Staff Writer

Best NBA prop bets March 1: Back Giannis Antetokounmpo, fade Cade Cunningham

Giannis Antetokounmpo headlines Saturday’s NBA prop bets.

The pregame narrative: The Greek Freak gets an injury-riddled Dallas Mavericks team, which is bad news for Dallas and good news for us. Earlier on, back Fred VanVleet against the Sacramento Kings and fade Cade Cunningham against the Brooklyn Nets.

Check out the best NBA prop bets for March 1.

NBA prop bets

Best bet: Antetokounmpo over 42.5 points and rebounds (-110)

Embed: #110505

This is a big number but I expect Antetokounmpo to completely smash it.

The Mavericks are missing the following players on Saturday:

Anthony Davis (6-foot-10)
Daniel Gafford (6-foot-10)
Dereck Lively (7-foot-1)

Newly-acquired Moses Brown will start at centre, and while the 7-footer is a physical upgrade from the likes of Kessler Edwards and Dwight Powell, he’s incapable of defending a player like Giannis.

The journeyman centre has 45 NBA starts across five seasons with nine different teams — 32 of those came in his sophomore season with the tanking Oklahoma City Thunder.

Brown is getting thrown into the fire against a two-time MVP averaging 30.9 points and 12.1 rebounds per game.

This is an A-plus matchup and all we need is for Giannis to have an average night.

The Greek Freak just put up 28 points and 19 rebounds against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. Imagine what he can do against Brown and Co.

Key stat: Giannis is 5-5 against this line in his last 10 games with 39 and 41 P/R performances mixed in.

Best NBA picks

VanVleet over 2.5 threes (-125): VanVleet is set to return on Saturday after missing 11 games with an ankle injury.

I’m typically hesitant to back players coming off an injury but can make an exception tonight.

VanVleet won’t be playing on a minutes restriction, according to head coach Ime Udoka, and gets one of the worst perimeter defences in the NBA.

Ime Udoka tells @SportsMT that Fred VanVleet won't be on any minutes or back-to-back restrictions.

"That's why we held him out a little bit longer, to avoid certain things. He didn't want to come back for a game and then have to miss another one, or be on restrictions." https://t.co/z2HOSddYBX
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 1, 2025

Sacramento is allowing opponents to shoot 37.9% from deep (29th out of 30 teams) and is giving up the seventh-most 3s to PGs in the last 30 days.

VanVleet is averaging 7.9 three-point attempts this year and has cleared this mark in two of his last four games against the Kings.

Cunningham under 30.5 points and rebounds (-137): This feels like a good spot to fade Cunningham as the red-hot Detroit Pistons host the Nets.

Detroit has won eight of its last nine and is a 10.5-point home favourite while playing on a back-to-back.

If there were ever a game to manage Cunningham’s minutes, it would be tonight with some blowout potential mixed in.

The point guard is coming off a stinker against the Nuggets, posting 11 points, three rebounds and five assists in 28 minutes on Friday.

He’s gone under this mark in back-to-back games and three of his last five.

Brooklyn has allowed the sixth-fewest points and third-fewest rebounds to PGs over the last 30 days. On the season it’s allowed the 13th-fewest points and fifth-fewest boards to PGs.

Picks made at 10:54 a.m. ET on 03/01/2025.

Best NBA prop bets March 1: Back Giannis Antetokounmpo, fade Cade Cunningham

Giannis Antetokounmpo headlines Saturday’s NBA prop bets.

The pregame narrative: The Greek Freak gets an injury-riddled Dallas Mavericks team, which is bad news for Dallas and good news for us. Earlier on, back Fred VanVleet against the Sacramento Kings and fade Cade Cunningham against the Brooklyn Nets.

Check out the best NBA prop bets for March 1.

NBA prop bets

Best bet: Antetokounmpo over 41.5 points and rebounds (-110)

This is a big number but I expect Antetokounmpo to completely smash it.

