Totally in on some totals tonight

Really great question, thanks for asking. Yes, we did cash both bets yesterday, with the Thunder winning outright and Montreal-Dallas ending with seven goals. Would it be so crazy to leave some player props alone again and stick with what worked yesterday? It certainly doesn't feel crazy, and there are plenty of NBA games (and two in the NHL) to consider.

Milwaukee Bucks-Indiana Pacers over 257.5 points (-110)

We have bet this total twice this season. Good thing we weren't operating on New Year's Day because these two finally went under when they met two days ago. All that means is we're getting a discounted rate on a total worth jumping back to.

The reason is incredibly simple. These two teams rank second and fourth in pace of play, and third and first in offensive rating. Both defenses have had their struggles, notably Indiana's 27th-ranked unit, which should only help open up the floodgates here.

Two days ago they combined for just 235 points; however, the meeting prior saw 266 total points. Bring us another over in this fun Eastern Conference battle. 

Toronto Maple Leafs over 3.5 goals in regulation (-130 ESPN)

Toronto is averaging 4.1 goals per game on the road over the last month, while Anaheim is allowing 3.5 goals per game at home in the same stretch of time. There's also a massive power-play edge here for the Maple Leafs, who own a top-10 PP scoring rate against a Ducks team handing out a mammoth 4.7 power-play opportunities per game and killing them at a below-average rate.

The Leafs have scored 4+ in three of the last four against the Ducks, and when Toronto has been able to stay in a location on a back-to-back this year, they've shined. Earlier they played both New York teams on the road, and the second night saw them score seven times against the Rangers. When they played two straight at home, they won 5-2 over Vancouver on the second night. Los Angeles and Anaheim are quite close, mitigating the impact of a back-to-back here.

In the news ...

Jets release RB Dalvin Cook — The New York Jets have given Dalvin Cook a chance to latch on to a playoff contender, releasing the veteran RB after just one disappointing season together. There's some logic to adding Cook. He has relatively fresh legs having carried the ball only 67 times this season, though it's fair to wonder what the 28-year-old running back has left in the tank. The Ravens have dealt with their fair share of RB injuries and are a team to watch, as are the Cowboys, as their lead back in Tony Pollard has failed to be a threat in the red zone. 

Connor McDavid becomes fifth-fastest player in NHL history to reach 900 points — Edmonton's Connor McDavid has joined some elite company (not that he wasn't already there), becoming the fifth-fastest player in NHL history to reach 900 points. It took McDavid just 602 games, joining Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Mike Bossy and Peter Stastny as the quickest to hit the mark. Quick Gretzky appreciation post: he hit 900 points in only 385 games. Anyway, the Oilers have the ninth-best record in the West and McDavid is third in the league in points. Edmonton is +700 to advance to the Stanley Cup, and McDavid is the favorite at +275 to win the Hart Trophy.

Early betting thoughts on CFP Championship — We've got five more days until the NCAAF Championship Game between Michigan and Washington, and Yardbarker's college football betting expert Matt Wiesenfeld has some early thoughts. The early leans seem to be Washington +4 and over 45.5 points. The Huskies, led by Michael Penix Jr., just keep on winning as the underdog and it may even be wise to spread a bit of a bet on their moneyline at +154.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll. Follow him on Substack: griffybets.substack.com.