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By Dan Behringer, LVSportsBiz.com Betting Writer
Ready for the Holiday Classic?
Nah, not that hopelessly dated weeper with teary-eyed Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. You’ve already seen that too many times to count.
No, we’re talking about the Las Vegas Raiders at the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s also been branded a Holiday Classic, which is fitting since it matches two fabled NFL franchises and will be played on Christmas Eve some 50 years after the Immaculate Reception in a Raiders-Steelers Divisional Playoff game.
Ironically, Franco Harris, who scooped up the deflected pass from Terry Bradshaw and ran for the game-winning score, died Wednesday at 72. His jersey will be retired at Saturday’s game.
The Raiders, fresh off their Miracle on Al Davis Way in which they somehow wrested victory from the jaws of overtime and defeated the New England Patriots, 30-24, are an unremarkable 6-8. The Steelers, who last defeated the Carolina Panthers, 24-16, are likewise 6-8.
Sentiment aside, what’s the betting line? The line has settled at Raiders +2.5. The total is 38.5.
If for some reason you bet the Raiders back in May when early numbers were posted, hoping to curl up before the fireplace and enjoy some bone-crunching, helmet-gnashing football along with your eggnog, your ticket reads Raiders -1.
Hmmm. Can you spell m-i-d-d-l-e?
Raiders quarterback Derek Carr on keeping playoff hopes alive: “Every day, honestly, we’re trying to do the right thing. We’re trying to get … everybody on the right page to do the right thing every day. When everybody does the right things, the result is good.”
The only thing this Holiday Classic needs is snow. There is snow forecast for the morning, but it is predicted to taper off by kickoff at 5:15 p.m. Unless there is some kind of Immaculate Precipitation.
And what are the chances of that?
Elsewhere:
— Hoops for the holidays: The NBA returns with a quintet of games on Christmas Day. It’s the 75th anniversary of the NBA on Christmas Day and the 15th consecutive season with five games to celebrate the yuletide holiday.
Sixers at the Knicks tips at 9 a.m. Lakers at the Mavs is next at 11:30 a.m. Bucks at the Celtics goes at 2 p.m. It’s the Grizzlies at the Warriors at 5 p.m. Then the Christmas Day nightcap, Suns at the Nuggets at 7:30 p.m.
“You are what your record says you are,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said in his postgame press conference, mimicking Bill Parcells, after the Warriors lost to the Nets, 143-113 on Wednesday. “It was a bad road trip. We are 15-18, so we’re a below-.500 team, and we’ve got to find a way to reverse that.”
We’re not yet seeing any lines or totals on the game. Check your favorite website or app as the holiday gets closer.
— Home for the holiday: The Vegas Golden Knights (23-11-1) are home for the Christmas holiday weekend. They host the St. Louis Blues (16-16-1) on Friday at T-Mobile Arena before embarking on a two-game road trip to California to play the Kings and the Ducks.
Foley’s Finest are -164 for the game with the total at 6. If you like the Golden Knights on the puck line, you can find +155. Just consider that they are 6-12 at home on the puck line.
Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
“Every game is different, but I like the momentum we’re building,” Mark Stone of the VGK told reporters after they beat the Arizona Coyotes, 5-2 on Wednesday to stop a three-game home losing skid and also redeem themselves with bettors who paid -300 for the game or -130 on the puck line. “It’s a step in the right direction.”
— Back in the W column: Yes, that was Runnin’ Rebels who won — and covered vs. Southern Mississippi on Thursday. The Rebels won the second half, 42-30, en route to the 74-63 victory.
“I can’t really put into words how happy I am for the way they responded after halftime,” coach Kevin Kruger said.
UNLV held the Golden Eagles to 2-of-19 from beyond the arc. They also recorded 13 steals and pestered their opponent into 25 turnovers in covering -8.5.
They finish nonconference play at 11-1, their best nonconference record in 32 years, and now open Mountain West play at San Jose State on Wednesday. Obviously, no line yet for that game.
— Play of the Week (8-6): A humbling three-game losing streak has brought us back to Earth and left us 8-6 on the season. It’s almost like picking against the line is tough. Desperate for a winner, we’re turning to the NFL and playing Dallas -4 vs. Philadelphia on Christmas Eve.