$500 wager on Woodland at 80-1 nets sharp $40,000
Despite payout, Westgate, books collect on Open
When Gary Woodland rolled in a 30-foot birdie putt to clinch the U.S. Open title Sunday at Pebble Beach, at least one Westgate sportsbook bettor rejoiced.
The sharp gambler won Woods are at 12-1, Justin Rose is at 16-1 and the rest of the field is 20-1 or more.
Sherman already has moved Graeme Mcdowell’s odds from 60-1 to 50-1 because Royal Portrush is the home course of the 2010 U.S. Open champion.
Anthony Davis effect
The Westgate made the Lakers 5-1 favorites Friday to win the 2020 NBA title in anticipation of Los Angeles acquiring Anthony Davis from the New Orleans Pelicans. Moments before news of the trade for the All-star center broke Saturday, a Westgate bettor placed a $10,000 wager on the Lakers to win the 2020 title at 5-1 odds.
“I went to 9-2 at that point and when the news broke, I lowered them down to 3-1,” Sherman said. “They still have cap room to add a player or two. When that news breaks, we’ll have another wave of people to bet them.”
William Hill opened the Lakers at 10-1 to win the 2020 title and action has moved the odds to 5-1. Bogdanovich said 75 percent of the money on NBA futures is on the Lakers.
“The only two teams we’ve taken money on are the Lakers and Warriors,” he said.
With Warriors stars Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson out nine to 12 months with injuries, Golden State has dipped to the 12-1 sixth choice to win the 2020 title.
The Milwaukee Bucks are the 6-1 second choice and the Los Angeles Clippers are the 7-1 third choice in anticipation of possibly signing reigning NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard. The Houston Rockets are at 8-1 and the Toronto Raptors are at 10-1, with a chance to resign Leonard.
“It really feels like it’s between the Clippers and Toronto,” Sherman said.
“We have Toronto a little higher than the market. I think (Leonard’s) going to the Clippers, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he went back to Toronto on a short-term deal.”
Going back to Cali?
Caesars Entertainment sportsbook posted an interesting prop Monday: Will a California-based team win the 2020 NBA championship? Yes is plus 175. No is minus 210.
Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @tdewey33 on Twitter.