College Football

Texas Tech vs. Baylor Odds, Pick, Prediction 11/27/21

Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State Odds, Pick, Prediction 11/27/21

Washington State vs. Washington Odds, Pick, Prediction 11/26/21

Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State Odds, Pick, Prediction 11/25/21

Western Michigan vs. Northern Illinois Odds, Pick, Prediction 11/23/21

Oklahoma State vs. Texas Tech Odds, Pick, Prediction 11/20/21

Baylor vs. Kansas State Odds, Pick, Prediction 11/20/21

San Diego State vs. UNLV Odds, Pick, Prediction 11/19/21

Louisville vs. Duke Odds, Pick, Prediction 11/18/21

Northern Illinois vs. Buffalo Odds, Pick, Prediction 11/17/21

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<p>Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Ragin' Cajuns versus the Chanticleers? Tip off is at at 7:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at The HTC Center in Conway, SC. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 137.5 points, and Coastal Carolina is favored by -2.5 to win at home against Louisiana-Lafayette.</p><h3>LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE RAGIN' CAJUNS VS COASTAL CAROLINA CHANTICLEERS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Coastal Carolina Chanticleers -2.5</p><p>This game will be played at The HTC Center at 7:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.</p><h3>WHY BET THE COASTAL CAROLINA CHANTICLEERS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 81-66 in favor of the Chanticleers.</li><li>Not only will Coastal Carolina pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -2.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 137.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.</li></ul><h3>Will the Ragin' Cajuns Make it Happen in Conway?</h3><p>Louisiana-Lafayette fell to 2-10 on the season after a 64-56 home loss to McNeese State on Sunday. Despite being +11.5 point underdogs, the Ragin' Cajuns kept the game closer than expected.</p> <p>Trailing 28-27 at halftime, Louisiana-Lafayette allowed 36 points in the 2nd half while scoring 29. The game’s total points of 120 fell well short of the 140 O/U line.</p><p>In their last game, the Ragin' Cajuns managed just 56 points, shooting 40.7% from the field. They connected on 33.3% of their threes, going 8-for-24, while hitting 46.7% of their two-point attempts.</p> <p>Sincere Parker led the way with 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting, though he was just 1-of-4 from deep. Kentrell Garnett added 13 points, hitting 3-of-6 from beyond the arc.</p><p>Louisiana-Lafayette's defense held their opponent to 64 points on 40% shooting from the field. They allowed 22 made field goals on 54 attempts.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, the Ragin' Cajuns gave up 8 threes on 24 attempts, a 33% shooting rate. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 6 times, where they made 4 free throws, shooting 66%.</p><h3>Do the Chanticleers Have What it Takes at Home?</h3><h3>Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>The Chanticleers fell to 5-6 on the season after a 97-67 road loss to Arkansas State on Saturday. Coastal Carolina entered the game as +15 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread.</p> 

<p>After trailing 53-22 at halftime, the Chanticleers scored 45 points in the 2nd half while allowing 44. The game’s total points of 164 exceeded the over/under line of 141.5.</p><p>Coastal Carolina managed just 67 points in their last game, shooting 36.4% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 40.9%. They hit 28.6% from three-point range, connecting on 6 of 21 attempts, and made 68.4% of their free throws, going 13 for 19 at the line. The Chanticleers grabbed 20 offensive rebounds but recorded only 8 assists as a team.</p> <p>Josh Hill led the way with 26 points in just 16 minutes, shooting 60% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. Jordan Battle added 20 points, hitting 75% of his threes, while Joseph Pinion contributed 19 points, making 57.1% of his three-point attempts.</p><p>Coastal Carolina's defense struggled, giving up 97 points on 55% shooting from the field. They allowed 33 made baskets on 60 attempts.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, Coastal Carolina allowed 16 threes on 30 attempts, a 53% shooting rate. They also sent the opposing team to the line 19 times, where they hit 15 free throws.</p>

Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns vs Coastal Carolina Chanticleers NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

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Bookmaker

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<p>Don't miss out on the NHL showdown between the Wild and Capitals. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on ESPN+, and it's hosted by the Capitals at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under for this game is set at 5.5 goals, and the Capitals are favored by -1.5 vs. the Wild in a non-conference matchup.</p><h3>MINNESOTA WILD VS WASHINGTON CAPITALS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Washington Capitals -1.5</p><p>This game will be played at Capital One Arena at 7:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.</p><h3>WHY BET THE WASHINGTON CAPITALS:</h3><ul><li>With the Capitals being favored by 1.5, our NHL analytics models has this one playing out 4-3 in favor of the Capitals.</li><li>Take the Capitals on the moneyline</li><li>On the spread, we like Wild (+1.5)</li></ul><h3>Will the Wild Find a Way to Win in Washington?</h3><p>With a 2-1 overtime win against the Maple Leafs, the Wild improved to 23-11-4. Minnesota entered the game as -1.5 goal favorites, but couldn’t cover the puck line. The total for the game was set at 6 goals, but the teams combined for just 3.</p> 

<p>Ryan Hartman opened the scoring for the Wild at 9:41 in the first period, but the Maple Leafs tied it up with just 52 seconds left in the period. Matt Boldy scored the game-winner at 2:14 in overtime.</p><p>Ryan Hartman netted his third goal of the season, while Matt Boldy added his sixth, scoring the game-winner in overtime as the Wild defeated the Maple Leafs 2-1. Jared Spurgeon contributed with two assists, bringing his season total to three.</p> <p>Despite scoring just twice, Minnesota fired 33 shots on goal. The Wild were held scoreless in the second and third periods before Boldy’s decisive goal at 2:14 into overtime. They finished the game with 15 giveaways.</p><p>Defensively, the Wild will look to carry their momentum from the previous game, where they allowed just one goal to Toronto. Filip Gustavsson posted 27 saves with a 96.4% save percentage. Minnesota's defense also recorded 7 takeaways and 22 hits. The only goal they allowed came at 19:08 in the first period, a power-play goal from William Nylander.</p><h3>Do the Capitals Have What it Takes to Win as Home Favorites?</h3><p>Washington's 4-2 loss to the Hurricanes dropped their record to 25-10-2. The Capitals were the underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 6 goals pushed the pre-game line.</p> <p>After trailing 1-0, Washington scored twice in the first period to take the lead. However, the Hurricanes responded with three unanswered goals, including one in the second period and an empty-netter in the third.</p><p>Alex Ovechkin netted his 7th goal of the season on a power play at 19:16 in the first period, followed by Brandon Duhaime’s 2nd goal just 33 seconds later. The Capitals took 21 shots on goal but were held scoreless in the second and third periods.</p> <p>Washington recorded 15 giveaways and added 3 assists to their 2 goals. Nic Dowd picked up his 2nd assist of the season, while Dylan Strome notched his 13th, and John Carlson earned his 7th assist on Ovechkin’s power-play goal.</p><p>Washington's defense gave up the first goal against Carolina at 5:59 in the first period and three more after taking a 2-1 lead, including an empty-netter with 9 seconds left in the third. Charlie Lindgren made 41 saves with a 93.2% save percentage, while the defense recorded 2 takeaways and 20 hits.</p>

Minnesota Wild vs Washington Capitals Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

<p>Don't miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Runnin' Bulldogs and Buccaneers. The game is starting at 1:00 ET on ESPN+, and it's hosted by the Buccaneers at Buccaneer Fieldhouse in Charleston, SC. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 152.5 points, and Charleston Southern is favored by -1.5 to win at home against Gardner-Webb.</p><h3>GARDNER-WEBB RUNNIN' BULLDOGS VS CHARLESTON SOUTHERN BUCCANEERS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Charleston Southern Buccaneers -1.5</p><p>This game will be played at Buccaneer Fieldhouse at 1:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.</p><h3>WHY BET THE CHARLESTON SOUTHERN BUCCANEERS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-69 in favor of the Buccaneers.</li><li>Not only will Charleston Southern pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -1.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 152.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.</li></ul><h3>Can the Runnin' Bulldogs Pull Off a Road Win?</h3><h3>Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>Gardner-Webb improved to 5-8 on the season with an 84-79 road win over East Carolina on Saturday. The Runnin' Bulldogs entered the game as +10.5 point underdogs.</p> 

<p>After trailing 37-35 at halftime, Gardner-Webb scored 49 points in the 2nd half while allowing 42. The total points for the game reached 163, surpassing the O/U line of 144.5.</p><p>Gardner-Webb's offense was firing on all cylinders in their latest game, putting up 84 points while shooting 51.7% from the field. They connected on 55.6% of their three-point attempts, going 10-for-18 from deep, and posted an effective field goal percentage of 60.3%.</p> <p>Darryl Simmons II led the way with 29 points, hitting 5-of-6 from beyond the arc and shooting 75% overall. Isaiah Richards also had an efficient night, shooting 75% from the field and grabbing 13 rebounds.</p><p>Gardner-Webb's defense gave up 79 points in their last game, with the opponent shooting 39% from the field on 25 of 64 attempts. Inside the arc, the opponent hit 46% of their shots, going 18 for 39.</p> <p>From three-point range, Gardner-Webb held the opponent to 28% shooting, with 7 made threes on 25 attempts. The opponent also went to the free-throw line 36 times, making 22 for 61%. Gardner-Webb allowed 14 offensive rebounds.</p><h3>Can the Buccaneers Hold Strong at Home?</h3><h3>Charleston Southern Buccaneers Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>Charleston Southern dropped to 2-11 on the season after an 81-65 loss to Georgia on Sunday, December 22nd. The Buccaneers were +28.5 point underdogs going into the game, but they managed to keep the final score closer than expected.</p> 

<p>After trailing 37-26 at halftime, Charleston Southern put up 39 points in the 2nd half but allowed 44. The total points for the game ended at 146, just under the 146.5 O/U line.</p><p>Charleston Southern's offense struggled in their last game, shooting just 39.7% from the field and 34.8% from three-point range. Their effective field goal percentage was 46.6%, and they connected on 68.8% of their free throws, going 11-for-16 from the line.</p> <p>Taje' Kelly played all 40 minutes, scoring 29 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while De'Shayne Montgomery added 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting in just 22 minutes. Dakota Leffew contributed 19 points, hitting 3-of-5 from deep, and Asa Newell finished with 14 points and 7 rebounds.</p><p>Charleston Southern's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 81 points while allowing the opposition to shoot 50% from the field. The Buccaneers couldn't contain the two-point shots, with their opponents hitting 51% on 23/45 shooting.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, Charleston Southern allowed 9 threes on 18 attempts, a 50% shooting performance. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 14 times, where they converted 8. The Buccaneers gave up 13 offensive rebounds as well.</p>

Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs vs Charleston Southern Buccaneers NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

<p>There does appear to be a chance of rain in Pittsburgh on Saturday, where the forecasted temperature is 70 degrees. MLBN will be televising this interleague matchup, and the money line odds have the Mariners as the favorite at -158 compared to the Pirates at +133. First pitch from PNC Park is set for 1:05 PM ET.</p>

