Best Bets Today: Top Picks, Predictions from Thursday's Sports Slate
Check out our sports betting experts' top picks for today's slate based on the odds from our best sportsbooks. Top picks from the NFL, college football, college basketball. the NBA, and NHL!
Thursday Night Football begins the NFL's Week 11 by pitting the Tennessee Titans against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. SMU meets Tulane in the lone college football game of the day, and there's yet another full slate of college hoops action on the docket.
Read on for our best bets for Thursday, Nov. 17, based on the odds from our top-rated sportsbooks.
Today's Best Bets
Thursday's NFL Best Bet
Rodgers Over 1.5 passing touchdowns (-105) ★★★
The Titans' secondary received terrible news as Caleb Farley, the team’s 2021 first-round pick, will undergo season-ending surgery for a herniated disc. Given how effectively Green Bay ran the football last week, Tennessee will likely make stopping the run its top priority, which should have Packers QB Aaron Rodgers in for a big day against a depleted Titans pass defense.
Titans vs. Packers picks made by Mike Spector.
Check out our Thursday Night Football prop picks and all of our top NFL picks for Week 11.
Thursday's College Football Best Bet
SMU +3.5 (-110) ★
This is one of the toughest games of the week to pick. These teams are both very good at what they do, which makes it difficult to know which team's strength will ultimately win out.
The Green Wave are allowing just 19 points per game, but in their last four contests, they’re allowing an average of 27.5. While they have faced good offenses, none of them have had the offensive firepower of SMU.
That is why we are leaning slightly in favor of the Mustangs. Their offense has been incredible all season, scoring below 30 points just three times. They have won four of five, and their only loss was 29-27 to Cincinnati, where a failed two-point conversion was the difference in the game. This team is clicking on all cylinders, and the Tulane defense isn’t what it was earlier in the season.
SMU vs. Tulane picks made by Philip Wood.
Check out all of our top college football picks for Week 12.
Thursday's College Basketball Best Bets
UC Riverside-Creighton Over 139 (-110) ★★★★
Creighton is the favorite to win the Big East this year because of their efficient and high-powered offense. The Bluejays have been sensational on that end, ranking in the top 40 in the country in scoring at 87.3 ppg.
Of course, those numbers are unsustainable once we get into conference play, but they should not waver against a UC Riverside team that ranks 280th in effective field goal percentage defense and has allowed opponents to connect on 42.5% (327th) of their 3-point attempts. Creighton has been even worse on that end, allowing a 46.3% 3-point percentage, which gives us confidence about the Highlanders’ ability to score in this matchup.
Thursday's college basketball best bets made by Mike Spector.
Thursday's NHL Best Bet
Filip Forsberg Over 3.5 (+100) ★★★
With a favorable home matchup against the New York Islanders, I like Nashville Predators winger Filip Forsberg to clear this 3.5-shot total for the first time in four games. He’s pacing the Preds in both shots and attempts per 60 minutes, and the Islanders have surrendered the fifth-most shot attempts per 60.
Forsberg had 11 attempts failing to register as shots during the noted four-game stretch. The volume and top offensive role are there, so he just needs to hit the net more consistently Thursday.
NHL shot-prop picks made by Neil Parker.
Check out Thursday's NHL best bets and all of our NHL picks and predictions.
Thursday's NBA Best Bet
Kevin Durant Under 30.5 points (-108) ★★★★★
Durant is averaging 30.3 points per game in 2022-23. He's continuing to be an elite offensive force despite the drama constantly tied to his team.
However, his point total is set far too high against the Portland Trail Blazers, as Durant has scored fewer than 30 points in six of his last seven contests. The Brooklyn Nets surely won’t be motivated on Thursday, making it tough to feel confident in taking the Over.
Nets vs. Trail Blazers picks made by Zachary Hanshew.
Check out our Spurs vs. Kings picks and all of our top NBA picks and predictions.
Where to Bet on Today’s Best Bets
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