Harden sets the tone for this +401 cross-sport parlay

With college basketball in the rearview (congrats to UConn!), we're treated to three of the four major sports in action every night for the next few months. We celebrate with a cross-sport parlay tonight, finding us one leg from each league. Together, the odds come in at +401.

Harden makes the first leg easy

We start in the NBA in a massive Eastern Conference clash between the Celtics and the 76ers. James Harden quickly popped up for us. Harden is averaging 21.4 points per game this season, yet his prop line for the evening is only 19.5. There are two key signs to us that Harden's over makes sense. First, the man has loved stepping up against the Celtics. In three meetings this season, Harden is averaging 27.3 points vs. Boston, going over tonight's line each time.

Going back further, Harden has gone for 20+ points against Boston in 14 straight games, averaging 30.9 points per game in that stretch. 

An Outlier trend brings this play home. According to Outlier.bet, James Harden has exceeded 19.5 points in 11 of his last 12 games after a loss (24.0 points/game average).

First leg: James Harden over 19.5 points (-120 FD)

Yordan Alvarez should keep it rolling tonight

One of the heaviest favorites of the night in the MLB is Houston against Detroit. If the Astros are to pull ahead against the Tigers, logically the bats have to get going. In slots Yordan Alvarez.

Alvarez has gotten his year off to a roaring start, with six hits, two home runs, and 3.3 total bases/game. It's that last stat, total bases (TB), that we'll be targeting tonight. He's gone over this 1.5 TB line in all four games this season and 18 of his last 25 home games. He's also gone over in three straight against the Tigers, racking up 12 TBs in the process.

Once again, it's an Outlier trend that supports our initial look and gives us the confidence to load up a big game from the Houston slugger: Yordan Alvarez has exceeded 1.5 total bases in eight of his last nine games at home against opponents with a losing record (4.1 total bases/game average).

Second leg: Yordan Alvarez over 1.5 total bases (-105 DK)

Colorado should cruise on the ice

We'll wrap the night's looks with a relatively simple one in the NHL. After a rocky mid-season, the Avalanche have put themselves back into a strong position to make another Stanley Cup run, but need to continue winning to secure themselves a spot at the top of their division. They should have no issues doing so against the San Jose Sharks, a team that has already begun a teardown ahead of next season. Colorado has won four straight against San Jose, scoring 4+ goals each time, and considering the Sharks are allowing 4.0 goals/game at home in their past 10 games, the Avalanche should have no issues on offense.

Surprise, but it's Outlier that brings this juiced leg home. According to their insights, the Colorado Avalanche are 14-5 (73%) vs. the San Jose Sharks off a win over their last 19 games. 

Third leg: Colorado Avalanche moneyline (-225 MGM)

Together, these three legs come in at +401 on FanDuel. We've built the slip for you below, so if you agree with the logic, hop on in and join us as we touch 'em all across the three major sports.

Betting: Three-leg Cross-Sports Parlay (+401 FD)

In the news ...

UConn wins national championship — In what will be remembered as one of the most dominant tournament runs of all time, the UConn Huskies stamped their legacy on Monday with a 76-59 win over San Diego State. UConn won each game by more than 10 points, the first time ever, and now has won five titles since 1999, two more than the next closest school. Electrifying big man Adama Sanogo was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. UConn was 15-1 to win it all prior to the Round of 64.

Jalen Carter declines more team visits prior to NFL Draft — Jalen Carter is quickly becoming one of the most polarizing prospects in the class. At one time, Carter was considered a front-runner to be selected first in the draft, now some think he may start sliding down the draft. Count Carter and his camp as those who don't believe he falls. Carter's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed that Carter will not take any visits to teams who are selecting past No. 10. That has us thinking, keep your eyes on the Eagles at +600 to draft Carter. Carter visited Philly, who own the 10th pick in the draft, and the Eagles have never shied away from investing in the trenches. After losing Pro Bowl DT Javon Hargrave in free agency, there's certainly a need.

Today's Bark Bets is written by Griffin Carroll