Unrivaled Best Bets Today: 2 Top Picks for Friday, Feb. 20

It's Friday, and Unrivaled is back! Let's look at betting odds, best bets, and predictions for Phantom BC vs. Laces BC and Hive BC vs. Rose BC.

The midway point of the season has passed, and so has the Unrivaled 1v1 tournament. Chelsea Gray defeated Allisha Gray in the finale and was crowned the winner, earning a prize of $200,000.

(Photo by Leonardo Fernandez/Getty Images)

With the season winding down, there are fewer than three weeks remaining until the championship on Mar. 4. So, you may ask, what is Unrivaled? Co-founded by Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, Unrivaled is a three-on-three women's professional basketball league made for the players, designed by the players. Mainly stationed in Miami, the league made its first tour in Philadelphia, and will play the semifinals in New York at Barclays Center.

Given that six of eight teams will advance to the playoffs, every matchup moving forward is vital, and this weekend will determine each team's seeding.

Last week, Unrivaled announced Angel Reese will return to the league and join Rose BC for the remainder of the season. The move came shortly after a four-team shakeup, one that opened the door for Reese.

Laces BC (9-2), Phantom BC (8-3), and Mist BC (7-4) all clinched a playoff spot. With a victory over Phantom, Laces have the chance to earn a first-round bye and clinch a top-two seed. Laces BC (+240) are the favorites to win the Unrivaled Championship, followed by Phantom BC (+300), Mist BC (+425), and Rose BC (+650).

Let's take a look at the Unrivaled betting odds for Friday, Feb. 20.

Are you in search of further Unrivaled and sports betting promotions? We have compiled a list of the best sports betting offers here. 

Unrivaled Team Futures Championship Odds (DraftKings)

• Laces BC: +240
• Phantom BC: +300
• Mist BC: +425
• Rose BC: +650
• Breeze BC: +750
• Vinyl BC: +1100
• Lunar Owls BC: +4000
• Hive BC: +6000

Unrivaled Schedule & Betting Odds For February 20 (DraftKings)

• Phantom BC (+1.5) (-105 ML) vs. Laces BC (-1.5) (-125 ML) | O/U 143.5
• Hive BC (+6.5) (+240) vs. Rose BC (-6.5) (-330 ML) | O/U 140.5

If you're betting on Unrivaled, welcome! Phantom and Laces will face off at 7:30 p.m. ET, and Hive and Rose will square off at 8:45 p.m. ET. All matchups will be broadcast on TNT, truTV, and HBO Max.

Let's take a look at my best bets, picks, and predictions for Unrivaled matchups on Friday, Feb. 20.

Unrivaled Best Bets

• Phantom ML (-105 DraftKings)
• Hive BC vs. Rose BC OVER 140.5 Points (-115 DraftKings)

Unrivaled Injury Report For Feb. 20

• Phantom BC: Dana Evans, OUT (Left Lower Extremity)
• Laces BC: Jackie Young, QUESTIONABLE (Head)
• Hive BC: None
• Rose BC: Sug Sutton, OUT (Illness)

Phantom BC vs. Laces BC

• Phantom ML (-105 DraftKings)

My first best bet for today, I placed one unit on Phantom BC moneyline, or for them to win outright.

Owning the second-best record in Unrivaled at 8-3, I have a ton of confidence in this squad. Led by Kelsey Plum and Aliyah Boston, the two-person game is strong. Overlooked due to Satou Sabally's season-ending injury (concussion), this roster has the perfect mix of size and speed.

Boasting the second-highest point differential in the league (+68), Phantom is riding a four-game winning streak. And to think this team has been without Dana Evans for the entire year is scary.

Aside from Mist, we are talking about a club that puts up more points than any other team in the league (73.4 PPG). That said, this is a team that's shooting 48% from the field, and nearly 35% from beyond the arc. As I've mentioned in other articles, the offense starts and ends with Plum. A 3x3 Olympian, she not only leads the Phantom in scoring, but also ranks among the top-five with 22.4 PPG.

Both Boston and Plum rank in the top ten in scoring, with Boston averaging 19.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. And it's fair to say she's expanded her range this season.

What makes this team so dangerous is its versatility. With Kiki Iriafen and Boston, this team can stretch the floor, but can dominate inside. Boasting a 34.4 3-point attempt rate, this is a club that averages the highest assisted shot rate. If the 3-ball isn't falling, they have plenty of options to drive downhill and score in a variety of ways. Shooting nearly 55% on two-pointers, they average the second-most free-throw attempts per game (7 FTA).