<p>Seattle comes in with a record of 63-60 and is 2nd in the AL West, while the Pirates are 5th in the NL Central with an overall record of 57-64. Luis Castillo will start for the Mariners, while Bailey Falter goes for the Pirates.</p><h3>PITTSBURGH PIRATES VS SEATTLE MARINERS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates Moneyline +133</p><p>This game will be played at PNC Park at 1:05 ET on Saturday, August 17th.</p><h3>HOW TO BET THE MARINERS VS PIRATES:</h3><ul><li>We have the Pirates winning by a score of 5 to 4</li><li>If you're looking for a run line pick, we also like the Pirates to cover</li><li>As for an over/under pick, we have this game finishing with 9 runs and like the over</li></ul><p>Pittsburgh picked up a 5-3 win over the Mariners in the most recent game of this series. The Pirates had a two-run 5th inning and added an insurance run in the 7th, while the Mariners scored their final run in the 9th. Heading into the game, the Pirates were favored at -119 on the money line.</p>

<p>Paul Skenes started for the Pirates and picked up the win, going six innings and giving up two earned runs. He finished the game with six strikeouts but issued four walks. Logan Gilbert got the start for the Mariners, going 6 1/3 innings and giving up three earned runs.</p>

<p>Yasmani Grandal and Isiah Kiner-Falefa each had two hits and an RBI for the Pirates. Oneil Cruz also drove in two runs while going 1/4. Luke Raley had a two-hit game for the Mariners, including a home run.</p><h3>Mariners Records & Stats</h3><p>Seattle is 63-60 overall, and they are three games behind the Astros in the AL West. The Mariners have dropped four straight games, and this losing streak started with the series finale vs. the Rangers. So far this year, they are 19-13 in the division.</p>

<p>At home, the Mariners have gone 37-26, and they are only 26-34 on the road. As the favorite, Seattle is 44-37 and 19-23 as the underdog. This season, the Mariners' series record is 17-20-2.</p><p>Seattle is 26-34 against the run line on the road this season, and has failed to cover in five straight road games. The Mariners are 21-21 against the run line as underdogs this season, and have an average run margin of -0.3 runs per game on the road.</p><p>Seattle is on the road against Pittsburgh today, and the over/under line is set at 8.5 runs. The Mariners have a combined run average of 7.7 runs per game this season, and their over/under record is 53-65. Their average over/under line for the season is 8 runs per game, but when the line is set at 8.5 runs, they have gone over 12 times and under 5 times. Only 8.9% of their games this season have had over/under lines set at 8.5 runs or higher.</p><p>Seattle is sending right-hander Luis Castillo to the mound today vs. the Pirates. He has made 25 starts this year and has a record of 10-11 with a 3.40 ERA. Looking at his overall numbers, Castillo has a WHIP of 1.16 and has issued just 2.43 walks per nine innings compared to 8.98 strikeouts. In his last outing, he gave up just one earned run in six innings of work, picking up the win. Before that, he had given up at least three earned runs in three straight starts. Castillo has done most of his work at home, coming in with a 3.01 ERA compared to 4.43 on the road.</p>
<p>Cal Raleigh comes into the game as the Mariners' top power threat, as his 26 homers are 11th in the league and leads Seattle. However, he is batting just .211 for the season and has gone 3/18 in his last five games. Julio Rodríguez is on a three-game hitting streak and is batting .265 for the season with 11 homers. Randy Arozarena has 16 homers but is batting just .218.</p>

<p>For the season, the Mariners are averaging just 3.9 runs per game, and they are also the league's worst team in terms of batting average and strikeouts. As a team, they are batting just .215. Seattle is also near the bottom of the league in OBP, SLG, and OPS.</p><h3>Pirates Records & Stats</h3><p>Pittsburgh is 57-64 overall this season, and they are 12.5 games behind the Brewers in the NL Central. The Pirates have gone 17-15 against other teams in the NL Central this year. Pittsburgh took the first game of this series vs. the Mariners and have lost nine of their last ten games overall.</p>

<p>At home, the Pirates are 28-31 this season compared to a 29-33 mark on the road. As the underdog, the Pirates are 32-43 this year, and they are 25-21 when favored. Their longest losing streak as the underdog this year is 11 games, and they are 16-18-5 in series this year.</p><p>When the Pirates are at home, they have a run line record of 31-28, which includes a current run line winning streak of three games. They are 18-28 against the run line as the favorite and 50-25 as the underdog. Their average run margin in winning games is 3.2 runs, while it is -3.3 runs in losing games.</p><p>The Pittsburgh Pirates have an over/under record of 58-62 this season. Their games have averaged 8.5 runs per game, which is also the over/under line for today's matchup against the Seattle Mariners. The Pirates have played 20 games with an over/under line of 8.5 runs, and their record in those games is 25-17. Their over/under record when the line is set at 8.5 runs is 25-17. The over has hit in their last two games.</p><p>Pittsburgh is sending Bailey Falter to the mound today, and he comes into the game with a record of 5-7 and an ERA of 4.07. Falter has made 20 starts this year and has pitched well at home, coming in with an ERA of 4.48 compared to 5.1 on the road. In his last outing, he finished with a no-decision, giving up four earned runs in four innings of work. Before that, he had turned in a quality start and picked up the win. Falter's WHIP for the season is currently 1.24.</p><p>Oneil Cruz and Bryan De La Cruz have been two of the Pirates' top power threats this season, as they are both tied for 2nd on the team with 18 homers. Cruz is batting .260 for the season and has gone 10/28 in his last seven games, while De La Cruz is hitting .241 overall and has gone deep just once in his last seven games. Bryan Reynolds is the Pirates' top power threat, as he has 19 homers and is batting .283.</p>

<p>As a team, the Pirates are averaging just 4.1 runs per game, which is 23rd in the league. They are also near the bottom of the league in terms of team batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. However, they do come into the game with a few hitters on solid streaks, as Yasmani Grandal and Andrew McCutchen are both on six-game hitting streaks.</p>

Seattle Mariners vs Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Pick & Prediction 8/17/24

<p>Planning on watching today's Greyhounds and Crusaders game? Catch the action at Hart Center in Worcester, MA, as the Crusaders hosts this showdown at 6:00 ET on ESPN+. The odds for this Patriot League conference game currently have Holy Cross as the -2.5 point favorite with the over/under line sitting at 140.5 points.</p><h3>LOYOLA MARYLAND GREYHOUNDS VS HOLY CROSS CRUSADERS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Holy Cross Crusaders -2.5</p><p>This game will be played at Hart Center at 6:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.</p><h3>WHY BET THE HOLY CROSS CRUSADERS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 78-70 in favor of the Crusaders.</li><li>Not only will Holy Cross pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -2.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 140.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 148 points.</li></ul><h3>Can Loyola Maryland Pull Off a Road Win?</h3><h3>Loyola Maryland Greyhounds Recent Game</h3> 

<p>Loyola Maryland fell to 4-6 on the season after an 84-65 road loss to DePaul on Saturday. Entering the game as +18.5 point underdogs, the Greyhounds failed to cover the spread.</p> 

<p>DePaul jumped out to a 44-26 lead at halftime, and while Loyola Maryland scored 39 points in the 2nd half, they allowed 40. The total points for the game hit 149, going over the pre-game line of 144.5.</p><p>NJ Benson and Jacob Theodosiou both scored 22 points in Loyola Maryland's recent game, with Theodosiou shooting 90% from the field, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Benson added 17 rebounds and shot 71.4% overall.</p> <p>As a team, the Greyhounds shot 44.4% from the field, hitting 6-of-17 from three-point range (35.3%) and 11-of-20 from the free-throw line (55%). They finished with 15 assists and 7 offensive rebounds, posting an effective field goal percentage of 50%.</p><p>Despite Loyola Maryland's defense giving up 84 points, they limited their opponent's three-point shooting to just 5/24, a 20% success rate. However, their defense struggled inside, allowing 57% shooting on two-point attempts, with the opposing team hitting 26 of 45 shots.</p> <p>From the free-throw line, Loyola Maryland's opponent went 17/23, converting 73% of their attempts. The Greyhounds also allowed 16 offensive rebounds in the game.</p><h3>Can the Crusaders Deliver Being Favored at Home?</h3><h3>Holy Cross Crusaders Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>Holy Cross improved to 6-5 on the season after a 78-70 road win over Siena on Friday, December 20th. The Crusaders entered the game as +5.5 point underdogs but not only pulled off the upset, they also covered the spread.</p> 

<p>After leading 27-23 at halftime, Holy Cross exploded for 51 points in the 2nd half while allowing 47. The total points for the game ended at 148, surpassing the O/U line of 131.5.</p><p>Holy Cross put up 78 points in their last game, shooting 45.5% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 58.2%, thanks to hitting 15 of 29 threes at a 51.7% clip, while struggling inside the arc, shooting just 38.5% on twos.</p> <p>Joe Nugent led the way, hitting 6 of 9 threes, finishing with 20 points. Marcus Jackson and Justice Shoats each added 17 points, with Shoats connecting on 2 of 3 from deep.</p><p>Holy Cross gave up 70 points in their last game, with their opponents shooting 49% from the field. Inside the arc, the Crusaders allowed 57% shooting, as their opponents went 23/40 on two-point attempts.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, Holy Cross held their opponents to 26% shooting, as they made just 4 of 15 three-point attempts. The Crusaders also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 18 times, where they converted 12 free throws for 66%.</p>

Loyola Maryland Greyhounds vs Holy Cross Crusaders NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

<p>Remember sitting around the TV with your family during the holidays, everyone cheering for their favorite football team? Those memorable moments of sports and family time are getting a new twist these days. More and more families are adding friendly <strong>betting pools</strong> to their holiday traditions, making every touchdown and field goal even more exciting.</p>



<p>In recent years, as <strong>sports betting has become legal</strong> in many states, family gatherings have started to look a little different. Instead of just wearing team jerseys and sharing snacks, relatives are now creating fun prediction games and friendly wagers around the big holiday games. Whether it's picking winners for the New Years bowl matchups or guessing which basketball team will score first on Christmas Day, these activities are adding extra spark to family celebrations.</p>



<p>These new betting traditions aren't just about winning or losing – they're changing how families experience sports together. From grandparents sharing their sports knowledge with grandkids to siblings competing for yearly bragging rights, <strong>holiday betting pools</strong> are creating fresh ways for families to bond over their favorite games. Let's explore how these modern traditions are bringing new excitement to holiday sports gatherings while keeping the spirit of family togetherness alive.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The History of Sports and Family Holiday Traditions</h2>



<p>Sports have been bringing families together during the holidays for generations. Since the first Thanksgiving NFL game in 1934, when the Detroit Lions played the Chicago Bears, watching football has been as much a part of Turkey Day as stuffing and cranberry sauce. The same goes for New Year's Day, where families have gathered around the TV for decades to watch <a href="https://bangthebook.com/college-football">college football</a> bowl games while recovering from their midnight celebrations.</p>



<p>Long before smartphones and betting apps, families found creative ways to make holiday games more interesting. Uncle Bob might have run the <strong>family football pool</strong>, where everyone put in a dollar to guess the final score. Cousins would compete in season-long fantasy football leagues, leading to heated holiday dinner discussions about who made the better trades. These friendly competitions weren't really about money – they were about having fun and staying connected with family members, even those who lived far away.</p>



<p>These casual games and family pools laid the foundation for what we see today. While past generations might have used paper grids for <a href="https://www.nfl.com/super-bowl/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Super Bowl</a> squares or shared fantasy league updates through phone calls, these same activities have evolved with technology. The spirit of friendly competition that started with notebook paper and cash in envelopes has grown into something bigger, as more families embrace legal sports betting platforms to keep their holiday traditions alive – just with a modern twist.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.bangthebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/betting-pools-timeline-1024x441.png" alt="" class="wp-image-53599"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Rise of Holiday Betting Pools</h2>



