Get In The Game - with Nigel Ridgway of bet365 *US Edition*
NBA/NCAAB
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The Timberwolves play host to the Lakers on Friday, on the back of a lack-lustre display against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. The Wolves started well but faded to a 92-79 loss, the third in their last four games, and they will have to play better in back-to-back games if they are going to compete for the Western Conference top spot. The loss cut the Wolves' lead in the Midwest Division to two games over San Antonio. On Friday, however, they will gain inspiration from their 'building' record of 24-9 this season, and the fact that they have won six of the last nine meetings against the Lakers - twice this season!
Latest bet365 Western Conference prices... Lakers Evens, Kings 23/10, Timberwolves 9/2, Spurs 11/2, others on site.
Join us for live betting on the following NBA games this weekend, where our markets will include: Point Spread; Game Total; and Who Will Win the Quarter:
<A HREF="http://www.ads365.com/uslandingpage/index.php?id=grm_2329" TARGET=_blank>LA Lakers @ MIN TWolves
Fr Mar 12 - 8:00 pm EST (RSNE/NBALP)
13 Mar-01:00 GMT
SA Spurs @ SAC Kings
Su Mar 14 - 3:30 pm EST (ABC)
14 Mar-20:30 GMT</A>
On Friday, the four and five seeds in the ACC square off when the Tar Heels and Yellow Jackets take the court in Greensboro Coliseum for a quarter final match-up in the big Conference tourney - the start of a massive weekend of live college hoops.
NBA/NCAA Parlay Bonus
As College Basketball heats up for the drive to the Big Dance, we have extended our popular NFL Parlay Bonus to the hoops. bet365 is paying out the following bonuses on parlay wagers including NCAA and NBA matches, right through to the NCAA Championship game on April 5th:
2-team parlay 5% 3-team parlay 7.5%
4-team parlay 10% 5-team parlay 15%
6-team parlay 20% 7-team parlay 25%
8-team parlay 30% 9-team parlay 35%
10-team parlay 40% 11-team parlay 45%
Have a winning 12, 13, or 14 team parlay - and receive a massive 50% bonus!
Bonus applies to winnings on NCAA and NBA 2-14 team parlays on the following six markets:
Game Pointspread; Game Total; First Half Spread; Second Half Spread; First Half Total; Second Half Total.
NHL
Expect fireworks when old rivals Toronto and Montreal go at it on Saturday night - the Leafs are still dreaming of Stanley Cup glory, but the Habs are stingy on the defensive end of the ice. Daniel Alfredsson leads his Sens to Vancouver to face Marcus Nasland and the Canucks in Saturday's other live game.
bet365 Eastern Conference prices... Ottawa 3/1, Toronto 7/2, Tampa Bay 7/2, Philadelphia 9/2, others on site.
Join us for live betting on the following NHL games this weekend, where our markets will include: Puck Line; Game Total; Next Goal Scored; Most Shots on Goal; Who Will Win the Period; and Next Period Total:
<A HREF="http://www.ads365.com/uslandingpage/index.php?id=grm_2329" TARGET=_blank>TOR M Leafs @ MON Canadiens
Sa Mar 13 - 7:00 pm EST (CBC)
14 Mar-00:00 GMT
OTT Senators @ VAN Canucks
Sa Mar 13 - 10:00 pm EST (CBC)
14 Mar-03:00 GMT
NAS Predators @ DET Redwings
Su Mar 14 - 7:00 pm EST (ESPN2, TSN)
15 Mar-00:05 GMT</A>
PGA Tour, Honda Classic Golf (starts Thursday)
Golf backers looking to erase the memory of last week's big-priced winner - Craig Parry (Doral) was an unconsidered 150/1 chance - should look to a back-to-form David Toms this week. Toms, who shared 5th place at Doral in his first full-length tournament since a three month break following wrist surgery, will know what to expect of the course having won the Wachovia Championship at the similarly designed Quail Hollow last season. The course may be a massive 7,416 yards, but short hitters did well at Doral - only 150 yards shorter - including European Ryder Cup captain Bernhard Langer. Florida resident Langer, was a revelation last week with a field best final 54 hole score of 199, recording his second top ten of the year in the process. Steve Flesch has been relatively quiet this season, but still scores well in the overall stats, and could play his way into contention this week.
bet365 pre-tournament prices... Love 7/1, Toms 11/1, Perry 20/1, DiMarco 20/1, Flesch 40/1, Langer 66/1, others on site. Each Way - 1/4 odds 1.2.3.4.5. Bet In-Running subject to TV coverage.
Kentucky Derby
Lion Heart is 10/1 favourite with us for the Kentucky Derby despite coming off a defeat on his 3-year-old debut in the San Rafael Stakes on the weekend, going down to Imperialism by a neck. This was the chestnut's first race since winning the Hollywood Futurity on December 20th, and trainer Patrick Biancone now intends on sending him to the Santa Anita Derby next month as a final prep for the big race on May 1st. Meanwhile, Wimbledon did his Derby chances no harm when making a successful stakes debut in Sunday's Louisiana Derby. The big grey, trained by Bob Baffert got a perfect trip under jockey Javier Santiago to beat Borrego by 2 ½ lengths.
bet365 Kentucky Derby prices... Lion Heart 10/1, Birdstone 12/1, Eurosilver 12/1, Read the Footnotes 12/1, Tapit 12/1, Wimbledon 20/1, others on site.
NASCAR, Golden Corral 500 (Sunday 18.30 GMT)
The NASCAR season takes us to one of the fastest circuits of the year on Sunday - but who will take the checkered flag at the Atlanta Motor Speedway? Four drivers have dominated at this track over the past few seasons, so expect more of the same this weekend. Bobby Labonte, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. will all be going head to head, but Stewart, who has had four straight top five finishes here, can win his first race of the year. Another driver to note is Brian Vickers who, although not thought of as a series winner, drives the 25 car which has always performed well at this track. By the way, last week's pick Kasey Kahne only managed to finish second at 16/1!
bet365 prices... Labonte 7/1, Stewart 7/1, Gordon 15/2, Earnhardt Jr. 8/1, Vickers 25/1, others on site. Each way 1/5 1.2.3.
Prices will be available until around 11:20 am EST Friday, and will be updated by 6:00 am EST Sunday. Race Match-ups' will also be available by 12:00 noon EST Sunday.
Lots of luck to you in the coming week (St. Patty's day on Wednesday), and have a great weekend!
Nigel.
Please be aware that prices are subject to change.
NIGEL RIDGWAY,
an experienced punter and betting shop owner of many years, believes that “The key to successful gambling is getting value for money.” Nigel was once forced by local bookmakers, to stop writing a tipping column in a UK newspaper, because he was costing them a fortune. Find out what offers and lines are hot at bet365.com
