Brandon Anderson

Brandon Anderson

Brandon Anderson
Role
Staff Writer
Experience
9 years
Location
Aurora, Illinois
Total Bets
6K
Followers
218.1K

Brandon Anderson's Picks

Today
Pending
DDV took 12 3s in G1 and is clearly a big part of the rotation and plan. When he plays 27+ minutes this season, he has 7+ 3pa in 23/32 games, 72% hit rate to this, averaging 8.4 attempts. If you can bet attempts, we don’t have to worry about makes. If you prefer makes, go for the outliers I’m case the volume is high and the shots fall.
31
17
Mitch is a rebounding monster, especially oreb. He’s only 2 reb behind Hart and KAT, the only competition here, and starting comes at the direct expense of both. More Mitch means less Hart minutes, and it also means KAT further from the basket on both ends. There’s injury risk as the minutes ramp up but I’d make him the favorite as a starter so this is a bad number heading into G3 in a starting role he could keep. Should be the favorite for G3 leader too, see if your book has the market available
67
17
Just a sprinkle from Buckets, Wiggins was hot G2 and should continue to earn playing time and get some open 3s, esp if Indy finally deploys some zone. Skip the medians and plays alts, if he’s hit he’ll keep shooting.
7
1
Just a sprinkle from Buckets, Wiggins was hot G2 and should continue to earn playing time and get some open 3s, esp if Indy finally deploys some zone. Skip the medians and plays alts, if he’s hit he’ll keep shooting.
5
1
Haliburton u9.5 APG-150
3u
Fade Hali assists is my top read of the series. Just 5.5 APG vs OKC this season, worst vs any team. Thunder have so many tough defenders to throw at him (Dort has erased his usg) and are willing to give the switch so he can’t pick apart with passing. 11.5 potentials also his lowest vs any team. Down over 40% apg and 4+ potentials a huge drop, similar to rd2 vs Cle when he didn’t even lead Pacers in assists. That’s consistent with what OKC is doing to star opp playmakers: Jokic -11, Ja -10, Ant -5 points creates vs season avg. Nembhard had 7a both OKC games and avg 15.5 potentials, basically the usual Hali #. He led assists vs Cavs and could be a shock leader here with a surprisingly high ceiling. Be sure to shop around for series leader pricing.
107
23
Nembhard assists leader vs OKC+15000
0.5u
Fade Hali assists is my top read of the series. Just 5.5 APG vs OKC this season, worst vs any team. Thunder have so many tough defenders to throw at him (Dort has erased his usg) and are willing to give the switch so he can’t pick apart with passing. 11.5 potentials also his lowest vs any team. Down over 40% apg and 4+ potentials a huge drop, similar to rd2 vs Cle when he didn’t even lead Pacers in assists. That’s consistent with what OKC is doing to star opp playmakers: Jokic -11, Ja -10, Ant -5 points creates vs season avg. Nembhard had 7a both OKC games and avg 15.5 potentials, basically the usual Hali #. He led assists vs Cavs and could be a shock leader here with a surprisingly high ceiling. Be sure to shop around for series leader pricing.
97
28
Nembhard ast H2H vs JDub+175
0.5u
Nembhard had 7a both OKC games and avg 15.5 potentials, basically the usual Hali #. He led assists vs Cavs and could be a shock leader here with a surprisingly high ceiling. Be sure to shop around for series leader pricing. JDub usually around 4.5-6apg, but Nembhard has two series last two playoffs over 7. Came 1a away from 5+ every game vs Cleveland. Foul trouble and blowouts likely sink 5a every game but the number is too long.
76
26
SGA assists leader vs IND+500
2u
Fade Hali assists is my top read of the series. Just 5.5 APG vs OKC this season, worst vs any team. Thunder have so many tough defenders to throw at him (Dort has erased his usg) and are willing to give the switch so he can’t pick apart with passing. 11.5 potentials also his lowest vs any team. Down over 40% apg and 4+ potentials a huge drop, similar to rd2 vs Cle when he didn’t even lead Pacers in assists. That’s consistent with what OKC is doing to star opp playmakers: Jokic -11, Ja -10, Ant -5 points creates vs season avg. SGA 8apg on 12.5 potentials vs Indy last 2 years with 10-7-7, should be able to shred this D esp with Chet spacing it out. Could be even better if Carlisle throws zone or kitchen sink at SGA to force others to beat them. With Thunder expected to outscore Indy, maybe by a lot, he should be series leader favorite for assists. I make 6a every game around +175.
148
30
SGA o6.5 APG vs IND-120
0.5u
