NBA Playoffs, Rocket Mortgage Classic, & MLB Futures
And boom, the NBA Playoffs are upon us, but not without some injury-related casualties.
I would love to come on here and say that the Phoenix Suns are deserving favorites and the best team that the NBA has to offer. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to do that when the Lakers were up 2-1 on them and were -800 to win the series before Anthony Davis got injured.
The NBA playoffs have felt difficult to root for because you are holding your breath the entire time - seemingly every series has been ruined by an injury. The Milwaukee Bucks will now go forward without Giannis Antetokounmpo. Trae Young is injured for the Hawks, and the Clippers were without Kawhi Leonard.
All of this is to say, the 3 teams in the conference finals have been without their best player at some point this series. With the NBA playoffs coming to an end, we will finish up with a few stats worth looking at as we head into the finals.
Lastly, I have some scintillating MLB data that we need to be on top of for the next few weeks as well - more than next week! Teaser - it involves sticky stuff on baseballs.
NBA Data Headed Into The NBA Finals
Phoenix Suns
ATS: 11-5 SU: 12-4
Phoenix was on the brink of elimination not that long ago. The Lakers had them on the ropes and Anthony Davis looked primed for a playoff run for the ages. One awkward landing and injury later, and the Suns looked unstoppable once again. A lot of these numbers are slightly skewed because of Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis’s injuries.
Milwaukee Bucks
ATS: 8-7 SU: 10-5
Milwaukee made it past the Brooklyn Nets a tip of Kevin Durant’s toe. They were annihilated in two of those games against Brooklyn hurting their ATS numbers. Overall, the Bucks are in a world of trouble with Giannis. He is out for game 5 and will need to be out there in order to get past this series and win the finals.
Atlanta Hawks
ATS: 10-6 SU: 10-6
I put together some of the important Atlanta Hawks data for these playoffs. Interestingly, they have been an underdog in nearly all of their games. In fact, they are 2-0 as a favorite in these playoffs. Furthermore, those two games were only against the Knicks.
It looks crazy to see the Knicks as a favorite in 3 of 5 games against the Hawks who are on the brink of going to the finals. The Hawks have been underdogs in every other game, including tonight for the crucial Hawks-Bucks game 5.
For more NBA data, out the insane ups and downs from these NBA playoffs.
Bowman: Rocket Mortgage Classic Odds And Picks
4th of July weekend and golf, a beautiful sight to behold. Fans will be in attendance, enjoying a beer and a glizzy or two. And, of course, there will be plenty of bets. Time to tap into Bill Bowman’s expertise for the best bets to look at this weekend.
Back The Comeback Kid?
“That would be Matthew Wolff at +2500. He’s making quite the comeback…at times. He’s coming off a missed cut at last week’s Traveler’s after a horrendous first round but the week prior he had a T-15 finish in the U.S. Open.”
At +2500, there are few bets better than a golfer playing some of his best golf right now.
Back The Favorite? What About A Longshot?
Bryson DeChambeau is a massive favorite this weekend. He is +750 to win the tournament this weekend. If he is able to shake off the cobwebs from blowing it at the US Open.
Our Golf expert Bill Bowman put out a +8000 flyer in his article this week as well.
For that interesting longshot play and the full betting breakdown for this weekend check out Bowman’s Rocket Mortgage Classic Betting Breakdown.
Sportsbooks Not Giving Many Promotions This Week
Every week, I scour the sports betting realm for the best promotions for (mostly) existing users. Being that most people that read this newsletter are existing users, I vow to find the best of the best, whether it is a referral promotion, booster odds, or risk-free bet opportunity.
PointsBet Sportsbook: I am far from a tennis betting expert. However, PointsBet is giving you a Wimbledon risk-free bet. Up to $25, bettors will get a risk-free bet on any live-game winner. Opt-in is required.
FanDuel Sportsbook offers multiple different parlay insurance bets. I rarely recommend parlay bets, but if you are going to do it, use insurance. Opt-in is required on the promotions page.
Back to the (MLB) Futures - Is There Value Anywhere?
Readers of our newsletter know that we bet Ronald Acuna to win the NL MVP pre-season at +800. He is now +345. I am not personally a believer in betting on a pitcher to win the MVP, so I will be fading DeGrom at +120, even though I am a big fan. Instead, my hedge recommendation would lie with Fernando Tatis Jr. who is a revelation at shortstop.
Gaming Today’s Dan Holmes did a deep dive on the award races for both leagues.
Covered in the article...
Babe Ruth Jr. or Vlad Guerrero Jr.?
Acuna still in? Or is Tatis/DeGrom about to run away with it?
Happy Fourth Of July everyone!
As always…. “Bet with your head, not over it…” - Furio Giunta
~ Erich Richter, Gaming Today Sports Betting Expert
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