The Mavericks are missing the following players on Saturday:

Anthony Davis (6-foot-10)
Daniel Gafford (6-foot-10)
Dereck Lively (7-foot-1)

Newly-acquired Moses Brown will start at centre, and while the 7-footer is a physical upgrade from the likes of Kessler Edwards and Dwight Powell, he’s incapable of defending a player like Giannis.

The journeyman centre has 45 NBA starts across five seasons with nine different teams — 32 of those came in his sophomore season with the tanking Oklahoma City Thunder.

Brown is getting thrown into the fire against a two-time MVP averaging 30.9 points and 12.1 rebounds per game.

This is an A-plus matchup and all we need is for Giannis to have an average night.

The Greek Freak just put up 28 points and 19 rebounds against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. Imagine what he can do against Brown and Co.

Key stat: Giannis is 5-5 against this line in his last 10 games with 39 and 41 P/R performances mixed in.

Best NBA picks

VanVleet over 2.5 threes (-134): VanVleet is set to return on Saturday after missing 11 games with an ankle injury.

I’m typically hesitant to back players coming off an injury but can make an exception tonight.

VanVleet won’t be playing on a minutes restriction, according to head coach Ime Udoka, and gets one of the worst perimeter defences in the NBA.

Ime Udoka tells @SportsMT that Fred VanVleet won't be on any minutes or back-to-back restrictions.

"That's why we held him out a little bit longer, to avoid certain things. He didn't want to come back for a game and then have to miss another one, or be on restrictions." https://t.co/z2HOSddYBX
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) March 1, 2025

Sacramento is allowing opponents to shoot 37.9% from deep (29th out of 30 teams) and is giving up the seventh-most 3s to PGs in the last 30 days.

VanVleet is averaging 7.9 three-point attempts this year and has cleared this mark in two of his last four games against the Kings.

Cunningham under 30.5 points and rebounds (-108): This feels like a good spot to fade Cunningham as the red-hot Detroit Pistons host the Nets.

Detroit has won eight of its last nine and is a 10.5-point home favourite while playing on a back-to-back.

If there were ever a game to manage Cunningham’s minutes, it would be tonight with some blowout potential mixed in.

The point guard is coming off a stinker against the Nuggets, posting 11 points, three rebounds and five assists in 28 minutes on Friday.

He’s gone under this mark in back-to-back games and three of his last five.

Brooklyn has allowed the sixth-fewest points and third-fewest rebounds to PGs over the last 30 days. On the season it’s allowed the 13th-fewest points and fifth-fewest boards to PGs.

Picks made at 10:40 a.m. ET on 03/01/2025.

Prop bets and predictions for FA Cup fifth round: Back Alexander Isak and Ilkay Gundogan

I’m backing two players to produce in this weekend’s FA Cup fifth-round matches.

The pregame narrative: Alexander Isak is playing at an elite level for Newcastle United and I like him to make a goal contribution against Brighton on Sunday. Before that, back Ilkay Gundogan to record a shot on target for Manchester City.

Check out the best FA Cup prop bets for the fifth round.

FA Cup prop bets

Go to full FA Cup betting markets.

Best Bet: Isak to score or give an assist (-136)

Isak snapped a three-game goalless drought with a brace against Nottingham Forest on Feb. 23, marking his third this calendar year.

The Swedish striker now has 16 goals in his last 16 starts across all competitions with three assists mixed in. Isak has cashed this bet 11 times in that span and is making a strong case to be the No. 3 player in the EPL behind Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland.

Check out how he stacks up against the rest of the Premiership, with stats provided by FotMob:

24 goals+assists (second)
19 goals (third)
15.1 xG (third)
0.83 xG + xA per 90 (third)

Isak is a threat whenever he’s on the pitch and is in a good spot to produce at home against Brighton.

The Seagulls rank a middling 11th in xG conceded (38.6) in the EPL. They’ve allowed an average of 1.71 goals in 14 road games across all competitions.

Key stat: Isak was held off the score sheet against Brighton earlier this year but had seven shots, four of which found the target.

Quick pick

Gundogan over 0.5 shots on target (+132): The FA Cup is Manchester City’s last hope at hardware this season, and it should at least reach the quarterfinal given its fifth-round draw.