Fade Hali assists is my top read of the series. Just 5.5 APG vs OKC this season, worst vs any team. Thunder have so many tough defenders to throw at him (Dort has erased his usg) and are willing to give the switch so he can’t pick apart with passing. 11.5 potentials also his lowest vs any team. Down over 40% apg and 4+ potentials a huge drop, similar to rd2 vs Cle when he didn’t even lead Pacers in assists. That’s consistent with what OKC is doing to star opp playmakers: Jokic -11, Ja -10, Ant -5 points creates vs season avg. SGA 8apg on 12.5 potentials vs Indy last 2 years with 10-7-7, should be able to shred this D esp with Chet spacing it out. Could be even better if Carlisle throws zone or kitchen sink at SGA to force others to beat them. With Thunder expected to outscore Indy, maybe by a lot, he should be series leader favorite for assists. I make 6a every game around +175.
46
12
JDub 4 ast each game vs IND+290
2.5u
JDub has been so steady as a creator, 4+ assists in 15/16 playoff games, all but the awful blowout loss in Minnesota. 80% hit rate in season, 94% in playoffs with more minutes and bigger role. I make this slightly better than 50/50. We’ve been hitting this bet round after round, so honestly we owe this to JDub one more time in the Finals.
93
26
OKC 25+ win any game vs IND+250
1u
Thunder have multiple wins each series by 19+, so that’s half their playoff wins. They’ve won by 24+ over a quarter of their wins this season. Pacers have lost by 16+ each series with avg margin of loss 15+ and lost by 21 to OKC in season. Blowout always in play here.
28
10
Hali & Siakam 60 pts combined any game vs OKC+950
0.25u
Fun nibble that also works as a nice hedge to the strong OKC position. Only has to be 2% likely in 5g to be worth think price, so even 4% in 6g is more like +400. Duo has already had 52-52-53-62 this postseason. Don’t love the matchup for either vs OKC but this number is bad even then and terrible if Indy finds answers.
68
20
OKC to win G2 & series-200
3u
This will be my biggest title bet of the season. OKC will be fine. Just a wild shot making outlier G1 both directions. Thunder will bounce back G2 as huge favs and won’t lose again at home, so win road win still does the trick. You won’t want OKC if they lose G2 anyway so betting the combo parlay here is a great way to get a big advantage on a -325 ticket elsewhere.
57
21
OKC +2.5 series vs IND-1200
3u
OKC needs 2 wins for this to cash. In other words, Indy either needs to sweep or close out in 5 in OKC to make this ticket lose. Just a bad price, less than half the market elsewhere. Might seem crazy to lay -1200 but this is a 95-96% bet, so by far the most likely scenario is effectively a one week loan with an 8% ROI.
34
18
iHart 6+ reb each game vs IND+450
1u
Bet this pre series +500 and it barely moved despite iHart playing what may well be his lowest minutes of series. G1 showed they need him out there. 9r in 17’ and they need his reb, screens, and passing. 6+ reb in 14/17 playoff games with 5+ every game. This is playable even if iHart plays only 20’ a game. If the minutes go up, this coasts.
44
19
SGA o5.5 rpg vs IND-125
1.5u
I expect the series to trend small. Both team may prefer less iHart since he hurts Indy rebounding but also OKC will be happy to unleash Chet at the 5 (or smaller) to stretch Turner away from basket and let SGA attack paint. That could setup like last round for OKC where rebounds are more spread out SGA 8 rpg last 2 seasons vs Indy at 65% reb chance, and he’s gone from 5.3 the last two regular seasons to 6.3 in the playoffs. Just a higher effort plus minutes boost that’s meant regular rebounding increase and could put him right in mix for series leader Turner 8rpg vs OKC this year with Chet out banging vs iHart but 3r both Chet games last year spaced away from the hoop. His rpg depends heavily on matchup: 7.2 vs Cleveland double bigs, 3.9 rest of playoffs. I have SGA projected a couple rebounds ahead, this more like -200 v clear favorite vs Turner
48
21
SGA rpg h2h vs Turner -115
1.5u
I expect the series to trend small. Both team may prefer less iHart since he hurts Indy rebounding but also OKC will be happy to unleash Chet at the 5 (or smaller) to stretch Turner away from basket and let SGA attack paint. That could setup like last round for OKC where rebounds are more spread out SGA 8 rpg last 2 seasons vs Indy at 65% reb chance, and he’s gone from 5.3 the last two regular seasons to 6.3 in the playoffs. Just a higher effort plus minutes boost that’s meant regular rebounding increase and could put him right in mix for series leader Turner 8rpg vs OKC this year with Chet out banging vs iHart but 3r both Chet games last year spaced away from the hoop. His rpg depends heavily on matchup: 7.2 vs Cleveland double bigs, 3.9 rest of playoffs. I have SGA projected a couple rebounds ahead, this more like -200 v clear favorite vs Turner
