Avery Perri

Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.

Celtics vs. Raptors same-game parlay predictions Jan. 25: Back RJ Barrett and Jaylen Brown in Toronto

Celtics vs. Raptors predictions

The Toronto Raptors host the Boston Celtics as massive home underdogs on Tuesday.

The pregame narrative: Toronto has played Boston surprisingly tough this year and I like it to cover a hefty alternate spread at home. Prop bets on RJ Barrett and Jaylen Brown round out this +295 wager.

Check out my Celtics vs. Raptors same-game parlay predictions for Jan. 25.

Celtics vs. Raptors predictions

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Parlay: Raptors +15.5 | Barrett 2+ threes | Brown 20+ points (+295)

Raptors +15.5 (-220): These teams couldn’t have more different goals. Boston is gearing up for a championship defence while Toronto is looking for a high draft pick. Still, this is a great number to back the Raptors at.

  • Toronto is 1-2 against Boston this season (2-1 vs. a +15.5 spread), winning the most recent matchup outright, 110-97.
  • The Raptors are 17-9-1 ATS as a home underdog this season, losing by an average of just 3.4 points.

Boston is on a rampage right now, winning five straight games and nine of its last 10. But it has still only covered a -15.5 spread in five of those games

Also, the Celtics will be without Jrue Holiday while the Raptors have a relatively clean bill of health, with only Jakob Poeltl listed as questionable (hip).

SGP legs

Barrett 2+ threes (-120): Barrett has hit at least one 3-pointer in 13 straight games and has cleared this line in eight of his last 11 outings.

He also has some stark home/road splits I want to tap into:

  • Home: 2.1 threes per game on 5.3 attempts (39.3%)
  • Road: 1.7 threes per game on 5.2 attempts (32.7%)

Boston is a solid defensive team, especially on the perimeter, holding opponents to the fourth-lowest 3-point percentage in basketball. But Barrett gets his shots up and has been reliable against this number lately.

I like his chances of having a solid game.

Brown 20+ points (-175): Brown is well-positioned to lead the Celtics in scoring tonight.

The swingman is averaging 22.9 PPG and has reached this mark in eight of his last 10 games. He’s also scored 20-plus in seven of his last 10 meetings against the Raptors.

Toronto’s biggest weakness on defence is the midrange (20th in opponent FG%) and the rim (19th), according to Cleaning the Glass.

Brown takes 39% of his shots from the midrange and 31% of his shots at the rim, which rank in the 92nd and 61st percentile, respectively, among all NBA players.

Picks made at 9:35 a.m. ET 02/25/2025.

EPL Matchday 27 picks and predictions: Take the over in Tottenham vs. Man City, back Everton

EPL predictions

I’ve got two picks as the Premier League returns for a mid-week slate starting on Tuesday.

The pregame narrative: Everton has been in solid form and I expect it to pick up points on the road against Brentford on Wednesday. Elsewhere, look for Tottenham and Manchester City to provide fireworks in London.

Check out our EPL Matchday 27 predictions.

EPL Matchday 27 predictions

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Best Bet: Everton to win or tie (-134)

The hottest team in England isn’t Liverpool or Arsenal, but rather Everton.

The Toffees have been surging under David Moyes, posting a. 4-2-1 record since he took over as manager for Sean Dyche in early January.

That includes a recent 2-2 draw against Manchester United and, more impressively, a 2-2 draw against Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby.

The only match Moyes failed to pick up points in was a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa in his first game as a manager (while posting a nearly identical xG to Villa). Since then, he’s cashed this wager in six straight contests.

On Wednesday, Everton hits the road to take on a strong Brentford side. The Bees are 7-4-2 at home but that still means opponents are cashing this wager 46.1% of the time.

Brentford has conceded the seventh-most xG (41.4), according to FotMob. I expect Everton — which is averaging 2.3 goals across its last six games — to get on the board.

Everton and Brentford drew the reverse fixture, 0-0, back in November.

