Las Vegas oddsmakers are still convinced that the Lakers will head back to Southern California down 2-0 in this best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series, opening them up as 7.5-point underdogs, while the total stands at 195.5.

Los Angeles may have some star power with guard Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum, but that hasn't helped the franchise when playing as road underdogs of 6.5 to nine points this season. The Lakers allowed 113.2 points in that situation, losing all four games by an average of 21.2 points.

Oklahoma City lands in a favorable spot to maintain its home-court advantage, posting a 40-6 record as a home favorite in this point range since the start of the 2010 season, including an 11-2 mark this year. The Thunder have won all three playoff games inside Chesapeake Energy Arena this year, with all three going "over" the total.

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook had little trouble scoring points against a fatigued Lakers' defense that was coming off a hard-fought seven-game series against the Denver Nuggets, combining for 52 points in just over 53 minutes of action.

The Thunder are well on their way to registering their second four-game sweep to open the 2012 NBA playoffs, as they already gained revenge in dropping last year's Western Conference Finals to the Dallas Mavericks.

Oklahoma City may be able to hand Los Angeles, who knocked the Thunder out of the playoff's first round two years ago, the same fate, unless the Lakers are able to steal a victory in Game 2.

The season is on the line Wednesday night.

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Bovada Sportsbook already has a line out on the 2012-13 BCS National Championship, and it's time to start the discussion about who belongs where and why each team finds itself with its current odds.

So, is your team worth betting on in 2012?

Lines can be found just about anywhere for just about any team, but we'll get things rolling along here with the teams posting 50-1 odds or better.

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BetOnline sports book clearly expects the public to buy into the hype, setting the Panthers' regular season win total at 8.5, while their Super Bowl odds are priced at 51/1.

Newton nearly won the 2011 NFL Rookie of the Year award in unanimous fashion, throwing for 4,051 yards and 21 touchdowns, as well as 14 rushing scores, in playing all 16 games. The most telling stat of all is certainly the team's 210-point improvement from the previous year with him under center.

The Panthers were outscored by an incredible 408-196 margin, which resulted in a 2-14 record in 2010, causing the franchise to take a chance on the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback out of Auburn. The team selected him with the first pick in the 2011 NFL draft.

Carolina will likely take another step forward in its rebuilding process if the 2012 NFL draft class is able to contribute on Sundays, especially first-round selection Luke Kuechly. The linebacker out of Boston College finished with a school-record 532 tackles in his three years on campus.

Wide receiver Steve Smith is also expected to play a major role in the development of Newton. The 12-year veteran finished with 1,394 receiving yards in 2011, which nearly matched his combined total of 1,536 in the previous two years.

It's absolutely imperative that the Panthers come out of Tampa Bay with a victory to open up their 2012 NFL schedule, as they host the New Orleans Saints and defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants the following two weeks. Carolina won both regular season meetings with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers a year ago, including a 38-19 victory as one-point road favorites on Dec. 4.

I'm definitely a believer in Newton, but I can't recommend a play on the "over" due to the strength of the division he plays in.

Early Prediction: Carolina Panthers finish with an 8-8 record

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BetOnline Sportsbook has set the Cowboys' regular-season win total at 9 while they are currently at betting of 25/1 to win it all in New Orleans in Super Bowl XLVII.

Dallas lost both meetings with New York a season ago, finishing with a disappointing 8-8 record and missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year. The Cowboys' misfortunes were on display early in a 27-24 loss to the New York Jets in Week 1, as they were unable to hold onto a 14-point fourth-quarter lead.

Tony Romo is coming off his best statistical season of his seven-year NFL career, throwing for 4,184 passing yards and 31 touchdowns, with only 10 interceptions. He also achieved his first triple-digit quarterback rating (102.5), finishing fourth in the league in that category.

Some may view starting the season on the road in the first two weeks as a disadvantage, but the schedule allows for plenty of rest before traveling to both destinations. A flight to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2 isn't as daunting due to playing a midweek season opener.

I'd be a little concerned with the bye week coming after just four games of the season for the second consecutive year, as the Baltimore Ravens were the only team out of a group of six to make the playoffs in that situation in 2011.

Playing four of five games on the road off the bye will likely define the season especially when the second meeting with the Giants is the lone home game in that stretch.

Climbing over this past season's win total may come down to how good the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints end up being, as the Cowboys welcome in those playoff teams from a year ago in Week 15 and 16 respectively.

I believe the oddsmakers are spot on with this season win total, but I may revisit it during the preseason.

Early Prediction: Dallas Cowboys finish with a 9-7 record

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It should also be an awesome series for gamblers, as there will be plenty of action and smart plays to be made on the games.

Let’s take a look at some of the possible wagers for the first game and predict which side will win.

