The KSU Convocation Center is going to be rocking Sunday afternoon. And while I believe Liberty is the better team in this matchup, I won’t recommend laying 4.5 points with the road favorite. Instead, I’ll take the over in a game that has the makings of a high-scoring, back-and-forth thriller.

The pick: Over 136.5

  • Matt Barbato

Check out our other College Basketball Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions >>

Check out our best NHL bets.

NHL Best Bets

NHL Game Picks

New Jersey Devils (-350) vs. Arizona Coyotes (+280) | O/U 6.5 (-114/-106)

The Devils have been excellent all season, but that didn’t stop them from improving. They made a big move by getting Timo Meier, who led San Jose with 31 goals. Unfortunately, he won’t play tonight due to an upper-body injury.

That does not mean they are short of playmakers. Jasper Brett and Nico Hischier have 49 goals between them. Dougie Hamilton is one of the best-scoring defensemen, but it’s all led by Jack Hughes and his 74 points.

The Coyotes were big sellers during the deadline and traded some excellent players, including their two best defensemen, Shayne Gostisbehere and Jakob Chychrun, along with forward Nick Bjugstad. This team will be rebuilding for some time because they are in the bottom ten on offense and defense. This is a massive mismatch and the Devils are excellent enough on both sides of the puck to earn them a multi-goal win.

Pick: Devils -1.5 (-140)

  • John Supowitz

Check out our other NHL Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions >>

XFL Best Bets

St. Louis Battlehawks vs. D.C. Defenders

While the first matchup this week is between a pair of 0-2 teams, the second contest is much better. The Battlehawks are 2-0 this season, with two close victories. They won 18-15 in Week 1 over the San Antonio Brahmas and 20-18 last week against the Seattle Dragons. Quarterback A.J. McCarron has been one of the top players two weeks into the year. The former Alabama star is third in the league in completion percentage (64.5%), passing yards (374) and passing touchdowns (three). He also has the Battlehawks’ only rushing touchdown this season.

Meanwhile, the Defenders also have a 2-0 record this season. They won the Week 1 matchup 22-18 over the Seattle Sea Dragon. The Defenders then had an impressive 18-6 win over the Vegas Wipers in Week 2. While D.C. hasn’t gotten the same level of quarterback play as St. Louis, the Defenders have an impressive running game. Abram Smith (99), Ryquell Armstead (88) and Jordan Ta’amu (77) all rank in the top five in rushing yards this year.

These two teams join the Houston Roughnecks as the only undefeated teams in the XFL. More importantly, the Battlehawks, Defenders and Roughnecks are the only three teams to score 18 or more points in both games this season. Yet, this matchup has the second-lowest over/under total in Week 3. Betting the over is an easy call.

Over 36.5 (-110)

Check out our other XFL Betting 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.


Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | RadioPublic | Breaker | Castbox | Pocket Casts