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Tides’ Takes: Free NHL & NBA Betting Picks For Today – March 3, 2022

Timothy Buell Thu 3/3 11:24am PT
(Luka Doncic) Image Credit: Gary A. Vasquez/Imagn

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

Happy Thursday 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.  

We have a nine-game NHL slate and a seven-game NBA slate to choose from, so let’s get started!

Free NHL Betting Picks Today

Edmonton Oilers @ Chicago Blackhawks

Both of these teams really struggle keeping the puck out of their own net.  They are both inside the top-10 in most goals allowed on the season. 

Edmonton has no problem with finishing on the offensive end either. 

They have the two best offensive players in the world.  Edmonton’s fast, wide-open style allows for plenty of high danger attempts for both teams. 

Chicago hasn’t shown much ability to finish its chances this season, ranking toward the bottom in the league in goals forced. 

Given that the Blackhawks are playing at home in this matchup should allow superstar Patrick Kane and his line-mates to get the proper line matching that they want. 

Chicago should be able to put three goals in this game and I feel like Edmonton can pretty easily cover the rest.

Although neither team takes a lot of penalties, if they were to find time on the power play, both toward the bottom of the league in penalty kills in the NHL. 

Boston Bruins @ Las Vegas Golden Knights

This is the final game of a five-game west-coast road trip for the Bruins, which they have picked up three wins in the first four games. 

Boston will be going to Vegas after defeat by the Ducks two nights ago. 

Both Boston and Vegas play at a low pace, low-event style that is designed to reduce the amount of high danger chances. 

Jeremy Swayman is currently on a four-game winning streak and hasn’t given up more than two goals in six straight starts. Rob Lehner should get the start for Vegas this evening. 

He has had his ups and down this season, but was able to keep the Bruins to one goal in their last meeting in Boston almost two months ago. 

Both teams are disciplined enough to make special teams essentially a non-factor, keeping the game mostly a tight checking 5v5 affair.  

Free NBA Betting Picks for Today

Sacramento Kings @ San Antonio Spurs

The Kings travel to San Antonio after getting blown out in New Orleans last night and are now playing their third road game in four nights.

One of my favorite things to attack in the betting market is taking advantage of teams that have played a ton of basketball on long road trips. 

Teams just aren’t as efficient and don’t have the legs to compete in close matchups. 

Additionally, the Kings have nothing to play for, so I see no reason not to bet the Spurs. 

Both teams play at a top-10 pace and the Kings have the second-worst defensive team in the NBA. 

Dejounte Murray should have an absolute field day in this game. The Kings interior defense is atrocious and Murray’s strength is driving the lane.  

Golden State Warriors @ Dallas Mavericks

When I think of these two teams, I usually think of Steph Curry draining threes from wherever he wants, and Luka Doncic putting up ridiculous triple double stat lines. 

Or perhaps even Klay Thompson putting up 25 points in one quarter. 

However, as fun as all those things are to watch, that is not what I think will happen tonight. 

The Mavericks are the slowest-paced team in the NBA by a pretty wide margin. 

Dallies really tries to slow the tempo down and play solid defense.  The Mavericks have the 5th best defensive rating in basketball. 

You know who has the best defense rating in basketball? If you guessed the Warriors you would be correct. 

The Warriors are tremendous defensively, even if you take Draymond Green off the court. 

Klay Thompson is back for the Warriors tonight and yes he is an amazing offensive player, but he is also one of the best on ball defenders in basketball. 

This game should have a high intensity playoff atmosphere with two extremely talented defenses.