The month of June is typically one of the last big sporting months for a while, as there are still a couple of huge events on the calendar. July and August tend to be when things slow down a bit, but this weekend is going to be a big weekend for sports and for sports bettors.
Both the NBA and NHL are in the final series of the season, and there is also a huge horse race set to take place this weekend. Here is a look at the three biggest sporting events on the calendar this weekend.
NBA Finals Game 4
Game 4 of the NBA Finals is set to take place on Friday night, and it’s essentially a must-win game for the Miami Heat. The Denver Nuggets have taken a 3-1 series lead by picking up a road win in Game 3, and the Heat need to find a way to climb back into this series.
Denver got a pair of triple-doubles from Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray in Game 3, and those two stars have been playing great basketball throughout the playoffs. The Nuggets have been dominating teams throughout the postseason, and they also have several role players stepping up.
Miami had a big game from Jimmy Butler in Game 3, but they only shot 31% from the three-point line. The Heat are capable of shooting much better than that, but they don’t appear to have an answer for Jokic in this series.
It’s been a good run for Miami in the playoffs, but the Nuggets are going to win Game 4 and cover the small 3.5-point spread on Friday night.
Belmont Stakes
The Belmont Stakes will be taking place this weekend, and this is the third and final Triple Crown race of the season. There won’t be a Triple Crown winner this year, though, as there have been two different horses that won the first two events.
It’s a relatively small field at the Belmont Stakes as you are only going to find betting odds for nine horses as some of the top trainers and owners have pulled their horses out of the mix. Forte is currently the betting favorite to win the race at +175, and it’s hard to see that horse getting beat.
Forte would have had a chance to win the Triple Crown if it wasn’t injured prior to the Kentucky Derby, and he will get the job done this weekend.
Stanley Cup Finals Game 4
Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals will take place on Saturday night, and this series suddenly looks much tighter than it did just days ago. The Vegas Golden Knights still hold a 2-1 series lead, but the Florida Panthers come into this game with some momentum.
Florida was able to get a late third period goal in Game 3 to send the game in overtime, and they won the game on a goal from Carter Verhaeghe. The Panthers are now looking for a win in Game 4 to even the series up, and they are the moneyline betting favorites.
Vegas has been terrific throughout the playoffs, and they have the size and skill advantage in this matchup. The Golden Knights did let a great opportunity pass them by in blowing the lead in Game 3, and that will put some added pressure on them in Game 4.
Look for Florida to pick up a second straight win, and taking them at -125 is the way to go.