Tuesday’s Best ESPN BET Bets: Kings-Lightning, Trail Blazers-Knicks, Duke-Pitt
Last night was a good night for me but not exactly the Winning Picks. I was able to cash a big future I had on Michigan to win the National Championship at +240, which I took in November. Unfortunately, Washington spread did not hit thanks to being worn down by the Wolverines. The Houston Rockets did not cover either in their loss to the Heat. The Penguins picked up our sole win of the night over the Flyers. We move to 90-68-3.
With the college football season now complete, we can now look to next year! The 2024 college football season will kick off the first year with the 12-team playoff. That means if you are not one of the 4 teams to earn a bye by winning your conference championship, you will need to win 4 games to win the National title. Teams with byes will have to win 3.
The odds for next year’s national champion, which are up on ESPN Bet right now, have Georgia as the consensus favorite at +425. I wouldn’t doubt the Bulldogs at that price because they will be in the playoffs unless their season completely nose dives and they lose 3 or more games. Don’t see that happening. To other long shots that I believe have some value are out of the ACC in Florida St and Clemson. FSU sits at 20/1 while Clemson is at 35/1. The Tigers face Georgia to start the season in 2024. An upset of the Bulldogs could lower the odds of Clemson significantly.
Now onto the Winning Picks!
Los Angeles Kings (-120) at Tampa Bay Lightning O/U 6.5 7:00 PM on ESPN+
A few weeks ago, no one was hotter in the NHL than the Los Angeles Kings. They were running neck and neck with the Vegas Knights since the start of the season. Now, they’ve taken a backseat to the very surprising Vancouver Canucks, and find themselves on a 5-game losing streak searching for answers.
Things aren’t great for the Lightning either. It could be the first time in a long time that Tampa Bay could miss the playoffs. These things tend to happen with teams with aging superstars, just ask the Penguins.
Even in this losing streak, the Kings have played good hockey but haven’t found the breaks they needed. I believe they pull through tonight and get their first win of 2024.
Kings Moneyline Wins, Los Angeles Kings 4 Tampa Bay Lightning 3
Portland Trail Blazers at New York Knicks (-12) O/U 228.5 7:30 PM
Two teams headed in completely opposite directions face off at the World’s Most Famous Arena as the New York Knicks host the Portland Trail Blazer. The Knicks are trying to play their way into a higher seed in a crowded Eastern Conference. Portland, on the other hand, has no shot at the playoff.
After trading Damian Lillard away to Milwaukee, the Trail Blazers are officially in rebuilding mode. They are hoping to build around their young guard Scoot Henderson, but he still needs a lot of seasoning to get any close to the level that Dame Time was on.
This is one of the biggest stages in all of basketball and it may be too big for this young Portland roster. Knicks continue their dominance over lesser teams and win this one comfortably tonight and cover the double digit spread.
Knicks Cover -12, Portland Trail Blazers 102 New York Knicks 125
Duke Blue Devils (-5) at Pitt Panthers O/U 147 9:00 PM on ESPN
After hosting one half of the biggest rivalry in college basketball last week, Pitt will host the other half of that rivalry as the Duke Blue Devils come to town to face the Panthers. This game is always big for Jeff Capel, who played and coached at Duke for many years. Will he have his Panthers squad extra fired up tonight?
For Pitt to win this game, they will need to find more shooting outside of Blake Hinson and Bub Carrington. Zack Austin did step up and have a big game against Louisville after struggling versus North Carolina. The Panthers will need someone like Austin or even one of the twins to play a big role if they want to knock off the Blue Devils.
Sadly, I do not think that will be the case. Pitt is only 3-5 against Power 6 programs this year while they are undefeated against Mid-Majors. Their best win came against Oregon St, who is currently 1-3 in the PAC12. I can see Pitt fighting early with Duke, but the Blue Devils pull away in the second half and cover.
Duke Covers -5, Duke Blue Devils 68 Pitt Panthers 59
