Wise n' Shine: NBA picks, NHL predictions, XFL and college basketball best bets for Sunday, February 26

Photo of Phil Agius

Phil Agius

NBA

Show Bio

I've been writing about the NFL and a host of other sports for the UK's top daily betting paper the Racing Post for more than 20 years. An incurable Browns fan (1-31 survivor), I also specialise in all kinds of motorsport betting including F1, MotoGP, IndyCar and NASCAR.

Good morning, Pickswise Nation, and welcome to another busy Sunday of sports. We have NBA, NHL and college basketball slates today, plus XFL, soccer and NASCAR action, so let’s get straight to making your next bet better.

About Last Night

Celtics beat Sixers
The Celtics improved to 44-17 with their 20th road win of the season against the 76ers by a score of 120-117, while the Grizzlies overcame the Nuggets 112-94 and the Knicks cruised past the Pelicans 128-106.

Blue Jackets and Ducks cause upsets
There was plenty of drama in the NHL on Saturday, with the Blue Jackets shocking the Oilers 6-5 and the Ducks winning 3-2 on the road at the Hurricanes. The Devils, Bruins and Avalanche all won, with Boston goalie Linus Ullmark scoring the final goal of his team’s 3-1 win over the Canucks into an empty net.

NCAAB mega parlay cashes at +611 odds
There were some crazy scenes in Saturday’s college basketball games, with Florida State coming back from 25 points down to beat Miami, and Iowa beating Michigan State by 6 in overtime after trailing by 13 with just 94 seconds left in regulation. Caleb Wilfinger managed to avoid the upsets, though, cashing our NCAAB mega parlay at +611 odds.

You can bet on all today’s sports at FanDuel, America’s #1 sportsbook, which has a great new customer offer where you can secure a No Sweat First Bet up to $1,000. Click here to take advantage of this awesome offer.

Today’s Slate

NBA double-headers on ABC and ESPN
You can watch NBA games all day today if you wish, with ABC showing Suns vs Bucks at 1:00 pm ET and Lakers vs Mavericks at 3:30 pm ET, while ESPN has Timberwolves vs Warriors at 7:30 pm ET and Clippers vs Nuggets at 10:00 pm ET. Read today’s NBA picks.

7 games in the NHL
Today’s 7-game NHL slate starts with Capitals vs Sabres at 1:00pm on NHL Network, with Lightning vs Pirates being shown on the same channel at 6:00 pm ET. Read today’s NHL predictions.

XFL Week 2 continues
The Defenders joined the Battlehawks on a 2-0 record with a win over the Vipers in yesterday’s XFL game and today we have the final games of Week 2 with Brahmas vs Guardians at 4:00 pm ET on ESPN and Renegades vs Roughnecks at 7:00 pm ET on ESPN2. Read our XFL predictions.

There’s college basketball, soccer and NASCAR, too
UCLA, Northwestern and Providence are among the top college hoops teams taking the court today. Read today’s NCAAB predictions. We also have soccer picks for today’s EPL and MLS games and NASCAR predictions for today’s Auto Club 400 race.

Best Bet of the Day

XFL: Arlington Renegades +5 over Houston Roughnecks
7:00 pm ET, ESPN2

Week 2 of the XFL season will conclude with this Sunday nightcap between the Houston Roughnecks and Arlington Renegades. Both these teams are looking to stay undefeated but this number seems like an overreaction to Houston’s 33-12 win in its opener. Arlington has a stout defensive front and should make life tough on the Roughnecks. Check out our full Renegades vs Roughnecks predictions.

You can bet on Renegades +5 at DraftKings Sportsbook, which has thousands of betting options available and a great new customer offer where you can bet $5 and get $150 in bonus bets if your team wins! Click here to sign up for DraftKings.

Must-read

Today’s NHL mega parlay and hockey player props are ready to read and there’s a ton of help available for your NBA bets today with our NBA mega parlay and Same Game Parlays for the Suns vs Bucks, Lakers vs Mavericks and Clippers vs Nuggets matchups.

Read all our great sports analysis as it arrives throughout the day on the Analysis tab.

Stat of the Day

The Rockets have won just 5 of their 31 road games this season.

If you’re looking for a new sportsbook, check out Bet365, the world’s #1 sportsbook. They have an amazing sign-up offer where you can bet just $1 and instantly get $200 in bonus bets! There’s no catch, it’s really that simple. Click here to join Bet365 right now.

Pickswise is the home of free sports picks, news and best bets. Check out our expert NFL Picks, NBA Picks, Soccer Picks and NHL Picks pages for our latest game picks.

Virginia Bonuses

See All
BetMGM
EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Bet on CBB Tournament and get $1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if you Don't Win + $25 Bonus Bet

Register for a new BetMGM account & deposit

Place your first bet and get refunded up to $1,000 in bonus bets if you don't win

Plus receive a $25 Bonus Bet after placing your qualifying wager

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, OH, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario
FanDuel Sportsbook
Get a $1,000 No Sweat Bet on any CBB Tournament Game!