Key stat: Everton has a +3.8 xG differential under Moyes, per FBRef.

Quick pick

Tottenham/Manchester City over 3.5 goals (-125): This season has been a disaster for both clubs, which have struggled to defend following a rash of injuries.

Scoring hasn’t been a problem for either side, though, and all signs point to a barn burner on Wednesday.

  • Tottenham ranks 16th in xG conceded (44.0) and sixth in xG created (44.3).
  • Man City ranks 10th in xG conceded (36.0) and fourth in xG created (47.5)

Tottenham thrashed Man City 4-0 at the Etihad in the reverse fixture earlier this season, showing how dangerous the Postecoglou’s attack can be.

Spurs also scored four goals in their most recent fixture, a 4-1 win over Ipswich Town.

City was just blanked, 2-0, by Liverpool but had gone over this total in six straight league games beforehand while averaging 3.3 goals.

Four of the last six meetings between these clubs have gone over 3.5 goals,

Picks made at 10:43 a.m. on 02/24/25.

Trail Blazers vs. Jazz same-game parlay predictions Feb. 24: Bet on Simons and Clingan to roll at +320

Trail Blazers vs. Jazz predictions

The Portland Trail Blazers and Utah Jazz meet for a late-night duel on Monday.

The pregame narrative: Portland is coming off a commanding victory on Saturday and I expect it to roll Utah tonight. Bet on two of its starters — Anfernee Simons and Donovan Clingan — to produce in this +320 SGP.

Check out my Trail Blazers vs. Jazz same-game parlay predictions for Feb. 24.

Trail Blazers vs. Jazz predictions

Parlay: Trail Blazers -5.5 | Simons over 21.5 points | Clingan over 7.5 rebounds (+320)

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Trail Blazers -5.5 (-113): Portland snapped its four-game losing streak in style by dismantling the Charlotte Hornets 141-88 on Saturday.

And I can’t knock the Blazers for dropping the games before that. They played the Nuggets in Denver (twice), the Timberwolves in Minnesota, and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Before that four-game skid, Portland had won 10 of 11 games and was the hottest team in basketball.

I like what I’m seeing out of Chauncy Billups’ squad and want to get in on Portland tonight.

At 14-42, Utah sits near the bottom of the NBA standings. And two of its best players — Walker Kessler and Lauri Markannen — are currently listed as questionable for Monday’s contest.

Portland is 34-22-1 ATS this year.

SGP legs

Simons over 21.5 points (-122): Don’t be surprised if Simons goes nuclear tonight.

The guard leads Portland in points (18.5), field goal attempts (15.4) and 3-point attempts (8.1) per game, which puts us in a good spot volume-wise.

He hasn’t shot the lights out this year but has scored 20-plus points in nine of his last 15 games, clearing this mark eight times.

Utah should present a favourable matchup for Simons, too. The Jazz allow the second-most PPG to point guards and shooting guards, per Fantasy Pros.

Clingan over 7.5 rebounds (-286): It looks like Portland has found a gem with Clingan.

The 2024 No. 7 overall pick has been thrust into the starting lineup with Deandre Ayton sidelined and is thriving.

  • Starter (13 games): 22.2 minutes, 10.0 rebounds
  • Bench (30 games): 13.9 minutes, 5.3 rebounds

Clingan has recorded eight-plus rebounds in eight of 13 games as a starter.

That includes a 20-rebound performance against Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets and a 19-rebound performance against the Houston Rockets (No. 1 in rebounding rate, per NBA.com).

Utah is solid on the glass but Clingan has feasted against good teams before. This leg should be a cinch.

Picks made at 12:24 p.m. ET on 02/24/2025.

EPL Matchday 27 picks and predictions: Take the over in Tottenham vs. Man City, back Everton

EPL predictions

I’ve got two picks as the Premier League returns for a mid-week slate starting on Tuesday.