60
24
SGA reb leader vs IND+2200
0.5u
I expect the series to trend small. Both team may prefer less iHart since he hurts Indy rebounding but also OKC will be happy to unleash Chet at the 5 (or smaller) to stretch Turner away from basket and let SGA attack paint. That could setup like last round for OKC where rebounds are more spread out SGA 8 rpg last 2 seasons vs Indy at 65% reb chance, and he’s gone from 5.3 the last two regular seasons to 6.3 in the playoffs. Just a higher effort plus minutes boost that’s meant regular rebounding increase and could put him right in mix for series leader Turner 8rpg vs OKC this year with Chet out banging vs iHart but 3r both Chet games last year spaced away from the hoop. His rpg depends heavily on matchup: 7.2 vs Cleveland double bigs, 3.9 rest of playoffs. I have SGA projected a couple rebounds ahead, this more like -200 v clear favorite vs Turner
77
30
Siakam reb leader vs IND+700
0.5u
I expect the series to trend small. Both team may prefer less iHart since he hurts Indy rebounding but also OKC will be happy to unleash Chet at the 5 (or smaller) to stretch Turner away from basket and let SGA attack paint. That could setup like last round for OKC where rebounds are more spread out Siakam honestly not even a great rebounder but might just be right place right time. He’s been good vs OKC last 2 seasons with 11-5-10-9 reb, 8.8 rpg with an impressive 75% snag rate. Should be among top rebounders just by game script most nights and series.
78
26
Siakam o5.5 rpg vs OKC-130
1.3u
I expect the series to trend small. Both team may prefer less iHart since he hurts Indy rebounding but also OKC will be happy to unleash Chet at the 5 (or smaller) to stretch Turner away from basket and let SGA attack paint. That could setup like last round for OKC where rebounds are more spread out Siakam honestly not even a great rebounder but might just be right place right time. He’s been good vs OKC last 2 seasons with 11-5-10-9 reb, 8.8 rpg with an impressive 75% snag rate. Should be among top rebounders just by game script most nights and series. 4+ reb 92% of games on season sets stable floor
55
23
Siakam 4 reb each game vs OKC+275
2u
I expect the series to trend small. Both team may prefer less iHart since he hurts Indy rebounding but also OKC will be happy to unleash Chet at the 5 (or smaller) to stretch Turner away from basket and let SGA attack paint. That could setup like last round for OKC where rebounds are more spread out Siakam honestly not even a great rebounder but might just be right place right time. He’s been good vs OKC last 2 seasons with 11-5-10-9 reb, 8.8 rpg with an impressive 75% snag rate. Should be among top rebounders just by game script most nights and series. 4+ reb 92% of games on season sets stable floor
40
21
iHart 6 reb each game vs IND+500
0.5u
Expecting series to go small and minimize iHart minutes BUT books are also expecting and pricing that in and may have gone too far. iHart floor of 5r in playoffs with 6+ in 13/16 even with minutes cut at times. Even excluding high minute denver games vs Jokic, this should still be maybe +300 max with minutes reduction. He gets a reb every 3 playoff minutes. This also acts as a nice hedge to my rebounding read cuz if iHart does play 25-30 minutes, this is basically free
63
23
SGA pts / Siakam reb / SGA ast leaders+3000
0.25u
SGA points should be free, SGA assists should be the favorite, and Siakam a great reb price so just sprinkling the trio parlay offering at dk
34
15
Chet 3s leader vs IND+3000
0.25u
3s market looks wide open. I don’t see anyone averaging even 3/g. Hali may not have space to get his shots up and Dort can’t hit shots on road and is the only other guy I have projected over 6 att/g. Short series could mean this is like 10-12 3s all series, which means variance and a few long shot darts on 3 guys I project in the 4-6 att range per game. Just hope one gets hot.
100
30
Siakam 3s leader vs OKC+4000
0.25u
3s market looks wide open. I don’t see anyone averaging even 3/g. Hali may not have space to get his shots up and Dort can’t hit shots on road and is the only other guy I have projected over 6 att/g. Short series could mean this is like 10-12 3s all series, which means variance and a few long shot darts on 3 guys I project in the 4-6 att range per game. Just hope one gets hot.
