How to bet the Sports Equinox (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB)
Today is a day where sports bettors live. This is only the 27th time that an NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL game has been played on the same day. The second ALCS game is in Houston while the Saints and Cardinals battle it out in Arizona. The two Los Angeles basketball teams compete on the NBA roster and there are quite a few NHL games. Add in two MLS playoff games and two college football games and the betting options are endless.
We’re celebrating the 27th sports equinox by bringing you a +1080 parlay of tips on an NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL game.
All lines are from Caesars Sportsbook unless otherwise noted
NFL
New Orleans Saints at Arizona Cardinals (-2.5, 44)
Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET, State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Tags: The Saints are dealing with a plethora of injuries starting with quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton – and as of Wednesday morning there is no indication which will start. Wide receivers Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry and DB Marshon Lattimore are expected to be out. The Cardinals are dealing with injuries to running backs James Conner and Eno Benjamin, and WR Hollywood Brown has been put on IR. However, they bring DeAndre Hopkins back into play. This game is a crapshoot for me (I have a little bias towards cards that come down to -1.5).
The game for me in this matchup is to back the Saints in the first half. This is the third week in a row that I’ve bet against the cards in the first half and it has paid off. They were topped 41-3 in the first quarter of this season and led just 3% of their drives. As crazy as that sounds, they’re the worst team in the NFL in the first half of the game best in this second. In fact, 49% of their points this season have come in the fourth quarter. So I play Saints Moneyline in the first quarter (-110), Saints ML in the first half (Even), and if the first half goes as expected, Cards in the fourth quarter -1 (+125).
Tip: Saints 1H ML (+115)
NBA
Los Angeles Lakers at LA Clippers
10 p.m. ET, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles
line: Hair clipper (-5.5)
money line: Clippers (-225), Lakers (+185)
In total: 223.5 points
BPI forecast sum: 221.9 points
BPI Profit %: Hair clippers (51.9%)
Eric Moody: The Clippers are overwhelming favorites against the Lakers, and with good reason. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are finally back together and have a new addition in John Wall. Despite not playing a full season in three years, Wall is in great shape and highly motivated. The Lakers battled the Warriors on Tuesday night. They don’t have much besides LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook. The trio scored 77 of the team’s 109 points while the rest of the Lakers shot just 32%. In the last four games between the Lakers and Clippers, three of the games have been closer than the range, but that was without Leonard on the court. The Clippers finished last season 30-21-1 against the spread, down less than 112.1 points. — moody
Selection: Hair trimmer -5.5 (-110)
NHL
Nashville predators at Columbus Blue Jackets
7 p.m. on ESPN+, Nationwide Arena, Columbus Ohio
puck line: Predators (-1.5)
money line: Predators (-130), Bluejackets (+115)
About Below: 6.5
Greg Wyshynski: The Predators desperately need a win here as they haven’t picked up two points in a game since opening the NHL season with two Nashville wins in Prague. They should enjoy a Blue Jackets team that is in the bottom five in the NHL by equal strength and lacks ace goalscorer Patrik Laine. Recent results have this moneyline lower than it would normally live.
Selection: Predators ML (-130)
MLB
New York Yankees at Houston Astros
ALCS Game 2 (HOU leads series 1-0), 7:37 p.m., Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas
running line: Astros (-1.5)
money line: Astros (-160), Yankees (+135)
About Below: 7.0
Tristan Cockcroft: I like the Astros jumping out to a 2-0 lead, but the initial pitching matchup in this game is tighter so the Yankees offer more value money-line wise. This should be a tight contest again, and with Framber Valdez being more contact-oriented, the majors’ fifth-highest qualified walk rate in the regular season — increased walk followed by two-run homer prospects — the Yankees have a better chance of today the excitement. Overall, though, the running line for the first five innings catches my eye — my predictions say it should be closer to 4-4 1/2 than the current 3 1/2, so I’d bet the over.
Eric Karabell: I’m not sure why anyone would bet against the Astros right now. You don’t lose. Valdez is a quality launch machine. Their lineup, unlike the Yankees, is deep. Even on the low number, I’d put Houston 2-0 up. You can’t lose this month.
Choice: Astros ML (-160)
Sports equinox parlay
$100 equals $10,800 (+1080)
Saints 1H ML (+115)
Clipper -5.5 (-110)
Predators ML (-130)
Astros ML (-160)