The pregame narrative: Everton has been in solid form and I expect it to pick up points on the road against Brentford on Wednesday. Elsewhere, look for Tottenham and Manchester City to provide fireworks in London.

Check out our EPL Matchday 27 predictions.

EPL Matchday 27 predictions

Go to full Premier League betting markets.

Embed: #110100

Best Bet: Everton to win or tie (-127)

The hottest team in England isn’t Liverpool or Arsenal, but rather Everton.

The Toffees have been surging under David Moyes, posting a. 4-2-1 record since he took over as manager for Sean Dyche in early January.

That includes a recent 2-2 draw against Manchester United and, more impressively, a 2-2 draw against Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby.

The only match Moyes failed to pick up points in was a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa in his first game as a manager (while posting a nearly identical xG to Villa). Since then, he’s cashed this wager in six straight contests.

On Wednesday, Everton hits the road to take on a strong Brentford side. The Bees are 7-4-2 at home but that still means opponents are cashing this wager 46.1% of the time.

Brentford has conceded the seventh-most xG (41.4), according to FotMob. I expect Everton — which is averaging 2.3 goals across its last six games — to get on the board.

Everton and Brentford drew the reverse fixture, 0-0, back in November.

Key stat: Everton has a +3.8 xG differential under Moyes, per FBRef.

Quick pick

Tottenham/Manchester City over 3.5 goals (-118): This season has been a disaster for both clubs, which have struggled to defend following a rash of injuries.

Scoring hasn’t been a problem for either side, though, and all signs point to a barn burner on Wednesday.

  • Tottenham ranks 16th in xG conceded (44.0) and sixth in xG created (44.3).
  • Man City ranks 10th in xG conceded (36.0) and fourth in xG created (47.5)

Tottenham thrashed Man City 4-0 at the Etihad in the reverse fixture earlier this season, showing how dangerous the Postecoglou’s attack can be.

Spurs also scored four goals in their most recent fixture, a 4-1 win over Ipswich Town.

City was just blanked, 2-0, by Liverpool but had gone over this total in six straight league games beforehand while averaging 3.3 goals.

Four of the last six meetings between these clubs have gone over 3.5 goals,

Picks made at 10:43 a.m. on 02/24/25.

Nuggets vs. Pacers same-game parlay predictions Feb. 24: Back Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon at +320

Nuggets vs. Pacers predictions

I’m bullish on the Denver Nuggets as they take on an Indiana Pacers team playing its second game in as many nights.

The pregame narrative: Indiana beat the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday but its ATS record with no rest is partially why I’m backing Denver to cover an alt line. Prop bets on Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon round out this +320 SGP.

Check out my Nuggets vs. Pacers same-game parlay predictions for Feb. 24.

Nuggets vs. Pacers predictions

Parlay: Nuggets -2.5 | Jokic 12+ rebounds | Gordon over 13.5 points (+320)

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Nuggets -2.5 (-167): Denver’s nine-game winning streak ended on Saturday but I expect it to rebound tonight.

The Nuggets have been one of the best team’s in basketball since the New Year, posting a 19-7 record with a +8.6 net rating (third). I have to give the Pacers their flowers, too, as they’re 16-5 with a +5.9 net rating (sixth) in the same span.

But Indiana has struggled mightily on back-to-backs this season with a 2-6 ATS record and -8.8 average margin of defeat.

Denver has won and covered a -2.5 spread in eight straight games against Indiana.

SGP legs

Jokic 12+ rebounds (-190): Jokic is averaging 12.7 rebounds per game, which ranks third in the NBA and is the second-highest mark of his career outside his 2021-22 MVP season (13.8).

So all I’m asking of the Serbian superstar is an average performance in an above-average matchup.

The Pacers are 27th in rebounding rate (48.5%) and give up the sixth-most rebounds per game to opposing centres (15.9), according to Fantasy Pros.

