Staff Writer

Best NBA prop bets April 3: Bet on Edwards, Wagner and Grimes on Thursday

I’ve got three prop bets from Thursday’s six-game NBA slate.

The pregame narrative: Philadelphia’s Quentin Grimes has been one of the league’s biggest late-season surprises and should stay hot against the Milwaukee Bucks. I’m also backing Franz Wagner and Anthony Edwards to show out.

Check out the best NBA prop bets for April 3.

NBA prop bets

Best Bet: Grimes over 23.5 points (-118)

Bettors should be eyeing Grimes’ point total on a nightly basis. Sometimes the number is a little rich for my blood, but not here.

The 76ers have shut down Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid for the season, and Grimes has filled that void. Check out what he’s done since the beginning of March:

26.6 PPG
50.0 FG%
39.2 3PT%
20+ points in 12/15 games
25+ points in 11/15 games

In that span, Grimes is leading all Sixers in minutes (34.7) and field-goal attempts (18.8) per game.

And tonight, he gets to play a Bucks team which is horrible at containing opposing PGs.

Key stat: Milwaukee is allowing the second-most PPG to point guards, according to Fantasy Pros.

Best NBA picks

Wagner over 10.5 rebounds and assists (-106): The Orlando Magic (14-point favourites) are poised to blow out the Washington Wizards tonight.

I want in on the action and think this is a great way to back Wagner, whose inconsistent shooting makes him an undesirable target on scoring-related markets.

Orlando’s small forward is averaging 5.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists this season and has cleared this mark in seven of his last eight games.

That includes an outing against the Wizards on March 21, where he logged eight rebounds and five assists in 24 minutes of play.

He’s 3-0 against this line vs. Washington this year.

The Wizards are allowing the sixth-most rebounds (8.38) and second-most assists (4.82) per game to SFs over the last 30 days, per Fantasy Pros.

Edwards over 3.5 threes (-122): I’m hoping Edwards isn’t too tired after a herculean 50-minute effort against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday.

The shooting guard scored 34 points and canned five threes in a double-overtime victory. That marked the third straight game where he’s cleared this total and attempted at least 10 threes.

Edwards attempts (10.2) and makes (4.0) the second-most 3s per game and draws an exploitable matchup against the Brooklyn Nets tonight.

Brooklyn allows the 13th-most 3s per game to shooting guards.

NBA prop picks made at 9:15 a.m. ET on 04/03/2025.

Alexander Ovechkin odds to break NHL goal record: Capitals star ties Wayne Gretzky’s mark, chance to break it on Sunday

Alexander Ovechkin has tied Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goals record.

The pregame narrative: The Great 8 fired home a pair of goals on Friday night against the Chicago Blackhawks and sits shoulder-and-shoulder with Gretzky for the most all time with 894. With only six games left, it’s a matter of when Ovechkin will have that title to himself.

Check out the latest Ovechkin goal record odds below.

Ovechkin goal record odds

Note: Betting lines are unavailable as of 12:30 p.m. on April 5.

When Gretzky retired, all of his records seemed untouchable. Now, Ovechkin is one goal away from dethroning him as the league’s all-time leading goalscorer.

The “Great Eight” was shot out of a cannon to start the season, burying 15 goals in 18 games before breaking his fibula on Nov. 18. When that happened, it seemed hockey fans would have to wait another season to see the unthinkable.

But Ovechkin isn’t a typical 39-year-old.

He somehow only missed 16 games and picked up right where he left off, scoring 26 goals in his last 42 games, scoring this goal agianst the Blackhawks to make history:

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1908330325085659569

Ovechkin has six chances to pass the Great One before the playoffs start.

How will Ovechkin pass Gretzky?

If you want to bet on how Ovechkin to pass Gretzky, there are some plus-money options available.

You can back No. 8 to score at even strength or on the power play, or pick the team he will do it against.

Full list of teams and complete Ovechkin betting markets.

Ovechkin’s next shot will be against the New York Islanders on April 6.

NHL odds as of 12:30 p.m. on 04/05/25.

Premier League predictions Matchday 30: Bet on Crystal Palace to win, Cole Palmer to perform vs. Tottenham

I’ve got two bets as the Premier League returns from international break.

The pregame narrative: Crystal Palace has been one of the hottest teams in the Premiership and is in a good spot to dominate Southampton on Wednesday. After that, look for Cole Palmer to score for Chelsea against its rival Tottenham on Thursday.

Check out the best Premier League predictions for Matchday 30.

Premier League predictions

Go to full Premier League betting markets.