The Citizens take on Plymouth Argyle F.C., which sit 22nd in the Championship and are in danger of relegation to Football League One.

Plymouth has conceded 68 goals, which is by far the most of any Championship side.

Gundogan isn’t the player he used to be, but chances should be plentiful for anyone wearing the Sky Blue on Saturday.

The 34-year-old German national is well-rested after coming off the bench in each of City’s last two fixtures. One shot on target isn’t asking much.

Picks made at 3:38 p.m. on 02/28/25.

Knicks vs. Grizzlies same-game parlay predictions Feb. 28: Bet on Ja Morant and Jalen Brunson to produce

The Memphis Grizzlies and New York Knicks meet in a marquee matchup on Friday night.

The pregame narrative: Ja Morant and Jalen Brunson are two of the most electrifying point guards in the NBA and both should contribute tonight. This +310 SGP comprises prop bets on them and the under on a teased-up game total.

Check out my Knicks vs. Grizzlies same-game parlay predictions for Feb. 28.

Knicks vs. Grizzlies predictions

Parlay: Morant 20+ points | Brunson 7+ assists | Under 249.5 points (+310)

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Morant 20+ points (-275): I seriously debated backing Morant over 1.5 threes (-124) but just couldn’t do it.

The point guard is putting up enough 3-point bricks to build homes lately. Morant is shooting 27.1% from deep this month and went 1-for-12 on Tuesday — but that didn’t stop him from dropping 29 points against the Phoenix Suns.

Even with his 3-point struggles, Morant has cleared this line in six of his last eight games.

And if there was a team for him to get right against, it would be the Knicks:

New York ranks last in opponent 3-point percentage.
The Knicks are allowing the third-most PPG to point guards in the last 30 days, according to Fantasy Pros.

Morant should cruise to 20 points in this matchup and has an opportunity to go nuclear if he finds his 3-point stroke.

Other SGP legs

Brunson 7+ assists (-152): Now to Brunson, who has taken a step back as a scorer with the acquisitions of Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns.

It’s not a huge step back, mind you, but he’s averaging 2.6 fewer points and 3.0 fewer field goal attempts per game this year compared to last.

He’s also tallying 7.4 assists per game — up from 6.7 last year.

Brunson has a nice matchup against a Grizzlies team allowing the fourth-most assists per game to PGs over the last 30 days.

The point guard had six assists in just 26 minutes against Memphis on Jan. 27.

Under 249.5 points (-186): Brunson only played 26 minutes in last month’s game because New York rolled to a 143-106 victory at Madison Square Garden.

That fell just under this total and I expect a more defensively-minded affair on Friday.

New York has gone under this mark in 11 of its last 12 games dating back to its meeting with Memphis.
The Grizzlies have gone over this mark in back-to-back games but went under it in 10 of 11 games prior.

Memphis owns the fifth best home defensive rating in basketball, so I can’t see New York putting up a gaudy total.

Picks made at 1:20 p.m. on 02/28/25.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Rangers Feb. 28: Back Auston Matthews to produce

The red-hot Toronto Maple Leafs head to New York to battle the Rangers on Friday.

The pregame narrative: Toronto’s offence has been humming since the league returned to action following the 4 Nations Face-Off. I’m looking at Auston Matthews to capitalize against a struggling Rangers squad.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. the Rangers for Feb. 28.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Rangers

Best bet: Matthews over 3.5 shots (-143)

Matthews has been snake-bitten this month, scoring just one goal — on an empty net — across seven NHL games while going goalless in the 4 Nations Face-Off.

But it hasn’t been for lack of trying.

Matthews has logged 4+ shots in 5 of 7 NHL games this month.
He had four shots against Canada in the 4 Nations Final.

Toronto’s captain has cleared this line in consecutive games and was flying around during the third period and overtime against the Boston Bruins, hitting the crossbar late and providing the game-winning assist to Mitch Marner.

With Igor Shesterkin struggling, tonight seems like a good spot for him to get off the schneid. But I’ll opt for the over on his shot total just to be safe.