101
30
Nembhard 3s leader vs OKC+3300
0.25u
3s market looks wide open. I don’t see anyone averaging even 3/g. Hali may not have space to get his shots up and Dort can’t hit shots on road and is the only other guy I have projected over 6 att/g. Short series could mean this is like 10-12 3s all series, which means variance and a few long shot darts on 3 guys I project in the 4-6 att range per game. Just hope one gets hot.
97
28
Giannis Antetokounmpo Finals MVP+2000
0.5u
Buckets Futures Blitztravaganza
38
20
Leone Fiebich Most Improved Player of the Year+6000
0.5u
Tailing @TurveyBets fav 3 wnba futures, listen to his case on WNBA Buckets 🪣
15
Sophie Cunningham Sixth Player of the Year+1100
0.5u
Tailing @TurveyBets fav 3 wnba futures, listen to his case on WNBA Buckets 🪣
18
Napheesa Collier MVP+475
1u
Tailing @TurveyBets fav 3 wnba futures, listen to his case on WNBA Buckets 🪣 Phee lit it up all summer with Unrivaled but left the playoffs disappointed so maybe she’ll parlay that into an MVP breakout
20
Futures
Los Angeles Lakers+2100
2024-25 NBA Championship - To Win
1u
Let’s get Buckets 🪣 check the Luka-Davis reaction pod… YOLO. You will not be mad you have a 21-1 ticket on Luka & LeBron in this West climate.
146
27
San Francisco 49ers+2000
2025 NFL Superbowl - To Win
1u
49ers as next year’s Eagles? My first 2026 Super Bowl pick Hot Read 🔥: https://www.actionnetwork.com/nfl/2026-nfl-futures-expert-projects-next-season-super-bowl-pick
97
30
Seattle Seahawks+7000
2025 NFL Superbowl - To Win
0.5u
Next year’s Vikings? Elite D, great O weapons & new OC Kubiak elevates O: https://www.actionnetwork.com/nfl/2026-nfl-futures-expert-projects-next-season-super-bowl-pick
73
27
Kawhi Leonard+14000
2024-25 NBA Playoff Series - Finals - MVP
0.25u
Check Futures Friday Buckets 3/28 🪣. I just can’t quit Kawhi, this is a bomb but a bad number if this happens to be his one healthy stretch once every five seasons. Clips heavily matchup dependent but there’s a path and he’s a top 5 playoff player if healthy.
37
18
Kristaps Porziņģis+5500
2024-25 NBA Playoff Series - Finals - MVP
0.5u
Buckets 5% draft 🪣 we’ve already seen Celtics MVP votes go plurality and not necessarily the best player, only has to win MVP <20% of Cs finals wins and would be key esp vs OKC, could even be their most important player. This is a ticket you’ll be glad to have an a month when they are playing in ECF
60
18
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander+150
2024-25 NBA Playoff Series - Finals - MVP
1.5u
Just talked this through on Buckets. 🪣 if we think the West is heavily favorites in the Finals but Denver is too banged up and exhausted to go another month, that leaves OKC MIN and these two winning FMVP acts as a proxy. Taking advantage of a bad SGA price we may never see again, plus Ant, gives us implied -114 for what should effectively be OKC or MIN to in the title. Either one will be favored WAY more than that in a Finals matchup.
53
17
Anthony Edwards+650
2024-25 NBA Playoff Series - Finals - MVP
1.5u
Just talked this through on Buckets. 🪣 if we think the West is heavily favorites in the Finals but Denver is too banged up and exhausted to go another month, that leaves OKC MIN and these two winning FMVP acts as a proxy. Taking advantage of a bad SGA price we may never see again, plus Ant, gives us implied -114 for what should effectively be OKC or MIN to in the title. Either one will be favored WAY more than that in a Finals matchup.
65
17
Matthew Stafford+5000
2025 NFL MVP
0.5u
MVP requires stats, wins, and narrative. Rams offense should be far healthier + Davante Adams, which could mean huge numbers and a push into top 5 all time pass yards, plus big wins and a top 2 seed if the young defensive front continues to improve. Would be a crowning HOF achievement at his age and an obvious media narrative boost. No reason a QB this good on a team this talented to be priced this long. Should be half this number max. https://www.actionnetwork.com/nfl/nfl-mvp-futures-picks-best-5000-long-shot-on-board
98
29
Past Performance
Yesterday0-0-00%
0.00u
Last 7 Days4-10-029%
-2.70u
Last 30 Days76-141-035%
84.65u
All Time2572-3342-9843%
821.79u
Top Leagues
NFL1082-1393-3043%
409.60u
NBA1279-1650-6143%
316.77u
NCAAB150-211-541%
68.78u
NCAAF31-25-154%
17.94u
Champions6-4-155%
7.98u
WNBA5-4-056%
7.32u
MLS1-0-0100%
1.66u
ATP1-3-025%
1.13u
La Liga1-0-0100%
1.04u
Women's World Cup1-0-0100%
0.01u
World Cup3-9-025%
-2.70u
Premier League3-14-018%
-8.91u

