Matthew Lowrimore
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Two picks are taken from each sport and a winning ticket would give us a nice payout with odds of +947 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Let’s break down each of these plays.
NHL: Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins ML (-130), 7:00 pm ET
The Bruins aren’t an offensive powerhouse like the Maple Leafs, but Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and David Pastrnak are still an elite trio of goal scorers who lead a very capable offensive unit. Boston should be able to generate quality chances against a weak Toronto defense and shaky goaltender, whether it be rookie Erik Kallgren or Petr Mrazek in net. As good as Toronto can be, the Bruins are the hottest team in the league and have the benefit of playing this one on home ice, so take Boston to pick up the win.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins
NHL: Montreal Canadiens vs Florida Panthers -1.5 (-160), 7:05 pm ET
Florida has been first in the NHL in goals per game for quite some time, scoring 4.02 goals per game. Not only are the Panthers the only team over the 4 goals per game mark, but that average also increases to a ridiculous 4.63 per game when on home ice.
On the flip side, Montreal has been first in the NHL in goals allowed per game until just this Sunday — when the Red Wings conceded an absurd 11 goals to the Penguins. Still, the Habs allow a second-worst 3.71 goals per game; it’s a far cry from the goaltending of Carey Price last season. Montreal misses its great goalie, while the Panthers have only gotten stronger by adding Claude Giroux at last week’s trade deadline. This should be too much of a mismatch for anything but the Panthers puck line.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Montreal Canadiens vs Florida Panthers
NBA: Milwaukee Bucks +1.5 (-110) vs Philadelphia 76ers, 7:10 pm ET
Milwaukee hasn’t been an underdog much this season, but it is 4-10 straight up and ATS in that situation. Philly is 21-16 straight up at home but just 11-17 as a home favorite. Since the James Harden acquisition, the Sixers are 4-4 ATS as home favorites. Both of these teams are also below .500 against the spread versus the Eastern Conference.
As you can see, there isn’t much separation between these two teams. So in a game in which the spread likely won’t matter, give me the better team with the better offense that has a clear leg up on the rest of the Eastern Conference.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks – Over 218 points (-110), 7:30 pm ET
The last 5 Lakers games have seen 224, 247, 251, 246, and 251 points scored, so I am a bit surprised the projected total for tonight’s game has been set at a modest 218 points. Sure, the Mavericks play at a slow pace this season, but against a Lakers side that ranks 6th in pace of play and has a motivated Russell Westbrook, I think we could see at least 220 points scored. The Lakers are not capable of slowing down anyone, either, having allowed an average of 120.7 ppg over their last 3 contests — the 5th-highest mark in the NBA. If Los Angeles wants to stay competitive in this one, it will have to set the tempo early on. So I would recommend taking the over.
Be sure to check out our full game preview for Los Angeles Lakers vs Dallas Mavericks
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