The world is a lot different today than it did yesterday. The New Orleans Saints, those long-time loveable losers, have won the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history. Now it’s time to put all that leftover party dip in the fridge and try something different for your online sports gambling pleasure. May we recommend something from the following list of must-see games? All times are Eastern; the latest odds are available 24/7 at Bodog Sports.
1. NBA: San Antonio at L.A. Lakers (Monday, 10:30 p.m.)
The fine folks at TNT are jumping in off of the football hangover with a special Monday night doubleheader, capped off by this titanic Western Conference battle between the Spurs (29-20 SU, 24-24-1 ATS) and the Lakers (39-13 SU, 23-27-2 ATS). This is a rematch of last month’s 105-85 San Antonio victory as a 3.5-point home favorite. But the big story for this matchup: injured Lakers. Both Kobe Bryant (ankle) and Andrew Bynum (hip) are day-to-day and uncertain for Monday’s game, while the Spurs are healthy and hale. Los Angeles may have some betting value here if Bryant is unable to play. Make sure to check our NBA odds page as this story develops; live betting is available for this matchup.
2. NCAAB: Duke at North Carolina (Wednesday, 10:30 p.m.)
This may be a down year for the Tar Heels (13-9 SU, 7-13 ATS), but that doesn’t matter when it comes to the most intense rivalry in college basketball. Duke (19-4 SU, 14-8 ATS) is in a vulnerable position here at 1-5 ATS on the road with upset losses at North Carolina State (+11.5) and Georgetown (+2). The Blue Devils have fallen apart down the stretch in each of the past four seasons; this year’s squad has the top-ranked offense in Division I according to efficiency, but is only No. 24 on defense and ill-equipped to contain opponents inside the paint. North Carolina is one of the few teams that can match Duke for height and spends very little time shooting from the perimeter.
3. NHL: San Jose at Detroit (Thursday, 7:30 p.m.)
The Red Wings (27-21-10, -7.79 units) have had a rough year, but they’re on the verge of being healthy again and could easily make the move up from ninth place in the Western Conference. Johan Franzen (27 goals in 72 games last year) is expected to be activated on Tuesday; star defenseman Niklas Kronwall (35 points and plus-25 last year) was slew-footed during last week’s 4-2 victory over the Western-leading Sharks (38-11-9, 21.08 units) and is listed as day-to-day. San Jose has lost all three of its meetings with Detroit this year, but this is still a hot team at 8-1-1 in its last 10 games.
4. Soccer: Liverpool at Arsenal (Wednesday, 2:45 p.m.)
The usual four teams are at the top of the Premiership table, but No. 3 Arsenal (15 wins, six losses and four draws) and No. 4 Liverpool (13-7-5) are nowhere near comfortable. The Gunners are coming off back-to-back losses to No. 2 Manchester United (paying 9-5 as the away team) and No. 1 Chelsea (5-6 at home). The Reds have racked up three wins and a draw in their last four Premiership matches, all without giving up a single goal. However, all three victories were at home; Liverpool is just 4-5-3 away from Anfield this year. Arsenal has a pair of 2-1 victories over the Reds this year, once in Premiership play and once at the Carling Cup.
5. NASCAR: Daytona 500 (Sunday, 8:00 p.m.)
The Daytona 500 is the first points race of the 2010 Sprint Cup season, and there have been more than just a few changes since 2009. For example, Richard Petty Motorsports has absorbed Yates Racing, creating a four-car team led by Kasey Kahne in the No. 9 Ford Fusion. One thing that hasn’t changed is that all the teams are looking up at Hendrick Motorsports; 2009 AP Male Athlete of the Year Jimmie Johnson is 9-4 to win his fifth consecutive Cup, and Mark Martin (7-1) has captured the pole for the Daytona 500. Sitting next to Martin on the front row is teammate and restrictor-plate specialist Dale Earnhardt Jr. (25-1 for the Cup).
Honorable Mentions
NBA: All-Star Game, Eastern Conference at Western Conference (Sunday, 8:00 p.m.)
NCAAB: Kansas at Texas (Monday, 9:00 p.m.)
NHL: N.Y. Rangers at Pittsburgh (Friday, 7:30 p.m.)
Soccer: Chelsea at Hull City (Tuesday, 2:45 p.m.)
Golf: AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am (Begins Thursday)
