Best Sports Betting Picks Today: NBA All-Star Game, Daytona 500, College Basketball Bets for February 16th | Deadspin.com

Today’s version of our Best Bets list is going to heavily feature all-star events, but there is more going on than the NBA All-Star Game(s). (The NHL’s star-laden 4 Nations Face-Off will be back Monday). There’s the Daytona 500, a major women’s college basketball game, and so much more.

I’d have included the final round of the Genesis Invitational, but most available markets (if not all) will close pretty early. Here’s what makes our Best Bets list for Sunday, February 16. 

Best Bets: NCAA women’s basketball – UConn at South Carolina

UConn is the No. 7 team in the country. South Carolina, along with being the defending national champion, is the No. 4 team in the country. The Huskies have the No. 2 scoring defenses in the nation and a solid offense (No. 14). However, the Gamecocks are no slackers on the defensive end (No. 28) and can put some points on the board, too (No. 13).

South Carolina owns a 71-game homecourt winning streak. While UConn is a solid candidate to end that run, we expect these defensive stalwarts to keep scoring down.

Our Pick: UNDER 135.5 at -112 (DraftKings)

Best Bets: Daytona 500

The beauty of betting on Daytona is that everyone is literally a long shot to win. FanDuel lists Kyle Larson as the betting favorite at +1200. Those odds give him a 7.69 percent chance to win. If you saw those odds on a football game, you’d more than likely stay far away. But this guy is the favorite! 

That tells me there are lots of guys that probably have value, which is who I’ll target here:

Chris Buescher +2100

I’m not sure what he opened at, but I watched the odds go from +2400 to +2800 and then back down to +2100. He has won at Daytona before (in August 2023) and has had a solid history at this track. As long as his odds are longer than +2000, I’d say he has value.

Austin Cindric +2400

He won Duel 2 at Daytona on Thursday, so we know he’s already got a good feel for the track. Cindric has already won here, capturing the Daytona 500 in 2022, his first season as a full-time Cup Series driver and his eighth start in the top circuit. So we know the moment is not too big for him.

Like Buescher, as long as his odds stay longer than +2000, he is worth a look.

Best Bets: NBA All-Star Game

Team Shaq (OGs) vs. Team Candace (Rising Stars)

I’d be surprised if Shaq’s roster of superstars let the Rising Stars think for a second they have a shot at winning this game. They are going to want to remind the youngsters that their time might be coming, but today belongs to the OGs.

Our Pick: Team Shaq -6.5 at -118 (DraftKings)

Team Kenny (Young Stars) vs. Team Chuck (Global Stars)

I’d expect the more seasoned Team Chuck to be able to take care of business against Team Kenny’s Young Stars. But it will be a much closer game than Shaq vs. Candace. It would not be shocking to see the Young Stars come out firing and get out to an early lead.

Still, the Global Stars will get them in check by halftime and pull away in the second half.

Our Pick: Team Chuck -3.5 at -118 (DraftKings)