Best Sports Betting Picks Today: College Basketball, NBA Predictions for February 21st

My, oh my, how awesome is hockey?!

The frequently exhilarating, recently completed 4 Nations Face-Off elicited that emotion—or some version thereof—in many sports fans across the country, though the fact remains many more already knew.

Whatever your passion for the once-self-branded “Coolest Game on Earth,” one can’t bet on hockey until Saturday, when the NHL resumes on the heels of a tight 4 Nations final between the United States and Canada.

Don’t worry, though. There’s a clash for first place in Big Ten men’s college basketball and plenty of NBA action following its league’s less-than-enthralling midseason showcase.

Here we go.

NO. 14 MICHIGAN STATE AT NO. 12 MICHIGAN

Michigan enters this rivalry renewal as the Big Ten leader in turnovers per game (14.4) yet still ranks third in the conference with an average of 16.7 assists.

One way the Wolverines keep the ball moving is through Yale transfer Danny Wolf, a 7-footer who’s adept at moving the ball. His 3.6 assists per game are narrowly on the heels of point guard Tre Donaldson’s team-best 4.0.

Wolf also is the team’s second-leading scorer behind fellow 7-footer Vladislav Goldin and is the only Michigan man to average double figures in rebounds this season.

The Spartans have shown versatility and adaptability on both ends of the floor. Three different players have led MSU in scoring in the past four games, with top scorer Jaden Akins (13.1) accomplishing the feat just once.

The Wolverines have prevailed by a stingy 19 combined points during their current six-game winning streak. Channeling their depth and recent upper hand in the series, including a sweep last season, the Spartans flip the script in another tight one.

Michigan State moneyline, +125 (BetMGM)

NEW YORK KNICKS AT CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

Donovan Mitchell and the NBA-best Cavaliers keep rolling. Next up: A clash with a team moderately on their trail, the New York Knicks.

Cleveland is 5½ games clear of Boston and eight ahead of New York for the top seed in the Eastern Conference. The Cavs have won five in a row and nine of 10 after Mitchell contributed 26 points in a 110-97 victory at Brooklyn.

Mitchell is averaging 25 points in his past nine games and scored exactly that many when Cleveland edged the host Knicks by six in late October.

The trend continues tonight. And likely the Cavs’ winning streak, as well.

Donovan Mitchell to score 25-plus points, +100 (FanDuel)

MIAMI HEAT AT TORONTO RAPTORS

For those still clinging to their flag-waving ways from Thursday’s action on the ice, there’s this international NBA matchup with considerably less cachet.

The Heat are three games out of the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference but seem primed for a reset with the Jimmy Butler saga in their rearview.

It’s finally about playing bas-ket-ball (haven’t heard that song in a minute) versus constantly addressing which mercurial teammate isn’t.

Tyler Herro led Miami in scoring in two of its first three games against Toronto and is averaging 25.7 points on 48.3 percent 3-point shooting against the Raptors this season.

The reigning All-Star Three-Point champ stays hot here.

Tyler Herro scores 20-plus points with four-plus 3-pointers as a two-leg parlay, -120 (BetMGM).