At the beginning of the 2010-11 NBA season, there were two teams in the league who stood out as potential NBA champions – the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers and the star-stacked Miami Heat.
Although the actual field of contenders was far deeper than a simple pair, the minds of the public were made up that the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat were at the top of the pile.
In mid-March, however, that same public is not so sure.
This Thursday the Miami Heat will host the Los Angeles Lakers less than three months after handing them a Christmas Day beating, but a second victory might not be as attainable as the first.
The Heat have struggled of late, dropping recent contests to a number of worthwhile opponents. Miami have lost four straight games heading into the week, and will be charged with the task of slowing down a Lakers squad that’s won seven consecutive of their own.
Will the Heat be able to bounce back in time for the big reunion? And at what point will the Heat (with 3/1 odds of winning the NBA championship, tied with LA for the league’s best) fall out of the top spot altogether?
Get all your NBA odds at Bovada. You can Bet on the Heat/Lakers with Bovada.
March 9th, 2011
The NHL All-Star Player Fantasy Draft will be held for the first time in NHL league history on Friday, January 28th 2011 in anticipation of the All-Star Game in Raleigh, Carolina two days later.
The fantasy draft is a new format for the NHL and one that has hockey fans excited about an All-Star game that has been growing stale for quite some time. The premise is simple and goes back to the schoolyard or backyard rink when teams were decided by two captains picking the players. The best player goes first, as captains pick players alternately.
Bodog have put together odds and betting lines on which player will be the first one taken and, also, who will be the last one drafted. Now, it is worth noting that the last selection must be a forward since all goalies and all defencemen have to be chosen before Round 15 of the draft.
The two team captains are Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes and Nicklas Lidstrom of the Detroit Red Wings, so they’re out of the running for both categories. In addition, two alternate captains for each team will be named later and will assist the captains in the selection process.
So let’s get to which player is likely to go first. There are two favourites, Vancouver’s Henrik Sedin, the reigning MVP of the league, and Washington’s Alex Ovechkin, a fairly decent player himself. Both Sedin and Ovechkin are getting 4/1 odds to be selected first overall. After that it’s Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby at 5/1, followed by the Lightning’s star sniper, Steven Stamkos, at 7/1.
It will be interesting to see how the captains play this.
You have to think that if Lidstrom gets the first pick, which will be determined by a coin toss, that he might be tempted to look at his fellow Swedish countryman Sedin.
And if patriotism plays any part, Staal, a Canadian, might be pressured into picking Crosby first. Of course, Sid the Kid is widely considered the best player in the world, so it’s not like anyone would accuse Staal of favouritism.
As for Ovechkin, the Capitals’ sniper is suffering through a rather disappointing season to date. One of the most dangerous goal-scorers in the game today, the Russian superstar has failed to match the torrid pace of his previous campaigns.
Get all your 2011 NHL All-Star Game odds and make your hockey bets at Bovada.
January 25th, 2011
The difference in quality between the NBA’s Eastern and Western Conferences is no secret.
This week we will see a handful of games that test the gap while simultaneously serving as perfect NBA betting opportunities for players looking to capitalize on some interconference action.
For a point of reference, the seventh best team in the East – currently the Indiana Pacers – would sit 12th in the Western Conference.
Although the East has its fair share of contenders, the sheer depth of the Western Conference is what makes it the more renowned of the two conferences.
Though emerging as conference champions in either will prove to be a monumental task, the simple daily grind of life in the West is a chore in itself.
Dallas Mavericks @ Chicago Bulls
This Thursday, the Chicago Bulls, one of the Eastern Conference contenders, will host the Dallas Mavericks. Although the Mavs have slid down the standings recently in the absence of star Dirk Nowitzki, the All-Star returned to the Dallas lineup this past weekend and hopes to be at full health in time for their next big challenge.
Will Derrick Rose and the Bulls pull off a big win, tightening their grip on the Central Division and continuing to gain ground on the Miami Heat? Bet on the NBA with Bovada.
New Orleans Hornets @ Atlanta Hawks
On Friday the Atlanta Hawks will host the New Orleans Hornets as each struggles to position themselves for home court in the first round of their respective playoffs. The Hawks have posted a better regular season record thus far, but it’s hard to consider them favorites against a Hornets club that has spent time at the top of the NBA standings this year.