The Rangers have been a horrible defensive team all season, giving up the fourth-most shots (30.41) and sixth-most chances (62.04) on a 60-minute basis, according to Natural Stat Trick.

New York has allowed 37 and 40 shots in its last two games.

Key stat: Matthews recorded a season-high nine shots in his lone meeting with the Rangers this season.

Picks made at 11:29 a.m. ET 02/28/2025.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Rangers Feb. 28: Back Auston Matthews, Morgan Rielly to produce

The red-hot Toronto Maple Leafs head to New York to battle the Rangers on Friday.

The pregame narrative: Toronto’s offence has been humming since the league returned to action following the 4 Nations Face-Off. I’m looking at Auston Matthews and Morgan Rielly to capitalize against a struggling Rangers squad.

Check out my Maple Leafs prop picks vs. the Rangers for Feb. 28.

Maple Leafs prop picks vs. Rangers

Best bet: Matthews over 3.5 shots (-130)

Embed: #110414

Matthews has been snake-bitten this month, scoring just one goal — on an empty net — across seven NHL games while going goalless in the 4 Nations Face-Off.

But it hasn’t been for lack of trying.

Matthews has logged 4+ shots in 5 of 7 NHL games this month.
He had four shots against Canada in the 4 Nations Final.

Toronto’s captain has cleared this line in consecutive games and was flying around during the third period and overtime against the Boston Bruins, hitting the crossbar late and providing the game-winning assist to Mitch Marner.

With Igor Shesterkin struggling (more on that later), tonight seems like a good spot for him to get off the schneid. But I’ll opt for the over on his shot total just to be safe.

The Rangers have been a horrible defensive team all season, giving up the fourth-most shots (30.41) and sixth-most chances (62.04) on a 60-minute basis, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Key stat: Matthews recorded a season-high nine shots in his lone meeting with the Rangers this season.

Quick picks

Rielly to record a point (+123): Rielly is coming off his best game of the season, factoring into each of Toronto’s four goals against the Bruins with a goal and three assists.

He’s registered a point in five of seven games this month and has a great opportunity to stay hot.

New York gives up plenty of chances and Shesterkin has been a mess lately. The Vezina-winning netminder has allowed 28 goals with an .865 save percentage across his last eight starts.

Rielly leads all Toronto skaters in ice time and should log even more minutes with Chris Tanev sidelined on Friday.

Picks made at 11:29 a.m. ET 02/28/2025.

Raptors vs. Bulls prop picks Feb. 28: Back Josh Giddey, Gradey Dick on Friday

I’m backing a pair of guards to produce when the Chicago Bulls host the Toronto Raptors on Friday.

The pregame narrative: Chicago and Toronto are in tank mode, but someone has to fill the basket. Josh Giddey and Gradey Dick are poised for big nights, so take the over on their point and 3-point totals, respectively.

Check out my Raptors vs. Bulls prop picks for Feb. 28.

Raptors vs. Bulls prop picks

Best bet: Giddey over 17.5 points (-134)

This has all the makings of a smash play.

Giddey has been on a heater in February, which directly coincides with Zach LaVine’s departure to the Sacramento Kings. Check out his stats on a per-game basis during and before this month:

February stats (10 games): 19.9 points, 13.1 FGA, 51.1 FG%, 56.0 3PT%

Pre-February stats (45 games): 11.5 points, 10.0 FGA, 44.4 FG%, 32.7 3PT%

The point guard is playing more, shooting more and making more shots. You love to see it.

Giddey has been red-hot over his last four games, averaging 24.3 PPG on 57.9% shooting. He’s an incredible 14-for-18 from deep in that span.

Some shooting regression is bound to happen but I don’t think it’ll come against the Raptors.

Toronto has the seventh-worst defensive rating in the NBA and is allowing the sixth-most PPG to point guards over the last 30 days, according to Fantasy Pros.

Key stat: Giddey is 7-3 against this line in February.

Quick pick

Dick over 1.5 threes (-175): Scottie Barnes — who missed Wednesday’s game against the Indiana Pacers — is questionable with a hip injury. If I were running the Raptors, he’d be sitting out as long as possible.

