DraftKings Announces $200 Bonus Bet Offer and Free NBA League Pass Alongside Expert Picks for Wednesday's Major Sports Slate.

DraftKings Sportsbook has launched a new promotional offer for new users, providing $200 in bonus bets upon a winning first wager of $5 or more, coupled with three free months of NBA League Pass. This initiative coincides with a busy Wednesday in the sports calendar, featuring high-profile matchups in the NBA and collegiate basketball, as well as an NHL contest that has drawn the attention of sports analytics models and expert handicappers. The SportsLine Projection Model, known for its extensive statistical analysis, has identified several value plays across these leagues, notably diverging from public perception on two prominent New York City-based teams.

The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, has demonstrated a strong track record, generating over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight seasons. The model enters Week 5 of the 2025-26 NBA season on a significant 28-13 run on top-rated NBA spread picks dating back to the previous season, indicating a consistent ability to identify advantageous betting opportunities. This Wednesday, the model’s top recommendations include fading both the New York Knicks in their NBA clash and St. John’s in collegiate basketball.

NBA Focus: Charlotte Hornets vs. New York Knicks

One of the model’s primary NBA selections for Wednesday involves the New York Knicks traveling to face the Charlotte Hornets. The Knicks, currently holding a 1-3 record against the spread (ATS) over their last four games, have exhibited vulnerability in recent contests. This trend extends to their road performance, where they maintain a 1-6 ATS record away from Madison Square Garden, including a 1-4 ATS mark when favored on the road. This pattern is a key factor in the SportsLine model’s analysis.

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The Charlotte Hornets, despite their challenging 4-13 overall record and a current six-game losing streak, have shown resilience against the spread. They are 3-2 ATS over their last five games and have managed to either force overtime or lose by six points or fewer in three of their last six outings. Furthermore, the Hornets have performed adequately as a home underdog this season, boasting a 3-3 ATS record in such scenarios. The SportsLine Projection Model’s simulations indicate a 62% probability of the Hornets covering the 6.5-point spread against the Knicks. The Knicks, while generally competitive, have struggled to consistently cover spreads, particularly when playing away from their home arena, making the Hornets an intriguing play given the current line. The game is scheduled to tip off in Charlotte, where the Hornets will aim to leverage their home-court advantage.

College Basketball Spotlight: Auburn vs. St. John’s at Players Era Festival

In collegiate basketball, the SportsLine model is targeting the matchup between Auburn and St. John’s at the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. The model is backing Auburn as 5.5-point underdogs against St. John’s. St. John’s has faced difficulties against ranked opponents this season, holding an 0-2 record in such matchups. Their recent performance includes an 83-82 loss to No. 15 Iowa State in Las Vegas on Monday, part of the ongoing Players Era Festival.

Auburn, ranked No. 21 nationally at the beginning of the week, has a 1-1 record in its Las Vegas appearances. The Tigers have demonstrated their capacity to compete with elite teams, as evidenced by their narrow 73-72 defeat to No. 1 Houston earlier in the season. Senior forward Keyshawn Hall has been a pivotal player for Auburn, averaging 21 points and 9.2 rebounds per game this season, providing a significant offensive and rebounding presence. The model projects Auburn to cover the 5.5-point spread in 67% of simulations, underscoring its confidence in the Tigers’ ability to keep the game competitive against St. John’s, who were ranked No. 14 in some polls entering the contest. The Players Era Festival provides a neutral court setting, which can sometimes favor teams with greater depth or a strong road-game mentality.

NHL Expert Pick: New Jersey Devils vs. St. Louis Blues

Beyond the basketball courts, SportsLine expert Matt Severance has provided an NHL best bet for the Wednesday evening contest between the St. Louis Blues and the New Jersey Devils. Severance is endorsing the Devils to defeat the Blues at a moneyline of -142. His analysis acknowledges the Devils’ current situation, noting the continued absence of star center Jack Hughes. However, he posits that the betting line appears to be undervalued by approximately 25-30 cents, considering the Devils’ robust home performance.

The Devils have been particularly dominant at Prudential Center this season, boasting an impressive 8-0-1 record on home ice. Conversely, the St. Louis Blues are concluding a lengthy road trip, on which they currently hold a 1-3 record, suggesting potential fatigue or a dip in performance away from home. Severance also highlights the return of center Cody Glass to the Devils’ lineup on Monday, which could provide an offensive boost. A key statistic emphasized by Severance is the Devils’ record when scoring first; they are 11-1-1 this year in games where they open the scoring, indicating a strong ability to close out games once they gain an early lead. This combination of factors contributes to the expert’s confidence in the Devils securing a victory against the traveling Blues.

Potential Parlay Opportunity

For bettors interested in combining these expert insights, a parlay incorporating the SportsLine model’s three picks—Hornets (+6.5) vs. Knicks, Devils (-142) to defeat the Blues, and Auburn (+5.5) vs. St. John’s—would result in a potential payout of +521. This means a $100 wager on such a parlay would yield a $521 profit if all three outcomes materialize as predicted.

The DraftKings promotion allows new users to engage with these predictions while also securing a significant bonus. By placing a minimum $5 first bet that wins, new users are eligible for $200 in bonus bets, alongside the three months of complimentary NBA League Pass, enhancing the viewing and betting experience for upcoming NBA action. Full details regarding the DraftKings promo code and offer are available through their official channels.

These selections represent a snapshot of the detailed analytical work conducted by the SportsLine Projection Model and its team of experts. As the Wednesday sports slate unfolds, the performance of these picks will be closely monitored by the betting community. For those seeking comprehensive against-the-spread, total, and money-line picks across various sports, including NFL, NBA, college basketball, college football, and NHL, SportsLine offers a broad range of data-driven predictions.