Bad Beats #14
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. NFL – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints Moneyline (1/17/21)
The New Orleans Saints were a 2.5-point favorite heading into Sunday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Saints defeated the Buccaneers twice during the regular season. The first time they won 38-3. The second time they won 34-23. Based on Tom Brady’s performance against Drew Brees and the Saints this season, it seemed pretty likely that the Saints would win again.
The game was tied at 20 going into the fourth quarter. In the fourth, Ryan Succop kicked a 36-yard field goal, putting the Buccaneers up 23-20. Of course, Tom Brady had to show off at the end of the game too. With 4:57 left, he ran it into the end zone for a a-yard rushing touchdown. The Buccaneers defeated the Saints 30-20. Bad beat for those who bet on the Saints moneyline at -140. However, I am sure you Brady and Buccaneers fans are thrilled that Tampa Bay still has a shot at the Super Bowl.
2. NBA – Atlanta Hawks at Portland Trail Blazers Spread (1/16/21)
The Atlanta Hawks were 5-point underdogs against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, and they had a legitimate chance of winning towards the end of the game. With 47 seconds left, Atlanta’s Trae Young put them within just two points of the Trail Blazers. The Hawks had the ball, but De’Andre Hunter committed a foul, sending Damian Lillard to the foul line. Lillard made both free throws, putting the Trail Blazers up 110-106.
But wait, there’s more. Hunter committed a foul again with five seconds left, sending Lillard to the line for another two. After Lillard made both of those free throws (again), Portland went up 112-106. Poor De’Andre Hunter was essentially the reason why the Hawks didn’t win, let alone cover, as the Hawks lost by six points. Yikes.
3. NBA – New Hampshire Wildcats at Stony Brook Seawolves O/U (1/17/21)
The over/under was set at 131 prior to tip-off. Talk about bad luck with this one. If you didn’t really care about either team winning outright or bet the over, I am sure in the last five seconds of the game you just wanted someone to score. There were multiple opportunities, all of which were missed.
With five seconds left, New Hampshire did have a chance to push the over. Stony Brook’s Mouhamadou Gueye was fouled, sending New Hampshire’s Nick Guadarrama to the line. Guadarrama is a 92% FT shooter, so this seemed like it would be a good thing for the over bettors. But Guadarrama missed his first free throw. He did make the second, but that was unimportant to the over. There was one more chance for the over to hit, and it was in Stony Brook’s hands in the final second of the game. Juan Felix Rodriguez went for the three-pointer but missed it. New Hampshire defeated Stony Brook 67-64, but the over did not hit and instead was a push.
Like I always say, pushes are better than losses because you’re not losing anything, but you’re also not winning anything either, so that part is quite unfortunate. That over should have hit based on those opportunities, but close only counts in horseshoes and would’ve, could’ve, should’ve doesn’t apply in sports or sport betting.
4. College Basketball – Kansas Jayhawks at Baylor Bears Spread (1/18/21)
The Kansas Jayhawks were an 8.5-point favorite against the Baylor Bears on Monday. The Baylor Bears were up by 11 with two seconds left in the game. But with one second left on the clock, Kansas had possession and Chris Teahan nailed a three-pointer, putting the Jayhawks down eight. Baylor defeated Kansas 77-69. That’s great. Baylor moneyline was safe. But the spread was not so safe. With that three-pointer, Kansas covered at +8.5.
Bad beat for those who bet on Baylor -8.5. You can thank Chris Teahan for that one. So, so close. However, close only counts in horseshoes.
