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Post by Makers on Apr 20, 2022 7:21:54 GMT -5
USFL? The league’s opening weekend consisted of four games and the betting action at Las Vegas books was nearly nonexistent.“It was disappointing,” South Point sportsbook director Chris Andrews said, laughing at the meager amount of money wagered on the games. “Everyone is comparing this to the old USFL, but they forget how good that league was. There were Hall of Famers, great players in that league. It was not a (crap) league. That was legit, and this is not.” USFL executives and talking heads from Fox Sports, a minority owner in the league, will attempt to put a positive spin on the season debut. The truth is it’s another lame-duck pro football league with little chance of surviving. There are no stars to attract eyes to the games, and that’s the biggest problem. The quarterbacks are not talented enough to be NFL backups and nobody is tuning in to watch former NFL burnout Jeff Fisher coach the Michigan Panthers.
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Post by Makers on Apr 21, 2022 5:09:54 GMT -5
We had some drama in the NBA Playoffs on Wednesday night. The Celtics erased a double-digit first-half deficit against the Nets to defend home court and take a 2-0 series lead to Brooklyn. The Bulls pulled off a stunner on the strength of 41 points from DeMar DeRozan to win outright as a 10-point dog and even up the series against the Bucks at 1-1. But, the game of the night was north of the border, where Joel Embiid's overtime 3-pointer gave the 76ers a 104-101 win and a commanding 3-0 series lead with the chance to end it on Saturday afternoon.
Here's the Thursday schedule:
7:30 p.m. ET - Grizzlies (-1.5, 236.5) vs. Timberwolves
9:00 p.m. ET - Mavericks vs. Jazz (-7, 210.5)
10:00 p.m. ET - Warriors (-1.5, 224) vs. Nuggets
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Post by Makers on Apr 23, 2022 6:14:57 GMT -5
NBA Playoffs Roll On
Two favorites took care of business on Friday night and one did not. The Bucks and Suns handled their affairs with a win and a cover in road favorite roles, but the Heat fell short, losing the the Hawks by a 111-110 score. Milwaukee's 30-point win was the most dominating performance of the night, but credit to Phoenix for stepping up in the absence of Devin Booker to take a 2-1 series lead. The Heat/Hawks game fell between the opening and closing total and the Suns/Pelicans contest went over a depressed total after the Booker injury. Bucks/Bulls came nowhere close to the total of 222 with a 111-81 final.
Lines are posted for Saturday's games:
2:00 p.m. ET - 76ers (-3, 213.5) vs. Raptors
4:30 p.m. ET - Mavericks vs. Jazz (-6, 212)
7:30 p.m. ET - Celtics vs. Nets (-3, 223) 10 p.m. ET - Grizzlies (-3, 232.5) vs. Timberwolves
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Post by Makers on Apr 24, 2022 5:33:52 GMT -5
The Raptors lived to fight another day on Saturday with a win over the 76ers, while the Jazz evened up their series with the Mavericks in early action. In the two late games, the Nets are now up against the wall in the series with the Celtics, trailing 3-0. The Timberwolves may very well have been in a must-win spot and it will now be a best-of-three against the Grizzlies with the series tied 2-2. Even though the first round tends to be pretty lopsided, only one series has the chance to end on Sunday. Lines for Sunday's games:1:00 p.m. ET - Bucks (-4, 218.5) vs. Bulls (Bucks lead 2-1) 3:30 p.m. ET - Warriors (-4, 224.5) vs. Nuggets (Warriors lead 3-0) 7:00 p.m. ET - Heat (-2, 221) vs. Hawks (Heat lead 2-1) 9:30 p.m. ET - Suns (-2.5, 215.5) vs. Pelicans (Suns lead 2-1)
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Post by Makers on Apr 29, 2022 7:31:20 GMT -5
1. Bettors who thought teams would go with local heroes to sell tickets probably fared well with the Detroit Lions taking MIchigan star Aidan Hutchinson with the No. 2 pick and the Pittsburgh Steelers taking Pitt QB Kenny Pickett at No. 20. Hutchinson was the betting favorite to go No. 1 for the better part of February, March and this month until Georgia's Travon Walker took over favoritism. After that, many though it was a slam dunk for the Lions to take Hutchinson, though many mock drafts had him slipping further. In the end, the Lions took the hometown hero.
Pickett's Over/Under was 16.5, so it wasn't certain that the Steelers would be able to draft him unless they traded up. DraftKIngs had the Steelers at +300 to pick Pickett (behind the Saints and Panthers), but he was still available at No. 20. But so was Liberty's Malik Willis, but the Steelers opted for the player more familiar to most of its fans. And don't forget that the Cincinnati Bengals took Cincinnati CB Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner.
