Are you tired of April Fools’ Day yet? Don’t worry, the Best Bets column is a safe space.
We won’t put sugar in your salt shaker or bait you into believing fake news (we’re looking at you, LeBron). Nope, you’re here for winners, and we’re here to deliver them. Which we’ve done to the tune of a 56 percent clip since embarking on this venture more than a month ago.
So put your April Fools’ guard down and peruse our quartet of Best Bets for Friday. (Of course, if these end up being losers, then yeah, we were just kidding!)
Best Bets Track Record
Thursday: 3-1
Year-To-Date: 41-32-1
Bostonian vs. The Book: 11-11-1
BetPrep Prop of the Day: 10-13
NBA Props: 15-4
NHL Props: 5-4
NBA Side: Memphis Grizzlies Vs Phoenix Suns
The bet: Memphis + 7 (vs. Phoenix)
The odds: -110
Where to bet: Caesars Sportsbook
From: Matt Perrault via The Bostonian Vs. The Book Podcast
The Bostonian vs. The Book crew enters Friday at 2-2 on the week. Podcast host Matt Perrault is looking to finish in positive territory by backing an NBA underdog — in this case, the Memphis Grizzlies +7 at home against the Phoenix Suns.
The Grizzlies are without superstar Ja Morant, while several other key players — including Desmond Bane, Steven Adams, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Tyus Jone — are likely to sit out. Still, Perrault believes oddsmakers have overadjusted the point spread, especially considering Phoenix is the road team.
“Both teams are 9-1 in their last 10 games,” Perrault said. “Give me the points [with Memphis].”
Podcast co-host Dave Sharapan usually leans toward home underdogs. And this situation is no exception.
“You know how I feel about that +7 spread,” Sharapan said. “I’m good with it. We are taking the points.”
Even though the Grizzlies are expected to be shorthanded on Friday, they still have several players who can keep this one close. De’Anthony Melton, Dillon Brooks, and Brandon Clarke have been playing quality basketball for Memphis over the last few weeks. That group will need to step up even more Friday to compete with the reigning Western Conference Champions, who are riding a nine-game winning streak.
If you’re looking to tail this best bet, you can find Memphis +7 at -110 juice at Caesars Sportsbook.
Perrault listed four other bets he likes during Friday’s Bostonian vs. The Book podcast — two NBA sides, one college basketball side, and one NHL total. You can listen to the replay on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.
NBA Prop: G Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics)
The bet: Over 6.5 assists (vs. Indiana)
The odds: -125
Where to bet: DraftKings Sportsbook
From: Jim Barnes via Friday NBA Props
Another day, another NBA props Best Bets winner, as Detroit’s Marvin Bagley III snared eight rebounds in Thursday’s upset of the 76ers, barely getting Over his 7.5 rebound total. That’s now 15 of 19 winners with NBA Prop Best Bets!
For Friday, we’re going back to the proverbial well. Simply put, sportsbooks have not caught up to the recent strong play of Celtics floor leader Marcus Smart.
Smart is averaging only 5.8 assists per game for the season, but he has had seven or more dimes in six of his past seven outings. (And the only game he fell short of seven assists came at Toronto on Monday, when Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were out, forcing Smart to shoulder more of the offensive load — which he did, pouring in 28 points.)
Also, Boston has lost two straight for the first time since Jan. 21 but now gets to face the perfect streak-buster in the Pacers. Indiana has lost five straight and has allowed 125 points or more in each of the past four. That includes a pair of road losses by 30-plus points (133-103 at Memphis; 131-91 at Toronto).
This all indicates a big offensive night is coming for the Celtics, and Smart should be right in the middle of it, setting up teammates from start to finish. Bet him to go Over 6.5 assists yet again.
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NHL Prop: C Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay Lightning)
The bet: Score anytime goal (vs. Chicago)
The odds: +115
Where to bet: DraftKings Sportsbook
From: Dan Bradley via Friday NHL Props
The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning surprisingly have been better on the road this season than at home. The Bolts score 3.44 goals per game as a visitor, compared with 3.10 per game in their own barn.
Still, that shouldn’t scare you away from betting on Steven Stamkos to light the lamp Friday in front of the home fans. Stamkos and the Lightning had Thursday night off while the Blackhawks got trounced as they so often do, this time 4-0 by the Panthers.
Stamkos has 30 goals in 65 games this season, including tallies in three of his last five. The latter stat suggests the 32-year-old veteran is catching fire at just the right time of the year.
Chicago has allowed 3.4 goals per game in its last 10 roadies. And for the season, the Blackhawks are yielding 3.36 goals per game on the second leg of a back-to-back. Tampa Bay played Chicago in this exact situation on March 6 and rolled to a 6-3 victory.
Stamkos merely had an assist in that one. Expect him to up the ante Friday and put one in the net against a worn-down Blackhawks squad.
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NBA Prop: PG Chris Paul (Phoenix Suns)
The bet: Over 14.5 points (at Memphis)
The odds: -120
Where to bet: FanDuel
From: BetPrep Prop of the Day via BetPrep.com
The BetPrep crew has notched back-to-back wins, as Nets superstar Kevin Durant obliterated his 5.5 assist total Thursday while finishing with 11 dimes.
For Friday, the folks at BetPrep turn their attention to a Western Conference All-Star, betting Chris Paul Over 14.5 points in a heavyweight battle against Memphis.
Jena Garcia checks in with the rationale for this BetPrep Best Bet:
@betprops Props.com Prop of the Day for April 1st! We promise you this isn’t an April fools prank. @vidavivadiva #props #GameTok #propbetting #sports #sportsbetting #sportsbook #fanduel #bettingtiktok #sportstalk #bets #money #betresponsibly #playerprops #sportsbettingtiktok #fyp
The best place to bet this prop is FanDuel, where you can still grab Paul Over 14.5 points at -120.
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