Week 18 in the National Lacrosse League continues with three games on Saturday and another on Sunday. Let’s take a look at the two games I’m betting and which underdog and total I’m targeting.
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 | +200 / +2.5 |
 Buffalo Moneyline/Spread | -270 / -2.5 |
| Total | 22.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+/TSN+ |
Odds via DraftKings
The Buffalo Bandits host the Vancouver Warriors on Saturday night and Buffalo is once again favored by 2.5 points or more. The Bandits are currently 3-7 against the spread as a favorite of -2.5 or more and have lost three of those games outright. While two of those losses were on short rest, Buffalo is once again overvalued against a good opponent.
Vancouver is good enough to cover as a 2.5-point underdog and I think they could potentially win outright against a team they beat last year with a roster that wasn’t as strong. The Warriors had the second-most efficient defense before Christian Del Bianco joined the team and his presence makes them arguably the best defense in the NLL. While they’ll face the most-efficient offense in the league in Buffalo, the Bandits haven’t scored more than 13 goals in their last eight games. They are averaging 11.6 goals per game during that span compared to their 16 goals per game through their first six games of the season.
Vancouver’s offense has had highs and lows this season, but they’ve thrived in transition and with Del Bianco now in net, that fast break offense gets an even bigger boost. I expect them to attack Buffalo in transition while limiting offense going the other way.
Ultimately, this spread and moneyline are far too long for a Warriors team that has the potential to steal a win on Saturday night. Bet Warriors +2.5 at -115 on DraftKings and a 0.25 unit on Warriors moneyline at +200.
Picks: Vancouver Warriors +2.5, Vancouver Warriors ML (0.25 unit)
Halifax Thunderbirds at Georgia Swarm
 Halifax Moneyline/Spread | -110 / +1.5 |
 Georgia Moneyline/Spread | -120 / -1.5 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Sunday · 4 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+/TSN+ |
Odds via Caesars
The Halifax Thunderbirds travel south to take on the Georgia Swarm and I’m expecting a lot of scoring on Sunday. Both teams are streaky this season, but both offenses should have success against defenses that have struggled often this year.
After a poor start to the season, Halifax goaltender Warren Hill appeared to right the ship, but he reverted back to his old ways last weekend. Hill is allowing an average of 11.05 goals per game and that average is worse against teams above .500. He has also been pulled in four games this season and has a goals saved above average mark of -3.33, which is fourth-worst among starters. I expect Georgia to have success against Hill and this Halifax defense.
Georgia’s defense has also been shaky, with Brett Dobson allowing 11.49 goals per game and his goals saved above average mark of -6.51 is third-worst among starters. Halifax’s offense has been their strongest asset, ranking fifth in offensive efficiency and second in goals per game with 13.3 this season.
Transition has been a key area for both teams. Halifax leads the league in fast break goals with a whopping 4.07 per game, but has also allowed the second-most, giving up 2.64 per game. Georgia has been effective in transition as well, averaging 2.21 fast break goals for and 2.14 fast break goals against per game. I expect this game to be a track meet with both teams finding offensive success in odd-man situations.
Bet this game to go Over 23.5 at -115 on Caesars.
Pick: Over 23.5
2024-25 NLL Season Best Bets: 46-46 for -0.21 unit
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!