Best Bet: Crystal Palace HT/FT (+125)

Let’s hope the international break didn’t cool off Crystal Palace.

The Eagles are a middling 12th in the table but entered the break winning four of their last five, with decisive victories over Manchester United (2-0), Fulham (2-0) and Aston Villa (4-1).

Now, they get to go up against a Southampton side destined for relegation.

The Saints are last in the league with just nine points in 29 games (2-3-24).

Southampton has conceded 70 goals and has a -49 goal differential (both last in EPL).

It has also conceded a league-worst 69.6 xG, according to FotMob. That is 11.3 more than Ipswich Town, which is second last.

Palace didn’t suffer any injuries over the three-week hiatus and should be itching to get back on the horse against an awful team.

Key stat: Southampton is 1-1-12 at home this season and has been outscored 13-3 in its last five home fixtures.

Quick pick

Palmer to score or assist (+105): I was thinking about backing Chelsea to win at -154 but will instead look to Palmer on the prop market.

Mo Salah is lapping the Premier League with 27 goals this season, but Palmer is right in line with the best of the rest.

Palmer is seventh in the EPL with 14 goals.
His 15.2 xG ranks fourth.

This might seem like a bad time to back the Englishman, who is ice cold after failing to record a goal or assist in 10 straight games for Chelsea across all competitions.

But Tottenham has been a defensive wreck this year, conceding the fourth-most xG (49.2) in the EPL.

Palmer scored a brace against Spurs earlier this year at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Premier League predictions made at 12:53 p.m. on 04/01/25.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets SGP predictions April 1: Bet on Minnesota to win behind Anthony Edwards

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets close out Tuesday’s seven-game NBA slate.

The pregame narrative: Minnesota is perfect against Denver this season after eliminating the Nuggets in last season’s playoffs. I expect the T-Wolves to sweep the season series tonight behind superstar Anthony Edwards.

Check out my Timberwolves vs. Nuggets SGP predictions for April 1.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets predictions

Parlay: Timberwolves moneyline | Edwards 3+ threes | Under 245.5 points (+295)

Embed: #112050

Timberwolves moneyline (+130): There’s some injury uncertainty on Denver’s side of things. Nikola Jokic is probable, while Aaron Gordon (calf) and Jamal Murray (ankle) are listed as questionable per the NBA’s 3:30 p.m. ET injury report.

The availability of those three will impact this line, but let’s assume they’re all playing.

Minnesota is 3-0 against Denver this season, most recently handing the Nuggets a 115-95 loss on March 12. That game was in Denver, with all of the Nuggets’ big names in the lineup.

And since that contest, the Nuggets are an uninspiring 5-4 with losses to the Washington Wizards, Portland Trail Blazers and Chicago Bulls.

The Timberwolves are missing some bench depth as Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid are suspended, but I don’t think that’ll matter much.

Denver ranks 27th in bench points per game, and Minnesota shouldn’t lose those minutes handily.

NBA SGP legs

Edwards 3+ threes (-265): Edwards is coming off an inconsistent March where he averaged 26.6 points on 45.9% shooting.

It wasn’t his best work, though he was still reliable against this total:

3.5 makes on 9.9 attempts a night
3+ threes in 10 of 14 games
10+ attempts in 9 of 14 games

The dynamic shooting guard is coming off back-to-back outings where he shot 4-of-10 from deep. He’s had success against the Nuggets before and should keep firing tonight.

Edwards is 3-0 against this line vs. Denver this season, shooting a combined 15-of-34 (44.1%) from beyond the arc.

Under 245.5 points (-385): None of the three meetings between Minnesota and Denver this season went over this total — not even close, actually.

The highest scoring game was a 133-104 win by Minnesota, and the average game total was 227.3 points.

Including last year’s playoff games, these squads have gone under this total in 14 straight games. Only three of those contests eclipsed 230 combined points.

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets predictions made at 3:35 p.m. ET 04/01/2025.

Premier League predictions Matchday 30: Bet on Crystal Palace to win, Cole Palmer to perform vs. Tottenham

I’ve got two bets as the Premier League returns from international break.

The pregame narrative: Crystal Palace has been one of the hottest teams in the Premiership and is in a good spot to dominate Southampton on Wednesday. After that, look for Cole Palmer to contribute to a goal for Chelsea against its rival Tottenham on Thursday.

Check out the best Premier League predictions for Matchday 30.

Premier League predictions

Go to full Premier League betting markets.

Best Bet: Crystal Palace HT/FT (+148)

Embed: #111962

Let’s hope the international break didn’t cool off Crystal Palace.