Indiana has no seven footers in the starting lineup with Myles Turner being the only player standing above 6-foot-8. Jokic has cleared this mark in three straight games and should feast on Monday.

Gordon over 13.5 points (-117): Gordon has made a career out of abusing the dunker’s spot and tonight should be no different.

The high-flying power forward draws a dream matchup against the Pacers:

  • Indiana allows the fifth-most PPG in the paint (50.4), per Team Rankings.
  • It also allows the fourth-most PPG to opposing power forwards.
  • Gordon has scored 18+ points in three straight matchups with Indiana.

The 29-year-old has cleared this mark in both games coming out of the all-star break, dropping 18 and 24 points while shooting above 60.0% from the field in each game.

Picks made at 9:00 a.m. ET on 02/24/2025.

Thunder vs. Timberwolves prop picks Feb. 23: Back Edwards and Holmgren

Thunder vs. Timberwolves prop picks

Two Western Conference powerhouses battle in Sunday’s NBA nightcap when the Minnesota Timberwolves host the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The pregame narrative: Anthony Edwards is on another level these days and I expect him to stuff the stat sheet in a tough matchup. On the other end of the floor, back Chet Holmgren to have a strong defensive outing.

Check out my Thunder vs. Timberwolves prop picks for Feb. 23.

Thunder vs. Timberwolves prop picks

Best bet: Edwards over 34.5 points rebounds (-118)

A lot of the talk tonight will be about MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander but Edwards is in MVP-calibre form right now, too.

Don’t believe me? Just check out his numbers over the last 20 games:

  • 31.2 PPG
  • 5.1 RPG
  • 39.3 3PT%

Edwards enters this contest on quite the heater, averaging 37.0 points and 6.7 rebounds in his last six games, clearing this line five times.

The outlying performance was against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Feb. 13 but he still put up 23 points and seven rebounds despite an atrocious 5-for-18 shooting night.

I get OKC is an elite defensive team. But Edwards is an elite player. He might not be able to put up 40 tonight but he should have a much better shooting outing than that.

And on the glass, the Thunder still aren’t an elite rebounding team.

Edwards has had seven rebounds in consecutive games against OKC and in four of his last six games overall. I expect him to feast on the glass and put up a solid scoring outing.

Key stat: Edwards has cleared this line on points alone in four of his last six games.

Quick pick

Holmgren over 2.5 blocks (+100): With Victor Wembanyama out for the season Holmgren might assume the title of most physically gifted player in the NBA.

The 7-foot-1 power forward has insane reach and is a defensive menace. He’s averaging 3.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per game since returning from injury in early February.

In those four games, he’s cleared this line three times. In the outlier against the T-Wolves he had two steals and two blocks.

Picks made at 2:41 p.m. ET 02/23/2025.

Thunder vs. Timberwolves prop picks Feb. 23: Back Edwards and Holmgren

Thunder vs. Timberwolves prop picks

Two Western Conference powerhouses battle in Sunday’s NBA nightcap when the Minnesota Timberwolves host the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The pregame narrative: Anthony Edwards is on another level these days and I expect him to stuff the stat sheet in a tough matchup. On the other end of the floor, back Chet Holmgren to have a strong defensive outing.

Check out my Thunder vs. Timberwolves prop picks for Feb. 23.

Thunder vs. Timberwolves prop picks

Best bet: Edwards over 34.5 points rebounds (-115)

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A lot of the talk tonight will be about MVP frontrunner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander but Edwards is in MVP-calibre form right now, too.

Don’t believe me? Just check out his numbers over the last 20 games:

  • 31.2 PPG
  • 5.1 RPG
  • 39.3 3PT%

Edwards enters this contest on quite the heater, averaging 37.0 points and 6.7 rebounds in his last six games, clearing this line five times.

The outlying performance was against the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Feb. 13 but he still put up 23 points and seven rebounds despite an atrocious 5-for-18 shooting night.

