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Raptors vs. Bulls same-game parlay predictions Dec. 16: Back Gradey Dick and RJ Barrett to carry the offence

The Toronto Raptors host the Chicago Bulls on Monday.

The pregame narrative: I’m predicting a high pace tonight between two teams that like to play fast. As a result, I am taking the over on a teased-down total with the over on prop picks for two Raptors’ players in a +265 ticket.

Check out my Raptors vs. Bulls same-game parlay predictions for Dec. 16.

Raptors vs. Bulls predictions

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Parlay: RJ Barrett over 23.5 points + Gradey Dick over 17.5 points + Over 234.5 points (+265)

Barrett over 23.5 points (-165): The narrative heading into this game is, once again, about Scottie Barnes’s absence. But I think there’s a bigger story at play.

And that is how much better Barrett is at home versus on the road this season. Let’s look at his splits:

Home: 27.9 PPG, 52.3 FG%, 39.4 3PT%
Away: 18.8 PPG, 38.7 FG%, 29.9 3PT%

That is an enormous difference, which is made even better by this matchup against the Bulls.

Chicago allows the most points per game to shooting guards (25.3), per Betting Pros.

The Bulls have the NBA’s sixth-worst defensive rating (117.6).

Additionally, this is a buy-low spot for Barrett as he’s coming off a 13-point performance against the Heat. But that was on the road, and he’s been far more efficient at home.

Barrett has cleared this line in four of his last six games in Toronto.

SGP legs

Dick over 17.5 points (-165): I’m getting behind another one of Toronto’s guards here.

Once again, I’ll stress how bad Chicago’s defence is. Overall, the team allows the second-most points per game (121.9).

With Barnes sidelined, Dick should once again have more responsibility on the offensive end. Against the Heat on Friday, the second-year pro had 22 points on 19 attempts.

That’s nothing new, as Dick averages more shot attempts when Barnes is out

With Barnes: 13.1 shot attempts/game
Without Barnes: 15.8 shot attempts/game

The uptick in shots plus a soft matchup against the Bulls is a formula for success.

Over 234.5 points (-182): To build off the first two legs, I think this game is going way over this total.

The Bulls play at the second-fastest pace in the NBA (103.7) and put up the fifth-most points per game (118.7).

They also take the second-most threes (16.6) and hit them at a 37.9% clip.

The Raptors, on the other hand, are lost on defence without Barnes. They had a 122.1 defensive rating without their young star in the lineup last season.

For context, the worst defensive rating in the league currently belongs to the Utah Jazz (119.8).

Yeah, Toronto is that bad without Barnes. And as much as I think it will help Barrett and Dick, it’s just as beneficial for the over on this teased-down game total.

Picks made at 10:31 a.m. on 12/16/24.

Memphis vs. West Virginia college football bowl picks: Bet on Tigers to win comfortably in Frisco Bowl

I’m all over the No. 25 Memphis Tigers in Tuesday’s Frisco Bowl against the West Virginia Mountaineers.

The pregame narrative: The Tigers are favourites to beat the Mountaineers, and I’m laying the points. I also think Memphis should be able to exceed its projected point total in a juicy matchup.

Check out my top Memphis vs. West Virginia picks for the Frisco Bowl on Dec. 17.

Memphis vs. West Virginia picks

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Best Bet: Memphis -5 (-110)

The spread has moved toward Memphis in the days since this matchup was announced, but I still like the Tigers to cover at this number.

Memphis is 10-2 on the season, covering a -4.5 spread in all 10 of those victories.

Memphis is one of the rare (and fortunate) college football teams with four years’ worth of stability under centre. Senior quarterback Seth Henigan has thrown for over 3,200 yards in all four seasons as a Tiger, and he has an 11:2 TD-to-INT ratio over his past four games.

Throw in South Carolina transfer Mario Anderson at tailback — who has 165-plus scrimmage yards in five of his past six games — and you’re looking at an offence that knows how to score.