Why Phantom BC Can Win Outright vs. Laces BC

I do believe Phantom can improve on the boards, but has arguably three of the fastest, craftiest guards in Plum, Natasha Cloud, and Tiffany Hayes.

This certainly won't be an easy matchup as they face the best team in Unrivaled, Laces BC. Both teams are stacked with talent, and the Laces are headlined by Alyssa Thomas, Jackie Young, Brittney Sykes, and Jordin Canada in the backcourt. If we look at the guard lineups of both teams, there's a ton of talent on both sides of the ball.

Both teams have been equally hot, with the Laces winning three straight games before the 1v1 tournament break. Both of these squads matched up a month ago, with Laces edging out Phantom, 76-75. With injury reports mirroring the exact same ones as tonight, both teams shot over 50% from the field. The Laces made the difference on the boards and  3-point line (46.7%).

Despite being ranked as the top two defensive teams in Unrivaled, this was a relatively high-scoring affair. Sykes, Thomas, Young, and Canada combined for 65 points, so an inside presence will be critical for Phantom tonight. For the ghost gang, Boston and Plum combined for 48 points. If Boston can stay out of foul trouble, this may be one of the difference makers this time around.

Although streaky at times, the X-factor is Kiki Iriafen, who put up 20 points in 11.5 minutes against a loaded Mist BC frontcourt.

Final Unrivaled Best Bet Pick and Prediction Today: Phantom Moneyline (-105 DraftKings)

Overall, the Phantom is averaging 79.5 points over the last two games, including an 83-point outing against Mist. Both teams are relatively even when it comes to shooting percentages, and where Phantom can take advantage is at the charity stripe. That can make all the difference, given that both clubs are two of the top perimeter-defending teams.

• I'm taking Phantom moneyline here. Not only did Plum and Boston combine for 66 points last game, but Cloud, Iriafen, Plum, and Boston combined for 76 points the game prior. This team has shown it can win in various ways, and Plum leads the league with four game-winners. The Laces will be tough to beat, but Phantom is the more complete team. Plus, Jackie Young is uncertain to lace up.

Hive BC vs. Rose BC

• Hive BC vs. Rose BC OVER 140.5 Points (-115 DraftKings)

My second-best bet for today, I placed one unit on Hive BC and Rose BC to soar over 140.5 points.

To be frank, these are two of the least efficient defensive teams in Unrivaled. Rose BC has allowed the most points in the league (820), while Hive BC is tied with Lunar Owls with 821. In addition, Hive is putting up the least amount of points on offense with 718.

With a 3-8 record, both teams were impacted following a four-team trade. Forward Azurà Stevens was shipped from Rose to Hive, which opened the door for Angel Reese to sign with Rose.

Hive has talent, that's not the issue. I do believe Stevens provides much-needed scoring and floor spacing, as she's one of the biggest 3-point shooting bigs in the game. However, she recorded just nine points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 11.1 minutes against the Laces.

Angel Reese Set to Make Unrivaled Season Debut

The Hive has hung around, and I even bet on them to cover in the 76-61 loss against the Laces. All but eliminated from the playoffs, it will take time for Stevens and Ezi Magbegor to develop chemistry. Given Magbegor is back, I am tempted to lay the points (+6.5) with Hive. However, let's look at the total points.

Ironically, one of Hive's wins came against Rose on Jan. 16, 78-75. Not only did Chelsea Gray lead the way with 36 points, but they shot 47.4% from the field and beyond the arc. Sure, losing Stevens takes away from 3-point shooting, but Reese should make an immediate impact rebounding and scoring inside.

While I'm not taking Hive outright,  this is a team that already beat Rose without Stevens. With Sonia Citron, Magbegor, Kelsey Mitchell, and Monique Billings all scoring points in double figures, this is a team that shot 50% from the floor.

There's no doubt the Hive has stayed competitive, losing to Vinyl and Breeze by a combined five points. Three of their last five games have cleared 140.5 points, and Rose, four of their last six games. Let's face it, Rose gave up 90 points alone to Mist on Monday!

Final Unrivaled Best Bet Pick and Prediction Today: Hive BC vs. Rose BC OVER 140.5 Points (-115 DraftKings)

Overall, Rose BC allows the highest 3-point percentage in Unrivaled (39%) and the league's highest two-point percentage (56.8%). Reese will help with their problems, but will not solve them on her own. Conversely, Rose is the best 3-point shooting team in the league (35.6%), putting up 71.5 points per game.

Hive puts up a league low 65 points per game, but that should change with Stevens and a healthy roster. Giving up nearly 75 points per game, this is a club that's been surprisingly decent at guarding the perimeter.

• I'm taking the over for the matchup. Both offenses have improved, but I don't trust the defense of either.