Friday Betting Recaps
Welcome to our daily recap of the sports betting results from the night before.
In case you missed it Wednesday, we’ve started splitting our “Tuley’s Takes” columns into two separate pieces: this FREE article where I recap last night’s betting action and update league-wide ATS stats in the various sports, and then another one where I give me Best Bets on today’s wagering menu.
Links to both articles should be found on the VSiN.com home page, though I advise my regular readers to also bookmark my dedicated page at https://vsin.com/news/dave-tuley-columns/.
As for Friday’s action, favorites mostly dominated in the NBA and NHL playoffs with just one upset apiece, but dogs actually led 8-6 in MLB.
The trend of SU winners covering the spread (meaning either favorites covering or dogs winning outright with the spread not coming into play) continued in the NBA as it improved to 20-1-1 ATS so far in the first round of this year’s playoffs.
NBA: Favorites went 2-1 SU and ATS on Friday with the upset by the Hawks (+5.5 in 130-122 win vs. Celtics). The Knicks (-2 in 99-79 win vs. Cavaliers) and Nuggets (-1.5 in 120-111 win at Timberwolves) covered as chalk. Home teams also went 2-1 SU and ATS. Overs led 2-1. The “zig-zag theory” (aka loser of the last as you bet the SU loser against the spread in the next game) went 2-1 ATS with covers by the Hawks and Knicks with the T-Wolves falling short.
More NBA: Faves improved their lead to 15-7 SU and 14-8 ATS (63.6%) so far in the 1st round. Home teams improved to 15-7 SU and even better at 16-5-1 ATS (76.2%). Unders’ lead dipped to 12-10 (16-12 if including play-in tourney). Zig-zag teams took 7-6-1 ATS lead overall.
NHL: Kings (+135) upset Oilers 3-2 in OT late Friday night. Faves still led 3-1 (for the 3rd straight night) with wins by the Bruins (-145 at Panthers), Islanders (-135 vs. Hurricanes) and Wild (-115 vs. Stars). Home teams also went 3-1. Over/Unders split 2-2. In the 1st round, faves and home teams both lead 11-9. Overs lead 12-8. The zig-zag theory is known more in the NBA playoffs (considered less valid in money-line sports like hockey), but it’s off to 10-2 start so far in this postseason.
MLB: Dogs led 8-6 on Friday with the biggest upsets by the A’s (+200 at Rangers), Nationals (+200 at Twins), Red Sox (+150 at Brewers) and Cubs (+150 in 13-0 vs. Dodgers with Drew Smyly throwing 7 perfect innings before giving up first hit on swinging bunt). Home teams led 8-6. Unders led 9-4-1 with the push in SD-AZ (9). On the season, faves lead 180-115 with 5 PKs. Road teams dipped to 155-145. Overs dipped to 152-135-13 (53%).