The swingman is attempting 4.5 threes per game, so his absence would be a boon for Dick’s volume.

But even if Barnes is in the lineup, I’m still keen on backing Dick even at this juiced price.

Toronto’s shooting guard has cleared this line in every game since the all-star break. He’s attempted seven 3-pointers in each of the last two outings, which is huge volume.

Chicago has really struggled to defend the deep ball lately, so this is a matchup Dick can exploit.

Opponents are shooting 37.9% against the Bulls from beyond the arc in February (fifth-highest in the NBA).
Chicago is allowing the ninth-most 3s per game (3.48) to shooting guards over the last 30 days.

Dick has played the Bulls twice this season, going 3-for-9 from deep on Dec. 16 and 2-of-7 from deep on Jan. 31.

Picks made at 10:15 a.m. ET 02/28/2025.

Raptors vs. Bulls prop picks Feb. 28: Back Josh Giddey, Gradey Dick on Friday

I’m backing a pair of guards to produce when the Chicago Bulls host the Toronto Raptors on Friday.

The pregame narrative: Chicago and Toronto are in tank mode, but someone has to fill the basket. Josh Giddey and Gradey Dick are poised for big nights, so take the over on their point and 3-point totals, respectively.

Check out my Raptors vs. Bulls prop picks for Feb. 28.

Raptors vs. Bulls prop picks

Best bet: Giddey over 16.5 points (-127)

Embed: #110399

This has all the makings of a smash play.

Giddey has been on a heater in February, which directly coincides with Zach LaVine’s departure to the Sacramento Kings. Check out his stats on a per-game basis during and before this month:

February stats (10 games): 19.9 points, 13.1 FGA, 51.1 FG%, 56.0 3PT%

Pre-February stats (45 games): 11.5 points, 10.0 FGA, 44.4 FG%, 32.7 3PT%

The point guard is playing more, shooting more and making more shots. You love to see it.

Giddey has been red-hot over his last four games, averaging 24.3 PPG on 57.9% shooting. He’s an incredible 14-for-18 from deep in that span.

Some shooting regression is bound to happen but I don’t think it’ll come against the Raptors.

Toronto has the seventh-worst defensive rating in the NBA and is allowing the sixth-most PPG to point guards over the last 30 days, according to Fantasy Pros.

Key stat: Giddey is 8-2 against this line in February.

Quick pick

Dick over 2.5 threes (+160): Scottie Barnes — who missed Wednesday’s game against the Indiana Pacers — is questionable with a hip injury. If I were running the Raptors, he’d be sitting out as long as possible.

The swingman is attempting 4.5 threes per game, so his absence would be a boon for Dick’s volume.

But even if Barnes is in the lineup, I’m still keen on backing Dick at this price.

Toronto’s shooting guard has only cleared this line once in four games since the all-star break. But he’s had exactly two 3s in the other three games and attempted seven 3-pointers in each of the last two outings (going 2-for-7 in both).

Chicago has really struggled to defend the deep ball lately, so this is a matchup Dick can exploit.

Opponents are shooting 37.9% against the Bulls from beyond the arc in February (fifth-highest in the NBA).
Chicago is allowing the ninth-most 3s per game (3.48) to shooting guards over the last 30 days.

Dick has played the Bulls twice this season, going 3-for-9 from deep on Dec. 16 and 2-of-7 from deep on Jan. 31.

Picks made at 10:15 a.m. ET 02/28/2025.

Timberwolves vs. Lakers prop picks Feb. 27: Bet on Edwards and Hayes to clear their point totals

Thursday’s NBA nightcap is a good one, as the Los Angeles Lakers host the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The pregame narrative: Los Angeles has been rolling since acquiring Luka Doncic, while Minnesota is fighting to get out of the Western Conference play-in picture. I’m turning to one player from each team — Anthony Edwards and Jaxson Hayes — to clear their point totals.

Check out my Timberwolves vs. Lakers prop picks for Feb. 27.