<p><strong>Family betting pools</strong> changed dramatically when sports betting became legal in many states. What used to be informal wagers written on napkins during holiday dinners has evolved into organized family competitions that everyone can enjoy safely and legally. Many families now create their own holiday betting leagues with clear rules and reasonable limits, making sure the focus stays on fun rather than serious gambling.</p>



<p>The holiday <a href="https://knupsports.com/calendars/sports-betting-calendar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sports calendar</a> provides perfect opportunities for family betting pools. Thanksgiving brings three NFL games that span the entire day, giving families plenty of chances to predict scores, guess which player will score first, or create prop bets like...</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">
<p><em>Will grandpa fall asleep before halftime?</em></p>
</blockquote>



<p>The NBA's Christmas Day games have become another holiday betting tradition, with five exciting matchups that keep families engaged from morning until night. New Year's Day rounds out the holiday season with college football bowl games that let families start the year with friendly competition.</p>



<p>Modern technology has made it easier than ever for families to keep their betting pools going, even when everyone can't be in the same room. Popular sports betting apps allow families to create private groups where they can set up pools, track everyone's picks, and watch the results unfold in real-time.</p>



<p>Cousins who moved across the country can still join in the family's Thanksgiving pool, and grandparents can participate in <strong>Christmas Day basketball predictions</strong> from their winter home in Florida. Some families even use video calls to announce their picks together, making distance feel a little less distant.</p>



<p>These new digital tools have also made it simpler to keep betting pools organized and fair. Instead of arguing over who actually picked which team or trying to remember everyone's predictions, apps keep perfect records of all bets and automatically calculate winners.</p>



<p>Many families use this technology to create season-long competitions, where holiday games count for extra points in their ongoing family standings. The person with the most points at the end of the year might win a special trophy or the honor of hosting next year's holiday gathering.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Why Betting Pools are Becoming a Holiday Staple?</h2>



<p>Holiday betting pools have caught on because they give everyone a way to join in the fun, whether they know everything about sports or just show up for the snacks. Grandma might not know the quarterback's stats, but she can still win the family pool by picking teams based on her favorite uniform colors.</p>



<p>Kids too young for real betting can participate with monopoly money or points, learning about sports while joining in the family excitement. These pools create a level playing field where sports knowledge isn't the only path to victory.</p>



<p>The friendly competition of holiday betting pools does something special – it gives family members new ways to connect and share experiences. Instead of everyone staring at their phones during holiday gatherings, they're comparing picks, <strong>playfully trash-talking</strong>, and celebrating or groaning together as games unfold. Some families have started traditions like having the previous year's winner create special categories for the next holiday's pool, or letting the kids invent silly prop bets like <em>"how many times will dad check his phone during the game?"</em></p>



<p>Even the most boring game becomes thrilling when family members have predictions riding on it. A fourth-quarter field goal in a blowout game suddenly becomes the most exciting moment of the day when it determines whether Aunt Sarah or Uncle Mike wins the family pool.</p>



<p>These shared moments of suspense create memories that families talk about for years to come. Stories like <em>"Remember when Junior won the Thanksgiving pool because he was the only one who picked the Lions?"</em> become part of family lore, retold every holiday season.</p>



<p>The beauty of these pools is that they add excitement without overshadowing what really matters – spending time together as a family. While everyone wants to win, the real victory is in the laughs shared, the traditions created, and the bonds strengthened.</p>



<p>Whether it's teaching younger generations about sports, giving far-flung family members a reason to stay connected throughout the holiday, or simply making that post-turkey football game a little more interesting, betting pools are adding a new dimension to family holiday traditions.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://admin.bangthebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/holiday-betting-pools-1024x585.webp" alt="Holiday Betting Pools" class="wp-image-53598"/></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">The Challenges and Controversies</h2>



<p>Not every family jumps at the idea of adding betting pools to their holiday traditions. Some parents worry that even friendly wagers might send the wrong message to kids about gambling, while grandparents might remember the days when betting was strictly taboo.</p>



<p>These concerns often come from a good place – wanting to protect family members and keep holiday gatherings focused on togetherness rather than winning and losing. Some families also worry that betting pools, even small ones, might be a problem for relatives who have struggled with gambling in the past.</p>



<p>The good news is that many families have found ways to enjoy betting pools while keeping things safe and comfortable for everyone. The key is setting clear ground rules from the start. Successful family pools often stick to small stakes – maybe $1 per game or using point systems instead of money.</p>



<p>Some families create <em>"fun currencies"</em> like holiday tokens or special family monopoly money, keeping the excitement of competition while avoiding real gambling. They also make sure everyone knows it's perfectly fine to watch and cheer without placing bets, ensuring no one feels pressured to participate. </p>



<p>When families focus on making memories rather than making money, holiday betting pools can be a positive addition to their traditions.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tips for Starting a Holiday Betting Pool</h2>



<p>Want to start a holiday betting pool with your family? Here's how to create a fun and stress-free experience that everyone can enjoy.</p>



<p>Start with Something Simple Pick contests that don't require deep sports knowledge to participate. A straightforward <em>"pick the winner"</em> format for Thanksgiving football games lets everyone join in, even if they don't know a touchdown from a field goal. Create fun categories like "Which team's mascot would win in a dance contest?" or "Who will score first?" to keep things light and entertaining.</p>



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Set Family-Friendly Rules Keep stakes low</strong> -- maybe $5 for the whole day of games, or use a point system instead of money. Create clear age guidelines, like having kids under 18 use a points-only system while adults can opt for small-dollar bets. Write down all the rules and share them before the holiday so everyone knows what to expect. Remember to include a "no pressure" rule – anyone can watch and cheer without betting.</li>



<li><strong>Make Technology Your Friend</strong> -- Take advantage of free apps and websites that handle all the tricky parts of running a pool. Apps like <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CBS Sports</a>, <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yahoo Sports</a>, or ESPN offer easy-to-use pool features where family members can make picks right from their phones. For a more personal touch, create a family group chat where everyone can share their picks and react to the games together.</li>



<li><strong>Add Special Family Twists Create categories unique to your family</strong> -- maybe "Dad's Bold Prediction" or "Grandma's Gut Feeling" that earn bonus points. Consider making a special trophy or crown that gets passed around each holiday to the winner. Take plenty of pictures of the winner each year to create a fun family betting hall of fame.</li>



<li><strong>Plan for Remote Relatives</strong> -- Include family members who can't be there in person by setting up video calls during key moments or creating a shared online space where everyone can post reactions. Make sure to pick apps or websites that work well for less tech-savvy relatives so nobody feels left out.</li>



<li><strong>Keep Score in Style</strong> -- Create a fun way to track everyone's progress throughout the day. Maybe use a big poster board with everyone's names and picks, or create a digital scoreboard that you can share on the TV screen. Consider giving out small prizes for different categories like "Best Comeback" or "Most Creative Pick" to keep everyone engaged even if they're not winning overall.</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Predictions for the Future of Holiday Sports Betting Traditions</h2>



<p>The future of family holiday betting pools looks as high-tech as a new smartphone and as comfortable as your favorite holiday sweater. As artificial intelligence and apps get smarter, family pools might soon include features like automatic odds adjustments based on who's playing, or personalized prop bets created just for your family's interests.</p>



<p>Imagine an app that knows Uncle Steve always picks the underdog, or that Cousin Maria has a perfect record when it comes to predicting overtime games. These smart systems could make pools even more entertaining by creating custom categories that match each family's <strong>unique betting style</strong>.</p>



<p>Holiday betting pools are already breaking free from just sports predictions. Families are creating pools around everything from guessing which Thanksgiving dish will run out first to betting on how many times grandpa will tell his favorite holiday story.</p>



<p>Some families are running Oscar prediction pools during holiday gatherings, while others are making friendly wagers on holiday baking competitions or seasonal reality TV shows. This trend suggests that the future of <strong>holiday betting pools</strong> isn't just about touchdowns and three-pointers – it's about finding new ways to make any family activity more engaging.</p>



<p>Looking ahead, putting together the family betting pool might become as natural as hanging stockings or lighting the menorah. As younger generations who grew up with fantasy sports and betting apps become parents and grandparents themselves, these tech-savvy traditions will likely become even more ingrained in holiday celebrations.</p>



<p>But unlike many modern traditions that keep people glued to their phones, these betting pools seem to be doing something special – they're using technology to bring families closer together, creating shared experiences that bridge generational gaps and keep far-flung relatives connected during the holidays.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion to Holiday Betting Pools</h2>



<p>Holiday traditions are like family recipes – they get better when you add your own special ingredients to the mix. Sports betting pools are becoming that extra dash of spice in many family gatherings, creating exciting new ways to enjoy time-honored traditions. <strong>From Thanksgiving football to Christmas Basketball to New Year's Day bowl games</strong>, these friendly competitions are writing a new chapter in the story of how families celebrate together.</p>



<p>The key to success isn't about how much money is won or lost – it's about creating moments that bring smiles to faces and give everyone something to look forward to each holiday season. Whether your family sticks to simple pick'em contests or creates elaborate prediction games, the real victory comes from the shared excitement, the playful trash talk, and the stories you'll tell for years to come.</p>



<p>The best holiday betting pools are like the best family traditions: they welcome everyone, create lasting memories, and give people reasons to stay connected, even when they're miles apart.</p>



<p><strong>Do you participate in holiday betting pools?</strong> Whether you're a seasoned pool organizer or thinking about starting your first family competition, there's always room for new ideas and traditions. Share your experiences with other families – maybe your creative betting categories or fun twist on classic games will inspire others to start their own holiday traditions. After all, the best part about family traditions is that they're always growing and changing, just like families themselves.</p>

