Weekly Sports Betting Roundup
The betting options are abundant again this week with the NBA and NHL playoffs ongoing, the MLB season in full swing, and a busy weekend on the track with two big races on Sunday.
In the NBA playoffs four teams remain standing as the conference finals continue in the East and in the West.
The Western Conference Finals resume on Monday in Oklahoma City, where the Thunder will try to climb out of a 2-1 hole at home. The Dallas Mavericks took a 2-1 series lead on Saturday night with a 93-87 win as 3-point road favorites. Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion both netted 18 points for Dallas but it was not a good game for Nowitzki, who shot only 7-for-21 in the win. Russell Westbrook led the Thunder with 30 points, and Kevin Durant added 24 points while also struggling and shooting 7-for-22.
The Thunder are a 4-point favorite for Game 4 at 5Dimes, but they've fallen way behind on the series odds. After their Game 3 win Dallas is a -330 favorite in the series, while the Thunder have dropped to +315.
Looking ahead at the rest of the NBA schedule this week, Chicago and Miami clash in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday, and Game 5 follows on Thursday. Dallas and Oklahoma City hook up again in Game 5 of their series on Wednesday, while Game 6, if necessary will go on Friday.
In the NHL playoffs the Eastern Conference final continues in Boston on Monday night, with the series tied 2-2.
The Lightning tied the series on Saturday afternoon with a 5-3 comeback win. Tampa Bay trailed 3-0 early on in that contest, but scored five unanswered goals to secure the victory. Teddy Purcell netted a pair of goals for the Lightning, and Simon Gagne had three points with a goal and two assists. Patrice Bergeron scored twice for Boston, and he appears to be over his concussion.
The Bruins are a -155 favorite at 5Dimes for Monday's game, and despite losing Game 4 they are still favored in the series; Boston is a -150 series favorite, while the Lightning are a +130 underdog.
That set heads back to Tampa Bay for Game 6 on Wednesday, and if a Game 7 is needed it will be played in Boston on Friday. In the West the Canucks and Sharks do battle in Vancouver on Tuesday in Game 5, followed by Game 6 in San Jose on Thursday.
In baseball the week begins with a rematch of last year's NLDS when the Phillies host the Reds. Philadelphia swept their playoff series against Cincinnati last year and have won seven straight against the Reds overall.
This is a series of heavy hitters versus great pitching, as the Reds are No. 2 in baseball in runs scored, while the Phillies' staff boasts the No. 2 ERA in baseball. Other series on tap this week that may interest bettors include Toronto at the Yankees, Boston at Cleveland, and Florida at San Francisco.
For racing fans and bettors one of the best weekends of the year is coming up, as it brings both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600.
The Indy 500 at the Brickyard goes Sunday, with a number of former champs looking to take another gulp of milk by claiming the checkered flag. The list of former Indy 500 champs returning to Indianapolis this weekend include Scott Dixon, Dan Wheldon, Buddy Rice, Dario Franchitti, and Helio Castroneves.
NASCAR invades Charlotte Motor Speedway again this weekend with Kurt Busch looking to repeat as the winner of the Coca-Cola 600. Carl Edwards won the All-Star Race at Charlotte on Saturday night, and he also sits atop the driver standings.