It's a small MLB slate, as is typically the case on Thursdays, so we're turning to the ice and hardwood and a few studs for a fun parlay this evening. With playoffs for both leagues around the corner, we're ideally looking to find soft matchups that align with teams motivated to perform. We've got just the ticket with this ticket.

Give us five in this +467 parlay

Filip Forsberg 5+ shots on goal

Nashville is hosting the St. Louis Blues tonight in a massive game for a wild-card spot out West, and we expect the Preds to push the pace with plenty of pucks on net.

The most logical man to head up that charge is Filip Forsberg, and considering the Blues allow the sixth-most shots per game to wings of late, he's in a strong spot to produce. Forsberg has 5+ shots in three of his last four games, four of his past five at home, and he's logged five, eight and six SOG the last three times St. Louis has come to town.

Sign us up for 5+ shots on goal tonight from Nashville's most impactful offensive player.

Luka Doncic 5+ threes made 

The Atlanta Hawks just allowed bench guard Malachi Flynn to nail 5+ treys last night en route to a 50-point night, the third time in their last seven games they've allowed a point guard to cross the five made threes threshold.

The Hawks on the year are allowing the third-highest three-point percentage and the fourth-most total threes per game, and now they have to slow down Luka Doncic, who averages 10.8 three-point attempts per game across his last 10 games.

Doncic has drained 14 treys in his past two games and finished with eight (!) earlier this year against Atlanta. We'll gladly move his line up in a spot as strong as this.

Dallas is still fighting to secure their place inside the top six out West, so we have little concern about Luka resting.

Together, these two to hit these 5+ marks, parlayed, comes in at +467 on FanDuel. Feel free to play them straight if you'd like, but we'll go a touch aggressive tonight.

In the news ...

Thinking more about this Stefon Diggs trade — We highlighted it yesterday, but have been giving some more thought to this Buffalo trade that sent Stefon Diggs to Houston. Some are saying this shuts the Bills Super Bowl window, but we'll push back on this here. Diggs is now 31, and he stopped producing at the tail end of each of the past two seasons. Buffalo has holes no doubt, and the -300 price on their first pick being WR should make it clear that we're set to get an injection of young pass-catchers into this offense. However, Josh Allen is one of the NFL's best quarterbacks, and last year's first-round pick, TE Dalton Kincaid, figures to be used more as a top option in this offense. We're not so sure this is bad news for Buffalo, and we've now grown to be a bit excited about what Allen can do without Diggs. Kansas City traded Tyreek Hill and has won back-to-back Super Bowls; a star WR is not a recipe or requirement to be a champion. Allen is +800 to win MVP and the Bills are +1200 to finally get over the hump with a Super Bowl title.

2024 NBA Hall of Fame class to be announced this weekend — Vince Carter and Chauncey Billups headline this year's NBA Hall of Fame class, according to NBA insider Shams Charania. The full class is set to be announced on Saturday during the NCAA men's Final Four, but it's clear Carter and Billups carry the mantle this year. Other notable finalists include Michael Cooper, Walter Davis and Bo Ryan.

Draymond Green endorses Victor Wembanyama for NBA Defensive Player of the Year — Could Victor Wembanyama take both rookie of the year and DPOY honors in his first season in the NBA? Former Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green is officially on board, citing just how impactful Wembanyama is to San Antonio. No rookie has ever won the award. Wemby easily tops the league in blocks per game, with 3.5 (1.1 more than the next closest), and he also chips in 1.3 steals per game, tied for 14th-most. He is currently +1000 to take home the honors, second behind the heavy favorite Rudy Gobert (-3000). We're down for a sprinkle on the Spurs big at this price.

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