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Best Bets Today: Top Picks, Predictions from Monday's Sports Slate

Sportsbook Review

Last Updated: January 23, 2023 9:49 AM EST • 3 min 47 sec read.

Our sports betting experts offer up their best bets from today's offering based on the odds from our best sportsbooks. Monday's top picks include options from the NBA, as well as college basketball and the NHL.

Catch your breath from a busy sports weekend and get right back in the saddle with action from the NBA, NHL, and college hoops.

Read on for our best bets for Monday, Jan. 23, based on the odds from our best sportsbooks.

Monday's Best Bets

Monday's NBA Best Bet

Zach LaVine Over 26.5 points vs. Hawks (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

While bettors seem very confident in the Bulls to cover in this game, this feels like a toss-up. These two teams have been wildly inconsistent all season long, and while the Bulls have been great in their last two games, the Hawks are actually the hotter team over the last two weeks. 

Additionally, this should be a high-scoring game with both teams averaging 114.8 points per game and allowing at least 115 per game. Yet that doesn’t account for all those extra points that would send this over 238.5. But is it wise to bet against either of these offenses right now? The Hawks haven’t scored fewer than 118 in four games, and the Bulls have found their rhythm at home in their last two.

Therefore, we’re going to suggest a player prop for a player that has been cashing consistently in 2023. Lavine has scored at least 25 points in all but one of his nine games this calendar year. While DeMar DeRozan is still the leading scorer on the team, LaVine has been the more consistent option for the Bulls.

When the Bulls score in the 120s or higher, LaVine scores 25 or more. When the Bulls score fewer than 100, LaVine scores 25 or more. Anywhere in between, it’s the same story. He has not topped 25 this season against the Hawks, which is likely why this number isn’t at 27.5 or 28.5. But until LaVine shows signs of cooling off, there is no reason not to take him against a team allowing opponents to shoot 47.5% from the field this season.

Hawks vs. Bulls picks made by Philip Wood.

Check out all of our NBA best bets, and our 2023 NBA Finals odds and 2023 NBA MVP odds.

Monday's College Basketball Best Bet

Baylor ML vs. Kansas (-130 via Caesars, DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

We are betting against the Jayhawks once again. I’m making this a four-star bet because this is not the opportune time for Kansas to be facing a team like Baylor on such a short turnaround.

The Jayhawks gave up 83 points in back-to-back losses last week, and Bill Self was extremely critical of his team’s defensive effort after the game on Saturday. KU is 10th in 3-point defense since conference season began, surrendering plenty of open looks in the process. TCU, a team that notoriously can’t shoot from deep, hit eight 3-pointers in the 23-point victory.

Kansas will probably get things resolved on that end of the floor, but not against this Baylor team with just 48 hours of preparation. The Bears rank No. 2 in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency. They have an effective field-goal percentage of 53.8%, which ranks 37th in the country. Baylor’s backcourt trio of Keyonte George (future NBA lottery pick), Adam Flagler, and LJ Cryer are capable of making any defense look silly.

These Big 12 battles are never easy, with 15 of the 35 games being decided by four points or fewer in regulation or going to overtime. That mark ranks No. 1 in the entire nation, per Kenpom, and is why we prefer playing Baylor on the Moneyline instead of sweating out the spread.

Kansas vs. Baylor picks made by Shane Jackson.

Check out all of our top college basketball picks, as well as our 2023 March Madness odds and 2023 Wooden Award odds.

Monday's NHL Best Bet

Panthers-Rangers Over 6.5 (-118) ⭐⭐⭐ 

With Sergei Bobrovsky and Spencer Knight injured, the Panthers will have Alex Lyon starting in net for a second straight game.

Lyon is a 30-year-old journeyman who has started 18 NHL games across the past six seasons, posting a .896 save percentage in 26 total appearances. He is a good AHL goaltender who has a .911 save percentage in 48 games over the past two seasons, and he stopped 29 of 32 shots against Minnesota in Florida’s 5-3 win on Saturday.

While the market appears to consider Lyon a downgrade in goal for the Panthers, it’s not like goaltending has been a strength for Florida, which ranks 21st in the league with a .894 team save percentage.

Judging by the morning skate, it looks like the Rangers are going with backup Jaroslav Halak in net for this game. Halak has had three strong starts since the holiday break, stopping 73 of 78 shots, but his save percentage remains a pedestrian .901. He has allowed a dozen goals on 77 shots in three home starts.

The Panthers lead the league with 34.4 shots for per 60 minutes during five-on-five play, while Rangers rank 14th. Considering the goaltending matchup, those shots should turn into goals and push this game Over.

Panthers vs. Rangers picks made by Scott Cullen.

Check out all of our NHL best bets.

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

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Sportsbook Review
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