It's Friday, and Unrivaled is back! With less than a month out from the playoffs, the top four teams will advance. Tonight, we have two highly awaited matchups. With the postseason looming, every team will look to extend their season.
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
The 8-0 Lunar Owls will face the 4-4 Rose for the second time this season. For the late-night showdown, the 2-6 Mist will match up against the 3-5 Vinyl.
Below are the DraftKings odds and schedule for the Friday, February 21 Unrivaled matchups.
- Lunar Owls (-6.5) (-330 ML) vs Rose (+6.5) (+240 ML): O/U 145.5
- Mist (-1) (-115 ML) vs Vinyl (+1) (-115 ML):O/U 134.5
Unrivaled Odds Are Current As of February 21 at 11 A.M. ET
If you're looking to make some bets on Unrivaled, there's basketball action over the next two nights. Set to tip-off at 7:15 p.m. ET, the Lunar Owls vs Rose matchup will air on TNT, Max, TSN+, and YouTube. Beginning at 8:15 p.m. ET, Mist and Vinyl will square off.
Now that we have the official injury report let's take a look at my 2 best bets and picks for the Friday, February Unrivaled matchups.
Are you looking to bet on Unrivaled and basketball? Here at Ballislife Bets, we've gathered a complete list of the best sports betting offers here.
Unrivaled Moneyline Best Bet: Mist vs Vinyl
- Mist ML (-115 DraftKings)
Tonight marks the second matchup of the season between Mist and Vinyl. In case you missed the first meeting, the Mist defeated the Vinyl on February 1, 77-67. Shooting 58 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc, it was a true collaborative effort by the Mist. With DiJonai Carrington listed as a DNP, Jewell Loyd, Rickea Jackson, Breanna Stewart, Aaliyah Edwards, and Courtney Vandersloot all put up points in double-figures.
A close matchup until the fourth quarter, it was Edwards who called game for the Mist. Dominant on the stocks (steals +blocks), it was Vinyl's nine turnovers and fouls that did them in. Plus, shooting 40 % from the field, and 25 % from three did not help.
With Stewart leading the way for Mist with 23 points and 10 rebounds, it was Dearica Hamby who exploded for 35 points for team Vinyl. Outside of Hamby, the remaining squad shot 10-35 from the field. Just 4-16 from the three-point line, Vinyl couldn't buy a shot.
The mist once again have a fully healthy team, which will be all the difference for them. As for team Vinyl, Jordin Canada is probable with an illness.
It's Aaliyah Edwards Time To Shine
While the Mist have one of the least experienced rosters, don't let that fool you. In fact, we saw how impactful Rickea Jackson and Aaliyah Edwards were in the 1-on-1 tournament. How many players can say they had the opportunity to face Napheesa Collier in the finals? Not only did Edwards earn an extra $50,000, she heads into tonight's matchup with the second best field goal percentage (62.7 %) in Unrivaled.
The Mist are slowly building one of the strongest front courts in the league, and there's a reason why they lead Unrivaled in blocks. Unrivaled leaders with 2.6 blocks per game, Mist ranks second in rebounds with 33.6 per game. This is an important factor against Vinyl, who rank last with 27.5 rebounds per game.
How Scary Are The Mist When Healthy?
Although the Mist have dropped two straight, we saw their ability to cover the spread vs the Lunar Owls. Defeated 85-81, we have to remember the Owls are the cream of the crop.
Aside from DiJonai Carrington, all over five roster members scored points in double-figures. With Stewie leading the way with 23 points and 17 points, Rickea Jackson and Aaliyah Edwards combined for 27 points and nine rebounds. Again, the Mist ability to pull from downtown (63.6 %) marked a season high.
Given the Mist were able to come back and tie the game 77-77 in the fourth vs one of the most elite teams in telling. As we saw in week 1, this team averages 80+ points when fully healthy.
While the Mist rank no. 5 in three-point percentage (29.7%), they're a newly rejuvenated squad, as we've seen in practices on social media. With a -4.13 point differential, it doesn't rank far off from the Vinyls -3.71 point differential.
