Miami v Dallas.
It's the best of the East against the best of the West to determine the best of the best.
The 2011 NBA Finals features LeBron James squaring off against Dirk Nowitzki. Or better yet, King James battling the Big German. A fascinating match-up between two of the most physically-gifted athletes in the league with both players searching for their first-ever NBA title.
The 32-year-old Nowitzki, a 13-year NBA vet, hopes to make amends for a missed opportunity in 2006 when the Mavericks, the only NBA team for which Dirk has played, failed to win the NBA title against Miami after leading the series, 2-0, and holding a 13-point lead midway through the fourth quarter of Game 3.
LeBron James, age 26, is as hungry as Dirk. Before his eighth NBA season, James abandoned his hometown Cavs to infamously "take his talents to South Beach" and join forces with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in promising to win "not one NBA championship, but five, six, seven..."
Credit Miami and Dallas for arriving at the NBA Finals in emphatic style. The Heat and Mavs displayed poise and teamwork in eliminating the Bulls and Thunder, a pair of hard-trying opponents but ones that finished a combined 2-8 in the Conference Finals. Chicago failed offensively while Oklahoma City faltered defensively. Both teams appear a year away and a player away.
On the surface, the series price on Miami (-175) looks short. However, the health of Dwayne Wade (back and shoulder issues) remains a concern. The high-flying Wade is a reckless player at times who must understand his short-term decisions have long-term consequences.
I have not bet Game 1 or the series price and I doubt I'll make a move before tipoff Tuesday night. In Game 2, Miami is also a five-point favorite, while the Game 3 price (available at Lucky's locations here in Nevada) shows Dallas a 3.5-point choice.
FOOTBALL CONTEST IDEA.....EOG contributor "thefixisin" suggested a football handicapping contest in which gamblers are paired in two-person teams or grouped in four-person teams, similar to a golf "scramble," the primary form of tournament play for golf associations, charity events and the like.
Initially, I liked the idea. On second thought, I'm having reservations.
By nature, I'm a loner and I'm definitely a gambling loner. I rarely gamble as part of a team or group.
I love thinking independently and I like to promote the concept of collective wisdom, but I detest the idea of consensus opinion.
GAMBLING ALERT.....Ideal situation for shrewd MLB gamblers today. Play "OVER" 13 runs in the game between the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros at Wrigley Field. First pitch is 1:10 Central time. Also play "OVER" 131 runs in the total number of MLB runs ("Grand Salami") on Memorial Day. Bet closes shortly after noon Central.
Huge warming trend hit the Midwest today. Yesterday at Wrigley Field, it felt like Manitoba. Today, it feels like South Beach.
COMING FRIDAY.....A look at the worst team in MLB...the Minnesota Twins.
It's the best of the East against the best of the West to determine the best of the best.
The 2011 NBA Finals features LeBron James squaring off against Dirk Nowitzki. Or better yet, King James battling the Big German. A fascinating match-up between two of the most physically-gifted athletes in the league with both players searching for their first-ever NBA title.
The 32-year-old Nowitzki, a 13-year NBA vet, hopes to make amends for a missed opportunity in 2006 when the Mavericks, the only NBA team for which Dirk has played, failed to win the NBA title against Miami after leading the series, 2-0, and holding a 13-point lead midway through the fourth quarter of Game 3.
LeBron James, age 26, is as hungry as Dirk. Before his eighth NBA season, James abandoned his hometown Cavs to infamously "take his talents to South Beach" and join forces with Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh in promising to win "not one NBA championship, but five, six, seven..."
Credit Miami and Dallas for arriving at the NBA Finals in emphatic style. The Heat and Mavs displayed poise and teamwork in eliminating the Bulls and Thunder, a pair of hard-trying opponents but ones that finished a combined 2-8 in the Conference Finals. Chicago failed offensively while Oklahoma City faltered defensively. Both teams appear a year away and a player away.
On the surface, the series price on Miami (-175) looks short. However, the health of Dwayne Wade (back and shoulder issues) remains a concern. The high-flying Wade is a reckless player at times who must understand his short-term decisions have long-term consequences.
I have not bet Game 1 or the series price and I doubt I'll make a move before tipoff Tuesday night. In Game 2, Miami is also a five-point favorite, while the Game 3 price (available at Lucky's locations here in Nevada) shows Dallas a 3.5-point choice.
FOOTBALL CONTEST IDEA.....EOG contributor "thefixisin" suggested a football handicapping contest in which gamblers are paired in two-person teams or grouped in four-person teams, similar to a golf "scramble," the primary form of tournament play for golf associations, charity events and the like.
Initially, I liked the idea. On second thought, I'm having reservations.
By nature, I'm a loner and I'm definitely a gambling loner. I rarely gamble as part of a team or group.
I love thinking independently and I like to promote the concept of collective wisdom, but I detest the idea of consensus opinion.
GAMBLING ALERT.....Ideal situation for shrewd MLB gamblers today. Play "OVER" 13 runs in the game between the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros at Wrigley Field. First pitch is 1:10 Central time. Also play "OVER" 131 runs in the total number of MLB runs ("Grand Salami") on Memorial Day. Bet closes shortly after noon Central.
Huge warming trend hit the Midwest today. Yesterday at Wrigley Field, it felt like Manitoba. Today, it feels like South Beach.
COMING FRIDAY.....A look at the worst team in MLB...the Minnesota Twins.