The Eagles are a middling 12th in the table but entered the break winning four of their last five, with decisive victories over Manchester United (2-0), Fulham (2-0) and Aston Villa (4-1).

Now, they get to go up against a Southampton side destined for relegation.

The Saints are last in the league with just nine points in 29 games (2-3-24).

Southampton has conceded 70 goals and has a -49 goal differential (both last in EPL).

It has also conceded a league-worst 69.6 xG, according to FotMob. That is 11.3 more than Ipswich Town, which is second last.

Palace didn’t suffer any injuries over the three-week hiatus and should be itching to get back on the horse against an awful team.

Key stat: Southampton is 1-1-12 at home this season and has been outscored 13-3 in its last five home fixtures.

Quick pick

Palmer to score or assist (-143): I was thinking about backing Chelsea to win at this price but will instead look to Palmer on the prop market.

Mo Salah is lapping the Premier League with 44 goal contributions this season, but Palmer is right in line with the best of the rest.

Palmer is fifth in the EPL with 20 goal contributions. That puts him four contributions behind Erling Haaland and Alexander Isak, who are tied for second.
His 22.6 xG + xA is tied for second with Haaland (Salah has 29.2).

This might seem like a bad time to back the Englishman, who is ice cold after failing to record a goal or assist in 10 straight games for Chelsea across all competitions.

But Tottenham has been a defensive wreck this year, conceding the fourth-most xG (49.2) in the EPL.

Palmer scored a brace against Spurs earlier this year at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Premier League predictions made at 12:53 p.m. on 04/01/25.

Raptors vs. Bulls SGP predictions April 1: Bet on Toronto ATS, Scottie Barnes at +330

The Toronto Raptors look for a fifth-straight win when they play the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.

The pregame narrative: Toronto is fighting ’til the bitter end, unlike some other teams in the NBA. I’ll back the Raps to cover an alternate spread alongside prop bets on Scottie Barnes and Coby White in this +330 SGP.

Check out my Raptors vs. Bulls SGP predictions for April 1.

Raptors vs. Bulls predictions

Parlay: Raptors +8.5 | Barnes 6+ rebounds | White 25+ points (+330)

Embed: #111953

Raptors +8.5 (-200): Almost every time I craft a Raptors SGP, it begins with backing them to cover an alternate spread. Why? Well, just take a look at how they’ve performed this season:

39-24-1 ATS as an underdog
21-14 ATS as a road underdog

Toronto has covered a +8.5 spread in 13 of its last 16 games, winning 10 of those contests outright. Clearly, the players aren’t getting the memo that this is supposed to be a tank job.

With Barnes, Immanuel Quickley and Jakob Poeltl in the lineup, there should be more than enough star power to keep this close.

Chicago is 5-7 ATS as a home favourite this season.

NBA SGP legs

Barnes 6+ rebounds (-230): This should be a cinch for Barnes.

Toronto’s power forward is averaging 7.8 rebounds per game this season and has been consistent against this line since the all-star break:

6+ rebounds in 13 of 18 games
Cashed in five of his last six

The Bulls are a below-average team on the glass, ranking 20th in rebounding rate, per NBA.com.

Barnes recorded eight and 10 rebounds in his two meetings against Chicago this season.

White 25+ points (-105): White is coming off a stinker against the Oklahoma City Thunder last night, scoring seven points on 2-of-5 shooting.

But OKC is a historically good defensive team, and he was red-hot before then.

White averaged 28.8 PPG in 15 games before Monday, scoring at least 20 points in each of those contests. He was 11-4 against this line and landed on exactly 24 points twice; that’s pretty consistent if you ask me.

Toronto is giving up the eighth-most PPG to opposing shooting guards this season, per Fantasy Pros.

Raptors vs. Bulls predictions made at 11:35 a.m. ET 04/01/2025.

Best NBA prop bets April 1: Back OG Anunoby and Paolo Banchero on Tuesday

Paolo Banchero and OG Anunoby headline Tuesday’s NBA prop bets.

The pregame narrative: Banchero and Anunoby stuffed the stat sheet in March, and I expect them to start April on the right foot. Also, bet on Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels to clear a modest point total.

Check out the best NBA prop bets for April 1.

NBA prop bets

Best Bet: Banchero over 12.5 rebounds and assists (-105)

Embed: #111958

Banchero played at an MVP level in March after a tough start to 2025, giving Magic fans some hope that they could make noise in the playoffs.

29.8 PPG
7.6 RPG
4.4 APG
49.4% shooting

Tonight, Orlando plays a San Antonio Spurs team that has cratered after losing Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox for the season.