How Holiday Betting Pools Are Changing Family Sports Traditions

<p>Looking to win big? The Lancers and Blue Hose face off at 2:00 ET on ESPN+. The Blue Hose are hosting the game at Ross E. Templeton P.E. Center in Clinton, SC. In this Big South matchup, Longwood is favored bt -1.5 vs. Presbyterian. The over/under for the game is 142.5 points.</p><h3>LONGWOOD LANCERS VS PRESBYTERIAN BLUE HOSE BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Presbyterian Blue Hose +1.5</p><p>This game will be played at Ross E. Templeton P.E. Center at 2:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.</p><h3>WHY BET THE PRESBYTERIAN BLUE HOSE:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-69 in favor of the Blue Hose.</li><li>Not only will Presbyterian pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +1.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 142.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 145 points.</li></ul><h3>Can the Lancers Deliver Being Favored on the Road?</h3><h3>Longwood Lancers Recent Game/Games</h3> <p>The Lancers fell to 8-4 on the season after a 98-82 road loss to SMU on Sunday, December 29th. Longwood came into the game as +18.5 point underdogs but managed to keep the game closer than expected.</p> <p>After trailing 45-43 at halftime, Longwood allowed 53 points in the 2nd half while scoring 39. The total points for the game reached 180, surpassing the O/U line of 153.5.</p><p>Longwood put up 82 points in their last game, shooting 47.2% from the field and 28.6% from beyond the arc. They connected on 51.7% of their two-point attempts and had an effective field goal percentage of 50%. The Lancers also grabbed 15 offensive rebounds and dished out 21 assists.</p> <p>Boopie Miller led the way with 24 points, hitting 6 of 7 shots and going 2 for 2 from three-point range. Yohan Traore and Elijah Tucker each added 20 points, with Traore also pulling down 11 rebounds. Matt Cross and Colby Garland chipped in 19 points apiece, with Garland handing out a team-high 11 assists.</p><p>Longwood's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 98 points while allowing the opposing team to shoot 62% from the field. They had a tough time defending inside, as the other team made 70% of their two-point attempts, going 21/30.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, Longwood allowed 10 threes on 20 attempts, a 50% shooting performance. They also sent the other team to the line 31 times, where they hit 26 free throws at an 83% rate. Longwood gave up 8 offensive rebounds.</p><h3>Do the Blue Hose Have a Shot at a Home Win?</h3><h3>Presbyterian Blue Hose Recent Game/Games</h3> <p>Presbyterian's season record fell to 4-8 after a 69-59 loss to South Carolina on Monday. Despite being +18.5 point underdogs, the Blue Hose kept the game closer than expected. The total points for the game were 128, which was under the O/U line of 138.5.</p> <p>Presbyterian led 32-24 at halftime but struggled in the second half, scoring just 27 points while allowing 45. The Blue Hose will look to build on their strong first-half performance as they move forward in the season.</p><p>Presbyterian's offense put up 59 points in their last game, shooting 47.7% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc, hitting 5 of 10 three-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 54.5%, and they connected on 75% of their free throws, going 12 for 16 from the line.</p> <p>Kory Mincy led the way with 27 points and 4 assists, shooting 58.8% overall and 60% from three-point range (3/5). Collin Murray-Boyles added 22 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 60% from the field, while Nick Pringle contributed 14 points on 5 of 6 shooting.</p><p>Presbyterian's defense gave up 69 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 45% from the field. They allowed 17 two-point baskets on 35 attempts, a 48% conversion rate.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, the opposing team went 5/13, hitting 38% of their threes. Presbyterian also sent them to the line 30 times, where they made 20 free throws, shooting 66%. The Blue Hose gave up 14 offensive rebounds.</p>

Longwood Lancers vs Presbyterian Blue Hose NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

The National Basketball Association (NBA) was first founded all the way back in 1946 as that is when the first season was played. There were only a handful of teams in the NBA at that time, but it has continued to grow throughout the years.

The NBA is no longer just a league that is made up of the best basketball players in the United States as it is a league that has grown internationally as well. This league is now full of players from other countries as it is the best professional basketball league in the world.

Every NBA team plays 82 games during the regular season and the top 16 teams make up the NBA Playoffs. The league is split up into conferences and divisions, and there are eight teams from each conference in the postseason.

NBA basketball begins in October, and the NBA Finals take place every single June. This is a league that attracts plenty of attention, and NBA betting is extremely popular as well.

This article will not only introduce you to the best NBA betting sites &amp; sportsbooks, but it will also give you some NBA betting tips.
<h2 id="h-where-to-bet-on-the-nba" class="wp-block-heading">WHERE TO BET ON THE NBA</h2>
If you are wanting to do some NBA betting then you need to know where the best NBA sportsbooks are located. The sports betting industry just continues to get bigger and bigger, especially when it comes to online wagering.

It used to be that betting on the NBA was done either in-person or through a local bookie, but that is no longer the case. You are going to find some great options online, and here is a look at four of the best NBA sportsbooks that you are going to find online.

Best NBA Betting Sites & Sportsbooks

Philadelphia 76ers vs Golden State Warriors Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

Los Angeles Clippers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

Brooklyn Nets vs Milwaukee Bucks Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

Boston Celtics vs Minnesota Timberwolves Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

Indiana Pacers vs Miami Heat Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

Philadelphia 76ers vs Sacramento Kings Betting Pick & Prediction 1/1/25

Atlanta Hawks vs Denver Nuggets Betting Pick & Prediction 1/1/25

Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets Betting Pick & Prediction 1/1/25

Brooklyn Nets vs Toronto Raptors Betting Pick & Prediction 1/1/25

Utah Jazz vs New York Knicks Betting Pick & Prediction 1/1/25

<p>With the Chargers favored on the road, the money line odds are -232 for them and +193 for the Raiders. The Chargers are -5 point favorites and the over/under line is sitting at 41 points. This week 18 AFC West matchup is set for 4:25 ET on Sunday, January 5th at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and will be televised on CBS.</p><h3>LOS ANGELES CHARGERS VS LAS VEGAS RAIDERS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Los Angeles Chargers -5</p><p>This game will be played at Allegiant Stadium at 4:25 ET on Sunday, January 5th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE LOS ANGELES CHARGERS:</h3><ul><li>We have the Chargers winning this one by a score of 27 to 20</li><li>Not only do we have the Chargers winning straight-up, we have them covering the spread at -5</li><li>Look for this game to go over the line of 41 points</li></ul><h3>Will The Chargers Win As Road Favorites?</h3><p>Heading into week 18, the Chargers have a 10-6 record and a two-game winning streak, including a 33-point win over the Patriots in week 17. This win secured their playoff spot, but they can’t win the AFC West. Los Angeles is 5-3 both at home and on the road, and they are 3-2 in division games.</p> <p>According to our power rankings, the Chargers are 10th in the league. They have a +5.4 scoring margin and are 11-4-1 against the spread, including two straight wins. Their O/U record is 7-9, with the over hitting in three consecutive games.</p><p>Heading into week 18, the Chargers sit 11th in our offensive power rankings. They’re 12th in the NFL in points per game (23) and 23rd in yards per game (314.9). Justin Herbert threw for 281 yards (26/38) and 3 touchdowns in week 17, posting a passer rating of 116. Ladd McConkey led the team with 8 catches for 94 yards and 2 touchdowns, while J.K. Dobbins rushed for 76 yards on 19 carries.</p> <p>On 3rd down, the Chargers rank 13th in the NFL with a conversion rate of 39.6%, and they’re 10th in red zone conversion percentage. They’ve been strong in the 1st quarter, averaging 5.2 points, which ranks 8th in the league. However, they’ll be monitoring Joshua Palmer’s heel injury as he’s questionable for week 18.</p><p>In their most recent game, the Chargers' defense was dominant, allowing just 85 passing yards and 181 total yards in a 40-7 win over the Patriots. They held New England to 20 rushing attempts and 96 yards on the ground. The Chargers' secondary gave up just 13 completions and allowed a completion percentage of 54.2%. <p></p>Additionally, the Chargers' defense excelled on third downs, allowing only a 20% conversion rate, and they recorded four sacks and six tackles for loss. Despite giving up one passing touchdown, their performance was still very impressive.</p><h3>Are The Raiders Going Win In At Upset At Allegiant Stadium</h3><p>With two straight wins, the Raiders have improved to 4-12 on the season. After a week 15 loss to the Falcons, Las Vegas bounced back with victories over the Jaguars (19-14) and Saints (25-10) in weeks 16 and 17, respectively. Despite this, the Raiders remain 4th in the AFC West and have a -6.9 scoring margin. They are 7-8-1 against the spread this season, including two consecutive ATS wins.</p> <p>Heading into week 18, the Raiders rank 22nd in our NFL power rankings and have been eliminated from playoff contention. Their O/U record stands at 8-8, with the under hitting in five straight games.</p><p>Heading into week 18, the Raiders rank 31st in our offensive power rankings. They are 25th in the NFL in both points per game (18.1) and yards per game (305.6). Despite ranking 4th in passing attempts per game (37.4), they are 13th in passing yards, averaging 223.2 per game. On the ground, they rank 24th in rushing attempts and are last in the league in rushing yards per game, with 82.4. Las Vegas ranks 25th in the NFL in 3rd-down conversion percentage (35.3%) but is 5th in red zone conversion percentage.</p> <p>Aidan O'Connell has been under center for the Raiders the last two weeks, throwing for 242 yards and 2 touchdowns in week 17, with a passer rating of 97. In week 16, he threw for 257 yards without a touchdown or interception. Against the Saints in week 17, Las Vegas converted 10 of 18 3rd-down attempts and scored 25 points, with 9 coming in the 4th quarter.</p><p>In their 25-10 win over the Saints, the Raiders' defense was outstanding, allowing just a 10% conversion rate on third down. They picked off two passes, held the Saints to 188 passing yards, and limited them to 55.6% completions. The Raiders' pass rush was effective, with four sacks and five more quarterback hits than the Saints.</p><p></p><p>Despite giving up 81 rushing yards on just 13 attempts, the Raiders were able to limit the Saints to 269 total yards in the game.</p>

Los Angeles Chargers vs Las Vegas Raiders Betting Pick & Prediction 1/5/25

<p>Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Governors versus the Ospreys? Tip off is at at 2:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at UNF Arena in Jacksonville, FL. The over/under for this game is set at 147.5 points, and North Florida is favored by -7.5 vs. Austin Peay in a Atlantic Sun conference matchup.</p><h3>AUSTIN PEAY GOVERNORS VS NORTH FLORIDA OSPREYS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: North Florida Ospreys -7.5</p><p>This game will be played at UNF Arena at 2:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.</p><h3>WHY BET THE NORTH FLORIDA OSPREYS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 80-67 in favor of the Ospreys.</li><li>Not only will North Florida pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -7.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 147.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.</li></ul><h3>Will Austin Peay Pull Through as the Underdog Road Team?</h3><h3>Austin Peay Governors Recent Game/Games</h3> <p>Austin Peay’s season record fell to 3-8 after an 85-55 road loss to Vanderbilt on Saturday, December 21st. The Governors entered the game as +25.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The combined points of 140 fell just short of the 142.5 O/U line.</p> <p>Austin Peay struggled early, trailing 47-20 at halftime. They managed to score 35 points in the 2nd half but allowed 38, unable to make a significant comeback.</p><p>Austin Peay struggled offensively in their last game, scoring just 55 points while shooting 31.7% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 33.3%, and they hit only 2 of 19 three-point attempts, shooting 10.5% from beyond the arc.</p> <p>LJ Thomas led the Governors with 20 points, despite shooting 6 of 17 from the field and missing all 4 of his three-point attempts. Jason Edwards added 16 points, hitting 5 of 8 shots, while Devin McGlockton contributed 11 points and 9 rebounds.</p><p>Austin Peay's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 85 points while allowing the opposing team to shoot 60% from the field. Inside the arc, they allowed 21 of 30 shooting for 70%.</p> <p>From three-point range, the opposition hit 8 of 18 shots, good for 44%. Austin Peay also sent them to the line 27 times, where they made 19 free throws (70%).</p><h3>Can the Ospreys Offense Score Enough at Home?</h3><p>North Florida dropped to 5-6 on the season after a 99-45 loss to the Gators on Saturday. The Ospreys, who were +27 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 144, well under the O/U line of 174.5.</p> <p>North Florida was down 54-17 at halftime and managed just 28 points in the 2nd half while allowing 45. They'll look to regroup after this tough loss.</p><p>North Florida's offense struggled mightily in their last game, scoring just 45 points with a field goal percentage of 23.2% (13/56). Their effective field goal percentage was 30.4%, and they hit only 22.7% of their two-point attempts (5/22) and 23.5% from three (8/34). At the free-throw line, they shot 61.1% (11/18).</p> <p>Will Richard was a bright spot, scoring 26 points in 22 minutes, shooting 75.0% overall and from three (6/8). Sam Alexis added 14 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 55.6% from the field.</p><p>North Florida's defense struggled, giving up 99 points on 44% shooting. They allowed 34 field goals on 76 attempts.</p> <p>From three-point range, their opponents shot 45%, hitting 9 of 20. North Florida also sent them to the line 27 times, where they made 22 free throws (81%).</p>

