This Week in Sports Betting, A-Z 5/4/2016

This Week in Sports Betting, A-Z

by Ricky Dimon - 5/4/2016

A. Anaheim Ducks . The Ducks came up with a hat-trick of sorts; just not of the sort that any hockey team would ever want. They have now lost a Game 7 at home in three consecutive seasons after falling 2-1 to Nashville last Wednesday. Anaheim once led the first-round series 3-2 but also dropped Game 6 by 3-1 decision. Head coach Bruce Boudreau, who is now 1-7 lifetime in Game 7s, promptly got fired.

B. Basketball player. One was selected in the NFL Draft. That's right; Baylor's Rico Gathers has not played football since middle school. On the hardwood, Gathers (6'6'', 273 pounds) averaged at least 11 points and nine rebounds per game in each of his last two college seasons. Dallas liked Gathers enough to take him No. 217 overall in the sixth round last weekend. The Cowboys are +200 co-favorites at MyBookie.ag to win the NFC East.

C. Clayton Kershaw . Kershaw had himself a bit of a day this past Sunday. The southpaw tossed a complete-game shutout while striking out 14 and allowing only three hits. He also delivered the only RBI of the game with a single in the third inning as the Dodgers blanked San Diego 1-0. L.A. (Wood) is a +135 underdog at Tampa Bay (Smyly) on Wednesday, as indicated by Bovada Sportsbook.

D. Dee Gordon .Gordon is doing something right-albeit by doing something wrong. This is basically the order of events: Gordon takes PEDs, signs five-year, $50 million contract with the Marlins, plays in a few games, gets suspended for 80, and continues to get paid while doing nothing. The second baseman and reigning NL batting champion incurred his suspension last week after testing positive for exogenous testosterone and clostebol. GT Bets has Miami at +1200 to win the NL East.

E. English Premier League . You can't make this stuff up, folks. Leicester City was 5,000 to 1 at the beginning of the season win the Premier League. There is really no point in even comparing Leicester to long shots that have triumphed in the major American sports, because there is no comparison. The Foxes clinched the title when Tottenham Hotspur drew with Chelsea on Monday.

F. Federer, Roger . Physical problems are suddenly piling up for Federer, who withdrew from a tournament for a fourth time this season. The 34-year-old had already skipped two events with a knee issue and one because of illness before pulling out of the Mutua Madrid Open on Monday due to a back problem. At least he avoided a potential quarterfinal meeting with Rafael Nadal. Federer is +1800 at BetOnline Sportsbook to win the French Open; Novak Djokovic is a -145 favorite.

G. Grigor Dimitrov . Things are not going too well for the man often called "Baby Fed," either. Dimitrov melted down in the final of the Istanbul Open on Sunday, destroying rackets on three different occasions during a final set against Diego Schwartzman. The last incident resulted in a game penalty for Dimitrov and it came with Schwartzman leading 5-0. Thus, the match-and the tournament-ended in shockingly abrupt fashion.

H. Houston Rockets . Leave it to the Rockets to find shame in losing to Golden State. For just about anyone else, that would be impossible. Even without Stephen Curry, the Warriors humiliated Houston 121-94 on the road in Game 4 and 114-81 at home in the Game 5 clincher.

I. Infinite Warfare . The trailer for the latest Call of Duty installment was released earlier this week and the game will be out in early November. The chances of Jason Terry announcing his retirement from the NBA just increased tenfold. And if Dez Bryant gets injured again, we know how he'll be spending his time away from the Cowboys.

J. Jared Goff . In a development less surprising than Johnny Manziel watching the NFL Draft alone at a bar, the Rams selected Goff No. 1 overall last Thursday. L.A. fans have to hope he produces something better than the .378 career winning percentage he turned in at California.

K. Keselowski, Brad . Keselowski won a wild one last Sunday at Talladega. According the proverbial NASCAR box score, 35 of 40 cars were involved in some type of accident. Barely more than half (21) finished on the lead lap and 12 were ruled out of the race. There was 21-car wreck and another that involved 12 drivers.

L. Luke Walton . Walton was 39-4 as interim coach of the Warriors until Steve Kerr returned from a back problem. How long will it take Walton to reach 39 wins with the Lakers? Well, probably a lot more than 43! Of course, $5 million per year will feel good regardless of how bad the team is.

