Sports Betting
Thursday’s Best Draftkings Bets: Panthers-Lightning, Knicks-76ers, Hurricanes-Islanders
The Winning Picks can’t get over the hump this week, finishing 1-2 again on Wednesday. The under once again covered for us in the Pirates game, the 5th straight game the total has gone under. The over however could not hit in Golden Knights/Stars as Vegas has taken a commanding 2-0 lead in that series. The Pelicans were absolutely blitzed by the Thunder, and they also now trail 2-0 in the series. We moved to 260-208-3 on the year.
Now with the Pirate game so early today, we won’t be including that in the Winning Picks for today (I like the under if you were wondering). And with the Pirates being on in the early afternoon, fans around Pittsburgh can focus on the NFL Draft tonight. For the last several months, you have seen all sorts of odds for the NFL Draft. I bet you really want to bet on it (I know I do). But the sad thing about living in Pennsylvania is gambling on the NFL Draft is not allowed.
Though some states like West Virginia allow it, PA has never allowed people in the state to gamble on the NFL Draft. A huge money loss for them if we are being honest given the passion from both the Steelers and Eagles fan bases for this annual event. Pennsylvania always has weird rules like this for activities that are legal here. Like not being able to buy beer in a gas station until about a decade ago. Times will change, hopefully the state allows NFL Draft gambling so that money doesn’t end up with West Virginia or New Jersey.
Now onto the Winning Picks!
States: OH, MA, MD, AZ, PA, NJ, NY, WY, LA, IL, IN, IA, CO, WV, VA, TN, MI. 21+ and present in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
GET THE APPFlorida Panthers at Tampa Bay Lightning (-115) O/U 6 7:00 PM on TBS
This could be one of the last gasps for this core of Lightning players who won back-to-back Stanley Cups not too long ago. This franchise could find themselves in the same boat the Penguins are now in. And being down 2-0 to your cross-state rival Panthers? The urgency needs to be at full tilt tonight for Tampa Bay.
But it’s not like the Lightning were blown out in any game so far. They lost both games by a score of 3-2 and the last one finished up in overtime. This Tampa squad has too much pride left to be swept. I think tonight they pick up their first win of the series by a score of 3-2.
Lightning Moneyline -115, Florida Panthers 2 Tampa Bay Lightning 3
States: OH, MA, MD, AZ, PA, NJ, NY, WY, LA, IL, IN, IA, CO, WV, VA, TN, MI. 21+ and present in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
GET THE APPNew York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers (-5.5) O/U 203 7:30 PM on TNT
To say the Knicks got lucky in the closing seconds of their Game 2 win would be an understatement. They got extremely lucky. After being down 5 with less than 30 seconds to go, Jalen Brunson was able to get a three to bounce in before a wild sequence in the backcourt led to a Donte DiVenzo three that put New York back up for good. Philly fans are still crying foul about that, literally.
But now this series shifts back to the City of Brother Love and the 76ers won’t be getting much love if they drop this game to go down 3-0. I don’t think Philly will have that problem tonight, but I don’t exactly love either spread tonight. What I do like is the over. Though both of these teams have played low scoring games between each other this year, I don’t believe that to be the case tonight. It won’t go crazy over, but it will hit.
Over 203 Covers, New York Knicks 98 Philadelphia 76ers 106
States: OH, MA, MD, AZ, PA, NJ, NY, WY, LA, IL, IN, IA, CO, WV, VA, TN, MI. 21+ and present in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
GET THE APPCarolina Hurricanes (-166) at New York Islanders O/U 5.5 7:30 PM on ESPN2
The Islanders had all the momentum in the world in Game 2 of this series. Up 3-0 in the game, it looked as if this series would be headed back to Long Island tied up. But alas, it was not meant to be. Trailing 3-1 entering the third period, the Hurricanes rallied for 4 goals and took a 2-0 series lead. Are the Islanders now dead in the water after blowing that huge lead?
I would say they aren’t. New York loves playing in front of their home crowd and played a competitive series with Carolina in last year’s playoffs, winning as big underdogs a few separate times. The same goes tonight, as the Islanders get one back in this series.
Islanders Moneyline +140, Carolina Hurricanes 2 New York Islanders 4
States: OH, MA, MD, AZ, PA, NJ, NY, WY, LA, IL, IN, IA, CO, WV, VA, TN, MI. 21+ and present in participating states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
