Friday’s Best Bets went a cool 2-for-2 as the White Sox gave a Chicago-style beating to the Rays, and Hawks’ guard Trae Young had his wings clipped just enough to fly Under 11.5 assists.
If you took our advice, hopefully you didn’t blow all your profits on Starburst jellybeans or that revolting sponge-like substance called Peeps (people say it’s edible; we’re skeptical).
A new week brings a trio of Best Bets to sink your teeth into for Monday. We can’t guarantee they’ll all win … but we can guarantee they taste better than Peeps!
Best Bets Track Record
Friday: 2-0
Year-To-Date: 55-50-1
Bostonian vs. The Book: 14-17-1
BetPrep Prop of the Day: 15-19
NBA Props: 18-8
NHL Props: 7-6
MLB Props: 1-0
MLB Sides: 1-0
NBA Total: Dallas Mavericks vs. Utah Jazz
The bet: Mavericks-Jazz Under 206
The odds: -110
Where to bet: Caesars Sportsbook
From: Matt Perrault via The Bostonian Vs. The Book podcast
Matt Perrault of The Bostonian vs. The Book looks to start the week with some positive momentum by rolling with one of the most boring bets known to mankind: an NBA Under.
Nobody wants to see shots clanging off the rim all night, but the Under for Mavericks-Jazz is certainly appealing for those seeking profit instead of entertainment — especially with Dallas star Luka Doncic likely sidelined again with a calf injury.
“This [looks like] another slugfest, ugly basketball game,” Perrault said. “Dallas wants this game played under 100 points [for both teams] without Doncic.”
Podcast co-host Dave Sharapan is in complete agreement with his partner’s Best Bets selection.
“We’re going to ride this one until she bucks us,” Sharapan said. “I’m not going to [take the Over] now!”
Perrault also noted that the Mavericks are 30-11-1 to the Under at home this season. In fact, Dallas was the NBA’s No. 1 Under team in the regular season.
Furthermore, all three games between these teams played in Dallas this season have stayed Under the total this season. Monday could represent a fourth.
For in-depth coverage on Game 2 of Jazz vs. Mavs, including updated information on wagering action, check out our complete betting breakdown.
You can find Utah-Dallas Under 206 at -110 odds on Caesars Sportsbook.
NBA Prop: PG Fred VanVleet (Toronto Raptors)
The bet: Over 3.5 made 3-pointers (at Philadelphia)
The odds: +105
Where to bet: DraftKings Sportsbook
From: Matt LaMarca via NBA Props Monday
Things are not looking good at the moment for the Raptors’ backcourt. Scottie Barnes has already been ruled out with an ankle injury, and fellow shooting guard Gary Trent Jr. is doubtful with an illness. Even power forward Thaddeus Young is doubtful, so the Raptors — already down 0-1 to the Sixers — are very shorthanded heading into Game 2.
That means point guard Fred VanVleet will likely have to take on an even larger workload than usual.
Editor’s Note: New to NBA player props? Check out our complete NBA Prop Betting Guide to get up to speed!
VanVleet was tied with teammate Pascal Siakam for third-most minutes per game this season, so he should easily clear 40 minutes if Monday’s game is competitive. That means a steady diet of 3-point attempts. VanVleet averaged 9.9 attempts per game from beyond the arc this season, and he’s made 37.7 percent of them. Overall, he’s knocked down at least four triples in 34 of 66 games, including Saturday’s Game 1 in Philly.
With Barnes and Trent off the floor this season, VanVleet increased his output to 10.3 attempts from deep per 36 minutes played. Love the Over in this spot.
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NBA Prop: SF OG Anunoby (Toronto Raptors)
The bet: Over 16.5 points (at Philadelphia)
The odds: -120
Where to bet: FanDuel Sportsbook
From: BetPrep Prop of the Day via BetPrep.com
Monday’s BetPrep Prop of the Day comes from the Toronto Raptors as well. In fact, most of the analysis used to present the case for Fred VanVleet sinking at least four 3-pointers also applies to this play on OG Anunoby eclipsing 16.5 points in Game 2 on Monday.
Here’s the rationale for this BetPrep Best Bet:
- As noted above, Toronto shooting guard Scottie Barnes (ankle) will miss the next two games.
- Anunoby has scored more than 16 points in all six games without Barnes in the lineup this season.
- Anunoby has averaged 17.1 points and 14.5 shots per game this season. And without Barnes in the lineup, those numbers jump to 26 points and 20 shots per game.
Clearly, Toronto leans quite heavily on Anunoby when Barnes is sitting on the sideline. And in what is basically a must-win game for Toronto, that doesn’t figure to change Monday.
You can find Anunoby Over 16.5 points at -120 juice at FanDuel Sportsbook.
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