[h=1]Worst gambling 'bad beats' of the weekend, including Jets/Patriots[/h]Rob NelsonESPN Staff Writer
Rob Nelson of ESPN Stats & Information revisits the worst bad beats from the Christmas weekend's gambling action.
Note: Closing lines are courtesy of Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook and pick percentages are via Wunderdog sports.
[h=2]Friday[/h]
Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers
Closing line: Clippers -12.5
If you took the Clippers to cover, what looked like a gift turned out to be a lump of coal in the final game of Christmas Day. The Clippers never trailed and led by 10 after the first quarter, 16 at halftime and 28 entering the fourth quarter.
The Lakers, who played the same five bench players the entire quarter, started the fourth on a 19-2 run. After their 28-point lead was cut down to 11, Doc Rivers inserted the Clippers' starters back into the game. While Chris Paul and company were able to avoid an historic comeback loss, they won by just 10 -- and bettors who took the Clippers were left empty-handed.
The Clippers ended up scoring nine points in the quarter, which marked the first time they didn't have double-digit points in the fourth since January 28, 2007. How long ago was that? It came in a game against the Seattle SuperSonics, and Blake Griffin was still a senior in high school.
Final score: Clippers 94, Lakers 84 (Lakers cover)
[h=2]Sunday[/h]
Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Closing line: Over/under 43.5
Some last-second Hail Mary plays will always be remembered, but most of the world will never see or even care about the one in this game. That is, of course, unless you had the under.
The Bucs led 14-13 entering the fourth quarter, sitting 16.5 points under the closing point total. The Bears would take control of the game in the final quarter, taking a 26-14 lead with 1:07 left. Those who bet on the under needed to avoid a late Tampa Bay touchdown. The Bucs, who struggled offensively all game, moved the ball to the Chicago 43-yard line with 10 seconds left. On the next play, Jameis Winston heaved a pass into a sea of defenders, somehow connecting with Austin Seferian-Jenkins for an otherwise meaningless touchdown with one second left. It left the 37 percent of bettors on the under wishing they could forget it ever happened.
Final score: Bears 26, Buccaneers 21 (Game goes over)
Dallas Cowboys at Buffalo Bills
Closing line: Bills -6.5
Neither team had more than a three-point lead during the first 57-and-a-half minutes of this low-scoring affair. The Bills led 9-6, pinned deep in their own territory -- a few first downs and Buffalo would win, and those who bet Dallas would cover.
The Bills converted on two third downs and faced a second-and-five from midfield. One more first down and Buffalo could take a knee and end the game. Much to the dismay of folks who bet the Cowboys, Mike Gillislee broke free for a 50 yard touchdown run with 2:25 left. With the Cowboys struggling on offense, it seemed unlikely they would find the end zone for a backdoor cover, and it became impossible when Lucky Whitehead fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Not so lucky for the 37 percent who bet Dallas.
Final score: Bills 16, Cowboys 6 (Bills cover)
New England Patriots at New York Jets
Closing line: Over/under 45.5
This was yet another in a long line of overtime games this season that doomed bettors on the under. With the Jets leading 17-6 late in the third quarter, overtime didn't seem likely until Jamie Collins returned a Ryan Fitzpatrickfumble for a 14-yard touchdown, bringing the Patriots within four.
With the score at 20-13 Jets late in regulation, Tom Brady led New England on an 11-play drive that included a pair of fourth-down conversions. Brady capped it off with a nine-yard touchdown to James White. The Jets couldn't quite get into field goal range and the game was headed to overtime, with the total five-and-half points shy of hitting the closing over/under number.
The Patriots won the toss and Bill Belichick elected to kick instead of getting the ball first. The ideal scenario for "under" bettors was a stop on defense and a New England field goal for the win - perfect for the 32 percent on the under. The plan backfired as the Jets drove right down the field and won it when Ryan Fitzpatrick hooked up with Eric Decker for a walk-off touchdown.