2. Draft bettors heard conflicting reports for weeks about whether Derek Stingley Jr. or Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner would be picked first. It certainly mattered for those betting which cornerback would be taken off the board first, but for those betting the individual players to go Under their projected spot, both cashed with Stingley Jr. going No. 3 to the Houston Texans and Gardner going No. 4 to the New York Jets.
3. The biggest smokescreen in my opinion involved Mississippi State OT Charles Cross. We all heard how the New York Giants loved him, and the only question seemed to remain whether they would take him with the No. 5 pick, or certainly with their pick at No. 7. His Over/Under was right in that range at 6.5, but the G-Men passed on him both times as he went No. 9 to the Seattle Seahawks.
Player Draft position Over Under Result (Pick#)
Travon Walker 1.5 295 -450 Under (1)
Aidan Hutchinson 1.5 -180 135 Over (2)
Ikem Ekwonu 4.5 150 -200 Over (6)
Kayvon Thibodeaux 5.5 -130 110 Under (5)
Evan Neal 5.5 -225 175 Over (7)
Ahmad Gardner 5.5 120 -150 Under (4)
Charles Cross 6.5 150 -205 Over (9)
Jermaine Johnson II 7.5 -175 130 Over (26)
Derek Stingley Jr. 7.5 110 -145 Under (3)
Garrett Wilson 9.5 100 -130 Over (10)
Drake London 10.5 -115 -115 Under (8)
Jameson Williams 11.5 120 -160 Over (12)
Kyle Hamilton 12.5 115 -150 Over (14)
Jordan Davis 13.5 -160 125 Under (13)
Kenny Pickett 16.5 -160 120 Over (20)
Chris Olave 16.5 150 -205 Under (11)
Trevor Penning 16.5 135 -180 Over (19)
George Karlaftis 22.5 -175 130 Over (30)
Tyler Linderbaum 27.5 -160 120 Under (25)
Kenyon Green 27.5 -115 -115 Under (15)
Daxton Hill 28.5 -110 -120 Over (31)
Jahan Dotson 30.5 110 -140 Under (16)
1st Round Prop Over/Under Over Under Result (Total)
Total QBs 2.5 -115 -115 Under (1)
Total RBs 0.5 150 -200 Under (0)
Total Defensive players 15.5 -125 -105 Over (16)
Total Offensive players 16.5 -110 -120 Under (16)
Total CBs 4.5 120 -150 Under (4)
Total Off. Linemen 7.5 140 -190 Over (9)
Total Safeties 1.5 -360 250 Over (3)
Total Tight Ends 0.5 450 -700 Under (0)
Total Wide Receivers 6.5 (was 5.5) -110 -120 Under/Over (6)
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Post by Makers on Apr 29, 2022 7:32:36 GMT -5
NBA First Round Could End Tonight
The 76ers, Suns and Mavericks officially moved on to the second round on Thursday night, leaving only one first-round series undecided. It will either end on Friday with the Grizzlies in the second round or Game 7 will be on Sunday immediately following the start of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Bucks and Celtics. Let's see if the Grizzlies take care of business or if the Timberwolves are able to even up the series. Line for Friday game:
9:00 p.m. ET - Grizzlies (-1, 229) at Timberwolves (MEM leads 3-2) (VIDEO PREVIEW) Second Round Series Prices at DraftKings Sportsbook
Celtics (-210) vs. Bucks (+175) Heat (-155) vs. 76ers (+135)
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Post by Makers on Apr 30, 2022 7:03:52 GMT -5
It was reported on Friday evening that Joel Embiid suffered a mild concussion and an orbital fracture late in Game 6 between the 76ers and Raptors. As a result, we saw the l ine for Game 1 move from Heat -4 out to -8 and the series price get taken down off of the board. Embiid is out for at least Monday and likely more, dealing a huge blow to Philadelphia's hopes of advancing. Lines for second round games:Sunday
1 p.m. ET - Bucks vs. Celtics (-4.5, 217.5) Monday
7:30 p.m. ET - 76ers vs. Heat (-8, 208.5) 10 p.m. ET - Mavericks vs. Suns (-6, 213) Second Round Series Prices at DraftKings Sportsbook
Celtics (-200) vs. Bucks (+175) Suns (-300) vs. Mavericks (+230) Warriors (-260) vs. Grizzlies (+200)
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Post by Makers on May 3, 2022 6:00:22 GMT -5
In Monday night's action, the 76ers badly missed Joel Embiid in the 106-92 loss to Miami. The Heat scored nearly half (52) of their points in the paint, as Philadelphia missed Embiid's presence on both ends of the floor. Miami led by as many as 21 in the game and opened an 8.5-point favorite for Game 2 on Wednesday. In the late game, the Suns jumped out to a big lead early and let the Mavs back in the game, but narrowly covered the six-point spread thanks to a missed open three at the buzzer. It was a 121-114 win for Phoenix and one that led to a mild adjustment on the game total with a spread of -6 and a total of 216. Updated Series Odds at DraftKings
Bucks (-130) / Celtics (+110) Warriors (-550) / Grizzlies (+400) Heat (-500) / 76ers (+360) Suns (-475) / Mavericks (+350)
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Post by Makers on May 6, 2022 4:48:56 GMT -5
Report: Mickelson had $40 million in gambling losses
Federal auditors investigating Phil Mickelson’s role in an insider trading scheme found his gambling losses totaled more than $40 million from 2010 to 2014, according to an excerpt from Alan Shipnuck’s forthcoming biography.