Sign up for a new FanDuel Sportsbook account

Make a first-time deposit of $10+, and then place your first real-money wager on FanDuel Sportsbook

New customers get their first bet paid back in bonus bets up to $1,000 if you lose!

Must be 21+. First online real money wager only. $10 first deposit required. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable free bets that expire 14 days after receipt. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook.
DraftKings
Bet $5+ any College Basketball Pre-Game ML And Get $150 in Bonus Bets if your Team Wins

Sign up for a new account with DraftKings Sportsbook and make your first deposit

Make your first deposit and bet $5+ on any pre-game ML

Get $150 in bonus bets if your team wins

Gambling Problem? Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (CO/IL/IN/LA/MD/MI/NJ/PA/TN/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/KS/LA(select parishes)/MD/MI/NJ/NY/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Void in OH/ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min. $5 bet. $150 issued as bonus bets that expire 7 days (168 hours) after being awarded. See terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com..
Unibet
Virginia Bettors- Get a $100 Free Bet for the CBB Tournament

Register for a new Unibet account & make a deposit

Place your first bet up to $100 free!

Get refunded up if you lose up to $100

New players only. Terms & conditions apply. 21+. VA only.
bet365
Bet $1 on the CBB Tournament and Get $365 in Bonus Bets at bet365!

Register for a new bet365 account

Place qualifying bets of $1 or more

Get $365 in bonus bets - no matter if your bet wins or loses

New Customer Offer. Deposit required. Bonus Bets added to Bonus Bet Credits balance. Bonus Bet risk excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits, and exclusions apply. Must be physically located in VA.
WynnBet
Bet $100 on the CBB Tournament & Get $100 Bet Credit

Register for a WynnBET account today.

Deposit & Wager $100 on any sports market (odds -120 or greater).

Get a $100 Bet Credit.

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
BetRivers
Get a $500 Free Bet for the CBB Tournament

Sign up for a new BetRivers account using promo code PICKSWISE

Make your first deposit & get up to $500 in free bets

To get $500 in free bets, wager $500

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-BETS OFF
Caesars Sportsbook
Your First Cash Bet on the CBB Tournament Is On Caesars Up To $1,250

Sign up for a new Caesars Sportsbook account and Place your 1st wager of $10 or more

If you lose, you get 100% of your stake back as a Bet Credit - up to $1,250.

AND win or lose, you’ll also get 1,000 Reward Credits® and 1,000 Tier Credits.

21+. Terms and conditions apply.
DraftKings
Get a $1,000 Deposit Bonus when you bet on the CBB Tournament

Create a new DraftKings Sportsbook account and make your first deposit (min $5)

DraftKings will match 20% of your deposit up to $1,000 total

To get a $100 bonus, deposit $500

21+. Terms & conditions apply.
BetMGM
Get $1,000 Paid Back in Bonus Bets if you Don't Win your CBB Tournament Bet

Register for a new BetMGM account & deposit

Place your first bet up to $1,000!

Get refunded up to $1,000 in bonus bets if you don't win

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER CO, IL, IN, LA, MD, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY 21+ to wager. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (KS, NV), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI). Visit BetMGM.com for Terms & Conditions. US promotional offers not available in DC, Nevada, New York or Ontario
TVG
Get Your First Single-Horse Win Wager Back Up to $200 if you don't win

Register for a new TVG account and make a deposit

Place your first single horse win-type bet up to $200

If your horse doesn't win you'll get a refund up to $300

21+. T&C's apply. Please gamble responsibly.
TwinSpires
Get a $200 Sign-Up Bonus with Twinspires Racebook!

Open your TwinSpires.com account using offer code BET200

$200 bonus cash will be credited in increments of $100 for every $400 wagered

To earn the full $200 bonus players must wager $800 within 30 days

21+. Terms and conditions apply.
Underdog Fantasy
First deposit is 100% matched up to $100 with Underdog Fantasy

Sign up for a new account with Underdog Fantasy

Make your first deposit

Every dollar (up to $100) will be matched! Deposit $25, get $50; deposit $100, get $200, etc

Must be 21+ to play. Terms & conditions apply
Owners Box
First Time Deposit Bonus Up To $500

Sign up for a new DFS account with OwnersBox

User's first deposit will be matched up to $500 in site-credit

Join one of their Daily NFL, NBA, MLB, or NHL contests

You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age to receive deposit bonuses, participate in Contests, or win prizes offered through OwnersBox Contests. In jurisdictions, territories, and locations where the minimum age for permissible use of Contests is greater than eighteen (18) years old, you must meet the age requirement in your local jurisdiction or territory.