All lines from ScoresAndOdds.com.

Lakers +7.5 at Thunder

Los Angeles matches up well with OKC and should be getting more respect.

The Lakers have bangers down low who can score in Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol. They have Metta World Peace back from suspension, and of course, the Black Mamba himself—Kobe Bryant—will be taking over like he does in most playoff contests.

L.A. last played the Thunder back on April 22—the game in which World Peace viciously elbowed Harden and drew the suspension—and came out on top in a double-OT thriller.

The Lakers may not win this, but they will easily cover such a large spread.

Over: 191.5

If you like L.A. to make it a close game, as I do, the over is a natural play as well.

It’s going to be tough for the Lake Show to keep Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in check defensively, which is why they’ll have to score points to keep this respectable. 

They certainly have proved capable of doing so, and Bryant can score at will from anywhere on the floor. This total could realistically end up in the 200s before the final buzzer sounds.

There are plenty of bets to put on this epic game between the Lakers and Thunder, but these are two of the safer ones you will find. Good luck tonight!

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The Los Angeles Angels (15-19) and Texas Rangers (22-12) will close out a three-game American League West series on Sunday night at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, with the first pitch scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Rangers as slight minus-125 home favorites, while the opening total of eight is facing upward pressure in the betting market.

Los Angeles evened the series with a 4-2 victory on Saturday, improving to 3-2 on its current six-game road trip against the Rangers and Minnesota Twins. The Angels are still a disappointing 6-11 away from Southern California this season.

First baseman Albert Pujols continues to struggle at the plate, hitting .195 with just a single home run and 11 RBI in 33 games played. He will have a hard time improving those numbers against Rangers starter Neftali Feliz, who has limited right-handed batters to a .194 average over the course of his career.

Feliz (2-1, 3.37 ERA) has not allowed an earned run in his last 12.1 innings against the Angels, as he comes off a 10-3 road win over the Baltimore Orioles. He gave up just a single run and four hits over six frames in that effort.

The right-hander has failed to record a decision in 22 career relief appearances in this rivalry, surrendering just four runs (three earned) and nine hits in 22.1 frames. Not a single player on the Angels roster has hit a home run when facing him.

Jered Weaver (5-0, 1.60 ERA) has been tremendous through seven starts this season, but he'll need to be careful against one of baseball's most explosive lineups, especially when pitching to Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton.

The 2010 AL MVP launched his ninth home run in six games on Saturday, giving him a major league-leading 18 on the year. He has nine hits in 34 career at-bats (.265) against the Angels right-hander, but has left the yard just once. 

Weaver has not fared well in 13 lifetime outings at Rangers Ballpark, entering with a 2-6 record and 4.55 ERA, including a 1-2 mark and 5.14 ERA in three outings in 2011.

Sports bettors will find that the Angels have still managed to win six of his last eight starts versus the Rangers, while the "under" has cashed in four of the last five opportunities in that situation.

Weather forecasts suggest clear skies and game-time temperatures in the mid-70s, with a 5-to-10 MPH breeze out of the north-northeast (left to right).

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Las Vegas oddsmakers are expecting the betting public to hammer the Bronx Bombers, opening them as minus-200 home favorites against the Seattle Mariners, while the total sits at 10.

Pettitte hasn't been seen at the major league level since suffering an 8-0 home loss to the Texas Rangers in Game 3 of the 2011 American League Championship Series, giving up two runs and five hits over seven strong innings in that effort.

The left-hander posted an 0-2 record and 3.71 ERA in four minor-league starts, while giving up eight runs (seven earned) and 14 hits over 10.2 combined innings in two outings at the extended spring training level.

In 23 career starts versus the Mariners, Pettitte has gone 11-11 with a 4.33 ERA, including an 8-4 mark and 4.29 ERA when pitching at home.

Sports bettors will likely lay the number due to the Yankees being 87-40 in day games since the start of the 2010 campaign.

Mariners starting pitcher Kevin Millwood (0-4, 5.88 ERA) has also been around the block a few times, as he looks to snap a personal four-game losing streak. He has allowed 17 runs (15 earned) and 30 hits in 24 innings over that span.

Millwood enters with a 2-6 record and 5.12 ERA in 13 career starts against the Yankees, which includes a 1-1 mark and 8.74 ERA in two outings inside this ball park.

It should be a memorable day in the Bronx, but everyone involved is hoping that the 39-year-old southpaw can solidify a starting rotation that has been shaky at best to start the year.

If not—Yankees general manager Brian Cashman will need to actively pursue a front-line pitcher before the trade deadline on July 31, or the club will likely be watching the postseason from home.

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Pinnacle Sports has opened the Lakers as six-point home favorites, while the total has plummeted by 1.5 points to settle in at 197.

