Week 17 in the National Lacrosse League features every team in action once again. I’m eyeing three games in particular and have bets on a total, moneyline and side.
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New York Riptide (-1.5) vs. Georgia Swarm
| Georgia Odds | -120 |
| New York Odds | -120 |
| Total | 26.5 |
| Time | Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via bet365
The New York Riptide host the Georgia Swarm on Long Island on Saturday night. New York is a 1.5-point favorite again this week after winning its last two games. The total is as high as 26.5 on bet365.
The Riptide have been in plenty of high-scoring affairs this year, but the sportsbooks have still not factored in their goaltender change from two weeks ago. Since starting Cameron Dunkerley, the Riptide have held opponents to just 10 goals in back-to-back games. Dunkerly will certainly have his work cut out for him facing a Georgia offense led by Lyle Thompson, but this total is still too high.
Additionally, only three of the Swarm’s 11 games have gone over the 26.5 mark this season, and with the exception of a high-scoring affair with the Knighthawks two weeks ago, they have played much better on defense since Brett Dobson took over in net. I trust these defenses to play well enough to keep this total under 26.5 (-140 on bet365.)
Pick: Under 26.5
San Diego Seals (-1.5) vs. Buffalo Bandits
| Buffalo Odds | -120 |
| San Diego Odds | -120 |
| Total | 24.5 |
| Time | Saturday, 10 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPNews |
Odds via bet365
The game to watch this weekend is without a doubt the battle between the San Diego Seals and Buffalo Bandits. The top teams in the West and East face off in San Diego, and which team is favored really depends on which sportsbook you’re looking at. Some sportsbooks such as bet365 posted odds earlier in the week before the Seals played their first game of the weekend on Friday night, and you could have bet the Bandits at -110. Their shortest price is now -120, but I think that is still a nice price to back Buffalo.
The Bandits are arguably the most complete team in the league along with East rival Toronto. And though the Seals are equally loaded at nearly every position, Buffalo still possesses a strong edge at goaltender. Matt Vinc boasts the second-best save percentage in the league among starters with a minimum of three starts this season at 80%.
The Seals, on the other hand, have gone back and forth between starting Frank Scigliano and Chris Origlieri. Scigliano has been up and down all season, and while Origlieri has played better, he hasn’t been asked to make a ton of saves in his starts and played in the Seals’ game on Friday night. This means we’re getting Origlieri on short rest or a shaky Scigliano on Saturday night. Regardless of who starts, the Seals defense will have their work cut out for them facing a full-strength Bandits offense that recently got back Josh Byrne, Chris Cloutier and Chase Fraser.
Additionally, while the short rest trend hasn’t been as reliable as of late, teams playing their second game of the weekend against a fresh opponent are still just 7-13 outright and 6-14 against the spread. I think the short rest will play a factor in this one and favors the Bandits. Bet Buffalo to win outright at the short price of -120 on bet365.
Pick: Buffalo Bandits ML
Vancouver Warriors vs. Colorado Mammoth (-1.5)
| Colorado Odds | -155 |
| Vancouver Odds | +120 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Saturday, 10 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via Barstool Sportsbook
The final game I’m targeting is the Colorado Mammoth’s matchup with the Vancouver Warriors on Saturday night. The Mammoth are 1.5-point favorites at home fresh off their biggest win over the Buffalo Bandits last week.
The Warriors have been much more competitive since starting Aaron Bold in net, but they still struggle to play a full 60 minutes with some of the top teams. They’ll also face a Colorado team that has recently gotten back both forwards Tyson Gibson and Ryan Lee in the lineup and added Garrett McIntosh to its defense at the trade deadline. I don’t think the market has completely adjusted to the team's recent roster updates, and with their playoff hopes on the line, the Mammoth are in a much more desperate spot than the 3-10 Warriors are.
I think the Mammoth are hitting their stride at the right time and will be able to handle the Warriors in a must-win game for Colorado. Colorado netminder Dillon Ward should be able to stifle this thin Warriors offense and give his offense plenty of opportunities to build a substantial lead. Bet the Mammoth to win and cover the 1.5-point spread (-106 on Barstool Sportsbook).
Pick: Colorado Mammoth -1.5