Summary

Brandon Anderson is a staff writer at the Action Network, primarily focused on covering the NFL and NBA. He writes weekly NFL power rankings and makes picks for every team in every game each week, including spreads, totals, props, escalator bets, long shots and more.

Brandon also contributes to Action’s NBA coverage throughout the season and regularly appears on the BUCKETS Podcast with Matt Moore and a host of other Action NBA analysts.

Experience

Brandon has been betting on sports for his entire life and writing fantasy football columns, weekly NFL picks articles, and long-shot futures picks articles over the past few decades. 

Prior to joining the Action Network, Brandon’s writing has been featured in Sports Illustrated’s The Cauldron, Sports Pickle, Grandstand Central, Pivot Analysis, BetMGM Sports, and elsewhere.

Nobody loves a longshot future quite like Brandon, who has an incredible ability to spot a 150-1 longshot that somehow drops to 3-1 before losing with immense CLV and pride.

Education

Brandon studied Bible and Math at Wheaton College. He got his Master’s in Biblical Exegesis.

Betting Highlights
Favorite Bet of All-Time
Bet the Texans to go from worst to first in the division, and even doubled down with a Will Anderson DROY cherry on top. Joe Flacco CPOY +25000 and Nuggets over Heat +1600 exact outcome were fun, too!
Most Heartbreaking Bet
MVP bets. Tom Brady +1400 in 2021, odds-on favorite in December, but shutout vs. Saints on SNF. Nikola Jokic +900 in 2023, rightful leader all the way, but the moron voters get bored and go with Embiid last minute. Brock Purdy +5000 in 2024, odds-on favorite on Christmas, but the voters are too proud to vote for him or Dak. You're killin' me, Smalls!
Specialties
  • Futures
  • NFL Picks (every team, every game!)
  • NBA Spreads & Props
  • Escalator bets
  • Long Shots