Boston Celtics @ Utah Jazz
Not long after that, the Utah Jazz will host the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Celtics. Though the Celtics have come out strong this season, proving that Miami to the NBA Finals is no guarantee, the Jazz are one of a select few teams to have taken down both the Heat and the Los Angeles Lakers so far this season.
We think that the Mavs, Hornets and Jazz can beat their Eastern Conference opponents this week.
Get all your NBA odds at Bovada’s online sportsbook.
January 19th, 2011
The NFL’s preliminary wild card round was a real doozy last weekend, taking a turn that nobody quite expected. Next up is the divisional playoffs, where those same first-week winners will try their luck on the road against the #1 and #2 conference seeded teams.
The Seattle Seahawks surprised the entire league with a 41-36 victory over the reigning champion New Orleans Saints just one week after becoming the first NFL team in league history to qualify for a playoff berth by leading their division with a losing record. Though they finished just 7-9 in regulation, the Seahawks now have 40/1 odds of winning the Super Bowl (but I don’t recommend it)
Pete Carroll and his team of overachievers will try to take the momentum of their historical wild card win and put it to good use against the Chicago Bears. The Bears finished the season with an 11-5 mark after getting out to a good start in 2010 and never looking back.
Chicago are 10 point favourites, just like the New Orleans Saints were last weekend, but this time the favourites are at home and I expect the Bear to win easily and cover the spread.
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Elsewhere in the NFC, the Green Bay Packers will look to try their luck against the first-place Atlanta Falcons. After downing the Philadelphia Eagles in an upset on Sunday, the team will hope that Aaron Rodgers’ recent return to health continues. Has Rodgers completely recovered from the two concussions he faced during the regular season?
Atlanta are slight favourites, not surprising given their 21-4 record SU in the last 25 home games, but this game is too close to call – especially if Green Bay bring their uncompromising defence to town. Atlanta won the regular season game between the two sides here by 20-17, and are giving up a -2.5 point start on the ATS betting line.
This time – it’s the playoffs – and this game is must-watch football !!
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Get all your NFL betting lines at Bovada Sportsbook.
January 13th, 2011
The New England Patriots are into a best odds line of +240 (12/5, 3.40) for the 2011 Super Bowl after securing the AFC’s top seeding for the play-offs.
Quarterback Tom Brady led the Pats to a 34-3 victory over Buffalo on Sunday, one which extended their win-loss record for the season to 13-2.
It means the New England Patriots will have home-field advantage throughout the play-offs. Brady threw for three touchdowns in the rout and extended his streak of pass attempts without an interception to a record 319.
bet365 will give you 12/5 about the Pats winning the Super Bowl, which is being staged at the Dallas Cowboys’ Stadium in Texas on February 6.
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The New Orleans Saints +1100 (11/1, 12.00) at Canbet, are now second favourites at some bookmakers and outsiders at others after a hard fought 17-14 win at Atlanta on Monday night, they still may not secure the top seeding in the NFC though as that is still in the Atlanta Falcon’s grasp.
The Atlanta Falcons are at +700 (7/1, 8.00) at Canbet, and if the Falcons earn top seeding then the Falcons 6-1 home record seems to make those odds very good value.
The Baltimore Ravens +1425 (14/1, 14.25) booked their play-off spot with victory over Cleveland and are worthy of a punt on winning the title.
Indianapolis Colts +1600 (16/1) and Green Bay Packers +2000 (20/1) were widely cut after wins for both sides moved them closer to a play-off berth. Kansas City are already through to the post-season but they are still available at +3300 (33/1) to lift the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
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December 28th, 2010
The 2010 regular college football season is over, and the final BCS standings mean a national championship game that we’ve seen coming for weeks: No. 1 Auburn versus No. 2 Oregon.
TCU will try to make a non-AQ statement against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO. Many believe Wisconsin, which won consecutive Rose Bowls after the 1998 and 1999 seasons, is the nation’s best one-loss team. If TCU could knock the Badgers off, it would be a major victory for the non-AQ conferences.
Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO
#5 Wisconsin vs. #3 TCU at Pasadena, Calif.