Final score: Jets 26, Patriots 20 in OT (Game goes over)
Rob Nelson of ESPN Stats & Information revisits the worst bad beats from the Christmas weekend's gambling action.
Note: Closing lines are courtesy of Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook and pick percentages are via Wunderdog sports.
[h=2]Friday[/h]
Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers
Closing line: Clippers -12.5
If you took the Clippers to cover, what looked like a gift turned out to be a lump of coal in the final game of Christmas Day. The Clippers never trailed and led by 10 after the first quarter, 16 at halftime and 28 entering the fourth quarter.
The Lakers, who played the same five bench players the entire quarter, started the fourth on a 19-2 run. After their 28-point lead was cut down to 11, Doc Rivers inserted the Clippers' starters back into the game. While Chris Paul and company were able to avoid an historic comeback loss, they won by just 10 -- and bettors who took the Clippers were left empty-handed.
The Clippers ended up scoring nine points in the quarter, which marked the first time they didn't have double-digit points in the fourth since January 28, 2007. How long ago was that? It came in a game against the Seattle SuperSonics, and Blake Griffin was still a senior in high school.
Final score: Clippers 94, Lakers 84 (Lakers cover)
[h=2]Sunday[/h]
Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Closing line: Over/under 43.5
Some last-second Hail Mary plays will always be remembered, but most of the world will never see or even care about the one in this game. That is, of course, unless you had the under.
The Bucs led 14-13 entering the fourth quarter, sitting 16.5 points under the closing point total. The Bears would take control of the game in the final quarter, taking a 26-14 lead with 1:07 left. Those who bet on the under needed to avoid a late Tampa Bay touchdown. The Bucs, who struggled offensively all game, moved the ball to the Chicago 43-yard line with 10 seconds left. On the next play, Jameis Winston heaved a pass into a sea of defenders, somehow connecting with Austin Seferian-Jenkins for an otherwise meaningless touchdown with one second left. It left the 37 percent of bettors on the under wishing they could forget it ever happened.
Final score: Bears 26, Buccaneers 21 (Game goes over)
Dallas Cowboys at Buffalo Bills
Closing line: Bills -6.5
Neither team had more than a three-point lead during the first 57-and-a-half minutes of this low-scoring affair. The Bills led 9-6, pinned deep in their own territory -- a few first downs and Buffalo would win, and those who bet Dallas would cover.
The Bills converted on two third downs and faced a second-and-five from midfield. One more first down and Buffalo could take a knee and end the game. Much to the dismay of folks who bet the Cowboys, Mike Gillislee broke free for a 50 yard touchdown run with 2:25 left. With the Cowboys struggling on offense, it seemed unlikely they would find the end zone for a backdoor cover, and it became impossible when Lucky Whitehead fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Not so lucky for the 37 percent who bet Dallas.
Final score: Bills 16, Cowboys 6 (Bills cover)
New England Patriots at New York Jets
Closing line: Over/under 45.5
This was yet another in a long line of overtime games this season that doomed bettors on the under. With the Jets leading 17-6 late in the third quarter, overtime didn't seem likely until Jamie Collins returned a Ryan Fitzpatrickfumble for a 14-yard touchdown, bringing the Patriots within four.
With the score at 20-13 Jets late in regulation, Tom Brady led New England on an 11-play drive that included a pair of fourth-down conversions. Brady capped it off with a nine-yard touchdown to James White. The Jets couldn't quite get into field goal range and the game was headed to overtime, with the total five-and-half points shy of hitting the closing over/under number.
The Patriots won the toss and Bill Belichick elected to kick instead of getting the ball first. The ideal scenario for "under" bettors was a stop on defense and a New England field goal for the win - perfect for the 32 percent on the under. The plan backfired as the Jets drove right down the field and won it when Ryan Fitzpatrick hooked up with Eric Decker for a walk-off touchdown.
Final score: Jets 26, Patriots 20 in OT (Game goes over)