Austin Peay Governors vs North Florida Ospreys NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

<p>At 1:35 from PNC Park in Pittsburgh, we have an NL Central matchup between the Cubs and Pirates. Heading into Sunday's game, the Cubs have a record of 23-17, while the Pirates are 18-22. Kyle Hendricks is starting for the Cubs, and he is facing off against Bailey Falter for the Pirates.</p>

<p>Chicago is the favorite on the money line at -120, and the over/under line is sitting at 8.5 runs. If you're looking to watch this game on TV, it is being carried by MARQ.</p><h3>CHICAGO CUBS VS PITTSBURGH PIRATES BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Chicago Cubs Moneyline -120</p><p>This game will be played at PNC Park at 1:35 ET on Sunday, May 12th.</p><h3>HOW TO BET THE CUBS VS PIRATES:</h3><ul><li>We have the Cubs winning by a score of 5 to 4</li><li>However, if you're looking for a run line pick, we like the Pirates to cover</li><li>As for an over/under pick, we have this game finishing with 9 runs and like the over</li></ul><p>Pittsburgh picked up a 10-9 win over the Cubs in the most recent game of this series. The Pirates had a huge 3rd inning, scoring seven of their ten runs. As for the Cubs, they scored their nine runs in the 5th. Heading into the game, the Pirates were the slight favorites at -106.</p>

<p>Colin Holderman got the win for the Pirates out of the bullpen, while David Bednar got the save. Keegan Thompson took the loss for Chicago out of the bullpen. </p>

<p>Paul Skenes only went four innings for the Pirates but gave up just three hits and three earned runs. Justin Steele struggled on the mound for the Cubs, giving up six runs in four innings of work.</p><h3>Cubs Records & Stats</h3><p>Chicago is 23-17 overall and 1.5 games behind the Brewers for the NL Central lead. The Cubs have gone 3-2 in divisional games this year and are currently tied with the Pirates in their series and 1-1. Overall, the Cubs have gone 5-5 over their last 10 games.</p>

<p>At home, the Cubs have been strong, going 13-6 this season. On the road, they are just under .500 at 10-11. As the favorite, the Cubs are 10-6 this year and 3-2 when favored on the road. As for their record as the underdog, the Cubs have gone 13-11 this year. So far, their overall series record is 6-4-2.</p><p>Chicago has been a profitable run line team this season, going 24-16 overall and 14-7 on the road. They have been a better bet as the underdog, going 18-6 against the run line. The Cubs have an average run margin of +0.4 runs per game this season, but that number jumps to +1.7 runs per game at home. Their average run differential in wins is +3.3 runs per game, while it drops to -3.5 runs per game in losses.</p><p>Chicago's over/under record is 18-21, and the average combined run total in their games is 9.1. The over/under line for today's game against Pittsburgh is set at 8.5 runs, and their games have had an average over/under line of 8 runs. In games with an over/under line of 8.5 runs, the over is 5-3. This season, 57.5% of their games have had lower over/under lines than 8.5 runs. The Cubs have hit the over in their last two games, with a combined 19 runs scored in their last game against the Pirates.</p><p>Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs are on the road to take on the Pirates. Hendricks is still looking for his first win of the season, as he has taken a loss in each of his first two starts. He is coming off a 4-inning outing where he gave up 4 runs on 6 hits and 5 strikeouts against the Marlins.</p><p>So far this season, the Cubs offense is averaging 4.8 runs per game, which is 10th in the league. They have been a better offensive team at home, averaging 4.9 runs per game. As a team, the Cubs are batting .238, which is 12th in the league. They have been good at working counts, as they are 3rd in the league in walks.</p>

<p>Christopher Morel and Cody Bellinger are tied for the team lead in home runs, with 8 apiece. Bellinger has been swinging a hot bat of late, going 7/17 in his last four games, with three runs and three RBIs. Nico Hoerner is batting .272 this season and has an on-base percentage of .351.</p><h3>Pirates Records & Stats</h3><p>Pittsburgh is 18-22 overall and trails the Brewers by 6.5 games in the NL Central. Currently, they are 3-3 in divisional matchups and are tied with the Cubs in their series at 1-1. The Pirates took the series lead with a win in the second game of the series.</p>

<p>At home, the Pirates are 9-11 this year, which matches their 9-11 mark on the road. So far, they have really struggled as the favorite, going 6-12. As the underdog, the Pirates are 12-10 this year. Looking at their overall series record, the Pirates are 4-5-3 this year. Over their last 10 games, the Pirates are 4-6.</p><p>The Pirates are 20-20 against the run line this season, including an 11-9 mark on the road. They are 15-7 against the run line as underdogs, but just 5-13 when favored. Their average run differential in wins is +2.6, while it's -3.3 in losses.</p><p>The Pittsburgh Pirates have gone over the total in four straight games, and their games have averaged 8.0 runs per game this season. Their over/under record for the season is 18-22, and their games have had an average total of 8 runs. When the over/under line has been set at 8.5 runs, they have gone over the total in nine of 14 games, and their games have had an average of 8.5 runs per game.</p><p>Bailey Falter gets the start for the Pirates today and is coming off a rough outing vs. the Rockies. In that May 5th start, he went 5 1/3 innings, giving up three earned runs, and took the loss. He finished with a no-decision in the outing. Looking back over his last four starts, Falter has given up at least one homer in three of those outings. This season, he has made seven starts, and opponents are batting .216 vs. the left-hander. Falter's ERA for the season is 4.34, along with a record of 2-2.</p>
<p>Over his last nine games, Oneil Cruz has been swinging a hot bat for the Pirates, going 11/30 with three homers and eight RBIs. This has helped him move into the team lead with six home runs. Connor Joe has also been playing well of late, as he has two homers in his last nine games and is batting .290. Joe also has a three-game hitting streak coming into today's game.</p>

<p>As a team, the Pirates are averaging just 3.6 runs per game and have been even worse at home, averaging only 3.2 runs per contest. Pittsburgh's team batting average of .222 is 16th in the league, and they are also near the bottom of the league in slugging percentage, on-base percentage, and OPS.</p>

Chicago Cubs vs Pittsburgh Pirates Betting Pick & Prediction 5/12/24

<p>Betting on today's Pirates and Cougars game? Catch the action at TD Arena in Charleston, SC, as the Cougars hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on FloC. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 148.5 points, and Charleston is favored by -9.5 to win at home against Hampton.</p><h3>HAMPTON PIRATES VS CHARLESTON COUGARS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Hampton Pirates +9.5</p><p>This game will be played at TD Arena at 7:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.</p><h3>WHY BET THE HAMPTON PIRATES:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-69 in favor of the Cougars.</li><li>Even though we have Charleston winning straight-up, we like Hampton at +9.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 148.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.</li></ul><h3>Is an Upset Waiting to Happen on the Road?</h3><h3>Hampton Pirates Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>Hampton improved to 5-5 on the season with an 83-67 win over Howard on Saturday, December 28th. The Pirates, who were -4 favorites, covered the spread and the game’s total points of 150 went over the O/U line of 144.5.</p> 

<p>After leading 31-23 at halftime, Hampton’s offense exploded for 52 points in the 2nd half, while allowing 44 points to Howard.</p><p>Hampton put up 83 points in their last game, shooting 47.2% from the field and hitting 41.9% from three-point range, connecting on 13 of 31 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 60.4%, and they also shot 83.3% from the free-throw line, making 20 of 24 attempts.</p> <p>Blake Harper led the way with 34 points, shooting 55.6% overall and 66.7% from deep. The Pirates dished out 19 assists, with Noah Farrakhan contributing 7 assists along with 17 points. Kyrese Mullen added 9 rebounds and hit 2 of 3 from beyond the arc.</p><p>Despite giving up 67 points, Hampton's defense struggled to contain their opponent, who shot 47% from the field, including 54% on two-point attempts. They also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 24 times, where they converted 20 free throws at an 83% rate.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, Hampton allowed 13 threes on 31 attempts, with their opponent shooting 41% from three-point range. The Pirates also gave up 13 offensive rebounds in the game.</p><h3>Is a Home Win Possible for the Cougars?</h3><h3>Charleston Cougars Recent Game/Games</h3>

<p>Charleston improved to 9-3 on the season with an 84-81 road win over Charlotte on Wednesday. Despite being -5.5 favorites, the Cougars didn’t cover the spread, and the game’s total points of 165 exceeded the O/U line of 148.5.</p> 

<p>Charleston led 46-31 at halftime but allowed 50 points in the 2nd half while scoring 38 themselves, making the game closer than expected.</p><p>Charleston put up 84 points in their last game, shooting 46.8% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 53.2%. They were strong inside, hitting 61.8% of their two-point attempts, but struggled from beyond the arc, making just 28.6% of their threes (8/28).</p> <p>Ante Brzovic led the way with 32 points and 14 rebounds, shooting 72.2% from the field. Jaehshon Thomas added 23 points, hitting 4 of 8 from three, while AJ Smith contributed 17 points, connecting on 50% of his threes (2/4).</p><p>Even with Charleston allowing 81 points, they held the opposing team to just 39% shooting from the field. The Cougars gave up 19 two-pointers on 36 attempts, a 52% success rate for their opponents.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, Charleston's defense limited the other team to 22% shooting, with just 6 made threes on 27 attempts. The Cougars also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 33 times, where they converted 25, shooting 75%.</p>

Hampton Pirates vs Charleston Cougars NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

The National Hockey League (NHL) is one of the four biggest professional sports in the United States, and it’s usually fourth in terms of popularity. That doesn’t mean that this sport doesn’t have a massive following though, and it’s a sport that leads to some great betting options.

The NHL was founded all the way back in 1917, and the league has seen plenty of growth since that first year. There were only six teams when the league first began playing, but that number has now grown all the way up to 32.

25 of the teams are from the United States while there are also seven teams from Canada. The NHL season typically runs from October through April, with the NHL Stanley Cup Finals taking place during the month of June.

NHL teams play 82 regular season games, and that leads to plenty of NHL betting opportunities. Here is a look at some of the best NHL sportsbooks as well as how to bet on NHL.
<h2 id="h-where-to-bet-on-the-nhl" class="wp-block-heading">WHERE TO BET ON THE NHL</h2>
Knowing where to bet on the NHL is going to be extremely important if you are planning on betting on this league. With that in mind, here are six of the best NHL sportsbooks that you can find.