I get OKC is an elite defensive team. But Edwards is an elite player. He might not be able to put up 40 tonight but he should have a much better shooting outing than that.

And on the glass, the Thunder still aren’t an elite rebounding team.

Edwards has had seven rebounds in consecutive games against OKC and in four of his last six games overall. I expect him to feast on the glass and put up a solid scoring outing.

Key stat: Edwards has cleared this line on points alone in four of his last six games.

Quick pick

Holmgren over 3.5 steals and blocks (+123): With Victor Wembanyama out for the season Holmgren might assume the title of most physically gifted player in the NBA.

The 7-foot-1 power forward has insane reach and is a defensive menace. He’s averaging 3.5 blocks and 1.2 steals per game since returning from injury in early February.

In those four games, he’s cleared this line three times. That includes an outing against the T-Wolves where he had two steals and two blocks.

Minnesota commits the 11th-most turnovers per game so I like Holmgren to be active in the steals department.

Picks made at 2:41 p.m. ET 02/23/2025.

Grizzlies vs. Cavaliers same-game parlay predictions Feb. 23: Back Memphis ATS and Morant at +290

Grizzlies vs. Cavaliers predictions

Two teams with championship aspirations meet on Sunday when the Cleveland Cavaliers host the Memphis Grizzlies.

The pregame narrative: Cleveland has been the league’s best team this season but Memphis isn’t far off. I like the visitors to cover a teased-up alternate spread, am backing Ja Morant and fading Evan Mobley.

Check out my Grizzlies vs. Cavaliers same-game parlay predictions for Feb. 23.

Grizzlies vs. Cavaliers predictions

Parlay: Grizzlies +9.5 | Morant 20+ points | Under 18.5 points (+290)

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Grizzlies +9.5 (-230): It’s hard to imagine Memphis getting blown out tonight. The Grizzlies sit second in the Western Conference at 37-19 and own the third-best ATS record (35-21) in basketball.

Cleveland has the best ATS record (37-19) but should struggle to beat Memphis by this margin.

  • The Grizzlies have only lost by double-digits eight times this season.
  • Three of those losses came with Morant sidelined.

Memphis has a relatively clean bill of health while Cleveland has two big names (Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen) listed as questionable.

The Grizzlies have a significant rebounding advantage over the Cavs — second in rebounding rate compared to 12th — and play with the fastest pace in basketball.

I expect them to control the tempo in this one.

SGP legs

Morant 20+ points (-157): Morant is having the worst scoring year since his sophomore season but he’s still putting up 20.5 PPG and has a solid baseline to work with.

The high-flying point guard takes 16.1 shots a night, which has gone up to 18.2 in February.

That type of volume means we’ll be right around this number barring an absolute stinker. And I don’t think Morant will have one against a Cavaliers team allowing the third-most PPG to opposing point guards, per Fantasy Pros.

Morant has scored 24-plus points in four straight games against the Cavs

Mobley under 18.5 points (-121): This is a solid spot to fade Mobley, who has been largely productive this season.

The Grizzlies are an elite defensive team, ranking seventh in defensive rating (111.0) and third in opponent field goal percentage (45.1%).

At power forward, Mobley does a lot of his damage in the mid-range and at the rim. Memphis has the best mid-range defence in the NBA and the eighth-best rim defence, per Cleaning the Glass.

Mobley only takes 12.6 shots per game so he will need a hyper-efficient performance to top this line.

Picks made at 1:30 p.m. ET on 02/21/2025.

Mavericks vs. Warriors prop picks Feb. 23: Back Butler, Thompson on Sunday

Mavericks vs. Warriors prop picks

The Golden State Warriors host the Dallas Mavericks for a Sunday matinee.

The pregame narrative: Jimmy Butler should feast against an injury-riddled Mavericks team while Klay Thompson is a good bet to can four triples at plus money.

Check out my Mavericks vs. Warriors prop picks for Feb. 23.

