The 2025 National Lacrosse League playoffs continue with game 1 of each semifinal series this weekend. We were profitable again last week, improving to 64-49 for +13.415 units this NLL season. Let’s take a look at my favorite bets ahead of the 2025 NLL Semifinals.
Note: The odds presented below are those at the time when Hutton sends his picks out to DubClub subscribers and are subject to change. Subscribe to Hutton Jackson’s lacrosse picks on DubClub so you never miss out on the best odds for these picks. As soon as Hutton places a bet, you’ll immediately get a notification with both the pick and brief analysis. Picks are sent out at least 20 minutes in advance of articles published on Bet On Lacrosse.
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Vancouver Warriors at Buffalo Bandits
 Vancouver Moneyline/Spread | +150 / +1.5 |
 Buffalo Moneyline/Spread | -180 / -1.5 |
| Total | 21.5 |
| Time | Friday · 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+/TSN |
Odds via Caesars
The Buffalo Bandits host the Vancouver Warriors on Friday night and once again I think they’re overvalued in the market. I’m expecting this to be a tight series and these odds for Vancouver are still too long. The Warriors already went into Banditland and defeated Buffalo just a few weeks ago, and, while it should be another close game, I’ll bet them to do so again at these odds.
Buffalo hasn’t been able to put together a dominant performance in almost a month. It seems that when their offense is on, the defense has faltered. Then, when the defense steps up, like last week, the offense struggles. Credit to the Bandits for finding multiple ways to win, but I think they’ll have another tough matchup with Vancouver.
Christian Del Bianco has been the best goaltender in the league since joining the team several weeks ago and Vancouver’s defense is strong enough to cause Buffalo’s offense some problems. Their ability to turn defensive stops into offense on the other end also allows them to give Buffalo a taste of their own medicine in transition. Ultimately, this game should be closer to a pick ’em, so I’ll take the value on Vancouver.
Split up a unit and bet 0.6 unit on Warriors +1.5 at +100 on BetMGM, Caesars or DraftKings and 0.4 unit on Warriors moneyline at +150 on BetRivers or Caesars.
I also expect this series to go to three games, regardless of Friday’s outcome. Both teams have responded following losses this season and Buffalo, in particular, has played two games in a weekend multiple times both this year and in previous playoffs. I think there’s a good chance this series extends past Sunday and requires a third game. Bet this series to go Over 2.5 games at +100 on bet365.
Picks: Vancouver Warriors +1.5 (0.6 unit), Vancouver Warriors ML (0.4 unit), Bandits-Warriors series to go Over 2.5 games
Saskatchewan Rush at Halifax Thunderbirds
 Saskatchewan Moneyline/Spread | -105 / +1.5 |
 Halifax Moneyline/Spread | -115 / -1.5 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 6:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+/TSN |
Odds via FanDuel
The Halifax Thunderbirds host the Saskatchewan Rush in the first game of this series. I think Saskatchewan will end up winning this series, but starting the series on the road is not ideal. Even as slight underdogs, it’s not enough for me to back the Rush on the road. Instead, I’m targeting the total in this game.
If the Rush are to win this game, they’ll need their offense to play better than when these teams last faced. Halifax’s offense has been too good lately that they’re scoring double digits even in losses. The last time the Thunderbirds scored less than 10 goals was on March 1 and you’d have to go back to January 18 for the second most recent time.
Along with their high-powered offense, has been a defense that has had a goalie controversy all season and while Drew Hutchison did enough to get the win in the quarterfinals, I think the Rush will get the better of him on Saturday. 11 of Halifax’s 19 games this season have gone over this total, including seven of their last eight. The Rush offense has been a bit hit or miss, but they’ve also dealt with varying lineups throughout the season due to injuries, paternity leaves and other off-the-floor commitments, but are starting to find their groove at the right time.
Expect both offenses to push the ball in transition often and bet this game to go Over 23.5 at -110 on most sportsbooks.
Pick: Over 23.5
2024-25 NLL Season Best Bets: 64-49 for +13.415 units
All bets are to win 1 unit or more (i.e. 1.2 units at -120, 1 unit at +120) unless otherwise specified.
Subscribe to Hutton Jackson’s lacrosse picks on DubClub so you never miss out on the best odds for these picks. As soon as Hutton places a bet, you’ll immediately get a notification with both the pick and brief analysis!