Shipnuck posted the excerpt on his “Firepit Collective” site Thursday. His unauthorized biography on Mickelson is to be released May 17 during the PGA Championship. Mickelson is the defending champion. He has not said if he will be playing.
Mickelson has been out of public view since the final round of the Saudi International on Feb. 6. A short time later, Shipnuck posted explosive comments from Mickelson on his involvement in Greg Norman’s Saudi-backed golf venture.
Mickelson dismissed Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, including the killing of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi, by saying it was worth getting involved with the Saudis if it meant gaining leverage to get what he wanted from the PGA Tour.
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Post by Makers on May 6, 2022 4:57:29 GMT -5
MLB: Faves/dogs split 5-5 Thursday with the upsets by the Orioles (+ 139 vs. Twins); Indians (+ 138 vs. Blue Jays), Mets (+ 132 at Phillies), Padres (+ 100 vs. Marlins) and Cardinals (+ 100 at Giants). Home teams went 6-4 while Overs went 5-3-2 with pushes in LAA-BOS (8) and TAM-SEA (7).
More MLB: Faves still lead 232-142 SU (62 percent) on the season with 7 games closing pick-’em (faves usually win closer to 59 percent SU). Home teams lead 197-184. Overs went 5-3-2 to further cut into Unders' lead at 199-164-18 (54.8 percent) after Unders were at 60 percent just 10 days ago after the games of Monday, April 25.
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Post by Makers on May 10, 2022 6:03:09 GMT -5
NBA: Warriors (-9.5) rallied to beat Grizzlies 101-98 to take 3-1 lead in their series, but did NOT cover (game stayed Under betting total of 222.5 points). Earlier, the Celtics (+ 1.5) rallied to upset Bucks 116-108 and even their series at 2-2 (game went Over 213). So, faves/dogs and home/road teams split 1-1 SU on the night, but road teams/dogs swept 2-0 ATS while Over/Unders split 1-1.
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Post by Makers on May 12, 2022 3:51:20 GMT -5
New York Jets have been drawing tons of action in the NFL Futures market after an incredibly promising draft. They are surprisingly the most bet NFL team to make the Playoffs, with bettors believing there is big value in taking them at +900 odds. New York have also seen 81% of bets backing them to win Over 6 games (-120) this season. Bettors also have the division rival New England Patriots (+140) pegged for another playoff spot, with 85% of bets behind them. New England have missed the playoffs only 4 times in 22 years with Bill Belichick at the helm. Vikings Seeing Huge Action The Minnesota Vikings have surprisingly been one of the hottest plays in the NFL Futures market. They are the most bet team to win the NFC Championship, with their line set at +1,800. Minnesota are also the most bet team to win the NFC North division at +260 odds, and have over three-times as many bets as the Green Bay Packers (-185).Colts A Consensus Pick After trading for Matt Ryan, bettors are all-in on the Indianapolis Colts to have a big year. Currently 91% of bettors have them surpassing their 9.5 win total, as oddsmakers may have set the line a bit low. They’re also a consensus pick to make the playoffs, with 88.5% of bettors backing them to clinch a postseason berth at -160 odds. Bills Popular Super Bowl LVII Play The Buffalo Bills are the hottest pick for Super Bowl LVII, followed closely by a surprise team. After Buffalo (+675), the most bet team to win the Super Bowl is interestingly the Los Angeles Chargers (+1,400). The Chargers made huge splashes this offseason, and bettors are loving their value. Bills QB Josh Allen (+750) also leads MVP betting, with Justin Herbert (+700), Joe Burrow (+1,000) and Russell Wilson (+1,400) the other popular picks. Bettors Counting Out CowboysThe Philadelphia Eagles have dominated futures betting in the NFC East. A whopping 51.5% of bets have the Eagles (+200) taking the division title, as bettors expect the additions of A.J. Brown, Jordan Davis and more to take them over the hump. Jalen Hurts is also a surprisingly hot pick for MVP at +1,800 odds.
