With just three weeks left in the 2023-24 National Lacrosse League season, there are plenty of pivotal games occurring all weekend, including four on Friday night. Let’s take a look at the side and player props I like to start NLL Week 19.
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Calgary Roughnecks vs. Saskatchewan Rush
| Calgary (-1.5) | Moneyline (-176) |
| Saskatchewan (+1.5) | Moneyline (+142) |
| Total | 22.5 |
| Time | Friday · 9 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via FanDuel
The Calgary Roughnecks and Saskatchewan Rush have a rare doubleheader, facing each other twice in a 24-hour span. The first game takes place in Calgary with the Roughnecks 1.5-point home favorites. With their playoff hopes on the line, both teams are desperate for a win.
I think Calgary is still severely underrated due to their 6-8 record. The Roughnecks allow the second-lowest opposing shooting percentage and rank seventh in offensive rating according to LaxMetrics. While Saskatchewan ranks fourth in offensive rating, its opposing shooting percentage allowed is second-worst despite playing a slightly easier schedule. Whether this game ends up a slugfest or shootout, I think Calgary edges out the Rush and covers the spread in doing so.
Bet the Roughnecks -1.5 at -115 on FanDuel.
I’m also betting Saskatchewan forward Robert Church to stay under his points prop of 5.5. Church has gone under this mark in half his games this season, including three of five against teams currently with a winning record. Church also failed to go over this total in all three contests against a largely unchanged Calgary roster last season, averaging just 3.33 points per game.
Bet Church to stay Under 5.5 points at +130 on bet365.
If you’re already looking ahead to Saturday, you can also bet Calgary to cover the -1.5 at +100 on BetMGM. I’d recommend betting Saturday’s game now with the thought that if the Roughnecks win as expected, this price will be gone come Saturday. Even if Calgary loses, I still don’t expect the Roughnecks to become underdogs in the second game, and the price likely won’t get any better.
Pick: Calgary Roughnecks -1.5, Robert Church Under 5.5 Points
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San Diego Seals vs. Panther City Lacrosse Club
| San Diego (-2.5) | Moneyline (-275) |
| Panther City (+2.5) | Moneyline (+200) |
| Total | 21.5 |
| Time | Friday · 10 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via bet365
San Diego hosts Panther City with the Seals entering as 2.5-point favorites. The last time these teams played, Panther City took San Diego to overtime, where it ultimately lost. I think San Diego will win again, but I am not comfortable laying -2.5 with it, especially considering that it has failed to cover in six of its last seven games.
Instead, I’d rather fade Panther City by betting one of its forwards to stay under its points prop of 5.5. Will Malcolm has failed to record six or more points in nine of 14 games this season, including these teams’ last meeting a few weeks ago.
San Diego’s defense has allowed the third-lowest opposing shooting percentage this season at 16.1% and hasn’t allowed a six-point performance by a single player in three straight games. The Seals are also allowing less than 10 goals per game—the second lowest in the NLL.
Bet Will Malcolm to stay under 5.5 points at -120 on bet365.
Pick: Will Malcom Under 5.5 Points
Vancouver Warriors vs. Halifax Thunderbirds
| Vancouver (+2.5) | Moneyline (+170) |
| Halifax (-2.5) | Moneyline (-230) |
| Total | 22.5 |
| Time | Friday · 10 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via bet365
The final game of the night features the Vancouver Warriors hosting the Halifax Thunderbirds. Halifax is a 1.5-point road favorite at most sportsbooks, but the shortest odds to bet it to cover is currently -135. Vancouver has also won three straight and while this could be a good “sell-high” spot on the Warriors, I’d rather target a player prop than bet the spread.
Keegan Bal’s points prop is 5.5 points, but he’s only surpassed this in six of 15 games this season. Bal is boom or bust when it comes to points. He’s averaged 10.3 points in his last three games, but has also been held to just one point in three different contests. This matchup against Halifax is a good time to fade Bal.
Halifax’s defense has played really well lately, holding three straight opponents to just nine goals — including matchups with the prolific offenses of Toronto and Rochester. I expect Halifax to limit Bal and recommend betting him to stay under 5.5 points at -115 on bet365.
Pick: Keegan Bal Under 5.5 Points
