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Tides’ Takes: Free NBA & NHL Betting Picks For Today – March 15, 2022

Timothy Buell Tue 3/15 11:02am PT
Image Credit: Imagn

ScoresAndOdds analyst Timothy Buell gives free expert advice and betting picks for Tuesday’s NHL and NBA slates.

Happy Tuesday everyone! Welcome to this new article for ScoresAndOdds, where we will offer betting picks and advice for multiple sports that are happening on a given day.

Now that the NFL season has unfortunately come to an end, we will be focusing on NHL odds and NBA odds and props. We will also be throwing in some traditional parlays and some same game parlays as we see fit.  

Make sure to use our tools at ScoresAndOdds to find the best lines at your favorite legal sportsbook.  

Today we have a four-game NBA slate and an 11-game NHL slate to breakdown. Let’s get started!

Free NBA Betting Picks For Today

Memphis Grizzlies @ Indiana Pacers

With Ja Morant being doubtful for this game, the Grizzlies should be without their best player. The Grizzlies have a fairly deep team, and even without Morant, Memphis should be able to handle this Pacers team pretty easily. That’s how much I don’t respect the Pacers as a whole.

The Pacers are one of the worst defensive teams in all of basketball. The Grizzlies have one of the best net ratings in the NBA, and although they won’t have Morant, they will be getting Dillon Brooks back, who is an aggressive offensive player. Although it is highly unlikely that the Grizzlies can catch the Suns for the number one seed in the West, they are still highly motivated to beat out the Warriors for the 2-seed.  These are not games that they will take lightly against an unmotivated opponent like the Pacers.

Phoenix Suns @ New Orleans Pelicans

With Brandon Ingram already ruled out, Pelicans could end up being extremely short handed tonight. Even with C.J. McCollum likely to play today, I still like the Suns to cover. 

The Pelicans don’t have the capable depth I like to see when teams are missing their best player. The Suns have the best net rating in basketball and its not particularly close. They should be able to dominate this game from every facet. Devonte Graham and Jonas Valanciunas don’t have the capability to carry the load against this Suns team to keep this game close.  

Free NHL Betting Picks For Today

Detroit Red Wings @ Edmonton Oilers

The Oilers looked fantastic against the juggernaut Lightning a few days ago and completely dominated the game from start to finish.  They now come into this game well rested and are going up against a Detroit team that has lost five games in a row and have looked absolutely terrible up-and-down the ice.

The Red Wings will be without Tyler Bertuzzi and Robby Fabbri who are integral parts to this team. Detroit simply doesn’t have the depth to replace these top six wingers. In order to keep games close against Edmonton the opposing team must be able to put up multiple goals.  I don’t see that happening especially with this being a game in Edmonton. The Oilers are riding high after  beating the Capitals and Lightning in their last two and need to keep winning games in order to keep their playoff hopes alive.  They remain in a tight battle in the Pacific and will want to take advantage of easy matchups like this. 

Dallas Stars @ Toronto Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs will be without Auston Matthews for the next two games due to a cross check against Rasmus Dahlin in their last game.  This will leave John Tavares to lead the top line.  If you are reading this article you probably don’t need me to tell how much of a downgrade this is. I don’t think Michael Bunting will have anywhere near the ability to create any sort of offense without Matthews as his center.

Both the Stars and the Maple Leafs are in the top-10 in fewest expected goals against per 60 and although the Toronto goaltending has been some of if not the worst in the league in the past month the Dallas Stars are rated in the bottom 10 in expected goals for per 60. Given the Maple Leafs missing their best offensive player and the Stars inability to create goals I think this is a good recipe for taking the under. 

Free Player Props For Today

NHL Player Prop – Cole Caufield

With the Coyotes playing on the second night of a road back to back the Canadians top line should be going up against the fatigued depth of Arizona. Montreal has played so much better since their coaching change and Caulfield has really shown his ability that we all thought he possessed. Given the fact I think Montreal wins the puck possession battle, and will be able to generate play much easier now that Coyote defenseman Jakob Chychrun is out for the next few weeks, we should see plenty of opportunity for Caulfield and his line-mates to get shots on the net. 

NHL Player Prop – Evander Kane

I really like the fact that Kane shares a line with Connor McDavid and Kailer Yamamoto. McDavid is so elite at zone-entry and generating play. The fact that he is always looking to pass first in his offensive zone it leaves so many opportunities for Kane.

Yamamoto is not a volume shooter despite putting up 4 SOG’s last game. Evander Kane has gone over this prop in five -traight games and this is not the matchup where I am going to jump off. The Oilers should absolutely dominate the offensive zone time. I am going to make this a 2-unit play today.