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Post by Makers on May 13, 2022 4:31:24 GMT -5
Tom Brady gets monster 10-year, $375 million deal from Fox SportsTo understand the 10-year, $375 million Tom Brady deal with Fox Sports, you have to appreciate how the network has looked at itself since its inception and what it would take to entice the greatest quarterback of all time into the broadcast booth. Fox Sports has always considered itself bigger and badder than anyone else since its inception in 1993, when Rupert Murdoch swiped the NFL from CBS and then paid John Madden $8 million, more than any NFL player at the time, to be Fox’s lead analyst. Now well-established, three decades later, it prides itself on having Hall of Famers throughout its Fox NFL Sunday lineup. So its thoughts were big and bold when it considered how to replace Troy Aikman, especially after ESPN had just out-Foxed Fox. Not only did ESPN grab Aikman, but, more importantly, the face of Fox, Joe Buck. It was a Fox move, adding up to a combined price tag of $33.5 million per year. Fox had a no-brainer replacement for Buck in Kevin Burkhardt as its top NFL play-by-player, but its next best analyst was former All-Pro tight end Greg Olsen. Olsen may be the next big thing — and he very well now could be Fox’s top analyst next season as Brady is not scheduled to start with Fox until after he stops playing — but Olsen is not considered the greatest player of all time. Meanwhile, Brady not only had interest from Fox, but also ESPN, according to sources.
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Post by Makers on May 16, 2022 7:45:24 GMT -5
Sunday’s recaps
NBA: Mavericks (+ 6.5, + 243 ML) routed Suns 123-90 to win their series 4-3 (the game went Over the betting total of 204.5 points). Earlier, the Celtics (-5) covered in 109-81 rout of Bucks to also prevail 4-3 (stayed Under 205.5). Faves/dogs and home/road teams split 1-1 SU and ATS on the day, The zig-zag went 0-2 ATS as the Bucks and Suns were in that role. Over/Unders split 1-1.
More NBA: Faves went 16-10 SU in the 2nd round, but 13-13 ATS, and they’re 46-23 SU and 39-30 ATS (56.5 percent) overall. Home teams 19-7 SU and 18-8 ATS this round, 43-26 SU but just 36-33 ATS. The zig-zag dipped to 14-8 ATS in the round, 30-27 ATS overall. Unders led 16-10 in the round, 43-26 (62.3 percent) overall.
NHL: Flames (-210) outlasted the Stars 3-2 in OT late Sunday to win their 1st-round series 4-3 (the game pushed on the Over/Under 5 goals). Earlier, the Rangers (-128) outlasted the Penguins 4-3 in OT to also win their series 4-3 (went Over 6.5). Faves (both home) 2-0 on the day. Overs went 1-0-1.
MLB: Faves went 8-7 with biggest upsets by the Royals (+ 127 at Rockies) and Mariners (+ 126 at Mets) and Cardinals (+ 123 vs. Giants). On the chalk side, the Pirates (-150) beat the Reds 1-0 despite being no-hit!. Road teams went 8-7. Unders 7-6-2 with pushes in BOS-TEX (8) and HOU-WAS (8).
More MLB: Faves lead 306-200 SU (60.5 percent) on the season with 11 games closing pick-'em (faves usually win closer to 59 percent SU, so faves still ahead of that pace). Home teams dipped to 264-253. Unders lead 264-228-25 (53.7 percent), though still down from being 60 percent just 20 days ago.
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Post by Makers on May 17, 2022 5:50:22 GMT -5
MLB: Faves went 10-2 Monday with the only upsets by the Tigers (+ 190 in 3-2 win at Rays) and Rangers (+ 125 in 7-4 win vs. Angels). Home teams went 7-5. Over/Unders split 5-5-2 with pushes in the Yankees' 6-2 win at Orioles (O/U of 8) and Red Sox's 6-3 win vs. Astros (O/U of 9).
More MLB: Faves lead 316-202 SU (61 percent) on the season with 11 games closing pick-'em (faves usually win about 59 percent, so faves still ahead of that pace). Home teams lead just 271-258 (51.2 percent, usually closer to 54 percent). Unders lead 269-233-27 (53.6 percent), down from being at 60 percent just 3 weeks ago.
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