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Tides’ Takes: Free NHL & NBA Betting Picks For Today (3/24/22)

Timothy Buell Thu 3/24 11:41am PT
Suns make today's free NBA betting picks.
(Image Credit: Imagn)

ScoresAndOdds analyst Timothy Buell gives free expert advice and betting picks for Tuesday’s NHL and NBA slates. Use our Caesars code for $1100 first-bet insurance.

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.

Though we’re in the thick of March Madness, today I will be focusing on NHL and NBA betting lines, plus my favorite hockey prop, while leaving Sweet 16 predictions for our college basketball experts.

As always, make sure to use our tools at ScoresAndOdds to find the best betting lines at your favorite legal sportsbook.

Today we have four NBA games and 11 NHL games. Let’s get started with the picks!

Free NBA Betting Picks For Today

Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors

The Cavaliers head to Toronto in a game that has massive postseason implications.  The Bulls, Cavaliers, and Raptors are all within two games of each other in the season standings and one of them will land in the undesirable seven seed.  To say this game tonight is important would be an understatement.  Despite the Cavaliers beating this same Raptors on March 6th by 8 points, I think the Raptors take care of business at home.  The Cavaliers have struggled on the defensive end of the court since losing their best rim defender Jarrett Allen.  For the whole season the Cavs rank 4th in defensive rating, but since Allen went down with an injury they rank 22nd.  That is not a fluke.  The Raptors on the other hand have won seven of eight games and are playing their best basketball of the season.  Fred VanVleet is not on the injury report so he should be a full go, Gary Trent Jr.  could make his return tonight which would make the Raptors all the more healthy.  The Raptors should really be able to dominate the interior in this game with Siakam being able to handle Mobley on both ends of the court. 

Editor’s note: Betting odds are subject to change and the picks and corresponding lines referenced are accurate at the time this article was written.

Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns

Admittedly I am playing a bit of a guessing game with how to treat the Suns tonight. They all but have the #1 seed locked up and should be looking to give their players some sort of load management.  The Nuggets on the other hand are fighting to stay out of the play in games and are trying to hold off the Timberwolves for the 6 seed.  There is another narrative I would like to discuss.  Will Jokic still win the MVP if the Nuggets are in the play in games or will voters look at that as a negative.  I can only speculate that Jokic has extra motivation to step on the gas not only for his team but for his own personal motivations.  It would not shock me at all if the Suns start resting players.  Even if they don’t the Nuggets should be fully motivated to handle business at home

Free NHL Betting Picks For Today

Dallas Stars vs. Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes allow the fewest goals in hockey and are in the bottom third in high danger chances allowed per 60. They are also well above the league average at expected goals against per 60.  Whenever I can get two teams that don’t allow goals or high danger attempts, I have to look a little deeper into the under.  I really thought that the total would be 5.5 and was thrilled when I found it at 6 at two major books. The Hurricanes are the better possession team, especially on home ice.  However, like I said the Stars are very good at limiting the high danger chances.  I expect that both Anderson and Oettinger will be the net minders this evening giving further confidence that pucks can stay out of both nets.

Vancouver Canucks vs. Minnesota Wild

Playing on the second night of a road back to back going from Colorado to Minnesota is as difficult as it gets for any NHL team.  The Canucks playoff hopes are fading fast despite a huge win last night against Colorado and this schedule will not help them at all.  The Wild are trying to hang on to the 3 seed in the Central Division and are trying to fend off the surging Predators.  This will not be a game the Wild take lightly at all.  The Wild have elected not to give Marc-Andre Fleury his debut start.  I view this as a smart decision when deciding to make this wager. Cam Talbot has been announced their starter who is riding a six game winning streak.  Thatcher Demko on the other side of the puck should be in line for the start after Halak got the start last night.  Demko has lost five of his last six starts, including losses to the Sabres and Red Wings.  I will take my chances that the Wild dominate every facet of this game and cover the puckline at plus money. 

NHL Player Prop: Josi Over 2.5 Shots On Goal (-160)

Normally I don’t want to lay -160 on NHL shot prop but if there is ever a time to do it, this is it.  He is really carrying the load for his whole team and should play minutes in the upper 20’s.  For those that don’t follow much hockey, that is a ton even for a defenseman.  The Golden Knights are not the same team that we have been used to seeing and are having problems and injuries up and down the lineup.  I see plenty of opportunities for the Predators to be in their offensive zone where Josi should be able to pick up shots on the net.  Despite the heavy juice on this wager this will be a two unit play for me.