Sports betting roundup: Betting odds fluctuate in back-and-forth NBA playoffs
The back-and-forth action in the NBA playoffs has seen plenty of swings in betting odds at BetMGM Sportsbook.
After only one Game 7 in the first round, the second round has been more exciting — especially in the Western Conference. The Minnesota Timberwolves took both games in Denver against the Nuggets but dropped the next two at home, tying the series at 2-2 heading into Tuesday’s Game 5.
In the other series, Oklahoma City won Game 1, but Dallas took the next two ahead of Monday’s Game 4.
In the East, the New York Knicks won the first two games at home but dropped the next two on the road in Indiana. The two teams are tied at 2-2 entering Tuesday’s Game 5.
TRENDS OF THE WEEK
The Nuggets entered as -225 favorites against the Timberwolves at BetMGM Sportsbook, but they became +400 underdogs when they went down 0-2. Now, after winning two straight, they are back to being favored to win the series at -185.
Indiana opened as +200 underdogs against the Knicks and fell to +350 after dropping the first two games. After winning two straight and with the Knicks dealing with more injuries, the Pacers are -135 to win the series entering Game 5.
Rory McIlroy won the Wells Fargo Championship for the fourth time in his career. Entering the event, he had +750 odds to win and was a trendy pick. He was taking in the most tickets (12.3%) and most money (22.2%) among every golfer in the field.
UPSETS OF THE WEEK
As 13.5-point underdogs, the Cleveland Cavaliers blew out the Boston Celtics 118-94 in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on Thursday. The Celtics, who later won Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in the series, accounted for 70% of the money for against-the-spread bets.
Cleveland covering shouldn’t have been a complete surprise. Entering the game, double-digit favorites in Round 2 or later in the NBA playoffs had gone 3-9 against the spread since 2010.
The Florida Panthers beat the Boston Bruins 3-2 in Sunday’s Game 4, which meant the under bet of 5.5 hit. This was a surprise to bettors, with 80% of the tickets and 86% of the money on the over.
COMING UP
The PGA Championship gets underway Thursday from Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky.
Relating to golf odds, Scottie Scheffler is a big favorite at +450 to win. McIlroy, fresh off his win at the Wells Fargo Championship, is next at +800.
Defending champion Brooks Koepka (+1400), Xander Schauffele (+1600) and Ludvig Aberg (+1800) round out the top five. Other notables include Jon Rahm (+2000), Bryson DeChambeau (+2800), Kentucky native Justin Thomas (+4000), Jordan Spieth (+6600), Tiger Woods (+15000) and Phil Mickelson (+20000).
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This column was provided to The Associated Press by BetMGM Sportsbook.
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AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports
