Best Bets for This Weekend – May 8-9, 2021
What more could you ask for? It’s a weekend full of sporting events for bettors. If only there was football...wait, the behind-the-scenes experiment known as The Spring League kicks off its third season this weekend and bettors can look to live bet games.
The NBA and NHL seasons near their close with most of their playoff fields set. A handful of teams will jockey for playoff positioning over the remaining games.
There is also a value-filled NASCAR race that bettors should be on the lookout for. Here’s a look at the best bets for this weekend. But before we move on, did you know you can bet on Bill Gates’ new girlfriend?
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NBA: Wizards @ Pacers
The scoreboard operator should be busy on Saturday when Washington heads to Indiana. The Wizards are fourth in the NBA in scoring (115.8) and Indiana is eighth (115.0).
Washington features Bradley Beal (30.9 ppg) and triple-double machine Russell Westbrook. Pacers leading scorer Malcolm Brogdon has been nursing a hamstring but should be available.
The two teams just played last week and with the total set at 246, both teams went off. Washington won 154-141. The total has gone Over in both of the two games the teams have played this year.
Look for a total in the 240s again, but play the Over all the way to 245.
NBA: Back the Knicks
On Sunday, New York will take on the Clippers who are currently third in the West. The Knicks lead the NBA with a 42-22-1 record ATS. They have covered in 15 of their last 16 games.
The two teams met earlier this season, but the Knicks are a different team. They lead the NBA in just about every major defensive statistical category.
New York will be the underdog again - they were a 9.5-point dog in the first meeting. The Knicks have won 12 of their last 13 games and will keep this one close. Back the Knicks down to +3.
NHL: Red Wings @ Blue Jackets
It’s an otherwise meaningless NHL game on Saturday when Detroit faces Columbus, but bettors should play the Under.
Detroit owns the NHL’s best record to the Under - 32-18 - and the Under is a common theme when the Red Wings play Columbus.
In six games between the two teams this season, the Under has cashed in all of them. The first five games saw the total at 5.5. The last Detroit-Columbus matchup, the total was set at 5. The result was a 1-0 Blue Jackets win.
Regardless of the total - 5.5 or 5 - back the Under.
Did you see our best bets for April 30 - May 1? It’s worth a look.
NASCAR Cup Series
Sunday’s race takes place at Darlington Raceway where favorite Denny Hamlin (+580) was a winner last year. With Hamlin starting seventh, bettors can find value in a few other drivers.
Kyle Busch celebrated a recent birthday and would love nothing more than another present. Busch won last week in Kansas and is listed at +775 for this Sunday’s race at Darlington.
The real value is on Martin Truex Jr. The veteran racer has two wins already this season and he will start from the fourth position on Sunday. Truex is listed +750 to win on Sunday.
