By Dan Behringer of LVSportsBiz.com
So many bettors were anticipating last Thursday.
It was the day originally set for Game 7 of the NBA Finals. The series between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns would return to Phoenix, many fans and bettors hoped, and the game would be a tight, drama-filled affair decided in the waning seconds. Perhaps with the Bucks’ superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo at the free throw line.
But first there was a Game 6. After a slow start, the Suns led at halftime, 47-42 and it appeared the chances of a Game 7 were good. But the Bucks took control in the second half and won it, 105-98, with key plays down the stretch. Laying -5, it was a narrow cover for the Bucks. The total, as a few sharps predicted, went under 222. And Antetokounmpo made 17 of 19 free throws in the win.
So instead of bettors filling the seats and standing in the aisles at local race and sports books last Thursday for NBA action, there was mostly Major League Baseball. And Triple-A baseball if you looked. (The game between the Las Vegas Aviators and the Salt Lake City Bees, with the Aviators -120, was suspended in the second inning and completed the following day. Salt Lake won, 12-5.)
But Major League Baseball drew some interest. At Covers.com, one tout liked the Los Angeles Angels on the run line vs. the Minnesota Twins. The Angels won outright, 3-2. The St. Louis Cardinals were a popular pick and won, 3-2. The Los Angeles Dodges, a heavy favorite at -170, were getting most of the action vs. the San Francisco Giants. They were leading in the ninth and bettors were likely anticipating cashing a ticket before the Giants scored four times to win, 5-3. Imagine the rowdy hoots and hollers from ‘dog bettors after the rally.
For diehard bettors, it will be mostly baseball, soccer, UFC and the Olympics until preseason football gets rolling. Look around and you can also find boxing, golf and tennis.
But when it comes to the Olympics, who you like to win the gold medal in Women’s 7s rugby?
Elsewhere:
— UFC action: : Underdog T. J. Dillashaw upset Cory Sandhagen in a split decision in a bantamweight bout in the main event at UFC Fight Night on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Dillawshaw, returning to the octagon from more than a two-year absence, was about +160. Bettors on Sandhagen, who had been ranked No. 2 in the bantamweight rankings, were laying around -200. This Saturday will see middleweights Uriah Hall and Sean Strickland in the co-main event of Fight Night on Saturday at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Strickland is generally around -225 and Hall +175, according to Vegas insider.
— Are you ready for some football? The Dallas Cowboys are currently -1.5 favorites vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 5 that kicks off the NFL preseason. The total is 34.
— “Free” picks: Touts at Covers.com offer “free” daily selections in Major League Baseball. On Saturday, there were “free” picks on the heavily favored Washington Nationals vs. the Baltimore Orioles and the San Francisco Giants vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates. Toss in the favored Boston Red Sox and you have what appears to be a winning three-team parlay. Only one problem: The Nationals, Giants and Red Sox all lost. In fact, had you reversed the your picks and played all three dogs, your $100 three-team parlay would have paid over $2,000. Moral: Take the “free” advice with a heavy dose of skepticism.
— Streaking: If you’ve been fading the Texas Rangers, you’ve been cashing a lot of tickets. The Rangers lost again Sunday, 3-1 to the Houston Astros, for their 12th straight loss. Their current losing streak is tied for the second longest in franchise history. The Rangers are idle Monday but host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday.
— Just the odds, please: If you’re seriously interest in betting Olympic Women’s 7s rugby, New Zealand is the favorite at -300, according to Station Casinos. Team USA is +1000. China and Japan are both +10000.