Rose Bowl Jan. 1, 5 p.m. ESPN
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In the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, Oklahoma will square off with Connecticut, who are unranked in the BCS standings but representing the Big East. The Huskies lost to Michigan by 20 and Louisville shut them out 26-0 but they’re the best that the Big East has got this year.
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Connecticut vs. #7 Oklahoma at Glendale, Ariz.
U. of Phoenix Stadium Jan. 1, 8:30 p.m. ESPN/ESPN3D
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Stanford is headed to South Florida to play resurgent Virginia Tech in the Discover Orange Bowl. More than a few folks believe the Cardinal are the nation’s best one-loss team. And the Hokies are riding an 11-game winning streak.
Discover Orange Bowl
#4 Stanford vs. #13 Virginia Tech at Miami
Sun Life Stadium Jan. 3, 8:30 p.m. ESPN
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Ohio State will try to reverse its luck versus the SEC in the Allstate Sugar Bowl against Arkansas. The Big Ten would really like to beat the SEC in a BCS bowl game, particularly the Buckeyes, who are winless in nine bowl games versus the SEC.
Allstate Sugar Bowl
#6 Ohio State vs. #8 Arkansas at New Orleans
Louisiana Superdome Jan. 4, 8:30 p.m. ESPN
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Two seemingly unstoppable offenses headlined by leading Heisman Trophy candidates: Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and Oregon running back LaMichael James. Just 37 days to wait for this one …
Tostitos BCS National Championship Game
#2 Oregon vs. #1 Auburn at Glendale, Ariz.
U. of Phoenix Stadium Jan. 10, 8:30 p.m. ESPN/ESPN3D
December 6th, 2010
It is surprising how often bookmaker specials are a load of Cr#p. We’ve found that that is not the case at Betfred – this popular online sportsbook has recently had to pay out big bucks several weeks running to punters who took advantage of it’s “Money Back Specials” or “Cash Back Offers”.
…And while we are confident Betfred won’t be bleeding cash as the result of the payouts, it certainly leaves a losing punter with a far better feeling to at least get their stake back.
Here’s the special offers on this weekend’s games at Betfred Bookmaker (weather dependent as it looks like many won’t play!!):
Ipswich Town v Swansea City Cashback – Saturday 12:45
If JK Scotland scores the last goal of the game, Fred will refund all losing First and Last Goalscorers, Correct score and Scorecast bets up to £200.
Millwall v Scunthorpe Utd Cashback – Saturday LIVE on Sky Sports 2, 17:20
If Steve Morison scores the last goal of the game, Fred will refund all losing First and Last Goalscorers, Correct score and Scorecast bets up to £200.
AC Milan v Brescia Cashback – Saturday LIVE on ESPN, 19:45
If the match ends in a goalless draw, Fred will refund all losing First and Last Goal Scorers, Correct Score and Scorecast bets up to £200.
West Brom v Newcastle Utd Special Offer – Sunday LIVE on Sky Sports 1, 13:30
Double Delight: If your player scores the first goal of the match and then goes on to score again, Betfred will double your first goalscorer price.
Hat-trick Heaven: If your player scores the first goal of the match and then goes on to score a hat-trick, Betfred will treble your first goalscorer price.
Sunderland v West Ham Utd Special Offer – Sunday LIVE on Sky Sports 1, 16:00
Double Delight: If your player scores the first goal of the match and then goes on to score again, Betfred will double your first goalscorer price.
Hat-trick Heaven: If your player scores the first goal of the match and then goes on to score a hat-trick, Betfred will treble your first goalscorer price.
Nurnberg v Dortmund Cashback – Sunday LIVE on ESPN, 16:30
If the match ends a 1:1 draw, Fred will refund all losing correct score and double result bets up to £200.
Catania v Juventus Cashback – Sunday LIVE on ESPN, 19:45
If the match ends in a goalless draw, Fred will refund all losing First and Last Goal Scorers, Correct Score and Scorecast bets up to £200.
Napoli v Palermo Cashback – Monday LIVE on ESPN, 19:45
If the match ends in a goalless draw, Fred will refund all losing First and Last Goal Scorers, Correct Score and Scorecast bets up to £200.
Liverpool V Aston Villa Special Offer – Monday LIVE on Sky Sports 1, 20:00
Double Delight: If your player scores the first goal of the match and then goes on to score again, Betfred will double your first goalscorer price.
