Xam’s Daily Gems:
Nets/Pistons Over 215.5 Points -110 DraftKings
Risk: 5.5 Units
To Win: 5 Units
The Nets come into this game struggling offensively. They’re scoring less than 102 points per game in their last 10 games. Not having Cam Thomas hurts, but they’re better than this. On th season, they’re averaging 112 points on the season. The Pistons are also the perfect team to be playing if you are looking to get your offense back on track. They’re surrendering 121 points per game this season! They’ve been a little better recently, giving up just 114 points per game in their last 10, but this is still a Nets team that should be able to score some points tonight behind guys like Mikal Bridges, Dennis Schroder, and Nic Claxton. The Nets are average defensively, giving up 114 points per game on the year themselves. They’ve also been playing a lot of basketball recently. This will be their 3rd game in 4 nights and 4th game in 6 nights. The Pistons are averaging over 113 points per game at home in their last 10 games, so they’re improving slightly. At the end of the day, the Nets should be able to do some damage offensively. If the Pistons can bring their big boy offense to a game in which they’re at home and have a rest advantage, we just may have a high scoring affair on our hands!
Devils 60 Minute Money Line -120 DraftKings
(For this bet to win, the Devils must win in regulation. Bet loses even if the Devils win in OT/Shootout.)
Risk: 6 Units
To Win: 5 Units
Both teams are coming into this game struggling, but it’s the Devils who have really seen their fortunes change recently. They have lost 3 straight games and 7 of their last 10 overall. Their defense and goalie play have failed them all year. On the year, they’ve given up 219 goals, or 3.53 goals per game! Only the Blue Jackets and Canadiens have given up more goals this season in the Eastern Conference. The Blues have had the exact opposite issue this season. They can’t score this year. They’re scoring just 2.87 goals per game this year. They have just 25 goals in their last 10 games, and are averaging just 2.43 goals per game on the road this year. The Devils are also coming into this game with a rest advantage. This will be St. Louis’s 3rd game in 4 days and their 4th game in 6 days. The Devils, meanwhile, have only played one game since March 3rd and two games since March 1st. The Devils have plenty og faults this year, but scoring at home isn’t one of them. They’re averaging 3.25 goals per game at the Prudential Center. Facing a tired team that doesn’t score a lot, the Devils need to get started early and give their beleaguered defense and goalie a chance to play with a lead. They are in desperate need of a win, and this is a prime spot to get it done and give the fans something to smile about.
Lightning 60 Minute Money Line -105 FanDuel
(For this bet to win, the Lightning must win in regulation. Bet loses even if the Lightning win in OT/Shootout.)
Risk: 5.25 Units
To Win: 5 Units
The Lightning come into this game fully rested, as they haven’t played since March 2nd! That’s a scary proposition for the Flames. Tampa Bay has scored 116 times at Amalie Arena this year. That’s a whopping 3.74 goals per game! Overall, the Lightning have been carried by their offense this year. They have scored 214 goals and given up 213 goals. It shouldn’t be any surprise that a team led by guys like Brayden Point, Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, and Brandon Hagel are being led by their offense. However, if they want to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, and more importantly, do some damage when they get there, they’ll need to shore up their defense. Likely goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy has been up and down this year, but he’s giving up less than 3 goals per game at home this season. Tampa Bay is just a dominant home team and the Flames have been an inconsistent road team. Tampa Bay has the rest edge and the better offensive playmakers. If they can play some defense tonight, they should be able to score enough and get themselves back on track.
Bruins 60 Minute Money Line +115 FanDuel
(For this bet to win, the Bruins must win in regulation. Bet loses even if the Bruins win in OT/Shootout.)
Risk: 5 Units
To Win: 5.75 Units
This is a rematch between two teams that just played a few days ago. The Bruins had a dominant 4-1 win in Toronto. Now, the two teams face off again at TD Garden. Both the Leafs and Bruins will be playing their 3rd game in 4 nights and 4th game in 6 nights. However, Boston was off yesterday, while Toronto played an OT game at home. So, the Bruins are coming into this game with a slight rest advantage. The Bruins are still working through some of their issues, but overall, they’re still a tremendous team. They’re 2nd in the Eastern Conference thanks to a dominant offense scoring 3.32 goals per game and a stifling defense that’s surrendered just 177 goals this year, or just 2.76 goals per game. Despite their no-show in the last matchup, Toronto knows how to score. Boston will need their big boy offense tonight. The Leafs have scored the most goals in the Eastern Conference and are 8-2 in their last 10 games. They also sport an impressive 18-6-6 record on the road this year. Boston will need the home crowd to get going, and they’ll need to give them a reason to celebrate. Boston has the rest edge and needs this game more, despite them being higher in the standings. Look for the Leafs to be a little tired tonight and for Boston to take advantage. The Bruins are averaging about 3.34 goals per game at home this year, and that’s the type of offense they’ll need to win this game in regulation tonight.
Celtics/Nuggets Over 218.5 Points -145 DraftKings
Risk: 7.25 Units
To Win: 5 Units
The Celtics are coming off a grotesque loss that saw them get outscored 34-17 in the 4th quarter to lose by 1 point, 105-104. They’ll undoubtedly come out fired up and ready to go offensively tonight. In their prior 14 games, they averaged over 124 points per game! They have had a dominant offense all year and can score at will against anyone when they’re locked in and focused. Denver is a good defensive team. They’re only giving up 110 points per game on the year, but they’ve given up 111 or more points to Boston in 2 of their 3 matchups this season. The Celtics also aren’t nearly as good defensively on the road as they are at home. They’re giving up nearly 112 points per game on the road this season. The Nuggets, meanwhile, can score in droves at home. They’re 24-6 in front of the home fans this year in large part because they’re scoring 118 points per game at Ball Arena. In their last 2 home games, however, they’ve struggled offensively. They only have 210 points in those 2 games, and needed OT to reach just 107 points against Phoenix in their last game. Look for Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. to come out fired up and ready to go. The Nuggets are 6-4 in their last 10 games and that’s been bad enough to drop them to the 3rd seed in the Western Conference, albeit just 1 game out of the 1st seed. The Nuggets need a win, and they’ll need all of their offensive stars to show up if they want to win this game. There’s offensive superstars on both sides tonight, and in this marquee matchup, they’ll all want to show up!