With a range of exciting online sports betting options available this Friday, including the final non-playoff college football bowl games, a 10-game NBA schedule, the 2026 NHL Winter Classic, and more, bettors have plenty to choose from. New users at DraftKings can use the promo code to get $200 in bonus bets if their first $5 wager wins. The Winter Classic features the Florida Panthers facing the New York Rangers at Miami Marlins’ LoanDepot Park. SportsLine’s advanced computer model favors the Rangers as +120 underdogs to upset the Panthers, citing their impressive 14-8-2 road record this season.
The model also highlights top NBA bets, recommending the Milwaukee Bucks to cover a 5.5-point spread against the Hornets. For college football fans, expert advice points to Arizona versus SMU in the Holiday Bowl. By using the DraftKings promo code, new users can capitalize on the $200 bonus bet opportunity after their first $5 winning bet.
SportsLine’s projection system simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has produced over $10,000 in returns on $100 bets over the past eight seasons. It currently holds a 32-14 record with top NBA spread picks this season and a 31-19 record with top college football money-line picks since 2024 began. Following these expert picks could lead to significant profits in NBA betting.
Friday’s top picks at DraftKings include:
– Rangers (+120) vs. Panthers
– Bucks (-5.5) vs. Hornets
– Arizona (+1.5) vs. SMU
Combining these picks into a parlay offers a payout of +645 (risk $100 to win $645).
Regarding the Rangers vs. Panthers Winter Classic, this year’s unique setting in tropical Miami replaces the usual chilly outdoor venue. The Rangers, who boast the best road record in the NHL, are slightly favored by the model to take the game, despite the Panthers being two-time defending Stanley Cup winners. The model predicts a 52% chance for a Rangers victory, making them a valuable bet.
In the NBA matchup, the Bucks, fresh off a win against the Hornets, have home court advantage and a healthy Giannis Antetokounmpo returning from injury. The Bucks are expected to cover the spread in 67% of simulations. The Hornets, struggling with recent losses, face a tough challenge.
For the Holiday Bowl, expert Bruce Marshall highlights Arizona’s strong second half of the season under QB Noah Fifita and coach Jed Fisch, contrasting it with SMU’s late-season struggles. Arizona is favored to cover the +1.5 spread despite SMU’s slightly better odds.
For more picks across college football, NBA, NHL, and other sports on Friday, SportsLine offers comprehensive projections backed by extensive simulations.
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Fan Take: This Winter Classic in Miami brings a fresh, exciting twist to a beloved hockey tradition by moving outdoors in a rare warm-weather venue, attracting new fans in a non-traditional hockey market. The Rangers’ road success and their underdog status make this game a compelling matchup that could shift playoff narratives and increase interest in hockey’s marquee events nationwide.
