The National Lacrosse League playoff race is heating up as we enter Week 14. Friday night features four matchups and I have best bets for three of the games. Let’s see which side and player props I’m betting tonight.
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Halifax Thunderbirds vs. Georgia Swarm
| Halifax (-1.5) Odds | -200 |
| Georgia (+1.5) Odds | +150 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Friday · 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via bet365
The Halifax Thunderbirds have won five of their last six, but are coming off their most convincing win since January. After defeating Saskatchewan, 19-6, they travel to Georgia as 1.5-point favorites. Meanwhile, the Swarm enter Friday night following two one-goal losses that both ended in heartbreaking fashion.
Georgia is as high as +150 on the moneyline on bet365 and, at that current price, there is value in betting the home underdog.
Georgia is 5-1 as an underdog both against the spread and straight-up, with their only defeat being a 12-9 loss to Toronto. As a favorite, the Swarm are 3-3 straight up and just 1-5 against the spread.
The Swarm’s season has been plagued by late-game collapses, controversial calls and an inconsistent offense, but they’re playing well as of late despite two straight losses. This is a great buy-low spot on a team that matches up well against Halifax.
Despite a 6-6 record, Georgia is still the best team defensively, holding opponents to an average shooting percentage of 13.7% with the next closest team being at 14.8%, according to LaxMetrics.
The Swarm's offensive rating also ranks in the top five and they’ve done a great job of generating and scoring on breakaway chances. They're second in breakaway chances (26) with the third-highest amount of breakaway goals (9) and now face a Halifax defense that is prone to giving up transition chances.
Halifax also ranks in the bottom five of shots defended, providing Georgia’s offense with a great matchup on Friday.
Bet Georgia to cover the 1.5-point spread at -110 on bet365 and throw a half unit on them to win outright.
Pick: Georgia Swarm +1.5 (1 unit) & Georgia Swarm Moneyline (0.5 unit)
Check out the latest bet365 bonus code offer before placing your bets on the National Lacrosse League.
Panther City Lacrosse Club vs. San Diego Seals
| Panther City (+1.5) Odds | +150 |
| San Diego (-1.5) Odds | -200 |
| Total | 22.5 |
| Time | Friday · 8 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via bet365
The San Diego Seals visit Panther City after escaping overtime with a win against the aforementioned Swarm last week. They enter their game against Panther City as high as 2.5-point favorites and the total is now at 22.5 across all U.S. sportsbooks.
Both defenses rank in the top six in shots defended, so my initial look was betting under 23.5 before it moved. At 22.5, it’s just a lean for me, but there is another way to bet San Diego’s second-ranked defense.
Will Malcolm entered the NLL and immediately made an impact for Panther City in his rookie season. During his sophomore season, forward Jonathan Donville made his debut and Panther City acquired star Callum Crawford, leading to Malcolm’s production dipping a tad. While he’s still a key player in this offense, his points prop of 5.5 is a point too high.
Malcolm has failed to go over this mark in seven of nine games this season and 18 of his last 28 games. Pair this with a matchup with one of the league’s top defenses, led by goaltender Chris Origlieri, and you have a great opportunity to bet Malcolm to stay under 5.5 points at -130 on bet365.
Pick: Will Malcolm Under 5.5 Points (-130 at bet365)
Vancouver Warriors vs. Buffalo Bandits
| Vancouver (+3.5) Odds | +250 |
| Buffalo (-3.5) Odds | -350 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Friday · 10 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via bet365
The Bandits visit the Vancouver Warriors and Buffalo is as high as a 3.5-point favorite, I like Buffalo to bounce back and snap its two-game losing streak, but Buffalo is 3-7 against the spread this season and 3.5 is a lot to play with a Buffalo team struggling to close out games.
Instead, I’m targeting Vancouver forward Keegan Bal and his assists prop of 2.5.
Buffalo ranks middle-of-the-pack in shots defended, allowing an opposing shooting percentage of 17.8%, according to LaxMetrics, and I expect Bal to be more of a shooter than a facilitator in this matchup.
Furthermore, Bal has stayed under 2.5 assists in five of 10 games this season and in 14 of his last 27 games. At +140 on bet365, this is a great price to bet Bal to stay under 2.5 on Friday night.
Pick: Keegan Bal Under 2.5 Assists (+140 at bet365)
