Best Bets Today: Top Picks, Predictions from Friday's Sports Slate - NBA, NHL, MLB & WNBA
We've shopped the odds and lines at our best sports betting sites in search of our best bets today for Friday, May 19. Our top picks include offerings from the NBA and NHL playoffs, MLB, and the opening night of the WNBA season.
Friday's jam-packed sports slate includes Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, Game 1 of the Western Conference Final between the Dallas Stars and Vegas Golden Knights, a loaded MLB schedule, and the marquee game of the WNBA's opening night between the Phoenix Mercury and Los Angeles Sparks.
Read on for today's best bets for Friday, May 19, based on the odds from our best sports betting apps.
Friday's best bets
- NBA: Bam Adebayo Over 2.5 assists (-130 via PointsBet) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- NHL: Jonathan Marchessault Over 3.5 shots (-113 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐
- MLB: Zac Gallen to record a win (+105 via DraftKings) vs. Pirates ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- WNBA: Phoenix Mercury +2.5 vs. Los Angeles Sparks ⭐⭐
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Friday's NBA best bet
Bam Adebayo Over 2.5 assists vs. Celtics (-130 via PointsBet) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I'm genuinely astonished that PointsBet has chosen to set the Over on Adebayo's assist prop at a nearly identical number as it did for Game 1. We purchased Adebayo Over 2.5 assists at -122 through FanDuel for Game 1, while several other of our best NBA betting sites offered it at -130. Surprisingly, PointsBet has now listed the same odds for Game 2.
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During his press conference, Adebayo emphasized that the Celtics began employing double teams against him, and due to his "phenomenal passing" ability (his own words, not mine), Adebayo was able to find his teammates and accumulate several assists. One would assume that with a viral clip of Adebayo discussing his aptitude for dropping dimes, coupled with his five assists in Game 1, PointsBet would have set a different initial number for this prop. However, that is not the case.
Adebayo is projected to record 3.3 assists against the Celtics on Friday, which exceeds his total of 2.5 assists. Therefore, based on this projection, we can set the price for Adebayo to have more than 2.5 assists at -170.
In comparison, Caesars has the Over 2.5 assists trading at -147 for Adebayo, while BetMGM has it at -145. This clearly demonstrates where PointsBet may have missed the mark with its pricing. Due to the favorable odds at -130, Adebayo Over 2.5 assists will be among my favorite player prop bets for Friday's Game 2 matchup.
Heat vs. Celtics prediction made by Jon Metler.
View all of our NBA picks and NBA odds.
Friday's NHL best bet
Jonathan Marchessault Over 3.5 shots (-113 via FanDuel) ⭐⭐⭐
At first glance, it would be easy to call for screaming statistical correction ahead of Marchessault’s skyrocketing shot volume in Round 2 against the Edmonton Oilers.
There were two huge changes that paved the way for the winger’s uptick in shots and attempts, though.
First, winger Ivan Barbashev replaced Michael Amadio on the Vegas top line alongside center Jack Eichel and Marchessault ahead of Game 5 in the Round 1 series against the Winnipeg Jets.
Second, Vegas began to commit to a loaded No. 1 power-play unit featuring winger Mark Stone, Eichel, and Marchessault in Game 3 against the Oil in Round 2. It's resulted in Marchessault returning to his role as the go-to shooter with the man advantage.
So, while there’s no chance Marchessault’s behemoth 19.94 shots and 26.98 attempts per 60 minutes from Round 2 carry over into the Western Conference Final, there is still oodles of room for both the pending negative regression and this Over to cash in Friday.
This recommendation was originally made with the Over 3.5 shots priced at -110. I'd still play it to -115.
Stars vs. Golden Knights pick made by Neil Parker.
View all of our NHL picks and NHL odds.
Friday's MLB best bet
Player prop: Zac Gallen to record a win vs. Pirates (+105 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Ask any Pittsburgh Pirates fan; they would likely have signed up for a 23-20 record through 43 games. However, the Pirates were playing at a 116-win pace at one point when they were 20-8, and their 3-12 record since is essentially a product of a lack of offense.
In the last 15 games, the Pirates have been held to three or fewer runs 13 times and two or fewer 11 times. That is an issue when facing Arizona Diamondbacks righty Zac Gallen, who leads the league with an .857 winning percentage, 1.79 FIP, 0.855 WHIP, and 8.75 strikeouts per win. Johan Oviedo opposes Gallen, and his 10.5 hits per nine 4.3 walks per nine rates suggest the Diamondbacks should have little issue building an early lead.
Caesars also offers plus-money odds for this wager, but with a slightly less favorable return (+100) than DraftKings.
Friday's MLB best bets made by Mike Spector.
View all of our MLB picks and MLB odds.
Friday's WNBA best bets
Mercury +2.5 (via BetMGM) ⭐⭐
Motivation figures to be plenty high for both teams on Friday night with this game marking the start of a brand new season. While the first few games of a season can be the toughest to predict, there are a couple of key factors behind our decision to side with the underdog Mercury.
Phoenix will have a bit of added emotion surrounding this season-opener as it marks the return of Brittney Griner to WNBA action after a year away due to legal trouble. What’s more, getting their star center back will be massive for the Mercury in this particular matchup. Griner will help her team offset Nneka Ogwumike and the rest of the Sparks’ talented frontcourt.
Check out our WNBA Championship picks and MVP odds
The backcourt is where the Merc figure to have a pretty decisive advantage in this contest. Skylar Diggins-Smith and Diana Taurasi aren’t young, but they remain very dangerous at the offensive end. The Sparks had the third-worst scoring offense in the league last year and ranked dead last in 3-point field goal percentage.
Even with home-court advantage in L.A.’s favor, the Mercury should be able to keep this one competitive throughout and perhaps even steal a road win.
Mercury vs. Sparks prediction made by Henry John.
Check out all of our WNBA picks and WNBA odds.
Check out our best sports betting apps:
- FanDuel: $1,000 No Sweat First Bet | Read our FanDuel Review
- Caesars: Earn Up to a $1,250 Bet Credit | Read our Caesars Review
- DraftKings: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets | Read our DraftKings Review
- PointsBet: Earn Five Second-Chance Bets Up to $50 Each | Read our PointsBet Review
- BetMGM: Get a Bonus Bet of Up to $1,000 | Read our BetMGM Review
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