San Antonio had the worst defensive rating in March. It has also allowed the second-most rebounds (11.15) and most assists (5.84) per game to power forwards in the last 30 days, per Fantasy Pros.

Orlando is a 4-point road favourite, and I expect Banchero to get plenty of run in what should be a close game.

Key stat: Banchero is 6-4 against this line in his last 10 games, with 10+ RA in nine of those contests.

Best NBA picks

Anunoby over 22.5 points (-115): Jalen Brunson is nearing a return, but it won’t be tonight.

That means there’s an opportunity to target Anunoby, who has been lights out for the New York Knicks in his absence.

In 12 games since March 7 (when Brunson went down with an injury), the forward is averaging 22.8 points.

Anunoby has cleared this mark in six straight games and is averaging 30.5 points on 59.0% shooting in his last four outings.

There is blowout potential tonight as the Knicks are 14.5-point favourites against the Philadelphia 76ers.

But it’s not like Tom Thibodeau is known for resting his stars. In fact, Anunoby just played 37 minutes in a 17-point blowout win on Sunday.

Daniels over 13.5 points (-125): This line isn’t asking much of Daniels, who has been very consistent following the all-star break.

14.5 PPG
51.7% shooting
10+ points in 16/19 games
14+ points 10/19 games

Daniels is coming off a 22-point outing against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday and gets a Portland Trail Blazers team allowing the sixth-most PPG to opposing shooting guards this season.

NBA prop picks made at 12:20 p.m. ET on 04/01/2025.

Best NBA prop bets April 1: Back OG Anunoby and Paolo Banchero on Tuesday

Paolo Banchero and OG Anunoby headline Tuesday’s NBA prop bets.

The pregame narrative: Banchero and Anunoby stuffed the stat sheet in March, and I expect them to start April on the right foot. Also, bet on Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels to clear a modest point total.

Check out the best NBA prop bets for April 1.

NBA prop bets

Best Bet: Banchero over 11.5 rebounds and assists (-134)

Banchero played at an MVP level in March after a tough start to 2025, giving Magic fans some hope that they could make noise in the playoffs.

29.8 PPG
7.6 RPG
4.4 APG
49.4% shooting

Tonight, Orlando plays a San Antonio Spurs team that has cratered after losing Victor Wembanyama and De’Aaron Fox for the season.

San Antonio had the worst defensive rating in March. It has also allowed the second-most rebounds (11.15) and most assists (5.84) per game to power forwards in the last 30 days, per Fantasy Pros.

Orlando is a 4-point road favourite, and I expect Banchero to get plenty of run in what should be a close game.

Key stat: Banchero is 7-3 against this line in his last 10 games, with 10+ RA in nine of those contests.

Best NBA picks

Anunoby over 22.5 points (-130): Jalen Brunson is nearing a return, but it won’t be tonight.

That means there’s an opportunity to target Anunoby, who has been lights out for the New York Knicks in his absence.

In 12 games since March 7 (when Brunson went down with an injury), the forward is averaging 22.8 points.

Anunoby has cleared this mark in six straight games and is averaging 30.5 points on 59.0% shooting in his last four outings.

There is blowout potential tonight as the Knicks are 14.5-point favourites against the Philadelphia 76ers.

But it’s not like Tom Thibodeau is known for resting his stars. In fact, Anunoby just played 37 minutes in a 17-point blowout win on Sunday.

Daniels over 14.5 points (-120): This line isn’t asking much of Daniels, who has been very consistent following the all-star break.

14.5 PPG
51.7% shooting
10+ points in 16/19 games
14+ points 10/19 games

Daniels is coming off a 22-point outing against the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday and gets a Portland Trail Blazers team allowing the sixth-most PPG to opposing shooting guards this season.

NBA prop picks made at 9:31 a.m. ET on 04/01/2025.

Texas Tech vs. Florida Elite Eight prop bets: Bet on Alijah Martin and Darrion Williams

The Texas Tech Red Raiders and Florida Gators kick off the Elite Eight on Saturday.

The pregame narrative: Florida was my pick to win it all, and I expect the Gators to advance in a tough matchup with Alijah Martin filling the basket. On the other end, bet on Texas Tech’s Darrion Williams to do the same.

Check out the best Texas Tech vs. Florida prop bets for March 29.

Texas Tech vs. Florida prop bets

Best Bet: Martin over 13.5 points (-130)

Walter Clayton Jr. is Florida’s top dog — there’s no disputing that.

