Selecting and riding a hot team in the sports wagering world can translate into betting bliss.
But knowing the optimal time to stay on the train or bail ship separates the winners from the losers.
Here are a few teams that have been prfitable in recent weeks.
The Thunder rolls
The Thunder have been rolling up wads of cash for their backers and are no longer the Association’s best kept secret.
“They’re going to be a huge problem because they have size, they have speed,” Kobe Bryant said. “They’re going to be a team you have to deal with. They have a closer in Kevin Durant.”
Durant has scored 25 or more points in 27 straight games – a streak good for second-longest in the last 35 years, behind Michael Jordan’s mark of 40. Many have called Durant the best pure scorer in the league behind Carmelo Anthony.
Always a concern with a young team is falling in love with recent success, but this squad understands there are plenty of games left to play.
“We’re on a nice streak right now, but they’re a humble group,” coach Scott Brooks said.
Oklahoma City has gone 6-2 ATS during its eight-game winning streak and is 18-9 ATS amid Durant’s 25-point barrage.
“That team is very dangerous. I love watching them play,” said Chauncey Billups. “You know you’re going to get 10 guys that play extremely hard.”
Wolves are howling
The Sun Belt has an array of underrated teams and at the top of the list is Arkansas State, vying for a conference title heading down the stretch.
The Red Wolves, formerly known as the Indians, have won 12 of their last 19 games with three of those victories coming as underdogs.
ASU has compiled a 12-3 ATS record since Christmas and held three of its last five opponents to fewer than 57 points.
“One of the things we implemented in practice was to have a better presence about us from a defensive standpoint,” coach John Brady said.
The final two regular season games for the Red Wolves will be in front of the home crowd at Jonesboro.
Due to a plethora of injuries this is one of the youngest teams in the NCAA with three freshmen and one sophomore in the starting rotation so it might be wise to jump ship should this squad begin to falter under pressure.
Sweet Carolina
When hockey eventually returns from its Olympic hiatus, there is one team bettors should keep close tabs on.
Oddsmakers have greatly undervalued the bottom-feeding Carolina Hurricanes in recent weeks.
The Canes are 8-2 straight up in their last 10 games, winning seven of those matchups as underdogs.
Carolina is positioned second-to-last in the Eastern Conference standings with 55 points, but its recent string of success has provided a spark and the team doesn’t appear willing to give up just yet.
“If we keep going on a run here, it’s still possible,” said general manager Jim Rutherford. “So we don’t want to quit.”
“It’s a long season,” goalie Manny Legace said. “Never count yourself out until you’re mathematically out.”
The Hurricanes defeated each of their next 11 opponents on the schedule in their last meeting.
Lakers down under
As Reggie Miller pointed out during a TNT broadcast, the Lakers are a contending playoff team without Kobe Bryant.
Bryant has not played since Feb. 5 due to a sprained left ankle and there is no sign of rushing him back.
“I’ll just take my time, do therapy around the clock, go after it as aggressive as I play,” Bryant said.
With Bryant out of the lineup, the Lakers have been earning wins defensively. L.A. garnered three straight quality victories before the All-Star break – at Portland, versus San Antonio, at Utah – holding all under 90 points.
The Warriors rank second in the league in scoring (107.4 ppg) but were only able to muster 94 points in a loss last Tuesday against the Lakers.
On Thursday the team lost its first game in Bryant’s absence, but L.A. played sound defence and held Boston to 34 second-half points, including 11 in the final frame.
Offseason acquisition Ron Artest has been inconsistent offensively this season, prompting Phil Jackson to say he’s “hurt” the team in some games, but the Lake Show didn’t haul in the craziest personality in the league to watch him score.
“[Artest’s] defence has been an effective opportunity for us to limit our help defence and limit how much we have to go over and shade the area he’s guarding,” coach Phil Jackson said.
The Lakers have played under the total in five straight and have held opponents to 93.1 points per outing over their last 10 games.
As long as Bryant remains in the cold tub, L.A. is likely to keep cashing unders.