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Best bets today: NBA, NHL, college basketball, college football picks for 11/13/2024
A lighter slate, but plenty of basketball, other sports to bet take in
In terms of excitement, Wednesday might not present the greatest schedule for sports fans. However, there is a massive slate of NBA action, a decent schedule on the ice and MACtion to get fans over the hump. Beyond Wednesday, the upcoming weekend is in sight with plenty of football on tap.
Best NBA bet and odds for Wednesday
The NBA Cup got underway on Tuesday night to provide some excitement across the league, but it’s back to regular-season action on Wednesday, which brings a typical mid-week slate across the NBA with 11 games on the schedule. Cleveland looks to remain undefeated with a visit to Philadelphia. Here are Wednesday’s schedule with betting odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook:
- Indiana (-2.0) at Orlando // Total: 227.5
- Boston (-8.5) at Brooklyn // Total: 217.5
- New Orleans at Oklahoma City (-14.5) // Total: 221.5
- Cleveland (-9.0) at Philadelphia // Total: 217.5
- Chicago at New York (-8.5) // Total: 228.0
- Washington at San Antonio (-9.5) // Total: 222.5
- Detroit at Milwaukee (-5.5) // Total: 219.0
- LA Clippers at Houston (-5.0) // Total: 215.0
- Minnesota (-9.0) at Portland // Total: 219.5
- Phoenix at Sacramento (-7.0) // Total: 225.5
- Memphis at LA Lakers (-6.5) // Total: 230.5
NBA bet of the day: Norman Powell Over 21.5 points (+100, DraftKings)
Norman Powell has been a solid contributor to the Clippers since joining their team a few seasons ago. However, he’s been a scoring machine to begin this season. Powell is averaging 26 points per game, which ranks 11th in the league, ahead of names such as Donovan Mitchell, Devin Booker and Jalen Brunson. Powell is playing more than 35 minutes a night lately and has scored at least 22 points in eight straight games and 9 of 11 overall to begin the season. We’ll keep riding this train until it stops.
Best college basketball bet and odds for Wednesday
The Champions Classic took place on Tuesday unofficially marking the return college basketball betting. Unfortunately, Wednesday’s slate doesn’t do much to continue the excitement from last night. There are no marquee matchups, and all seven ranked teams are double-digit home favorites. Let’s take a look at those games and their betting odds, courtesy of BetMGM:
- Wagner at No. 22 St. John’s (-23.5) // Total: 143.5
- Le Moyne at No. 3 UConn (-37.5) // Total: 150.5
- Montana at No. 11 Tennessee (-25.5) // Total: 138.5
- Kent State at No. 5 Auburn (-20.5) // Total: 147.5
- Louisiana at No. 8 Houston (-28.5) // Total: 137.5
- Troy at No. 14 Arkansas (-12.5) // Total: 151.5
- Houston Christian at No. 14 Creighton (-35.5) // Total: 159.5
College basketball bet of the day: Le Moyne +37.5 (-110, BetMGM)
Not to say that the Dolphins are anywhere near the Huskies’ level, but 37.5 points are too many for a Division I opponent. Yes, this number is exactly the margin of victory in UConn’s first two victories, but Le Moyne is a slight step up in competition from Sacred Heart and New Hampshire. Le Moyne came within four points of defeating Syracuse on the road, so the Dolphins are familiar with high-major athleticism. The Dolphins likely won’t come close to pulling off the upset in Storrs, but they don’t have to in order to cover this number.
Best college football bet and odds for Wednesday
Mid-week college football always has the potential to get weird and, with three double-digit point spreads in the MAC, expect some weirdness to surface. Here are the betting odds for Wednesday’s three games, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
- Kent State vs. Miami Ohio (-30.5) // Total: 46.5
- Akron vs. Northern Illinois (-15.0) // Total: 45.0
- Eastern Michigan vs. Ohio (-11.0) // Total: 50.5
College football bet of the day: Akron vs. Northern Illinois Over 44.5 (-110, FanDuel)
Not much gets the blood pumping like a MAC over bet. Contests involving Akron have averaged 55.5 points scored over their last four games, as both the offense and defense are equally contributing to the high-scoring affairs. Northern Illinois has been much harder to predict, as evidenced by the fact it’s beaten Notre Dame and lost to Ball State. Even so, its last two games have been higher-scoring affairs, so the trend should continue Wednesday.
Best NHL bet and odds for Wednesday
The NHL does a great job of providing a consistent slate of games for its fans and bettors. Even on slower nights, there will four or five games to watch or wager on. Wednesday night is a slower night across the league, but there are still five games to enjoy. Here are the latest betting odds, courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook:
- Toronto (+110) at Washington (-130) // Total: 6.0
- Detroit (+118) at Pittsburgh (-140) // Total: 6.5
- Carolina (-190) at Utah (-158) // Total: 6.0
- Vegas (-205) at Anaheim (+170) // Total: 6.5
- LA Kings (+118) at Colorado (-140) // Total: 6.0
NHL bet of the day: Los Angeles/Colorado Over 6.0 goals (-120, Caesars)
Sixteen games into the NHL season, the sample size is no longer small. To this point, only the Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins are giving up more goals per game than the Colorado Avalanche. Colorado is allowing opponents to find the back of the net over 3.8 times per game, while scoring nearly 3.5 goals per game itself. It’s no surprise that 69% of the Avalanche’s games to begin the season have gone over the total, the second highest rate in the league.
Colorado has established itself as a dominant offensive force over the last couple of seasons, so nobody will question its ability to score goals. However, keeping the puck out of their net has been a major issue. The Avalanche also have familiarity with Kings’ goaltender Darcy Kuemper, who led them to a Stanley Cup in 2022. Kuemper has been fine, but far from spectacular, to begin the season with Los Angeles.
NFL odds for Wednesday
The NFL is off on Wednesday, but it’s not too early to take a look at the betting lines for Thursday Night Football.
The 7-3 Washington Commanders head to Philadelphia to face the 7-2 Eagles. The teams are the top contenders in the NFC East, meaning this game could have tremendous playoff ramifications.
At Fanatics Sportsbook, Washington is a 3.5-point road underdog. The Commanders are an underdog for the first time since Week 6. The total for the game is set at 49 points as rookie Jayden Daniels and Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts are both performing at high levels.
Washington has been good to bettors, as the Commanders are 7-2-1 against the spread. Prior to last weekend’s loss against Pittsburgh, the last spread they failed to cover was in Week 1 against Tampa Bay.
Philadelphia has won five straight games, covering the spread in three. Overall, the Eagles are 5-4 against the number.