But Martin is exactly what a championship team needs, a steady No. 2 who hits his shots and takes care of the basketball.

The senior guard is averaging 14.6 PPG this season and has turned up the heat since conference tournament play began:

15.3 PPG
55.0% shooting
5-1 vs. this line

Martin just cleared this line in the Sweet 16, scoring 14 points on 4-of-10 shooting.

The Texas Tech Red Raiders will prioritize stopping Clayton, and I’m hoping that results in quality looks for Martin.

Key stat: Martin has scored 10+ points in nine straight games, clearing this line six times.

Best March Madness picks

Williams over 15.5 points (-106): Teams have thrown the kitchen sink at slowing down Texas Tech’s JT Toppin, and the Big 12 Player of the Year has been happy to defer to Williams.

Toppin led the Red Raiders in points and field goal attempts per game during the regular season, but Williams has taken centre stage in the tournament:

Toppin stats: 19.0 PPG, 13.0 FGA/game
Williams stats: 20.3 PPG, 19.7 FGA/game

Williams has been nowhere near as efficient as Toppin, but he’s letting it fly, which I love to see. The 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward has scored 20-plus points in back-to-back games.

If you’re looking to poke holes in Florida’s defence, you could say it fouls a lot (17.4/game, 221st in D-1).

Williams gets to the line often and is shooting an exceptional 84.1% from the stripe this year.

Texas Tech vs. Florida prop picks made at 4:30 p.m. ET on 03/28/2025.

Texas Tech vs. Florida Elite Eight SGP predictions: Back Gators to win, Martin to score at +310

The Texas Tech Red Raiders and Florida Gators kick off the Elite Eight on Saturday.

The pregame narrative: Florida was my pick to win it all, and I’ll stick with the Gators to advance in a tough matchup. Prop bets on Darrion Williams (Texas Tech) and Alijah Martin (Florida) round out this +310 wager.

Check out my Texas Tech vs. Florida SGP predictions for their Elite Eight matchup on March 29.

Texas Tech vs. Florida predictions

Parlay: Florida moneyline | Martin over 13.5 points | Williams over 22.5 points/rebounds (+310)

Embed: #111865

Florida moneyline (-315): I’m not just backing the Gators because my bracket’s life depends on it. Florida is a really good team with star power up and down its lineup.

Led by first-team All-American Walter Clayton Jr., the Gators rank second in KenPom’s adjusted offensive efficiency.
They’ve won nine straight games while averaging 91.3 PPG. Eight of those contests were against Quad 1 opponents.
Florida also ranks ninth in adjusted defensive efficiency. The only other team in the nation to rank top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency is Duke.

Texas Tech is no pushover, but it hasn’t faced an opponent like Florida in this tournament.

The Red Raiders have beaten UNC Wilmington (No. 14), Drake (No. 11) and Arkansas (No. 10), with their Sweet 16 matchup against the Razorbacks requiring overtime.

Grant McCasland’s group is also 4-5 vs. Quad 1A teams this year, per Bart Torvik.

NCAA SGP legs

Martin over 13.5 points (-180): Containing Clayton will be priority No. 1 for the Red Raiders, and I’m hoping that will open up opportunities for Martin.

Florida’s fifth-year senior guard has been a steady contributor this season, averaging 14.6 PPG. And he’s been buzzing since the Gators started conference tournament play:

15.3 PPG
55.0% shooting
5-1 vs. this line

Martin has cleared this line in all three tournament games, most recently dropping 14 points in the Sweet 16 against the Maryland Terrapins (sixth-best defensive efficiency in D-1).

Williams over 22.5 points/rebounds (-106): Teams have thrown the kitchen sink at slowing down Texas Tech’s JT Toppin, and the Big 12 Player of the Year has been happy to defer to Williams.

Toppin led the Red Raiders in points and field goal attempts per game during the regular season, but Williams has taken centre stage in the tournament:

Toppin stats: 19.0 PPG, 13.0 FGA/game
Williams stats: 20.3 PPG, 19.7 FGA/game

Williams has been nowhere near as efficient as Toppin, but he’s letting it fly, which I love to see.

The 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward has also been a beast on the glass, hauling in 8.0 rebounds per game. He is 2-1 against this line in tournament play, finishing with 21 points/rebounds in the outlier.

If you’re looking to poke holes in Florida’s defence, you could say it fouls a lot (17.4/game, 221st in D-1).

Williams gets to the line often and is shooting an exceptional 84.1% from the stripe this year.

Texas Tech vs. Florida predictions made at 3:45 p.m. on 03/28/25