Best NHL Betting Sites & Sportsbooks

<p>Don't miss out on the NHL showdown between the Red Wings and Blue Jackets. The game is starting at 7:00 ET on ESPN+, and it's hosted by the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 6.5 goals, and the Blue Jackets are -1.5 goal favorite to win at home against the Red Wings.</p><h3>DETROIT RED WINGS VS COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Columbus Blue Jackets -1.5</p><p>This game will be played at Nationwide Arena at 7:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.</p><h3>WHY BET THE COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS:</h3><ul><li>Despite being 1.5 goal underdogs, we predict the Red Wings to come out on top with a final score of 4-3.</li><li>We like the Red Wings on the moneyline (-101)</li><li>The Red Wings are also our pick on the spread at +1.5</li></ul><h3>Are the Red Wings Ready for a Road Win?</h3><p>With a 2-1 victory over the Sabres, the Red Wings improved to 15-18-4. Detroit, favored on the puck line, failed to cover. The total was set at 6.5 goals, but the combined score of 3 fell well short.</p>

<p>After trailing in the first period, the Red Wings responded with two goals in the second. Dylan Larkin scored both goals for Detroit, each coming on the power play.</p><p>Detroit’s offense was held scoreless in the first period before Dylan Larkin netted his 6th and 7th goals of the season in the second period. The Red Wings fired 23 shots on goal and recorded 15 giveaways.</p> <p>Both of Larkin’s goals came on power plays, with Patrick Kane picking up his 6th assist of the season. Alex DeBrincat added his 4th assist, and Lucas Raymond notched his 10th.</p><p>Detroit's defense gave up the first goal at 11:39 in the first period but locked things down after that, not allowing another goal. Cam Talbot made 31 saves with a 96.9% save percentage, and the Red Wings' defense added 4 takeaways and 11 hits.</p><h3>Is a Home Win Possible for the Blue Jackets?</h3><p>Columbus dropped to 16-16-6 after a 7-2 road loss to the Capitals. The Blue Jackets were underdogs on the puck line, and the total of 9 goals went over the 6.5 line.</p> 

<p>Defensively, Columbus struggled from the start, giving up their first goal just 56 seconds into the game. They allowed five goals in the first period, before finally scoring at 19:11 in the second period.</p><p>Columbus fired 36 shots on goal but only found the net twice in their 7-2 loss to Washington. Damon Severson scored his fourth goal of the season, while Kevin Labanc added his second. The Blue Jackets were held scoreless in the first period before Severson got them on the board 49 seconds into the second.</p> <p>Columbus recorded 13 offensive giveaways and went without a power play goal. Sean Monahan picked up his fifth assist of the season on Labanc’s goal, and Zach Aston-Reese earned his second assist.</p><p>Columbus struggled defensively, giving up 7 goals on 22 shots from Washington. Goalie Daniil Tarasov made 15 saves but had a save percentage of just 68.2%. The Blue Jackets' defense also recorded 10 takeaways and 17 hits. Five of the goals they allowed came in the first period, and they gave up another at 4:51 in the second and one more at 18:34 in the third.</p>

Detroit Red Wings vs Columbus Blue Jackets Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

Tampa Bay Lightning vs San Jose Sharks Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

Vancouver Canucks vs Seattle Kraken Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

Philadelphia Flyers vs Vegas Golden Knights Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

Buffalo Sabres vs Colorado Avalanche Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

Utah Hockey Club vs Calgary Flames Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

Anaheim Ducks vs Winnipeg Jets Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

Ottawa Senators vs Dallas Stars Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

Toronto Maple Leafs vs New York Islanders Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

Carolina Hurricanes vs Florida Panthers Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

<p>Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Bears versus the Aggies? Tip off is at at 7:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on FloC. The game will be played at Corbett Sports Center in Greensboro, NC. The over/under for this game is set at 157.5 points, and North Carolina A&T is favored by -8 against Morgan State in a non-conference matchup.</p><h3>MORGAN STATE BEARS VS NORTH CAROLINA A&T AGGIES BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Morgan State Bears +8</p><p>This game will be played at Corbett Sports Center at 7:00 ET on Wednesday, November 20th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE MORGAN STATE BEARS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-71 in favor of the Aggies.</li><li>Even though we have North Carolina A&T winning straight-up, we like Morgan State at +8.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 157.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.</li></ul><h3>No Pressure for Morgan State as Away Dogs</h3><h3>Morgan State Bears Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>Morgan State improved to 3-1 on the season with an 81-69 win over NJIT on Saturday, November 16th. Playing at home, the Bears were -7.5 point favorites and covered the spread with the victory. The total points for the game were 150, slightly over the O/U line of 145.5.</p> 

<p>After trailing 37-30 at halftime, Morgan State turned things around in the 2nd half, outscoring NJIT 51-32 to secure the win. The Bears’ strong 2nd half performance was key in both the win and covering the spread.</p><p>Morgan State put up 81 points in their latest game, shooting 45.2% from the field. They hit 50% of their two-point attempts, but struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 4 of 14 threes (28.6%). At the free-throw line, they were efficient, making 21 of 24 attempts (87.5%).</p> <p>Sebastian Robinson led the Bears with 20 points, while Tariq Francis and Will Thomas each added 18. Francis also contributed 6 rebounds and 6 assists. Daniel Akitoby grabbed 9 boards, and Tim Moore Jr. pulled down 10 rebounds.</p><p>Despite Morgan State's defensive efforts, the Bears allowed 69 points on 45% shooting from the field. The opposing team found success inside, hitting 50% of their two-point attempts, going 24/48.</p> <p>Morgan State did well in limiting three-point damage, with the other team shooting just 4/14 from beyond the arc (28%). However, they sent the opposition to the free-throw line 24 times, where they converted 21 (87%). The Bears also gave up 11 offensive rebounds.</p><h3>Is It the Aggies Game to Lose at Home?</h3><p>North Carolina A&T picked up an 82-73 road win over The Citadel on Sunday, November 17th. The Aggies entered the game as +3 point underdogs but not only pulled off the upset, they also covered the spread.</p> <p>After trailing 39-36 at halftime, A&T turned things around in the 2nd half, outscoring The Citadel 46-34. The total points for the game reached 155, going over the pre-game line of 147.</p><p>North Carolina A&T put up 82 points in their latest game, shooting 46.6% from the field. They hit 36.4% from beyond the arc, connecting on 4 of 11 attempts, and were strong at the free-throw line, going 24 of 30 for 80%.</p> <p>Brody Fox was a standout, shooting 75% from the field and finishing with 25 points and 7 rebounds. Ryan Forrest led the team with 26 points, while Jahnathan Lamothe added 18 points, hitting 3 of 4 from three-point range.</p><p>North Carolina A&T's defense gave up 73 points, with their opponents shooting 45% from the field. They struggled to contain two-point shots, allowing 20 of 36 attempts to fall, a 55% success rate.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, the Aggies held their opponents to 30% shooting, with 8 threes made on 26 attempts. They also sent them to the line 17 times, where they hit 9 free throws, shooting 52%. North Carolina A&T allowed 15 offensive rebounds.</p>

Morgan State Bears vs North Carolina A&T Aggies NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/20/24

<p>Joe Musgrove and the Padres will host the White Sox today at PETCO Park in San Diego, and they are the heavy favorite on the money line at -243. Chicago comes in with a record of 36-117 and they are starting Garrett Crochet. NBCS will be televising this interleague matchup, and the White Sox are +202 on the money line.</p>

<p>The over/under line is currently at 7 runs, and first pitch is set for 9:40 PM ET. Chicago is on a two-game losing streak and is 5th in the AL Central, while the Padres are 2nd in the NL West.</p><h3>CHICAGO WHITE SOX VS SAN DIEGO PADRES BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: OVER 7 Runs</p><p>This game will be played at PETCO Park at 9:40 ET on Friday, September 20th.</p><h3>HOW TO BET THE WHITE SOX VS PADRES:</h3><ul><li>We have the Padres winning by a score of 6 to 5</li><li>However, if you're looking for a run line pick, we like the White Sox to cover</li><li>As for an over/under pick, we have this game finishing with 11 runs and like the over</li></ul><h3>White Sox Records & Stats</h3><p>The White Sox will be looking to get back on track after closing out their series vs. the Angels with a 4-3 loss. This was especially tough, as they held a lead going into the bottom of the 9th before the Angels scored a run to walk things off. Chicago was the +123 underdog on the road going into the game.</p>

<p>Jared Shuster put together a good start for the White Sox, going three innings, and not giving up a run. However, the White Sox's bullpen couldn't close things out, and Jairo Iriarte took the loss. The White Sox also wasted a big game from Andrew Vaughn, who homered in the 1st inning, going 1/5.</p><p>With a record of 36-117, the White Sox are 5th in the AL Central and trail the Guardians by 52.5 games. So far, they have gone just 8-41 in divisional games. Chicago is on a two-game losing streak, dropping their record to 4-6 over their last 10 games.</p>

<p>At home, the White Sox are just 20-58 this season, and they have gone 16-59 on the road. This year, the White Sox have really struggled in day games, going 13-47 compared to 23-70 in night games.</p><p>Chicago has been a poor run line bet this season, going 62-91, but they have been better on the road, where they are 31-44. The White Sox have been a run line underdog in 145 of their 150 games, and they have covered the run line in just 5 of their 8 games as a favorite. Their average run differential in wins is +3.3, while it is -3.7 in losses.</p><p>The Chicago White Sox are on the road today to face the San Diego Padres. The over/under line for the game is set at 7 runs, which is lower than their season average of 8.2 runs per game. The White Sox have hit the under in 65 of their 145 games this season, and their games have averaged 8 runs per game. The under has hit in their last two games.</p><p>Left-hander Garrett Crochet gets the start for the White Sox today as he faces the Padres on the road. He has made 30 starts this season and has a record of 6-12 with a 3.78 ERA. Crochet's WHIP for the season is currently 1.09, and opponents are batting .218 off him this year. Crochet has turned in 11 quality starts and is averaging 12.72 strikeouts per nine innings. In his last outing, Crochet took the loss, going four innings and giving up one earned run on three hits. Before that, he had given up at least one homer in three straight starts.</p><p>Chicago's offense has struggled this season, as they are last in the league in runs per game at just 3.1. They are also near the bottom of the league in home runs, batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. The White Sox do have a few hitters on a good streak right now, with Andrew Vaughn and Paul DeJong both on five-game hitting streaks.</p>

<p>Andrew Benintendi has been swinging the bat well of late, going 8/25 in his last six games with three home runs. For the season, he is batting just .226, but his 19 homers are tied for the team lead. Andrew Vaughn is also at 19 homers and has a team-high 67 RBIs.</p><h3>Padres Records & Stats</h3><p>Manny Machado had a big game at the plate in the Padres's 4-0 win over the Astros to close out their series. He went 2/4 with two homers and two RBIs. The Padres really broke things open with a three-run 8th inning. Donovan Solano started the 8th with a homer, and the Padres added another run on a Jackson Merrill single.</p>

<p>Dylan Cease put together a good start for the Padres, going 8 1/3 innings, and didn't give up a run. He also issued just two walks and struck out five Astros batters. Cease was efficient with his pitches, throwing only 97 pitches, and finished the game on just one run.</p><p>San Diego is 87-66 overall this season, putting them 2nd in the NL West, four games behind the Dodgers for the division lead. The Padres will host the White Sox today with an overall record of 24-22 against other NL West teams. They are coming off a series win vs. the Astros, taking two of three from Houston.</p>