If Tuesday’s game is a track meet, it’ll be a great advantage to Memphis. The Tigers are averaging 35.2 points per game, while the Mountaineers have exceeded the 35-point mark only twice.

West Virginia fans are probably excited about the return of former coach Rich Rodriguez, but the program is in flux right now. Ex-head coach Neal Brown was fired at the start of the month, and Rodriguez won’t be tasked with coaching the bowl game (nor should he be).

The Mountaineers went 3-4 down the stretch, losing by a double-digit margin in each defeat.

There’s little proof that WVU can stop an elite offence, as the program allowed 31.1 points during the season (106th out of 134 FBS schools).

Key stat: Memphis’ average margin of victory is 12.4 points.

Quick picks

Memphis over 31.5 total points (-112): I noted how Henigan and Anderson give the Tigers some star power on offence, which has translated into the No. 19 scoring offence in the country (35.2 PPG).

But we need to take an extra second to discuss how awful the Mountaineers’ defence has been.

106th in opponent scoring (31.1 PPG)
103rd in opponent yards (410.3 YPG)
129th in opponent pass success rate
133rd in EPA/play

To make matters worse, West Virginia linebacker Josiah Trotter opted out of the bowl game to hit the transfer portal. He was one of two Mountaineers with 90-plus total tackles this year.

In the prop market, see if there’s a way to back Henigan to carve up WVU. As a team, Memphis should be able to put up a big point total.

Memphis went over 31.5 points in eight of 12 games. WVU allowed an average of 36.2 PPG over its final six games.

Picks made at 4:22 p.m. on 12/15/2024.

NFL Week 16 odds and betting lines: Steelers and Ravens face off in pivotal divisional game

The NFL season is getting to crunch time, and every team is on the schedule for Week 16.

The latest: There are two games on Saturday this week, including a star-studded matchup between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs. The other game may be more important, however, as the Pittsburgh Steelers meet the Baltimore Ravens.

Check out the latest NFL Week 16 odds below.

NFL Week 16 odds

Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers

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Houston Texans vs. Kansas City Chiefs

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Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Baltimore Ravens

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Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals

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New York Giants vs. Atlanta Falcons

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New England Patriots vs. Buffalo Bills

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Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears

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Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts

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Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers

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Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles

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Los Angeles Rams vs. New York Jets

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Minnesota Vikings vs. Seattle Seahawks

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Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Las Vegas Raiders

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San Francisco 49ers vs. Miami Dolphins

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Tampa Bay Buccanneers vs. Dallas Cowboys

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New Orleans Saints vs. Green Bay Packers

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Visit all of NorthStar Bets’ NFL markets. Click on game odds below to bet now.

Betting Insights

Two division leaders meet when the Texans and Chiefs go head-to-head on Saturday. Kansas City has only lost one game all season atop the AFC, while Houston recently clinched first place in the AFC South. Patrick Mahomes injured his ankle late in Week 15, and his status will be a situation to monitor.

The other game on Saturday is an important divisional matchup between the Steelers and Ravens. Both teams have the potential to look back on this game as the biggest win of the season when the winner of the AFC North is decided in the coming weeks.

It looks like both the 49ers and Dolphins are going to end the season on the outside looking in, but this is an exciting game either way. Miami and San Francisco have combined to average over 600 yards per game, so there could be plenty of offence here.

The battle for the No.1 overall pick is officially underway. The top contenders are shaping up to be the Giants and Raiders. New York plays the Falcons while Las Vegas host the Jaguars.

Falcons vs. Raiders Week 15 MNF prop picks: Bet on Bowers to explode in primetime

The Atlanta Falcons meet the Las Vegas Raiders in the second of two Week 15 Monday Night Football games.

The pregame narrative: I don’t like the way either of these defences has been playing. Therefore, I’m backing Brock Bowers and Kirk Cousins to hit overs in the prop market.

Check out my Falcons vs. Raiders prop picks for Monday Night Football on Dec. 16.

Falcons vs. Raiders Week 15 prop picks

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Best Bet: Bowers over 59.5 receiving yards (-137)

Playing for the Raiders, Bowers has gone under the radar in his rookie season.

