Today's top games to watch, best bets, odds: Panthers at 49ers, Cavs at Raptors, college basketball and more

NFL: Panthers at 49ers in Playoff-Impactful Monday Night Football

The NFL takes center stage with a compelling Monday Night Football showdown at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, featuring the San Francisco 49ers and the Carolina Panthers. This matchup holds considerable weight for both teams’ postseason aspirations as the regular season progresses. The 49ers, currently holding a 7-4 record, occupy third place in the NFC West and are precariously clinging to the third and final NFC wild card spot. Their performance in this game could solidify their playoff positioning or intensify the battle in a competitive conference.

Conversely, the Carolina Panthers, with a surprising 6-5 record, have emerged as one of the season’s unexpected success stories. A victory on Monday would allow them to overtake the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-5) for the lead in the NFC South, setting up a potentially dramatic finish in their division. The Panthers’ resilience and improved play have positioned them as a dark horse contender.

A significant narrative surrounding this game is the return of San Francisco’s star running back, Christian McCaffrey, to face his former team for the first time. McCaffrey spent his initial five and a half seasons with Carolina, establishing himself as an all-around offensive weapon before his trade to the 49ers midway through the 2022 season for a package of draft picks. His presence has transformed the 49ers’ offensive scheme since his arrival, providing a dynamic threat both as a runner and a receiver. His ability to create mismatches and extend plays has been instrumental in San Francisco’s success. This season, he not only leads the NFL in scrimmage yards with 1,439 but has also achieved a remarkable statistical milestone, becoming only the third player in NFL history to register over 700 rushing yards and 700 receiving yards through 11 games. This elite company includes legendary all-purpose backs Marshall Faulk (1998) and Roger Craig (1985), underscoring McCaffrey’s rare versatility and impact. His multifaceted skill set will test a Panthers defense that, while solid, ranks 18th in the league in yards per game allowed, conceding an average of 325.9 yards per contest. San Francisco enters the game as a 7.5-point favorite.

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In terms of quarterback play, both teams feature signal-callers coming off strong performances. For the 49ers, Brock Purdy made a successful return to action last week after missing six games due to a turf toe injury. His performance, completing 19 of 26 passes for 200 yards and three touchdowns without an interception in a decisive 41-22 victory over the Arizona Cardinals, demonstrated his command of the offense and readiness to lead. He now faces a Carolina pass defense that, while not top-tier, ranks 16th in the NFL, allowing an average of 212.8 passing yards per game. The 49ers’ offensive line will be tasked with protecting Purdy against a Panthers pass rush that will look to disrupt his rhythm.

On the opposing sideline, Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young is building momentum. He delivered his most impressive professional performance to date in his last outing, completing 31 of 45 passes for a franchise-record 448 passing yards and three touchdowns. This breakout game came against the Atlanta Falcons, who, at the time, boasted the NFL’s top-ranked pass defense, underscoring Young’s potential and resilience under pressure. The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, gives the 49ers a 56% chance to cover the -7.5 spread, assigning an "A" grade to the bet. However, veteran sports analyst Larry Hartstein highlighted potential vulnerabilities in the 49ers’ defense, noting, "Over the past four games, San Francisco ranks 30th in success rate allowed. Since Week 4, the 49ers are last with a 27% pressure rate." These metrics suggest that Young might find opportunities to exploit San Francisco’s recent defensive struggles, particularly if the Panthers can establish a rhythm in their passing game. Hartstein specifically recommends betting on the Panthers +7.

The Monday Night Football broadcast is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time from Santa Clara, California, and will be available on ABC and ESPN, with streaming options via Fubo.

NBA: Eastern Conference Clash and Western Showdown Highlight 10-Game Slate

Beyond the gridiron, the NBA presents a 10-game schedule, highlighted by several intriguing matchups across both conferences.

Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors

A key Eastern Conference clash is set for 7:00 p.m. ET at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, as the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the streaking Toronto Raptors. The Raptors, after a challenging 1-4 start to the season, have surged to a 12-5 record, winning 11 of their last 12 games. This impressive run has propelled them to second place in the Eastern Conference standings, positioning them as a formidable contender in a competitive conference. Toronto has also demonstrated strong home court advantage, securing victories in their last five games played in front of their home crowd, a factor that could be significant in Monday’s matchup.