<p>At home, the Padres are 42-36 this season compared to a 45-30 mark on the road. As the favorite, the Padres are 57-42 this year, and they are 30-24 as the underdog. San Diego has been good in taking the first two games of a series, as their overall series record is 30-15-6. They have also won two straight series.</p><p>San Diego has been a strong run line bet on the road this season, going 47-28 against the run line away from Petco Park. Overall, the Padres are 78-75 against the run line, with an average run differential of +0.6 runs per game. They have been a better bet against the run line as the underdog, going 37-17, compared to 41-58 as the favorite.</p><p>The over/under line for the Padres' game against the White Sox is set at 7 runs, which is significantly lower than their average combined run average of 8.9 runs per game. This season, the over/under record for Padres games is 80-70, and when the line has been set at 7 runs, the record is 11-3-2. Despite the low line, the over has hit in four straight games for San Diego.</p><p>Joe Musgrove gets the start for the Padres today and will be looking to build off his last outing, where he didn't give up a run. In that September 14th start vs. the Giants, he went six innings, picking up the win and giving up just three hits. Looking back over his last four outings, Musgrove has a pair of scoreless outings and has allowed just two earned runs in the other two starts. For the season, he has a record of 6-5, an ERA of 4.22, and a WHIP of 1.23. Opponents are batting .254 vs. Musgrove this season.</p><p>San Diego comes into the game as the league's top-hitting team, batting a collective .265. They also have the best team on-base percentage in the league and have the fewest strikeouts per game in the league. Overall, they are 8th in the league in scoring at 4.7 runs per contest. At home, they are averaging 4.4 runs per game, compared to 5.1 runs per game on the road.</p>

<p>Fernando Tatis Jr. has been on a tear of late, going 10/28 in his last seven games with four homers. He has also scored eight runs in that stretch. Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill are the team's top home run hitters, with 29 and 24 homers, respectively. Machado's 104 RBIs are 8th best in the league.</p>

Chicago White Sox vs San Diego Padres Betting Pick & Prediction 9/20/24

<p>Two teams heading in opposite directions will meet in Milwaukee tonight as the Nets (12-21) have dropped three straight and are 14-point underdogs to the Bucks (17-14), who have won three in a row and are currently fifth in the Eastern Conference.</p>

<p>This Eastern Conference matchup will tip-off at 8:00 ET and can be seen on YES.</p><h3>BROOKLYN NETS VS MILWAUKEE BUCKS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Milwaukee Bucks -14</p><p>This game will be played at Fiserv Forum at 8:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.</p><h3>WHY BET THE MILWAUKEE BUCKS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 142-95 in favor of the Bucks.</li><li>Our projections have Giannis Antetokounmpo finishing with 30 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists.</li><li>From the field, we have the Bucks finishing with a field goal percentage of 47.7% and knocking down 17 threes.</li></ul><h3>Is a Road Win Possible for the Nets?</h3><p>The Nets fell to 12-21 on the season after a 130-113 loss to the Raptors on Wednesday. Brooklyn entered the game as +1 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game reached 243, well over the 218.5 O/U line.</p> <p>Brooklyn led 33-26 after the 1st quarter but allowed 39 points in the 2nd. Heading into the 4th quarter, the Nets were down 94-91, but a 10-0 run by the Raptors put the game out of reach, as Toronto outscored Brooklyn 36-22 in the final period.</p><p>In their loss to the Raptors, the Nets shot 48.3% from the field, but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 29.7% of their threes, with 11 made in total. Cameron Johnson led the way with 24 points, connecting on 3 threes at a 60% rate, while D'Angelo Russell added 22 points and 8 assists, shooting 69.2% from the floor.</p> <p>Keon Johnson contributed 17 points, despite shooting 33.3% overall and 25% from three, making 3 triples. Nic Claxton chipped in 16 points, with 6 coming in the opening quarter.</p><p>The Nets struggled defensively on Wednesday, giving up 130 points to the Raptors. Their toughest stretch came in the 2nd quarter, where they allowed 39 points. Brooklyn also gave up 36 points in the 4th quarter.</p> <p>Overall, the Raptors shot 59% from the field, including 50% from three-point range, hitting 16 threes. The Nets sent Toronto to the line 13 times, where they made 10 free throws. Brooklyn finished with 28 defensive rebounds, 8 steals, and 2 blocks.</p><h3>Can the Bucks Pull Out the Win as Home Favorites?</h3><p>The Bucks improved to 17-14 on the season with a 120-112 win over the Pacers on Tuesday. Milwaukee, favored by 2 points, covered the spread with the 8-point victory. The game’s total of 232 points narrowly exceeded the over/under line of 230.</p> <p>Milwaukee’s 12-0 run was key in the win, as they extended their lead from 83-66 to 95-66. After trailing 91-88 going into the 4th quarter, the Bucks outscored the Pacers 32-21 in the final period.</p><p>Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered 13 points in both the 3rd and 4th quarters, finishing with 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists in the Bucks' win over the Pacers. Brook Lopez added 16 points, while Khris Middleton contributed 15 despite shooting 36.4% from the field.</p> <p>The Bucks shot 46.4% overall, hitting 12 threes at a 36.4% clip. Gary Trent and Bobby Portis each scored 14 points, with Trent adding 8 points in the 1st quarter and 6 more in the 4th.</p><p>The Bucks tightened up defensively in the 2nd half, allowing just 27 points in the 3rd quarter and 21 in the 4th, helping them secure a win over the Pacers. Overall, they gave up 112 points on 44% shooting.</p> <p>Milwaukee limited Indiana to 13 made threes on 35% shooting from deep. The Pacers also went 19/30 from the free-throw line. The Bucks finished with 38 defensive rebounds and 10 steals.</p>

<p>The Eagles and Midshipmen are set to face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Midshipmen will host the game at Alumni Hall (Navy) in Annapolis, MD. In this Patriot League matchup, American is favored bt -3.5 vs. Navy. The over/under for the game is 139.5 points.</p><h3>AMERICAN EAGLES VS NAVY MIDSHIPMEN BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Navy Midshipmen +3.5</p><p>This game will be played at Alumni Hall (Navy) at 7:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.</p><h3>WHY BET THE NAVY MIDSHIPMEN:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-70 in favor of the Midshipmen.</li><li>Not only will Navy pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +3.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 139.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.</li></ul><h3>Do the Eagles Have What it Takes in Annapolis?</h3><h3>American Eagles Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>American’s season record fell to 4-7 after a 96-93 loss to UMBC on Sunday. The Eagles, who were -5.5 favorites, didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points of 189 exceeded the O/U line of 148.5.</p> 

<p>After trailing 41-40 at halftime, American scored 39 points in the 2nd half while allowing 38, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.</p><p>American's offense put up 93 points in their last game, shooting 48.1% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 54.5%. They connected on 35.5% of their threes, going 11-for-31, and hit 56.5% of their two-point attempts, finishing 26-for-46 inside the arc. Their free-throw shooting was a weak spot, as they made just 8 of 16 attempts.</p> <p>Matt Rogers led the way with 33 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 75% from the field and 2-for-3 from three-point range. Marcus Banks Jr. added 28 points, hitting 6 threes at a 46.2% clip, while Ace Valentine contributed 17 points and a team-high 9 assists.</p><p>American’s defense struggled in their last game, giving up 96 points on 48% shooting from the field. They allowed their opponent to hit 56% of their two-point attempts, with 26 makes on 46 shots.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, American’s defense gave up 11 threes on 31 attempts, a 35% clip. They also sent their opponent to the line 16 times, where they converted 8 free throws. On the boards, American allowed 12 offensive rebounds.</p><h3>Can the Midshipmen Offense Score Enough at Home?</h3><h3>Navy Midshipmen Recent Game/Games</h3> <p>Navy’s season continued to be a struggle as they fell to 2-10 with an 82-76 loss to William & Mary on Sunday. The Midshipmen were +7.5 point underdogs heading into the game, but managed to keep it closer than expected.</p> <p>After trailing 41-33 at halftime, Navy put up 43 points in the 2nd half while allowing 41. The game’s total points of 158 just missed the O/U line of 158.5.</p><p>Navy's offense put up 76 points in their last game, shooting 44.4% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 53.7%, thanks in part to hitting 43.5% from three-point range, connecting on 10 of 23 attempts. At the free-throw line, they made 18 of 24 shots, good for 75%.</p> <p>Keller Boothby, Gabe Dorsey, and Austin Benigni each scored 16 points, with Boothby hitting 4 of 6 from deep. Noah Collier and Donovan Draper added 14 points each, with Draper going 2 for 2 from three-point range. Aidan Kehoe contributed 11 points and grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds.</p><p>Despite giving up 82 points, Navy's defense struggled to contain their opponent, who shot 50% from the field. They were particularly vulnerable inside, allowing 62% shooting on two-point attempts.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, Navy's defense allowed 13 threes on 33 attempts, a 39% shooting performance. They did manage to limit free-throw damage, with their opponent hitting just 7 of 14.</p>

American Eagles vs Navy Midshipmen NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

<p>Planning on watching today's Hatters and Royals game? Catch the action at Curry Arena in Charlotte, NC, as the Royals hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The over/under for this game is set at 155.5 points, and Queens (NC) is favored by -8.5 vs. Stetson in a Atlantic Sun conference matchup.</p><h3>STETSON HATTERS VS QUEENS (NC) ROYALS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Stetson Hatters +8.5</p><p>This game will be played at Curry Arena at 7:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.</p><h3>WHY BET THE STETSON HATTERS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 82-66 in favor of the Hatters.</li><li>Not only will Stetson pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +8.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 155.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 148 points.</li></ul><h3>Will the Hatters Win in Charlotte?</h3><p>Stetson's season continued its rough start with an 85-45 loss to Florida on Sunday, dropping the Hatters to 0-11. Despite being +39 point underdogs, they failed to cover the spread.</p> <p>After trailing 46-27 at halftime, Stetson managed just 18 points in the 2nd half while allowing 39. The combined score of 130 points came in well under the O/U line of 160.5.</p><p>Stetson's offense struggled mightily in their last game, managing just 45 points on 26.5% shooting from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was a mere 29.4%, and they hit only 3 of 24 attempts from beyond the arc, finishing with a 12.5% three-point shooting percentage.</p> <p>Alijah Martin and Will Richard were the bright spots, with Martin scoring 18 points and Richard adding 17 on 72.7% shooting. Walter Clayton Jr. also contributed 12 points, hitting 80% of his shots and 66.7% from three-point range.</p><p>Stetson's defense struggled, giving up 85 points on 50% shooting from the field. They allowed 35 made field goals on 69 attempts.</p> <p>Inside the arc, the Hatters gave up 26 two-point baskets on 44 attempts, a 59% success rate for their opponent.</p><h3>Will the Royals Win at Curry Arena?</h3><h3>Queens (NC) Royals Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>Queens (NC) fell to 5-6 on the season after an 80-62 loss to Ole Miss on Saturday, December 21st. The Royals were significant underdogs at +27.5 but managed to cover the spread.</p> 

