Best Sports Betting Picks Today: NHL, NBA Predictions for February 3rd

Super Bowl opening night is tonight, and while one might seek odds for the number of tangential questions asked, headphones sold, or beignets served, we'll stay more conventional in this space.

For now.

There’s real action on the ice and hardwood to be had and wagered upon. Let’s get to it.

OTTAWA SENATORS AT NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Senators center Tim Stutzle cites “we haven’t accomplished anything” amid a 9-2-1 stretch that has Ottawa primed to stop a seven-season playoff drought.

True, the season doesn’t end today, but Stutzle is doing everything in his purview to make sure Ottawa is in prime position when it does. The club’s top scorer with 52 points, Stutzle just collected seven points (two goals, five assists) in steering Ottawa to a perfect, four-game homestand.

The skidding Predators have lost four straight, marking the third time this season they’ve dropped at least that many games in a row.

Look for the team trends to keep trending while the usual suspect boosting the Sens maintains his pace in the lone game in the NHL tonight.

Tim Stutzle over 0.5 points (-185), BetMGM

SACRAMENTO KINGS AT MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

Kings small forward DeMar DeRozan channeled the soulful duo Peaches & Herb in a recent Instagram post hailing the Kings’ acquisition of Zach LaVine from the Chicago Bulls.

Sunday’s blockbuster deal between the Kings, Bulls, and San Antonio Spurs that shipped Kings leading scorer De’Aaron Fox to San Antonio also sent LaVine, Chicago’s leading scorer, to Sac-Town. There, he’ll be “Reunited” with DeRozan, his fellow former All-Star and Bulls teammate.

For Sacramento’s Domontas Sabonis, “We’re Still Together” is arguably the more appropriate P&H hit. With LaVine unlikely to join the Kings for Monday’s game in Minnesota—the franchise with which he started his career—expect the consistent and versatile Sabonis to keep shining. 

The Kings’ third-leading scorer (20.8 points a game) and top rebounder (10.4) is averaging 24.7 points and 10.7 boards in three meetings with the Timberwolves this season. Expect more of the same from Sabonis as Sacramento aims to ascend a crowded field in the Western Conference playoff race.

Domantas Sabonis over 33.5 points and rebounds (-118), FanDuel

IOWA STATE AT KANSAS

Iowa State entered the week as the third-ranked men’s basketball program in the nation, eight spots ahead of its Big 12 counterpart, Kansas.

Those rankings are sure to change for the negative before tipoff at Allen Fieldhouse. The Cyclones have lost two straight and three of five, while the Jayhawks made dubious program history in a loss two nights ago.

KU coughed up a 21-point lead against Baylor, the biggest lead the program ever has frittered away in a loss.

Hunter Dickinson helped the Jayhawks build that cushion, scoring 20 points on 8-for-15 shooting. The center has scored at least 20 points in three of five games while reaching double figures in 12 of his past 13. 

The outlier? A six-point slog on 3-of-10 shooting in a 74-57 road loss to Iowa State on Jan. 15. 

Dickinson posted a double-double of 20 points and 15 boards against the Cyclones last season after transferring from Michigan. While Kansas may not coast in this one, Dickinson should provide a more steady hand than last month. He’s shooting 52.6 percent this season.

Hunter Dickinson over 17.5 points (-122), FanDuel