But the tight end is truly having an amazing campaign. Here are some of his stats and rankings among NFL receivers:

87 receptions (2nd)
933 receiving yards (5th)
71.8 yards/game (1st for tight ends)

Desmond Ridder is set to start for the Raiders and he looked for his tight ends a lot when he took over in the fourth quarter last week.

In that final frame, Bowers recorded two of the three catches he had in the game, accounting for 37 of his 49 total yards.

He fell under this mark in the end, but that production with Ridder hints at a lot of promise moving forward.

Atlanta doesn’t pose a huge threat on the defensive side, either. The Falcons allow the eighth-most passing yards against per game (229.1) and are coming off a 21-point loss to the Minnesota Vikings where two receivers had north of 130 receiving yards.

Key stat: Bowers has a 24.3% target share, which ranks fourth for TEs.

Quick pick

Cousins over 239.5 passing yards (-125): Cousins was dealing with multiple arm injuries earlier in this season but he’s ramping back into form.

Since the Week 12 bye, Cousins has cleared this mark in back-to-back games, which included throwing for 344 yards in last week’s loss to the Vikings.

The veteran QB tied his second-highest yards per attempt (9.3) for any game this season and that to me is a good sign his arm is healing nicely.

Las Vegas began the season with a competent defence, but the wheels have fallen off in the second half of the season.

Six straight QBs have surpassed this total against the Raiders dating back to Week 8. Las Vegas has allowed 279.2 passing yards per game over that span.

Picks made at 1:39 p.m. ET 12/15/2024.

Grizzlies vs. Lakers same-game parlay predictions Dec. 15: Back Anthony Davis, Ja Morant at +320

The red-hot Memphis Grizzlies visit the Los Angeles Lakers for Sunday’s NBA nightcap.

The pregame narrative: Memphis is playing inspiring basketball at the moment and I expect that to continue with a win over the Lakers. Back Ja Morant to carry the offensive load and take the over on Anthony Davis’ rebounds prop in this +320 wager.

Check out my Grizzlies vs. Lakers same-game parlay predictions for Dec. 15.

Grizzlies vs. Lakers predictions

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Parlay: Grizzlies moneyline + Morant over 31.5 points/assists + Davis over 10.5 rebounds (+320)

Grizzlies moneyline (-167): Watch out Western Conference, here come the Grizzlies.

Memphis has catapulted up the standings, climbing all the way to second in the conference off the back of a 10-1 run heading into Sunday.

The Lakers have been in the opposite camp, starting the season hot but losing eight of their last 11.

Unfortunately for L.A., it’s that time of year once again.

No, I’m not talking about the holiday season, but rather the time of year when LeBron James and Anthony Davis show up on the injury report before every game.

I do expect both to play but this is more of a point as to how the Lakers are banged up at the moment.

The Grizz have won four straight and I predict another win on the road on Sunday.

SGP legs

Morant over 31.5 points/assists (-115): Memphis’ point guard has been the team’s most impactful player during this strong run.

Morant is 5-2 against this line over the past seven games.
He has 28+ points in three of the past four.

The scoring uptick is what grabbed my interest as Morant is one fire, shooting 47.9% from the field over that seven-game stretch.

That is great efficiency from the point guard position.

The game total in this matchup is also the highest of the night (234.5), meaning there should be a lot of scoring.

L.A. allows the sixth-most assists to PGs per game (9.8) and I see Morant having a highly productive performance under the bright lights.

Davis over 10.5 rebounds (-235): This leg carries the most juice but it’s understandable looking at Davis’ rebounding numbers.

The big man averages 11.2 rebounds per game and cleared this line in seven of his past nine.

In his one previous matchup with the Grizzlies this season, Davis pulled down 14 boards in 32 minutes of action.

Davis averages 35.4 minutes per game, so 32 minutes is a relatively light night for the all-star.

If he plays up toward his average on Sunday, he could smash this line in typical AD fashion.