Mavericks vs. Warriors prop picks

Best bet: Butler over 27.5 points and rebounds (-120)

On Friday I backed Zion Williamson to clear his 36.5 PRA line against the Mavericks — and he blew by it in just 29 minutes of playing time.

I want to key in on Butler for a lot of the same reasons.

The veteran is slotted at the power forward position in an undersized Warriors lineup. That could typically be viewed as a problem for rebounding totals but he’s going up against a Mavericks team decimated by injuries.

The following players are out for Sunday’s game:

  • Anthony Davis
  • Daniel Gafford
  • Derrick Lively

Dallas’ projected centre, according to RotoWire, is 6-foot-7 Kessler Edwards, who is averaging 4.8 points and 4.3 rebounds tonight.

The Mavs are even more undersized than the Warriors and already struggled to defend power forwards to begin with.

Dallas is allowing the 10th-most points and 13th-most rebounds per game to PFs, according to Fantasy Pros

Key stat: Since joining the Warriors, Butler is 2-3 against this line while also landing on exactly 27 points/rebounds twice. He had 21 points and nine rebounds against the Mavs on Feb. 12.

Quick pick

Thompson over 3.5 threes (+120): I wouldn’t call this a revenge game because Thompson and the Warriors seem to be on amicable terms.

But it sure seems like the former Splash Brother loves to stick it to his old squad.

  • Thompson is averaging 22.7 points over three games against the Warriors this season.
  • He’s made 5+ threes in each contest while shooting a combined 48.6% from deep.

Scoring on the interior isn’t really an option for Dallas right now and Thompson is still a premier perimeter player, even at 35 years old.

He’s cleared this mark in three straight games and five of his last 10.

Picks made at 11:17 a.m. ET 02/23/2025.

Mavericks vs. Warriors prop picks Feb. 23: Back Butler, Thompson on Sunday

Mavericks vs. Warriors prop picks

The Golden State Warriors host the Dallas Mavericks for a Sunday matinee.

The pregame narrative: Jimmy Butler should feast against an injury-riddled Mavericks team while Klay Thompson is a good bet to can four triples at plus money.

Check out my Mavericks vs. Warriors prop picks for Feb. 23.

Mavericks vs. Warriors prop picks

Best bet: Butler over 27.5 points and rebounds (-108)

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On Friday I backed Zion Williamson to clear his 36.5 PRA line against the Mavericks — and he blew by it in just 29 minutes of playing time.

I want to key in on Butler for a lot of the same reasons.

The veteran is slotted at the power forward position in an undersized Warriors lineup. That could typically be viewed as a problem for rebounding totals but he’s going up against a Mavericks team decimated by injuries.

The following players are out for Sunday’s game:

  • Anthony Davis
  • Daniel Gafford
  • Derrick Lively

Dallas’ projected centre, according to RotoWire, is 6-foot-7 Kessler Edwards, who is averaging 4.8 points and 4.3 rebounds tonight.

The Mavs are even more undersized than the Warriors and already struggled to defend power forwards to begin with.

Dallas is allowing the 10th-most points and 13th-most rebounds per game to PFs, according to Fantasy Pros

Key stat: Since joining the Warriors, Butler is 2-3 against this line while also landing on exactly 27 points/rebounds twice. He had 21 points and nine rebounds against the Mavs on Feb. 12.

Quick pick

Thompson over 3.5 threes (+140): I wouldn’t call this a revenge game because Thompson and the Warriors seem to be on amicable terms.

But it sure seems like the former Splash Brother loves to stick it to his old squad.

  • Thompson is averaging 22.7 points over three games against the Warriors this season.
  • He’s made 5+ threes in each contest while shooting a combined 48.6% from deep.

Scoring on the interior isn’t really an option for Dallas right now and Thompson is still a premier perimeter player, even at 35 years old.

He’s cleared this mark in three straight games and five of his last 10.

Picks made at 11:17 a.m. ET 02/23/2025.