While this team has had their ups and downs, rebounding and length is a huge strength. Given this team only has two victories, those have come within the last few weeks. Overall, team Mist is trending upward, and I'm all here for the Sophomore glow ups.
The Vinyl Continue On A Losing Streak
As for the Vinyl, they were originally one of my favorites to win it all. 3-5 in the standings, this is a team that holds the no. 4 and final playoff spot. With the Mist one game behind Vinyl for a playoff spot, this game will be extremely high stakes.
Coming off a 61-55 loss against the Rose, Vinyl's abysmal offense very much concerns me. While they are one of the most talented teams on paper, it simply hasn't translated to on court success as of late. Averaging a league worst 62.5 points per game, team Vinyl had yet to score over 67 points over the last four games.
With a -23 point differential in two losses vs the Lunar Owls and Rose, this is a team that's shooting 25.9 % from deep over that span. Overall, this is a team that's lost five straight. No matter how you slice it, they are trending in the wrong direction.
Final Unrivaled Best Bet Pick and Prediction Today: Mist ML (-115 DraftKings)
While Dearica Hamby has been a bright spot for team Vinyl, this team has a -47 point differential over a five game losing steak. Averaging out to a 9.4 point differential per game, this is why I love the Mist in this spot.
Last in field goal percentage (43.7 %), the Vinyl may want to shake up the starting lineup. A lack of offense and rebounding isn't going to win games.
- I'll take Mist moneyline tonight as one of my best Unrivaled bets.
Unrivaled Spread Best Bet: Lunar Owls vs Rose
- Lunar Owls -6.5 (-115 DraftKings)
Tonight, the undefeated Lunar Owls will face team Rose for the second time this season. Defeating Rose 79-70 in the first week, it was Napheesa Collier, who led the way with 30 points. How could we forget Skylar Diggins-Smith game winner? It was truly iconic.
In that first game, we saw the Rose shoot 58 percent from the field, following by 17 points from Azurà Stevens. With all players aside from Lexie Hull notching points in double figures, it was an all around team effort. Team Rose in fact dominated Lunar Owls on the boards. However, missed three-point opportunities and free throw-misses, along with turnovers sealed the deal.
Holding the third playoff spot, we saw the Rose come up with a 61-55 low scoring victory over Vinyl. No Kahleah Copper? No problem. Thanks to Angel Reese's massive double double (16 points, 15 rebounds), 5 of those alone came on the offensive end.
And of course, we can't forget about Chelsea Gray, who called game with 26 points. While we've seen Brittney Sykes ramp up her production with 17 points, personal fouls have been an issue all season long. If the Rose want to hang in tonight, Lexie Hull and Azurà Stevens are the absolute x-factors here.
Can Team Rose Overcome Injuries?
According to Unrivaled, Kahleah Copper will once again sit this one out with a leg injury. In addition, both Chelsea Gray and Azurà Stevens are both questionable. Even if they are both able to suit up, Gray looked a bit banged up. Of course, that comes with the territory of being the team's most clutch player.
As we've seen in the 1-on-1 tournament, Napheesa Collier is a huge reason why the Lunar Owls are undefeated. Leading Unrivaled in points scored, rebounds, and field goals made, her impact is monumental.
Dominant in several categories, team Lunar Owls leads Unrivaled with a +11 point differential. Now compare that to Rose's -1 point differential. League leaders in points per game (81.38), field goals made (30.38), assists (15.88), they average the least turnovers in the league. Elite top to bottom, a fully healthy Lunar Owls squad is scary.
Scoring a season high 94 points vs the Phantom, we've seen this team walk away with a 24 point differential. Averaging 88 points over the last three games, offense is certainly not a problem. Boasting a +39 point differential over the last three games, they face a Rose team that's averaged 66 points over the last three games.
Final Unrivaled Best Bet Pick and Prediction Today: Lunar Owls -6.5 (-115 DraftKings)
Don't sleep on the Rose, they are riding a three game win steak, and have a +28 point differential over the Laces, Mist, and Vinyl. Overall, they are banged up, and no one can stop the Lunar Owls momentum right now. Of course, we've already seen a nine point Owls favorable spread first matchup.
- I'm taking Lunar Owls to cover the -6.5 spread as one of my best bets today.
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