The Miami Heat's bid for a three-peat begins its final stage on Thursday night when LeBron James and company pay a visit to familiar foe San Antonio. On the horse track, California Chrome is looking for a third triumph not in the last three years, but in the last six weeks. If he prevails on Saturday in New York, he will be the first Triple Crown winner since 1978.

Odds provided by Sportsbook.ag

NBA Finals

San Antonio Spurs (-128) - The Spurs lost an absolute heartbreaker of a 2013 NBA Finals to Miami, and at that point it looked like that may be their last chance in their current form to win a title. But Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili are back and better than ever. San Antonio went a league-best 62-20 in the regular season, giving it home-court advantage now.

Miami Heat (+118) - A miracle from Jesus (Shuttlesworth) saved the Heat last season and gave them their second consecutive NBA title. They are not expected to win in any easier fashion this time around; in fact, they are not expected to win at all. But this ever-so-close NBA Finals matchup has to be one of the most highly-anticipated in a long time.

MVP: LeBron James (+125) - The four-time NBA MVP is also a two-time NBA MVP Finals MVP, having captured the award each of the past two seasons. LeBron averaged just 22.8 points per game against Indiana, but that was due to a seven-point clunker in Game 5. In Game 6, he went for 25 in just 32 minutes while making 17-of-21 shots (FTs and FGs combined).

MVP: Tim Duncan (+280) - Duncan is a three-time NBA Finals MVP, and he is still going strong at 38 years old. Partner in crime Parker is also +280, although his ankle injury is somewhat of a concern. Parker missed the entire second half of San Antonio's Game 6 clincher over the Thunder.

Belmont Stakes

California Chrome (-120) - California Chrome is one win away from becoming horse racing's 12^th Triple Crown winner and first in 36 years. He is looking like the one to do it (then again, what horse isn't after winning the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, yet the third leg always seems to be the toughest?). The Belmont field of 11 has contenders but is not overly strong.

Wicked Strong (+600) - Speaking of strong, Wicked Strong may be able to crash the party. He won the Wood Memorial in early April and finished fourth at the Kentucky Derby. His handlers have aligned for him to have a go at California Chrome in this exact race, having skipped the Preakness to rest up.

Ride On Curlin (+700) - Ride On Curlin may be the biggest name other than California Chrome. He was sired by Curlin, who won the Preakness and the Breeders' Cup in 2007. He finished a decent seventh in Kentucky then placed second at the Preakness three weeks ago, about two lengths behind California Chrome.

Tonalist (+800) - Tonalist is a newcomer, having skipped the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. He is well-rested, having raced only once since late-February. That one race resulted in a win at none other than Belmont Park, where Tonalist crossed the line first at the Peter Pan Stakes.

World Cup

Brazil (+300) - The world has been waiting and the time has just about come. Sport's biggest event begins next week, when the beautiful game will be played far and wide throughout Brazil. This year's host nation last prevailed in 2002 and is coming off consecutive quarterfinal showings. Brazil dominated last summer's Confederations Cup to establish themselves as favorites.

Argentina (+400) - While Brazil will showcase rising star Neymar, Argentina will always have a chance with Lionel Messi on board. Like Brazil, the Argentines have been knocked out of the last two World Cups in the quarterfinal round. They are looking for their first title since 1986, when Diego Maradona scored the "Hand of God" goal.

Germany (+500) - Germany is always, always, in the mix. Its past three World Cup results are second place, third place, and third place. The 1990 champions have not lost prior to the quarterfinals since 1978. As for their exploits in the European Championship, the Germans finished runner-up in 2008 and reached the semis in 2012.

Spain (+650) - Interestingly, Spain has lifted the World Cup trophy only once. You could call its national team a late bloomer, because it has finally started to dominate the world's soccer scene. Its World Cup triumph came at the most recent installment in 2010, sandwiched in between consecutive European titles in 2008 and 2012.

French Open

Novak Djokovic (-110) - Djokovic needs only the French Open to capture a career Grand Slam with all four major titles. The world No. 2 has dropped only one set this fortnight and recently toppled Rafael Nadal in Rome, an event that was also contested on red clay.

Rafael Nadal (Even) - An eight-time Roland Garros champion, Nadal was not his dominant self heading into this tournament. He lost three times on clay, including his setback against Djokovic. The world No. 1 may also have the tougher semifinal matchup against Andy Murray.

Andy Murray (+1000) - The French Open should always be the toughest for Murray to win as clay is his worst surface. However, he is playing better than ever on it. The Scot almost beat Nadal in Rome, and he is now through to his second semifinal in Paris.

Ernests Gulbis (+2000) - Gulbis is the outsider of this foursome, but talent-wise he has to be considered at least close to on par with these guys. He is finally living up to that talent, and he will be in the top 10 next Monday regardless of what happens on semifinal Friday.

Want free sports betting picks? Doc's Sports has you covered - get $60 worth of picks free from any of Doc's Sports expert handicappers. Click here for free picks (new clients only).

Read more articles by Ricky Dimon