Bad Beats #13
Close only counts in horseshoes. If you’re betting on sports, being close is just a bad beat. Maybe you missed the over by a point. Maybe your team doesn’t cover the spread. Maybe the underdog actually won the game. Each week produces new sports betting upsets.
Here’s a look at this week’s bad beats:
1. NBA – Denver Nuggets at Philadelphia 76ers Spread (1/9/21)
The Denver Nuggets were up 21 going into the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game. At the rate they were going, covering by 13.5 points seemed very doable and likely. The Sixers scored 31 points in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets only scored 22. Despite the Sixers outscoring the Nuggets, the Nuggets almost covered. Almost.
With nine seconds left in the game, the Nuggets were up 14, in which case they would have covered. But with nine seconds left, Sixers center Tony Bradley made a tip shot that ruined the hopes and dreams of Nuggets spread bettors. The Sixers defeated the Nuggets 115-103, but only won by 12 points (not covering). What a bad beat. However, Bradley was quite impressive off the bench, as he finished with 11 points, 15 rebounds and one assist. Again, I apologize to those Denver Nuggets spread bettors out there.
2. College Basketball – Alabama Crimson Tide at Auburn Tigers Spread (1/9/21)
The Alabama Crimson Tide went into this matchup as a 4-point favorite on Saturday against the Auburn Tigers. With 22 seconds left, Alabama was up by three points. There was a foul on Auburn’s Allen Flanigan, which sent Alabama’s Jaden Shackelford to the foul line. Alabama spread bettors needed Shackelford to make this free throw. But they didn’t need him to make this free throw to cover, they needed him to make this free throw to just simply not lose money.
Shackelford made the free throw, and the Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers 94-90, resulting in a push. So, unfortunately, Alabama spread bettors didn’t lose money, but they also didn’t make any money either. However, pushes are always better than losses. It could be much worse.
3. College Basketball – Drexel Dragons at College of Charleston Cougars Moneyline (1/9/21)
The Drexel Dragons were off to a hot start on Saturday against the College of Charleston Cougars. The Dragons were +110 on the moneyline and were up 60-58 with 46 seconds left in the game. There was no harm, but a lot of foul (pun intended). With two seconds left, Drexel took a timeout and then Drexel’s Matey Juric fouled on a three-pointer, sending Charleston’s Zep Jasper to the line.
Jasper made all three free throws, and Charleston won 61-60. Yikes. Sad day for those who bet the Drexel moneyline. It was so close, but like I always say, close only counts in horseshoes.
