The National Lacrosse League marches on with many teams vying for playoff spots. Last week we went 3-1 for +1.3 units, bringing our 2024-25 NLL season record to 49-46 for +2.29 units. Let’s see if we can have another profitable weekend.
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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San Diego Seals at Halifax Thunderbirds
 San Diego Moneyline/Spread | +100 / +1.5 |
 Halifax Moneyline/Spread | -130 / -1.5 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 6 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+/TSN+ |
Odds via bet365
The Halifax Thunderbirds host the San Diego Seals with both teams hoping to solidify their playoff chances. I’m still not sold on halifax as a contender and while the jury is out on San Diego as well, I was very surprised to see the Thunderbirds favored i this game at some sportsbooks.
I’ll gladly back a San Diego team that I think has the pieces to win it all even if they haven’t been playing like it consistently. These teams are fairly even when it comes to offensive efficiency, but San Diego’s defense is better and I will continue to fade Warren Hill and this Halifax defense against good opposing offenses. Having Trevor Baptiste healthy also helps neutralize Jake Withers and the possession advantage Halifax often enjoys.
Trust the San Diego to win outright and bet Seals moneyline at +100 on bet365 and ESPN Bet. If you don’t have access to either book, then Seals -1.5 at plus money is the better way to go in my opinion.
Pick: San Diego Seals ML
Ottawa Black Bears at Rochester Knighthawks
 Ottawa Moneyline/Spread | +115 / +1.5 |
 Rochester Moneyline/Spread | -145 / -1.5 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 7 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+/TSN+ |
Odds via ESPN Bet
We bet Rochester over Ottawa a few weeks ago and the Knighthawks manhandled them, 18-8. We’re going back to the well this week with a line that still undervalues Rochester.
The Knighthawks are the hottest teams in the league right now. Their offense is currently second in offensive efficiency behind only the Bandits and has been the best offense in the NLL during their five-game win streak. Their defense has also played well enough and does a great job of converting defensive stops into transition offense, which is the best way to beat Ottawa’s Zach Higgins.
While the Black Bears are playing better and have gotten healthier, they only beat a banged-up Mammoth team and Wings team that has been in free fall for some time. I expect Rochester to win outright by multiple goals again in the rematch and recommend betting Knighthawks -1.5 at +100 on most sportsbooks.
Pick: Rochester Knighthawks -1.5
Buffalo Bandits at Colorado Mammoth
 Buffalo Moneyline/Spread | -210 / -1.5 |
 Colorado Moneyline/Spread | +175 / +1.5 |
| Total | 22.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 9 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+/TSN+ |
Odds via Caesars
The Buffalo Bandits have not looked as dominant lately and are not only losers of two straight as multi-goal favorites, but have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games. This weekend they’ll face a Colorado team that has given them trouble in the past.
That all said, this line for the Mammoth is a trap.
Buffalo has struggled only due to short-rest spots and playing quality opponents. If Colorado was at full strength, then I would pass or maybe even consider a bet on the Mammoth, but they are currently without two of their top five leading scorers and could be without a third if Connor Kelly misses again. Meanwhile, the Bandits have looked solid on both defense and offense and while Chris Cloutier’s injury is a notable loss, they have enough depth on offense to make up for his absence.
Don’t get baited into backing the underdog in a get-right spot for Buffalo. Bet Bandits -1.5 at -145 on bet365 or Caesars and a half unit on Bandits -2.5 at +110 on ESPN Bet or FanDuel.
Picks: Buffalo Bandits -1.5, Buffalo Bandits -2.5 (0.5 unit)
Toronto Rock at Las Vegas Desert Dogs
 Toronto Moneyline/Spread | -260 / -2.5 |
 Las Vegas Moneyline/Spread | +210 / +2.5 |
| Total | 22.5 |
| Time | Sunday · 5 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+/TSN+ |
Odds via bet365
The Las Vegas Desert Dogs host the Toronto Rock on Sunday and, while the Desert Dogs are already eliminated from playoff contention, I still expect them to be motivated to come away with a win. Toronto currently owns their 2025 first round draft pick from the Rob Hellyer trade a few seasons ago, so there is no incentive for Las Vegas to lose and solidify the first overall pick for Toronto. For the Rock, a win gives them the Desert Dogs’ first overall pick, but a loss also helps improve the position of their own draft pick so the outcome matters very little. While all these draft implications probably don’t mean anything to the players on the floor, this is still a bad spot to back Toronto as a big favorite for a few reasons.
Toronto is going to be missing a few key players in addition to those that were already traded at the deadline. Tom Schreiber was placed on IR two weeks ago and both TD Ierlan and Robert Hudson will also miss Sunday’s game. The Rock, without those pieces, are not that much better to command a 2.5-point spread.
This Desert Dogs offense still has a lot of firepower and if Justin Geddie gets the start in net as expected, the defense should fare better as well. Las Vegas has also surprised as a big underdog. They’re 5-4 against the spread as an underdog of 2.5 points or more and won three of those five games outright. Ultimately, all the value is on Las Vegas in what should be a competitive game.
Bet Desert Dogs +2.5 at -105 on Caesars and a 0.25 unit on Desert Dogs moneyline at +210 on bet365 or BetRivers as well.
Picks: Las Vegas Desert Dogs +2.5, Las Vegas Desert Dogs ML (0.25 unit)
2024-25 NLL Season Best Bets: 49-46 for +2.29 units
All bets are to win 1 unit or more (i.e. 1.2 units at -120, 1 unit at +120) unless otherwise specified.
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