It’s time once again for the weekend’s Best Bets from your Cold Omaha betting authorities Sam Ekstrom and Sam Verhulst. Then again, if you’ve followed our tips the past two weekends, you may not have much faith left in us. Don’t give up yet. We’re in this for the long term. And we think there’s some great value in horseracing this weekend.
First, though, how about some NBA playoffs?
NBA, Game 3; OKC (+2) vs San Antonio
After an absurd four-day layoff that nobody understands, the Thunder-Spurs series shifts to Oklahoma City with the series tied 1-1. After a Game 1 whitewash, we caught a glimpse of the series we expected in Game 2, a 98-97 Thunder win with a jawdropping finish.
OKC is getting two points on their home floor in Game 3. Take those points. The Spurs only have two viable scorers at the moment: LaMarcus Aldridge and Kawhi Leonard. The Duncan-Parker-Ginobli core has been a no-show in the series thus far, which may betray some fatigue from that 111-year-old trio. Plus, the Thunder swept the regular season series at home against the Spurs.
Home underdogs are often the way to go in the postseason.
NHL, Game 5; San Jose vs Nashville Under 5
These two goaltenders are too good to continue pushing or going over. If you watched Thursday’s triple-overtime thriller, this was evident. Under bettors have suffered some bad beats early in the series with empty net goals and late third period rallies, but the law of averages says this trend will end sooner than later.
Now that the series is tied at 2, expect a tightly played fifth game that finishes 2-1 or 3-1.
Kentucky Oaks/Derby Parlay; Lewis Bay/Land Over Sea WIN & Nyquist/Mohaymen WIN
With the scratches of Dothraki Queen and Songbird, the favorite, from the Kentucky Oaks, Lewis Bay and Land Over Sea are the new best bets. Lewis Bay has won three of four races, while Land Over Sea has been perpetually second to Songbird. With Songbird out of the picture, it’s Land Over Sea’s turn to shine.
In the Derby, we’ve already recommended Mohaymen as the best value bet, but we don’t want to neglect the undefeated favorite, Nyquist, who has Triple Crown potential. Nyquist beat Mohaymen handily in the Florida Derby and not has good finishing speed but is a good starter as well.
Any or all of these four permutations for Friday’s Kentucky Oaks and Saturday’s Kentucky Derby would be solid, well-paying bets. Alternatively, if you really wanted to make some dough, box both these combos as exactas and parlay those (if your book allows). It could be a very profitable weekend if the favorites come through. With so many horses in the field, the odds are bettor-friendly if you’re able to hit.
Check out the latest episode of Don’t Dread the Spread here.