The Cavaliers, with a 12-6 record, currently sit in third place in the East. They will enter Monday’s contest on the second night of a back-to-back, having defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 120-105 on Sunday in Cleveland. Cleveland’s defensive prowess has been a hallmark of their season, as they rank sixth in the NBA in defensive efficiency, allowing an average of 111.9 points per 100 possessions. This defensive identity will be crucial against a high-scoring Raptors offense. The SportsLine Projection Model indicates that Cleveland has a 58% chance to cover the -2.5 spread, assigning a "C" grade to the projection. The game will be televised on Peacock, with streaming available through Fubo.

Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns

Later in the evening, at 9:30 p.m. ET, the Houston Rockets will face the Phoenix Suns in Phoenix. This game was anticipated to mark Kevin Durant’s first return to Phoenix since his offseason trade to the Rockets. However, Durant will be absent from Monday’s game, as well as Wednesday’s fixture against Golden State, due to a family matter. Durant’s absence is significant for the Rockets, as he leads the team in scoring with an average of 24.6 points per game on 48.5% shooting from the field. His absence necessitates that other Houston players will need to assume a larger offensive burden, potentially altering the Rockets’ offensive strategy.

In light of Durant’s unavailability, expert analyst Mike Barner has identified Rockets center Alperen Sengun as a key player, recommending a bet on Sengun to exceed 16.5 total rebounds and assists at -114 odds. Barner highlighted Sengun’s season averages of 10.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists as justification for this projection, suggesting he will be central to Houston’s efforts without Durant. The Phoenix Suns, meanwhile, have been in strong form, winning eight of their last nine games, showcasing their improved cohesion and performance. The SportsLine Projection Model gives the Suns a 68.0% chance to cover the +6.5 spread, assigning a "B" grade to the pick. The game will be broadcast on Peacock and available for streaming on Fubo.

College Basketball: Top-Ranked Teams Collide in Las Vegas Tournament Opener

The college basketball landscape also offers compelling action, particularly with the inaugural Players Era tournament commencing.

No. 13 Gonzaga vs. No. 11 Alabama

The inaugural Players Era tournament, a significant new event in the college basketball calendar, commences on Monday, featuring nine games across the day. One of the most anticipated matchups of this new competition pits the No. 13 Gonzaga Bulldogs (5-0) against the No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide (3-1) at 9:30 p.m. ET in the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. This contest promises an early-season test for both highly-ranked programs.

Alabama arrives in Las Vegas having already navigated a "murderous schedule," as described by analysts, demonstrating their mettle against top-tier competition. Their season thus far includes impressive victories over No. 5 St. John’s and No. 8 Illinois, alongside a hard-fought loss to No. 2 Purdue. This rigorous early slate has provided the Crimson Tide with valuable experience in high-pressure environments and a clear understanding of their strengths and weaknesses. In contrast, Gonzaga has faced a less challenging schedule to date, with their only ranked opponent being No. 23 Creighton, which they defeated.

The game is anticipated to feature a compelling clash of styles, primarily focusing on Alabama’s dynamic backcourt against Gonzaga’s formidable frontcourt. The Crimson Tide’s offense is orchestrated by guards Labaron Philon Jr., who averages an impressive 20.5 points per game, and Aden Holloway, contributing 17.7 points per game. Their ability to drive, shoot from distance, and distribute will be crucial in setting the offensive tempo and exploiting defensive gaps. Conversely, the Bulldogs rely heavily on the interior presence and scoring of their forwards, Graham Ike, who averages 17.0 points per game, and Braden Huff, with 14.8 points per game. The battle for control in the paint and on the perimeter will likely determine the outcome of this high-stakes contest.

The SportsLine Projection Model suggests that Alabama has a 51% chance to cover the +4.5 spread, assigning a "C" grade. Analyst Thomas Casale further supports the Crimson Tide, asserting that he would "take the 4.5 in a run-and-gun game that the Tide love to play," even going so far as to make Alabama a small favorite in his own assessment. The game will be televised nationally on TNT, with streaming options available via Fubo.