#Breaking down bettors’ options on packed sports weekend

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Luka Doncic and the Mavericks are a good bet against the Clippers on Friday, VSiN’s Dave Tuley predicts.
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LAS VEGAS — We’re looking at another action-packed weekend of sports — and sports betting action! — so let’s run through our options.

Friday

We were scheduled for a full slate of Major League Baseball all weekend, until news broke of COVID-19 positives on the Mets. Their Subway Series opener against the Yankees has been postponed. I’ve written before in these Weekend Betting Guides about my use of MLB chalk parlays and bettors have been doing very well with them in recent weeks (the best stretch was last Sunday through Tuesday when MLB favorites went 34-6 straight up and you had to be really unlucky to lose if you when playing these).

The teams I’m looking to use with my chalk parlays this weekend are the Nationals (as the Marlins have come back to earth), Indians (over the Tigers) and Dodgers (as they should pull away from the Rockies). There are still spots to find live underdogs, and the best possibilities this weekend look to be the Padres and Giants, if they come up as home ’dogs versus the Astros and Diamondbacks, respectively.

The NHL and NBA playoffs roll on with the favorites mostly dominating in the NHL’s first-round series as expected while the NBA is seeing more parity with the high-seeded Bucks, Lakers and Clippers all losing at least once already heading into Thursday’s action.

On Friday, I wouldn’t bet against the Flyers (-130) as they go for the series clincher against the Canadiens at 7 p.m. or the defending champion Blues (-135) as they try to avoid elimination versus the Canucks at 9:45 p.m. in the NHL, but I’ll stick with the Mavericks ( 6) against the Clippers in the NBA nightcap at 9 p.m.

I’d like to repeat a bit of advice that I shared in this space on Aug. 7 and that’s to remember to look at the updated odds after each round of golf tournaments as you can find juicy odds of players still in contention. In the PGA Championship two weeks ago, you could have gotten Collin Morikawa at 40/1 after Thursday’s first round and 50/1 after Friday’s second round if you still had faith. Last week in the Wyndham Championship, you could have still have found 50-1 on Jim Herman if you foresaw his big finish, so see who you think could still rally in The Northern Trust this weekend.

Saturday

We were waiting to see if we have a Game 7 in the Stars-Flames series, but with Dallas winning the series I don’t have to tell you why I would pass on it (though I do have a 140 series ticket to cash thanks to the Islanders finishing off the Capitals).

After the Magic upset the Bucks in Game 1, I planned to pass on the Magic the next two games and not bet them until they fall behind in the series, but I probably won’t be able to resist if getting the Magic 14 in Game 3 at 1 p.m. I’ve been passing on the Trail Blazers versus the Lakers (8:30 p.m.) as I still think the line is too short and expect the Lakers to rally to survive and advance.

Saturday’s action is enhanced with the Drydene 311 NASCAR Cup race at Dover International Speedway at 4:20 p.m. and another UFC card in Las Vegas. I’m still waiting for Aric Almirola to break though on the track — and he’s 22/1 at William Hill — but I’ll defer any UFC analysis to my VSiN colleague Lou Finocchiaro (on Page 37 of today’s Post).

Sunday

Again, don’t forget to look for value on the PGA betting board heading into the final round (or even “in-play” wagering opportunities).

After missing the Indianapolis 500 with its usual Memorial Day Weekend running, we get it Sunday at 1 p.m. Will Power won the race in 2018 and is worth a play at 10/1. NASCAR also has another doubleheader weekend at Dover (go Almirola!).

I’ve been riding the Mavericks against the Clippers and will continue to do so plus the points at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, whether they’re trying to take control of the series or trailing by a game after Friday night’s game. I also have a conditional play on the 76ers versus the Celtics, but only if they won Friday to get back in the series.

Good luck this weekend (and every weekend!).