Picks made at 10:43 a.m. on 12/15/2024.

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Maple Leafs props vs. Sabres Dec. 15: Marner poised for another huge night against Buffalo

The Toronto Maple Leafs are back home for their second game in as many nights, and the Buffalo Sabres are in town.

The pregame narrative: Toronto lost a tough one to the Detroit Red Wings last night, but I like this as a strong bounce-back spot for the Leafs. With that in mind, I’m backing Mitch Marner to score multiple points. For Buffalo, I’m getting behind Owen Power with his extended minutes.

Check out my Maple Leafs props vs. Sabres for Dec. 15.

Maple Leafs props vs. Sabres

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Best Bet: Power to score 1+ points (+115)

As Rasmun Dahlin continues to be sidelined, Power is eating minutes on the Sabres’ blue line.

22+ minutes in five straight games
28+ minutes in back-to-back outings

It’s not like Power isn’t used to playing a lot (22:38 average time on ice), but this is an uptick even for him.

With Dahlin out, Power skates on the first power play with the Sabres’ top dogs.

Despite having zero power-play points on the season, the defenceman has 19 points in 30 games. And the PP futility is likely to change with this increased opportunity.

Additionally, the Leafs are without Anthony Stolarz and will resort to prospect goalie Dennis Hildeby for the second half of a back-to-back.

The Swedish netminder let in six goals on 38 shots in his last NHL start, which came in October against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Key stat: Power has four points in five games with Dahlin out.

Quick picks

Marner to score 2+ points (+155): I can’t keep myself away from this market, especially in this spot.

Even though Marner is slowing down slightly, he’s on a ridiculous run right now.

The winger has multiple points in 12 of the last 17 games.

He is 4-1 against this line after a loss during that span.

The Sabres’ are also a great matchup. They allow the seventh-most goals per game (3.27) and have a below-average penalty kill (79.2%).

James Reimer is expected to start for Buffalo, and the former Leaf has not been good this season. He’s started five games for two different teams and owns a 3.60 GAA and .879 SV%.

Everything points to Marner having another big night.

NHL picks made at 10:25 a.m. ET on 12/15/24.

Maple Leafs props vs. Sabres Dec. 15: Marner poised for another huge night against Buffalo

The Toronto Maple Leafs are back home for their second game in as many nights, and the Buffalo Sabres are in town.

The pregame narrative: Toronto lost a tough one to the Detroit Red Wings last night, but I like this as a strong bounce-back spot for the Leafs. With that in mind, I’m backing Mitch Marner to score multiple points. For Buffalo, I’m getting behind Owen Power with his extended minutes.

Check out my Maple Leafs props vs. Sabres for Dec. 15.

Maple Leafs props vs. Sabres

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Best Bet: Power to score 1+ points

As Rasmun Dahlin continues to be sidelined, Power is eating minutes on the Sabres’ blue line.

22+ minutes in five straight games
28+ minutes in back-to-back outings

It’s not like Power isn’t used to playing a lot (22:38 average time on ice), but this is an uptick even for him.

With Dahlin out, Power skates on the first power play with the Sabres’ top dogs.

Despite having zero power-play points on the season, the defenceman has 19 points in 30 games. And the PP futility is likely to change with this increased opportunity.

Additionally, the Leafs are without Anthony Stolarz and will resort to prospect goalie Dennis Hildeby for the second half of a back-to-back.

The Swedish netminder let in six goals on 38 shots in his last NHL start, which came in October against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Key stat: Power has four points in five games with Dahlin out.

Quick picks

Marner to score 2+ points (+155): I can’t keep myself away from this market, especially in this spot.

Even though Marner is slowing down slightly, he’s on a ridiculous run right now.

The winger has multiple points in 12 of the last 17 games.

He is 4-1 against this line after a loss during that span.

The Sabres’ are also a great matchup. They allow the seventh-most goals per game (3.27) and have a below-average penalty kill (79.2%).