Los Angeles has failed to close out the series in its last two opportunities, including a 113-96 blowout loss as three-point road underdogs on Thursday night. The Lakers received 31 points from flu-ridden star Kobe Bryant, but nothing else from the rest of the roster.

Power forward Pau Gasol was nearly invisible for most of the night at the Pepsi Center in Game 6, finishing with three points on 1-of-10 shooting, which is surprising due to the team's 12-2 record entering the contest when trying to close out opponents in a playoff series with him on the roster.

Sports bettors will need to factor in that the Lakers are just 11-10 all-time in best-of-seven postseason series when falling flat in Game 6.

Denver is starting to show why it led the NBA in scoring during the regular season, as five players finished Thursday night's game in double figures, with point guard Ty Lawson leading the way with a game-high 32 points. The former North Carolina Tar Heels star led the team in scoring during the regular season.

The Nuggets have all the momentum and will likely attract plenty of action at the betting window, considering they've gone 38-15 against the spread in their last 53 road games.

Bryant will likely need to go for 40-plus in hopes of taking on former teammate Derek Fisher and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round. The five-time champion is averaging 31.1 points per game in this series.

Despite the recent lackluster play by the Lakers—I'm going to give Peace a chance.

Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers advance to the second round

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Alistair Overeem is the latest villain in the ongoing PED melodrama.  

As you’ll recall, the gargantuan Dutchman was recently nailed for having a testosterone/epitestosterone (T/E) level of 14:1, which is well above the generous 6:1 ratio allowed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. He was booted from the UFC 146 main event title fight and despised the world over. 

Overeem deserves every bit of criticism levied his way, but is he really that different from the dozens of other fighters who’ve popped hot for banned substances over the years? 

Consider this timeline of fighters who’ve failed drug tests put together by CagePotato. 

There are some interesting names on that list, even the Godfather of the UFC, Royce Gracie.  

That’s right, Royce popped hot after finally avenging his loss to Kazushi Sakuraba in 2007. He never fought in MMA again, but Gracie’s legacy is still quite intact. It was stained only momentarily. Rarely do you ever hear the word “steroid” used in the same sentence as “Royce Gracie” any longer. 

Chael Sonnen was nailed for testosterone following his loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 117, and miraculously had an even higher T/E level of 17:1. Where is he now? Training for another shot at the title. 

The list is long and distinguished, and what it indicates is that we either don’t really care much about fighters using PEDs, or we have pathetically short memories.

Overeem’s case may be a bit different, but only in the sense that he’s grown so massive in the past few years that he seemed to be dangling his usage right in front of our eyes, taunting the system to catch him—kind of like a killer who sends clues of his crimes to the police.  

Many of the fighters who’ve failed drug tests didn’t really look much different than they always have. Overeem got big, real big, and that physical transformation is how we correlate PEDs. There has long been speculation of Overeem’s misdeeds. The running joke in the MMA community is the “horsemeat diet” that allowed Overeem to transform from a lanky light heavyweight to a He-Man action figure in just a few years.  

Until failing his post-UFC 146 press conference drug test, though, it was all nothing more than conjecture.

Overeem didn’t help that speculation when he skipped out on a drug test last year, claiming he had to go to Holland to care for his sick mother. Maybe that was legit, but with all the assumption, and now the proof to back it up, there’s evidence to cast a justifiable shadow on the past few years of his career.

However, just like every other fighter who failed a drug test, Overeem will eventually be forgiven his transgressions. And if the UFC doesn’t cut Overeem, it’ll likely keep him out of the public eye for a while.

This issue will undoubtedly come up again when he fights next, but with every passing fight it will come up less and less, until—if history is any indication—it just kind of fades away.

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Las Vegas oddsmakers have established the Heat as 8.5-point home favorites in Sunday's Game 1 of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Indiana Pacers, which isn't nearly enough given the situation at hand.

Miami has played in five postseason series since Chris Bosh and LeBron James joined Dwyane Wade in South Beach, winning the first game played at AmericanAirlines Arena in decisive fashion, including a 100-67 victory over the New York Knicks as nine-point favorites in Game 1 of their recently completed first-round series on April 28.

The Heat have won all five of those contests by an average of 11.8 points per game, producing a 4-1 against-the-spread (ATS) record in the process.

In closing out its previous series against the Knicks in five games, Miami allowed itself to gain a valuable amount of rest before taking on the Pacers. The team won two games by large margins over the Portland Trail Blazers (107-93) and the San Antonio Spurs (120-98) when playing on three or more days rest. 

Sports bettors will want to shy away from taking the points in this contest, considering the Pacers are 9-26 ATS as road underdogs of 6.5 to 9 points over the last two-plus years.

Lay the number with confidence.

Pick: Miami Heat -8.5

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