Week 20 in the National Lacrosse League continues with more games on Saturday and Sunday. After Vancouver’s win on Friday, our 2024-25 NLL season record is 55-47 for +6.465 units. Let’s dive into my best bets for the rest of the 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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Halifax Thunderbirds at Buffalo Bandits
 Halifax Moneyline/Spread | +130 / +1.5 |
 Buffalo Moneyline/Spread | -165 / -1.5 |
| Total | 23.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+/TSN+ |
Odds via ESPN Bet
The Buffalo Bandits may have a home playoff game locked up, but they’re still in a tight race with Saskatchewan for the top seed and home-field advantage for five of seven potential playoff games if they make another finals run. With a playoff spot locked up, Halifax is also looking to secure a first-round home game. While the Bandits are rightly favored, I love the current price to bet them on the spread.
Buffalo hasn’t fared too well as a favorite of -2.5 or more, but is 4-0 against the spread as a 1.5-point favorite. The Bandits remain the most-efficient offense in the NLL, averaging 13.246 goals per 85 possessions (the average amount of possessions in a game). While Halifax’s offense has also been fairly efficient, averaging 12.058 goal sper 85 possessions, but the biggest disparity is on the defensive end.
We’ll have to see whether long-term starter Warren Hill (-6.82 goals saved above average) or backup Drew Hutchison (-1.07 goals saved above average) gets the start for Halifax, but neither gives me much confidence. Hill has been pulled or benched in six of 16 games this season, including last week’s game against San Diego. Buffalo should feast against either Thunderbirds netminder.
Trust Buffalo to take care of business at home and bet Bandits -1.5 at -105 on ESPN Bet.
Pick: Buffalo Bandits -1.5
Saskatchewan Rush at Colorado Mammoth
 Saskatchewan Moneyline/Spread | -150 / -1.5 |
 Colorado Moneyline/Spread | +120 / +1.5 |
| Total | 22.5 |
| Time | Sunday · 4 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+/TSN+ |
Odds via bet365
As I mentioned ealier, Saskatchewan is still very much in the hunt for that top seed and Colorado is looking to keep their playoff hopes alive. When these teams faced earlier in the season, Saskatchewan ended up winning 17-12. While the Rush haven’t been able to string together consecutive wins since February, they also haven’t lost back-to-back games all season and are facing a Colorado team that is thin on offense.
Zed Williams is out for the season, Eli McLaughlin hasn’t returned to the lineup yet and Ryan Lee and Connor Robinson are both questionable. The possession disadvantage is something that has plagued the Mammoth this season as well, with Tim Edwards ranking 15th in faceoff percentage among the 18 players that have taken at least 100 draws this season. If we get another high-scoring game, Jake Naso should be able to help the Rush build and maintain a lead.
Saskatchewan also ranks second in defensive efficiency this season and has allowed the second-fewest goals per game at 10.4. Even if Lee and Robinson are able to suit up, I expect Saskatchewan to have another strong defensive showing. The Rush led 16-7 late in the third quarter before taking their foot off the gas.
I expect them to dominate from the opening whistle again and recommend betting Rush -1.5 at +100 at most sportsbooks.
Pick: Saskatchewan Rush -1.5
2024-25 NLL Season Best Bets: 55-47 for +6.465 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!
