As the NFL season comes to an end, West Virginia sportsbooks will now turn their focus towards winter sports such as basketball and hockey.
Fans of the NBA and NHL have reason to rejoice, as books are expected to offer even more promotions and odds boosts for these leagues in the future.
Despite both concluding last year in separate bubbles, they have managed to achieve a remarkable success in safeguarding the majority of their players from COVID-19 thus far.
Despite the NBA season being in its early stages, the superior teams are beginning to distinguish themselves from the rest. While it comes as no surprise that many of the anticipated strong teams are currently leading the standings, there are also a few unexpected contenders emerging.
Despite many teams playing fewer than 10 games at the moment, the NHL finds itself in a similar situation.
Next week’s prime-time schedule of basketball and hockey games has captivated bettors in the Mountain State with its intriguing matchups. Join us as we analyze the top games and provide essential betting information for your consideration.
Celtics-Jazz matchup
The upcoming game between the Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz on Tuesday night has the potential to serve as a sneak peek into the NBA Finals.
Despite the strong disagreement from fans in Los Angeles, it is undeniable that the Jazz have emerged as one of the most dominant teams in the early stages of the season. With an impressive overall record of 17-5, they currently hold the top spot in the Western Conference.
Naturally, a reputable NBA team consists of multiple highly skilled players. Leading the charge for the Jazz are guard Donovan Mitchell and center Rudy Gobert.
In terms of scoring, Mitchell is at the forefront of the squad, averaging an impressive 23 points per game. Gobert, on the other hand, has been dominating the paint, tallying an average of over 13 points and rebounds in 2021.
The Celtics may currently hold an 11-9 record in their first 20 games, but their roster remains one of the strongest in the league.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, two young players, are currently on fire. They are both scoring over 26 points per game, placing them among the top 11 scorers in the NBA.
Although there are currently no odds listed at WV sportsbooks for this game, it seems that Utah will have a slight advantage. With a home record of 9-2, they have a stronger performance compared to Boston’s 6-6 record on the road.
This game is likely to have a relatively high total score, as both teams have an average of over 225 points combined. Bettors should anticipate this trend.
However, it is worth noting that both teams are also among the top 10 in terms of points allowed. Utah currently holds the third position, allowing a mere 105.5 points per game, while Boston ranks ninth with an average of 109.4 points surrendered.
The Jazz are favored to win their upcoming nationally televised game next week, as per ESPN’s Basketball Power Index. The index predicts a 61% chance for the Jazz to secure another home victory in this matchup.
Bucks vs. Suns
ESPN is serving up another thrilling doubleheader for basketball enthusiasts on Wednesday night. The second game features the Milwaukee Bucks who will be taking on the rising Phoenix Suns on their home court.
With a 13-8 record, the Bucks currently hold the second spot in the Eastern Conference. Despite being considered one of the leading teams in the conference, they are facing difficulties when playing away from home this season.
Milwaukee has a record of 4-6 when playing away from home.
Phoenix has carried over some of the success it displayed towards the end of the previous season in the bubble. The team currently holds a record of 11-9, including an impressive 9-7 record against other Western Conference teams.
The reigning back-to-back MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo, holds the title of the Bucks’ most outstanding player. Not only does he dominate in scoring, rebounds, and assists, but he also contributes over a steal and block per game.
Phoenix has a highly versatile offense, bolstered by a few exceptional players. The recent inclusion of seasoned veteran Chris Paul seems to be yielding positive outcomes already, as he currently leads Phoenix with an average of over eight assists per game.
Without rising star Devin Booker, this team would not have achieved their current position. The 24-year-old is averaging over 23 points per game and maintaining a shooting percentage of over 47%.
Once again, there are currently no odds available for this game. Bettors are advised to keep an eye out for the release of WV online sports betting apps early next week.
The upcoming game appears to promise an exciting spectacle. Despite playing away, the Bucks are favored to win by ESPN’s BPI, boasting a roughly 61% chance of victory.
Pittsburgh Penguins preview
Additionally, the ice is also witnessing an increase in intensity. The NHL season has commenced, and numerous unexpected occurrences have unfolded thus far.
Even though certain teams are currently underperforming, it is important to remember that it is still early in the season.
The Pittsburgh Penguins, a team striving to reenter the Stanley Cup conversation, have yet to advance beyond the second round since securing back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2017.
During the postseason bubble last year, they were defeated by Montreal in four games during the Qualifying Round.
After 10 games, Pittsburgh has secured a record of 5 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie, placing them in the fourth position within the East division.
The Penguins have faced challenges in their defense and goaltending, contributing to their early struggles. They have allowed 37 goals against, placing them among the six teams with the highest goals conceded.
Goalkeeper Tristan Jarry’s performance has been subpar. Out of six starts, he has only managed to secure two victories and exhibits a goals against average of 3.92.
It comes as no surprise that Sidney Crosby holds the top spot in Pittsburgh for points, having accumulated eight, closely followed by Bryan Rust with seven.
After meeting with the Islanders over the weekend, Pittsburgh Penguins will hit the road to face the New Jersey Devils in one of the nationally televised games next Tuesday.
Due to the Devils’ recent substantial break caused by a COVID-19 outbreak, they are expected to face a favorable situation while playing away from home.
The upcoming game with the Pens will mark its first match since January 31st.
Pittsburgh is expected to have an edge at WV sportsbooks next week, but it would be unwise for bettors to underestimate the Devils. Despite being just one point behind the Penguins, they have demonstrated their ability to rival the top teams in the East.
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