Sports Betting Week: Kobe, College Hoops
After pulling off arguably the biggest upset of the season last weekend, can the Los Angeles Lakers hand underdog bettors another win when they face the Cleveland Cavaliers this week?
The Lakers were a 17.5-point underdog versus the Golden State Warriors on Sunday and shocked everyone in a 112-95 win. On Thursday the Lakers host the Cavaliers and they’ll most likely be a home underdog again.
Cleveland has won three in a row versus the Lakers at 2-1 against the spread. This season as a home underdog the Lakers are 6-19 straight up and 12-13 ATS, while Cleveland is 15-8 SU and 6-15-2 ATS as a road favorite.
In college hoops the major conference tournaments all tip off this week. Before the tournaments begin, bettors can get in on the action with a few future bets. Right now at online sportsbook Bovada the only odds available are on the ACC and Big East Tournament, but more should pop up throughout the week.
In the ACC Tournament the favorite at Bovada are the North Carolina Tar Heels at +220. The Virginia Cavaliers are also a threat at +225, followed by the Miami Hurricanes at +400 and the Duke Blue Devils are +425.
In the Big East the Bovada favorite are the Villanova Wildcats at +110. The Xavier Musketeers are also getting good odds at +225. A Wildcats vs. Musketeers final would be interesting as they split their season series 1-1 SU and ATS.
On the ice this week Tuesday night sees a big matchup between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning. Both sides are battling the Florida Panthers for the top spot in the Atlantic division. The Lightning are 2-1 against Boston this season and 4-1 in their last five games.
If the oddsmakers make the Bruins the underdog they could be worth the risk; Boston is a road warrior this season at 21-7-3 away from home.
On the PGA slate this week the tour tees off at Innisbrook in the Valspar Championship. Jordan Spieth claimed this tournament last season and he’s the favorite to repeat at +550. Those are pretty good odds considering the next in line is Henrik Stenson at +1400.
Other former tournament winners in the field include John Senden (+12,500), Luke Donald (+4500) and two-time winners K.J. Choi (+4500) and Retief Goosen (+15,000).