Hat-trick Heaven: If your player scores the first goal of the match and then goes on to score a hat-trick, Betfred will treble your first goalscorer price.
>>Daily register of bookmaker money back special bets
December 3rd, 2010
At this time of the year, rugby fans are never quite sure what they can expect to watch at the weekend. Magners League, Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup fixtures all come around regularly, but this weekend they all take a break for autumn international fixtures.
Rugby Union – England v New Zealand
England make just one change from the side that beat Australia in Sydney in June for the visit of Tri-Nations champions New Zealand. Even though they were beaten by the Wallabies with the final kick of the match last weekend I expect the All Blacks to win this one. Saying that, England with a 12 point start at 10/11 could offer some value.
Match Odds – Handicap Betting
England (+12.0) 10/11
Draw (+12.0) 25/1
New Zealand (-12.0) 10/11
Rugby Union – Ireland v South Africa
Jonathan Sexton again holds off the challenge of Ronan O’Gara for Ireland’s number 10 shirt as the Irish play South Africa. Ireland won this fixture 15-10 last November but the Springboks might just nick this one.
Match Odds – To Win Betting
Ireland 4/6
Draw 20/1
South Africa 6/5
Free Bet Options at Paddy Power
Sat. 2.30pm Sky Sports 1 – England v New Zealand
Sat. 5.30pm RTE2 & BBC2 – Ireland v South Africa
If Mark Cueto or Gordon D’Arcy scores a try in either of the above matches, then Irish bookmaker Paddy Power will refund all losing try scorer and winning margin bets on the respective match as a free bet.
– Free bet can only be used on the Autumn Internationals on Saturday 13th Nov.
– Applies to bets placed online only. Max free bet E50/£50 per customer per bet.
Check out all the odds and lines at Paddy Power
November 5th, 2010
It’s hard to talk about Week 7 NCAA football without talking about the brand new No. 1 team in the nation, Ohio State. For weeks the Buckeyes plugged away doing everything that was expected of them while the Alabama Crimson Tide sat in the primary position of the AP polls, now after six weeks at No. 2, Ohio State will experience what it’s like to be the best for the first time in 2010.
#1 Ohio State @ #18 Wisconsin
In Week 7 the Buckeyes will take on the No. 18-ranked Wisconsin Badgers, an immediate test of their might. The Buckeyes have only played one Top 25 club so far this season, the University of Miami in Week 2. Will Ohio State prove that they are deserving of such lofty accolades and keep their undefeated record alive? It will be a competitive game, perhaps one of the most exciting Buckeyes match up to date, but Ohio State is favored by 4 points.
Mississippi @ #8 Alabama – Ole Miss in a mis-match?
Prior to their Week 6 loss to South Carolina, all was well in Alabama. The national powerhouse had defeated three Top 25 teams, including two Top 10s in a row, but it doesn’t take much to lose command of a competitive crop of college football teams this season and the Tide tumbled to No. 8. This week they’ll have a chance to redeem themselves against unranked Mississippi. The Tide are obvious favorites with odds now at -21.
Illinois @ #7 Michigan State
Week 7 is a good time to be a Michigan State Spartans fan as the club has soared up the charts, now at a season high ranking of 13. This week the Spartans will host Illinois with the odds now showing Michigan State at -7. After starting the season unranked, Michigan State has continued to impress and their weekly rankings have reflected that.
Are the Ohio State Buckeyes a shaky team to have ranked No. 1 in the nation? Doesn’t it just feel wrong to have Alabama bumped from the spot given their indisputably challenging early season schedule? That’s where you come in.
Weigh in on the Buckeyes, Tide, Spartans and more with Bovada Sportsbook. Be a player. Get in the game.
Check out all the lines at Bovada Sportsbook – safe, secure, sports betting
October 14th, 2010
Ok – it’s not sports betting – but these days the financial markets are as much of a gamble as betting on a sports team to win.
Financials Market Cashback
So BetVictor have decided to help out new Financials clients.
Any new customer opening their account with a minimum of £500, can receive up to £300 cash back against realised net losses on financial markets.
This offer is valid during the first 8 weeks of your new spread betting account being opened.
So check out the BetVictor financials site now
August 18th, 2010
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