M. Myles Jack . Jacksonville was all jacked up when Jack fell to the second round last week. Amidst knee concerns, the Jags pounced on the former UCLA linebacker at No. 36 overall of the second round. Only time will tell if it turns out to be a steal.

N. Nyquist . What will happen as horse racing prepares for an encore to American Pharoah's Triple Crown win in 2015? We will begin to find out when the Kentucky Derby takes place this weekend. Nyquist won the Breeders' Cup Juvenile last year and also won the Florida Derby two months ago.He is a +380 favorite at BookMaker to win the Run for the Roses.

O. Oshie, T.J. Oshie recorded a hat-trick in Game 1 of the Capitals' conference semifinal series against Pittsburgh. Unfortunately for the Capitals, it's been downhill ever since. Notorious playoff chokers, the Caps dropped Game 2 at home 2-1 and Game 3 away 3-2 on Monday. The Penguins are -115 home favorites on Wednesday, per MyBookie.ag.

P. Paul, Chris .Just when it looked like the stars were aligning for the less-heralded of L.A.'s two NBA franchises, the Clippers became the Clippers again-albeit by no fault of their own. A little more than a week ago, the Clips were not only leading Portland 2-1, but theyalso appeared to be in line for a conference semifinal showdown against a potentially Curry-less Golden State squad. But Paul (hand) and Blake Griffin (quad) went down and L.A. lost all of the last four games.

Q. Quiet as a church mouse . That's how the media has often described Sam Bradford, but he has not been quiet since Philadelphia traded up for the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft. Bradford still hasn't shown up to team headquarters and continues to demand a trade. His agent, Tom Condon, also saw the writing on the wall when the Eagles drafted Carson Wentz. ""He's playing," Condon said of Wentz,"and that's all there is to it."

R. Raptors . The Raptors won Game 7 against Indiana last weekend. Then they hit a half-court prayer to force overtime against Miami on Tuesday. Pretty good, huh? Well, yes, until they laid an egg in OT and lost 102-96. Toronto is a -4 home favorite on Thursday, according to BetOnline Sportsbook.

S. Snow, Jon . In the greatest comeback since Willis Reed in the 1969-70 NBA Finals, Snow returned in HBO's "Game of Thrones" this past Sunday. Game on!

T. Tunsil, Laremy . Eight million dollars evaporated faster than you can say "gas-mask bong." Without question, that was the most bizarre drat day any athlete has even endured. The marijuana-smoking, money-accepting Tunsil finally got selected No. 13 overall by Miami.

U. UEFA Champions League . Atletico Madrid is through to the Champions League final despite losing at Bayern Munich 2-1 on Tuesday. Atletico won the first leg 1-0 at home, thus advancing on away goes to break the 2-2 aggregate tie. The Mattress Makers will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City. Bovada Sportsbook has City as a +600 underdog at Real on Wednesday.

V. Votto, Joey . Votto said earlier this week that he would rather quit and leave almost $200 million remaining on his contract than continue to play bad baseball. He promptly belted a three-run homer on Monday-but the Reds lost to the Giants and Votto is still batting a mere .226.

W. Wade, Dwyane . Wade had not made a three-pointer since Dec. 16. That is not a misprint. Wade had not made a three-pointer since Dec. 16. Then Game 6 happened. Miami's veteran guard dialed long distance twice in the fourth quarter to help his team score a season-saving road win at Charlotte. The Heat returned home on Sunday to dominate Game 7 106-73.

X. Xander Bogaerts . The Red Sox shortstop has hit safely in 10 if his last 11 games, a stretch that includes six multi-hit performances. His average that was .204 as recently as April 20 is now .304. That's a 100-point improvement for those who struggle at math. 5Dimes Sportsbook has Boston (Buchholz) as a +130 underdog at the White Sox (Rodon) on Wednesday.

Y. "You just never know." That is what Floyd Mayweather said earlier this week about about a possible comeback that is becoming to look more and more likely. According to Mayweather, he is already in talks with both CBS and Showtime. Please, just save us from another horror that was Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao.

Z. Zurich Classic . The weather wreaked havoc in New Orleans, causing the latest PGA Tour stop to be reduced to three rounds. Some of the golfers made up for lost holes by going into a playoff on Monday, when Brian Stuard outlasted Jamie Lovemark and Byeong-Hun An. It was the first title of Stuard's career. Rory McIlroy is a +435 favorite at BookMaker to win this week's Wells Fargo Championship.

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