Timberwolves vs. Lakers prop picks

Best bet: Edwards over 27.5 points (-118)

Edwards is listed as questionable with calf soreness per the NBA’s 11:30 a.m. injury report.

But I’m not worried about that. The Timberwolves begin a back-to-back tonight with a matchup against the Utah Jazz tomorrow, so all signs would point to Edward resting for Friday’s matchup instead.

And when the shooting guard is in the lineup, he’s been lights out. Check out his stats since the calendar turned to 2025:

31.0 points/game
22.2 FGA/game
28+ points in 17/25 games
30+ points in 13/25 games

Edwards is coming off a 17-point stinker against the Oklahoma City Thunder — who own the league’s best defensive rating — on Monday, but that was on the second leg of a back-to-back.

He scored 29 points against them the day prior and is averaging 28.0 PPG with two-plus days of rest this season.

Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert are out, and Donte DiVincenzo (toe) is questionable. Edwards should be taking the lion’s share of shots tonight.

Key stat: Edwards is averaging 33.5 points across his last eight games, clearing this line six times.

Quick pick

Hayes over 6.5 points (-110): Hayes has hit the jackpot, falling backwards into Los Angeles’ starting centre spot after Los Angeles’ trade for Mark Williams “fell through.”

The No. 8 overall pick from 2019 didn’t pan out with the New Orleans Pelicans, but his responsibilities on the Lakers are simple: Clean the glass and catch lobs from Doncic and LeBron James.

Hayes hasn’t attempted a single 3-pointer since moving into the starting lineup on Jan. 30. In that span, he’s 7-4 against this line while shooting 78.0% from the field.

Minnesota’s interior defence is elite but that’s largely thanks to Gobert. With him sidelined, I love Hayes’ chances of clearing this mark as his minutes stay steady.

Picks made at 11:46 a.m. ET on 02/27/2025.

Best NHL anytime goalscorer picks Feb. 27: Back Alexander Ovechkin, Tomas Hertl to score

I’ve got two goalscorer bets from Thursday’s NHL slate.

The pregame narrative: Alexander Ovechkin is barrelling toward Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal scoring record and I expect him to get one notch closer tonight. After that, look for Tomas Hertl to provide offence for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Check out my NHL anytime goal picks for Feb. 27.

NHL anytime goal picks

Best Bet: Ovechkin to score (+100)

What can I say about Ovechkin that hasn’t been said?

The soon-to-be NHL recordholder has been scoring at will in his 20th season and is now 12 markets shy of passing Gretzky, who sits at 894 goals.

Ovechkin has 30 goals in 42 games this season (0.71 goals per game).
He missed 12 games with a broken fibula but has scored 15 goals in 24 games since returning on Dec. 28 (0.62 goal per game clip).
Ovechkin’s 3.79 shots per game ranks fifth in the NHL.

He has turned up the heat lately, scoring eight goals in as many games and clearing this line six times.

Ovechkin ripped home a hat trick on nine shots against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday and followed that up with a goal on five shots against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday.

Washington’s captain is firing on all cylinders and Thursday’s opponent, the St. Louis Blues, are ripe for the taking.

Joel Hofer is in net over Jordan Binnington, and the 24-year-old hasn’t been great this season. He has a 2.88 GAA to pair with a .903 SV% and has allowed 14 goals in his last four starts.

Key stat: Ovechkin scored twice against the Blues on Nov. 9.

Top picks to score

Hertl anytime goalscorer (+155): Bettors should be looking to fade the Chicago Blackhawks any time they take the ice. That’s what I’m doing tonight by backing Hertl to score.

The Blackhawks rank near the bottom of the NHL in almost every defensive category on a 60-minute basis, per Natural Stat Trick:

3.44 goals (30th)
31.5 shots (30th)
63.2 chances (30th)
12.8 high-danger chances (30th)

Hertl is playing on Vegas’ top line and power-play unit and has 10 goals in his last 14 games. He’s registered at least three shots in five of his last six games and should have plenty of chances to bury one tonight.

Picks made at 2:46 p.m. ET on 02/27/2025.