James Reimer is expected to start for Buffalo, and the former Leaf has not been good this season. He’s started five games for two different teams and owns a 3.60 GAA and .879 SV%.

Everything points to Marner having another big night.

NHL picks made at 10:05 a.m. ET on 12/15/24.

NHL parlay picks Dec. 12: Back the Capitals and Avalanche to win in +365 ticket

The NHL schedule shows 13 games tonight which gives options for Thursday’s parlay.

The pregame narrative: The Washington Capitals continue to win games and I like them to get the victory tonight over the Colombus Blue Jackets. I’m adding the Colorado Avalanche on the moneyline and the under in the Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild game to make up this +365 ticket.

Check out the full +365 NHL parlay picks for Dec. 12.

NHL parlay picks

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Parlay: Capitals moneyline + Avalanche moneyline + Oilers/Wild under 6 goals (+365)

Capitals moneyline (-167): Washington continues to turn heads and win hockey games at a high rate.

The Capitals have an 11-2 away record with a +25 goal differential.

Jet Greeves is expected to make his season debut for the Blue Jackets in net and that gives me all the more confidence in the Caps.

After all, Washington scores the most goals per game (4.04) while conceding the seventh-fewest (2.74).

On the other side, Columbus allows the second-most goals against per game (3.61).

The Capitals have just six losses on the season and I can’t see the Blue Jackets providing much of a threat, even at home.

Other SGP picks

Avalanche moneyline (-188): The Avalanche swapped goalies with the San Jose Sharks in a trade earlier this week.

MacKenzie Blackwood was acquired from the Sharks for Alexandar Georgiev and a few other assets.

Blackwood, despite playing for San Jose, is having a much better season than Georgiev.

The newest Avs’ netminder has a .909 SV% and 2.79 GAA in 19 appearances. In his final game with the Sharks, he stopped 51 of 54 shots in a 3-1 loss.

I would be shocked if Blackwood has to face 50-plus shots again this season and I personally love this move for the Avalanche.

Blackwood ranks 21st out of 82 qualified goalies in Money Puck’s goals saved above expected (3.9). For context, Georgiev ranks 80th (-9.4).

Colorado allows the fourth-most goals per game (3.50) on the fourth-least shots against (26.4). That combo screams poor goaltending.

With Blackwood between the pipes, I’m predicting a run for the Avs starting with a win over the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday.

Oilers/Wild under 6 goals (-112): These two teams are known for their offensive talents. However, I see this being a competitive low-scoring contest.

Minnesota allows the fewest goals per game (2.39) and Edmonton’s goaltender Stuart Skinner has been playing exceptionally well.

In his past five starts, he has a 4-1 record with a 1.41 GAA and .947 SV%. Skinner has conceded two or fewer goals in all five of those outings.

The Wild have been blessed by the services of Filip Gustavsson to start the year. He owns a 2.08 GAA and .927 SV% across 21 starts.

Both sides will be hungry for a win over another elite Western Conference opponent and I expect strong goaltending to be the key to this leg.

Picks made at 2:22 p.m. on 12/12/2024.

NHL parlay picks Dec. 12: Back the Capitals and Avalanche to win in +379 ticket

The NHL schedule shows 13 games tonight which gives options for Thursday’s parlay.

The pregame narrative: The Washington Capitals continue to win games and I like them to get the victory tonight over the Colombus Blue Jackets. I’m adding the Colorado Avalanche on the moneyline and the under in the Edmonton Oilers and Minnesota Wild game to make up this +379 ticket.

Check out the full +379 NHL parlay picks for Dec. 12.

NHL parlay picks

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Parlay: Capitals moneyline + Avalanche moneyline + Oilers/Wild under 6 goals (+379)

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Capitals moneyline (-156): Washington continues to turn heads and win hockey games at a high rate.

The Capitals have an 11-2 away record with a +25 goal differential.

Jet Greeves is expected to make his season debut for the Blue Jackets in net and that gives me all the more confidence in the Caps.

After all, Washington scores the most goals per game (4.04) while conceding the seventh-fewest (2.74).

