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Sports Betting Futures Odds: Expectations Low in San Antonio with Kawhi Gone


by - 7/24/2018

Kawhi Leonard San Antonio Spurs

Kawhi Leonard is out of San Antonio; DeMar DeRozan is in. What will happen to the new-look Spurs, who are also without Tony Parker? As for the Raptors, will they be serious contenders in a new-look Eastern Conference that lacks LeBron James? Meanwhile, a major race in the National League East is developing, and football season is right around the corner.

All odds provided by Bovada Sportsbook .

Raptors/Spurs

Raptors over 54.5 regular-season wins (-120) - Toronto, which went 59-23 last season, upgraded from a really good player to arguably one of the game's best. That being said, it remains to be seen how the chemistry will be with Leonard-and under new coach Nick Nurse, who is replacing NBA Coach of the Year Dwane Casey.

Spurs over 44.5 regular-season wins (-135) - The Spurs were already going downhill this past season, scraping into the playoffs as the Western Conference's No. 7 seed (one game ahead of ninth-place Denver). Now Leonard is gone and so is Parker. The West has only gotten stronger, too, so San Antonio's schedule is sure to be difficult.

Kawhi Leonard over 23.5 points per game (-120) - Leonard reportedly has no interest in playing for Toronto, but he at least showed up last week to meet team management. The 27-year-old also has three more months to get himself properly motivated. In his last full season (2016-17), Leonard averaged 25.5 ppg.

DeMar DeRozan over 22.5 points per game (-130) - DeRozan has averaged at least 16.7 ppg in eight of his nine NBA seasons (all since his rookie year), and he has poured in more than 20.0 ppg in each of his last five-including 23.0 in 2017-18. The 28-year-old will be one of the Spurs' top two scoring options along with LaMarcus Aldridge.

National League East

Philadelphia Phillies (+160) - Only the National League West is more competitive among three teams at the moment. As for the East, Philadelphia and Atlanta are surprising co-leaders-six games ahead of the struggling Nationals. The Phillies' run differential is a modest plus-20, but they have done a great job of winning close games.

Atlanta Braves (+160) - The Braves tied Philadelphia in the standings with their 12-1 rout of Miami on Monday, and they are in the midst of a stretch in which they face the Marlins five times in nine games. In other words, Atlanta could make a move a right now. Youngsters Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna have this team firmly on the rise.

Washington Nationals (+200) - At 48-48 heading into the all-star break, the Nationals knew they had to get hot. But they are just 1-2 so far in the proverbial second half, which is not going to cut it when two teams well ahead of them have to be surpassed. Home Run Derby champion Bryce Harper must get on track for the Nats to have a shot.

New York Mets (+50000) - Yes, the Mets are actually 500-1 to win the division. That's arguably even more insulting than just not even listing them, as is the case with the Marlins. New York is a dreadful 40-57, 14 games out of first and even 1.5 games behind Miami for last place in the division. The Mets appear to be sellers at the trade deadline.

NFL rushing leader

Ezekiel Elliott (+285) - After being the fourth overall pick in the 2016 draft, Elliott wasted no time breaking onto the scene with 1,631 yards during his rookie season. Last year, however, was a struggle for both the Cowboys and the former Ohio State standout. He played in just 10 games due to suspension, finishing with 983 yards.

Le'Veon Bell (+550) - Bell and the Steelers did not agree to a long-term extension this offseason, which means he is betting on himself to have a big 2018 campaign before he becomes a free agent in 2019. The 26-year-old has rushed for more than 1,200 yards in three of the last four seasons, but he has played a full 16 games only once in five years.

Todd Gurley (+600) - Gurley may be too good and too dynamic to win the rushing title, as the Rams use him as a pass-catcher instead of a runner so frequently. He caught 64 passes for 788 yards to go along with his 1,305 rushing yards in 2018. Durable, as well, Gurley has played at least 13 games in each of his three NFL campaigns.

Leonard Fournette (+850) - The last two rushing champions have been rookies-Elliott in 2016 and Kareem Hunt last year. Fournette did not disappoint in his first season, rushing for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games with the Jaguars. Jacksonville fed him the rock 268 times, so he is getting plenty of opportunities.

PGA Championship

Dustin Johnson (+1200) - Johnson has 15 top-10 finishes in his career at majors, with only one resulting in a title (2016 U.S. Open). Four have come at the PGA Championship, and he just missed a fifth last summer (T13). The 34-year-old American was third at the U.S. Open but missed the cut at last week's British Open.

Rory McIlroy (+1200) - Unlike Johnson, McIlroy seriously contended at Carnoustie thanks to four under-par rounds and a charge on the back nine on Sunday. He finished T2, giving him five top-eight finishes in his last eight PGA Tour starts. The Northern Irishman is a two-time winner of the PGA Championship (2012 and 2014).

Jordan Spieth (+1200) - Spieth was in a massive slump by his standards heading into last week, but as usual he had his game peaking for a major. The 24-year-old American found himself tied for the lead before struggling to a Sunday 76 and a T9 finish. Spieth is a PGA Championship victory away from the career Grand Slam.

Tiger Woods (+1600) - For the first time since 2013, Tiger was relevant at a major. In fact, he was more than relevant; he was the solo leader when he finished nine holes at Carnoustie on Sunday. Tiger still hasn't won in 2018, but could the PGA Championship at Bellerive be the charm? Justin Rose and Justin Thomas are also +1600 fifth choices.

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