<p>Trailing 38-33 at halftime, Queens was outscored 42-29 in the 2nd half. The game’s total points of 142 fell short of the 152 O/U line.</p><p>In their latest game, the Queens (NC) Royals put up 62 points, shooting 45.1% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 54.9%. They hit 60% of their two-point attempts and connected on 35.5% from beyond the arc, making 11 threes on 31 attempts. Their free-throw shooting was a struggle, as they hit just 5 of 11, or 45.5%.</p> <p>Sean Pedulla led the way with 25 points, shooting 64.3% overall, though he was just 1 of 4 from three. Maban Jabriel added 15 points, hitting 5 threes at a 50% clip. The Royals dished out 19 assists and grabbed 7 offensive rebounds in the game.</p><p>Queens (NC) gave up 80 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 47% from the field, hitting 31 of 65 shots. Inside the arc, the Royals allowed 63% shooting, as the opponent connected on 24 of 38 two-point attempts.</p> <p>From beyond the three-point line, Queens (NC) held the opposition to 25% shooting, as they made just 7 of 27 attempts. The Royals also sent the other team to the free-throw line 14 times, where they converted 11 shots for 78%.</p>

Stetson Hatters vs Queens (NC) Royals NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

<p>Planning on watching today's Fighting Hawks and Golden Eagles game? Catch the action at Mabee Center in Tulsa, OK, as the Golden Eagles hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on Summ. The over/under for this Summit conference contest is set at 150.5 points, with Oral Roberts being favored by -2.5 at home against North Dakota.</p><h3>NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING HAWKS VS ORAL ROBERTS GOLDEN EAGLES BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: North Dakota Fighting Hawks +2.5</p><p>This game will be played at Mabee Center at 8:00 ET on Saturday, February 17th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE NORTH DAKOTA FIGHTING HAWKS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 73-72 in favor of the Fighting Hawks.</li><li>Not only will North Dakota pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +2.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 150.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 145 points.</li></ul><h3>Can the North Dakota Offense Score Enough on the Road?</h3><p>North Dakota is 16-11 this season, including an 8-4 record in Summit League play. They have gone 6-7 on the road, and their average scoring margin in road games is -2.6 points per game.</p>

<p>As the underdog this season, the Fighting Hawks have gone 6-8, and they are the underdog today, getting 2.5 points. They have won four straight games and are coming off a 92-78 win over Denver.</p><p>North Dakota's ATS record for the season is currently at .500, as they are 12-12. However, they have been solid vs. the spread on the road this year, going 8-5. Over their last 10 games as the underdog, the Fighting Hawks are an impressive 7-3 vs. the spread.</p><p>This season, the over/under record for North Dakota games sits at 11-11-2. So far, their games have averaged 148.4 points compared to an average over/under line of 147.1, resulting in an average margin of +1.3 points. This year, 15 of their games have had lower OU lines than today's line of 150.5. Over their last three games, the OU record is 2-1 with an average scoring total of 152 points.</p><p>Coming off a good offensive performance, North Dakota's offense scored 92 points against Denver. Their field goal percentage for the game was 54.2%, and they went 18/22 from the free-throw line. Offensively, the Fighting Hawks have a season long field goal percentage of 44%, which is 257th in the nation. In terms of three-pointers, they are 269th in percentage and 111st in three-pointers made.</p><p>On the defensive side, North Dakota is currently hovering around the NCAA's average for points allowed, conceding an average of 72.3 points per game. North Dakota's three-point defense is currently 72nd in the country at 6.2 made threes per game. In terms of overall field goal percentage, opponets have hit 41.3% of their shots vs. North Dakota.</p><h3>Will the Golden Eagles Find a Way to Win at Home?</h3><p>Oral Roberts enters tonight's game against North Dakota as a 2.5-point favorite. The Golden Eagles have an 11-14 record this season, including a 5-7 mark in Summit League play. They have lost three straight games, most recently falling to North Dakota State, 73-60.</p>

<p>On the season, Oral Roberts has gone 6-3 at home, and they have gone 7-3 over their last 10 games at home. For the year, they have been favored in nine games, going 5-4 in those contests, compared to 3-10 when they have been the underdog.</p><p>As the favorite this season, Oral Roberts has gone just 4-5 against the spread. Their overall ATS record is 10-12. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, the Golden Eagles are 5-5 vs. the spread. At home, they have an ATS mark of 5-4 this year and are 5-3 in their last 10 home games.</p><p>Oral Roberts' over/under record for the season is 12-10 and today's over/under line of 150.5 is similar to the average over/under line in their games this year (149.5). Over their last three games, the average scoring total is 145 points and their over/under record in their last 10 games is 5-5.</p><p>The Oral Roberts offense, in their latest game, managed to score just 60 points versus North Dakota State. During the game, they attempted 25 three-point shots and had a field goal percentage of 34.8%. The top scorer for the Golden Eagles was Kareem Thompson with 14 points, while Issac McBride also chipped in with 14 points.</p><p>Currently, the Golden Eagles' defense holds the 260th rank in the nation, allowing 75.8 points per game. So far, the Oral Roberts defense is giving up an average of 10.1 offensive rebounds per game and are turning teams over 9.2 times per game (367th).</p>

North Dakota Fighting Hawks vs Oral Roberts Golden Eagles Betting Pick & Prediction 2/17/24

<p>The Golden Eagles and Dukes are set to face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN+. The Dukes will host the game at Atlantic Union Bank Center in Harrisonburg, VA. The over/under for this Sun Belt conference contest is set at 142.5 points, with James Madison being favored by -11.5 at home against Southern Miss.</p><h3>SOUTHERN MISS GOLDEN EAGLES VS JAMES MADISON DUKES BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Southern Miss Golden Eagles +11.5</p><p>This game will be played at Atlantic Union Bank Center at 7:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.</p><h3>WHY BET THE SOUTHERN MISS GOLDEN EAGLES:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-70 in favor of the Dukes.</li><li>Even though we have James Madison winning straight-up, we like Southern Miss at +11.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 142.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.</li></ul><h3>Will the Golden Eagles Win on the Road?</h3><p>Southern Miss improved to 4-7 on the season with a 68-66 win over Marshall on Saturday. The Golden Eagles, who were +3.5 point underdogs, not only pulled off the upset but also covered the spread.</p> <p>Southern Miss led 39-34 at halftime and scored 29 points in the 2nd half while allowing 32. The game’s total points of 134 fell under the O/U line of 146.5.</p><p>Southern Miss put up 68 points in their last game, shooting 48.2% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 53.6%. They hit 58.3% of their two-point attempts, but struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 30% on 6-of-20 attempts. Their free-throw shooting was also a concern, as they connected on only 44.4% from the line.</p> <p>The Golden Eagles grabbed 17 offensive rebounds and dished out 14 assists. Denijay Harris led the way with 29 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 62.5% from the field and 40% from three. Dezayne Mingo was efficient, hitting 6-of-7 shots overall and 2-of-3 from deep, finishing with 14 points.</p><p>Southern Miss allowed 66 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 48% from the field. The Golden Eagles gave up 21 two-point baskets on 36 attempts, a 58% success rate.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, Southern Miss held their opponents to 6 made threes on 20 attempts, a 30% shooting performance. At the free-throw line, their opponents shot 44%, hitting 8 of 18 attempts. Southern Miss also allowed 17 offensive rebounds.</p><h3>Will James Madison Find a Way to Win at Home?</h3><h3>James Madison Dukes Recent Game/Games</h3> <p>The Dukes fell to 5-6 on the season after a 77-49 road loss to South Alabama on Saturday. Entering the game as +1 point underdogs, James Madison not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.</p> <p>Trailing 34-26 at halftime, the Dukes managed just 23 points in the 2nd half while allowing 43. The game’s total points of 126 fell short of the O/U line of 137.5.</p><p>James Madison struggled offensively in their last game, scoring just 49 points with a field goal percentage of 29.1%. They shot 32% from two-point range and 26.7% from beyond the arc, resulting in an effective field goal percentage of 36.4%.</p> <p>Myles Corey led the Dukes with 19 points and 7 assists, shooting 63.6% from the field. Barry Dunning Jr. added 16 points, hitting 58.3% of his shots, while Bryce Lindsay contributed 12 points, connecting on 4 of 12 three-point attempts.</p><p>James Madison's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 77 points while allowing the opposing team to shoot 51% from the field. They had particular trouble inside, where the other team hit 74% of their two-point shots, going 20/27.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, James Madison's defense held the other team to 31% shooting, with 9 made threes on 29 attempts. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 11 times, where they converted 10 of those attempts. James Madison gave up 6 offensive rebounds in the game.</p>

Southern Miss Golden Eagles vs James Madison Dukes NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 1/2/25

<p>Planning on watching today's Hilltoppers and Flames game? Catch the action at Liberty Arena in Lynchburg, VA, as the Flames hosts this showdown at 7:00 ET on CBSS. The odds for this Conference USA conference game currently have Liberty as the -8.5 point favorite with the over/under line sitting at 144.5 points.</p><h3>WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS VS LIBERTY FLAMES BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Liberty Flames -8.5</p><p>This game will be played at Liberty Arena at 7:00 ET on Thursday, January 2nd.</p><h3>WHY BET THE LIBERTY FLAMES:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 78-68 in favor of the Flames.</li><li>Not only will Liberty pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -8.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 144.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 146 points.</li></ul><h3>Will the Hilltoppers Win on the Road?</h3><p>Western Kentucky fell to 7-4 on the season after a 112-64 road loss to Michigan on Sunday. Entering the game as +21.5 point underdogs, the Hilltoppers not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.</p> <p>Trailing 59-31 at halftime, Western Kentucky couldn’t turn things around in the second half, scoring 33 points while allowing 53. The game’s total points of 176 exceeded the pre-game over/under line of 159.5.</p><p>Western Kentucky struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 36.4% from the field and 20% from beyond the arc, connecting on only 5 of 25 three-point attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was 39.4%, and they managed just 5 offensive rebounds and 5 assists as a team.</p> <p>At the free-throw line, the Hilltoppers hit 11 of 19 attempts, shooting 57.9%. Don McHenry led the team with 18 points, while Nimari Burnett and Vladislav Goldin each added 17, with Goldin hitting 7 of 8 shots from the field and 2 of 2 from three-point range.</p><p>Western Kentucky’s defense struggled, giving up 112 points on 51% shooting. They allowed 33 field goals on 64 attempts.</p> <p>From three-point range, they allowed 19 threes on 40 attempts, a 47% success rate. They also sent the opposing team to the line 35 times, where they hit 27 free throws.</p><h3>Are Liberty Ready for a Home Win?</h3><h3>Liberty Flames Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>Liberty improved to 9-1 on the season with a 79-56 home win over UT Arlington on Saturday. The Flames, who entered the game as -9.5 favorites, covered the spread. The total points for the game were 135, falling short of the 142.5 O/U line.</p> 

<p>Liberty took control early, leading 39-22 at halftime. They added 40 points in the 2nd half while allowing 34, maintaining their strong start and securing the win.</p><p>Liberty's offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 79 points with a field goal percentage of 52.9%. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 66.7%, thanks in part to hitting 15 threes at a 46.9% clip. Inside the arc, they shot 63.2% on two-point attempts.</p> <p>Kaden Metheny led the way with 25 points, knocking down 7 of 13 threes. Taelon Peter added 18 points in just 20 minutes, shooting 4 of 8 from deep. Liberty finished with 24 assists, with Metheny contributing 5 dimes.</p><p>Liberty's defense had a tough outing, giving up 56 points while allowing the opposition to shoot 52% from the field. The Flames struggled to contain the three-point line, where they allowed 15 threes on 32 attempts, a 46% shooting clip.</p> <p>From the free-throw line, Liberty's opponent went 10/14, shooting 71%. The Flames did a good job on the boards, giving up just 4 offensive rebounds.</p>