On the other side, Columbus allows the second-most goals against per game (3.61).

The Capitals have just six losses on the season and I can’t see the Blue Jackets providing much of a threat, even at home.

Other SGP picks

Avalanche moneyline (-180): The Avalanche swapped goalies with the San Jose Sharks in a trade earlier this week.

MacKenzie Blackwood was acquired from the Sharks for Alexandar Georgiev and a few other assets.

Blackwood, despite playing for San Jose, is having a much better season than Georgiev.

The newest Avs’ netminder has a .909 SV% and 2.79 GAA in 19 appearances. In his final game with the Sharks, he stopped 51 of 54 shots in a 3-1 loss.

I would be shocked if Blackwood has to face 50-plus shots again this season and I personally love this move for the Avalanche.

Blackwood ranks 21st out of 82 qualified goalies in Money Puck’s goals saved above expected (3.9). For context, Georgiev ranks 80th (-9.4).

Colorado allows the fourth-most goals per game (3.50) on the fourth-least shots against (26.4). That combo screams poor goaltending.

With Blackwood between the pipes, I’m predicting a run for the Avs starting with a win over the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday.

Oilers/Wild under 6 goals (-110): These two teams are known for their offensive talents. However, I see this being a competitive low-scoring contest.

Minnesota allows the fewest goals per game (2.39) and Edmonton’s goaltender Stuart Skinner has been playing exceptionally well.

In his past five starts, he has a 4-1 record with a 1.41 GAA and .947 SV%. Skinner has conceded two or fewer goals in all five of those outings.

The Wild have been blessed by the services of Filip Gustavsson to start the year. He owns a 2.08 GAA and .927 SV% across 21 starts.

Both sides will be hungry for a win over another elite Western Conference opponent and I expect strong goaltending to be the key to this leg.

Picks made at 1:38 p.m. on 12/10/2024.

Maple Leafs picks vs. Ducks Dec. 12: Bet on Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner to fill stat sheet

The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.

The pregame narrative: The Ducks come into Toronto after playing (and losing) last night. I’m predicting Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have productive games for the Leafs. For Anaheim, I’m taking Troy Terry to go over his shots prop.

Check out my Maple Leafs picks vs. Ducks for Dec. 12.

Maple Leafs picks vs. Ducks

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Best Bet: Matthews over 4.5 shots (-118)

If there’s any matchup to back Matthews in, it’s this one.

Anaheim allows the most shots against per game (32.9).

The Ducks allowed 30+ shots in seven of the last nine games.

Meanwhile, Matthews ranks fourth in the NHL in shot attempts per game (7.8) and second in shots on goal per game (4.1).

Anaheim also played last night, losing 5-1 to the Ottawa Senators. I expect the Ducks to play extra sloppy with the added fatigue, leading to loads of offence for the Leafs.

Key stat: Matthews had five of the Leafs’ 17 shots in their 2-1 win over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.

Quick picks

Marner to record 2+ points (+110): I cannot keep myself away from this market — and for good reason.

Marner is on an absolute tear right now, scoring multiple points in 11 of his last 15 games.

He was held off the score sheet against the Devils, but that’s even more reason to jump in now against the inferior Ducks.

In Anaheim’s 5-1 loss yesterday, three different Ottawa Senators’ skaters had multiple points (Drake Batherson, Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk).

If Toronto can replicate that offensive output, there’s no doubt in my mind that Marner will be at the centre of it.

Terry over 2.5 shots (-118): For my final pick, I want to back a player on the away side.

Terry is the Ducks’ best offensive player and it’s not close. He has 21 points in 27 games, which is eight more than the next-highest Ducks player (Frank Vatrano).

Terry leads Anaheim’s forwards in average time on ice (18:42), and he’s played more than 19 minutes in six straight (skating 20-plus minutes in four of six).

If anyone is going to will the Ducks to some offence against the Leafs, it’s Terry. He averages 2.6 shots on goal per game.

NHL picks made at 10:09 a.m. ET on 12/12/24.