Weekend Preview – Michigan State looks to ride “home” crowd over UConn

There is so much online sports betting this time of year that you can almost taste it. The Final Four odds come to a head this weekend, the Masters odds are just a week away, the NHL and NBA playoff races are down to the wire and the MLB betting season kicks off on Sunday night. It’s sportsbook heaven this weekend. Let’s explore some of the most exciting online betting events to take in.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4

• NBA betting: Pistons vs 76ers odds, 3:00 p.m. ET

  While the Magic vs Hawks line features the two better teams, that game doesn’t mean much; Orlando and Atlanta are both pretty much locked in for home court in the NBA betting playoffs. The Pistons, however, are fighting for their playoff lives, so their visit to Philly is Saturday’s marquee matchup.

  Through Thursday’s games, the Pistons were just two games up on Charlotte for ninth in the East. They’ll have to overcome the distraction of Allen Iverson, who is complaining nonstop about his new bench role. The 76ers will be without Thaddeus Young (ankle), so they’ll have a chance on the road. Basketball betting fans should also watch the Pistons on Sunday, as they take on those pesky Bobcats in a crucial game.

• Final Four odds: Connecticut vs Michigan State, 6:07 p.m. ET

  Two of the tournament’s most balanced squads clash in what should be a physical March Madness betting affair. The UConn Huskies have ridden balanced scoring from A.J. Price and Jeff Adrien while Hasheem Thabeet has been an absolute force defensively.

  The Spartans have ridden Goran Suton’s hot shooting throughout the tournament and desperately need him to keep up the good work against UConn in order to draw Thabeet out from under the basket. This should be a closer sportsbook matchup than many people think, as the Spartans are playing in their home state and should have lots of crowd support.

• Final Four odds: North Carolina vs Villanova, 8:47 p.m. ET

  The Villanova Wildcats still aren’t getting respect in hoops betting circles; at +270, they’re bigger underdogs than Michigan State, which is interesting considering Villanova toppled Duke and No. 1 seed Pittsburgh in consecutive rounds.

  It remains to be seen whether ’Nova has an answer for Ty Lawson, who has been a man possessed in March Madness betting, averaging 20.3 points with 20 assists and just two turnovers in three games.

• NHL betting: Canucks vs Oilers odds, 10:00 p.m. ET

  This NHL betting line features a team hanging by a thread in the Western Conference playoff race versus a team that has a berth locked up already, so there’s a chance for a sportsbook upset here. The Oilers sat four points out of eighth through Thursday night’s games, so a loss would seriously cripple their Stanley Cup betting hopes.

  The Oil face a tall order in the Canucks, who have Henrik Sedin playing the best hockey of his career right now. Edmonton will certainly be the motivated team, so this Canada-wide televised matchup should be a classic.

  SUNDAY, APRIL 5

• NBA betting: Suns vs Mavericks odds, 3:30 p.m. ET

  NBA betting fans face a tough dilemma here; do you bet on the big-name Spurs vs Cavaliers line or go with the Suns and Mavs game, which has much more important playoff implications? Calling Sunday a must-win for Phoenix would be an understatement, as the Suns trailed the Mavericks by four games for ninth in the West through Thursday.

  The aging Suns will try ride the resurgent Shaq to victory while Dallas looks to extend its winning streak to three games. With a 27-9 home record, the Mavs will be tough to beat.

• MLB betting: Braves vs Phillies odds, 8:05 p.m. ET

  Finally, MLB betting is back, and what better way to kick it off than to see the defending champions raise their banner? The Phillies host the potentially surprising Braves in a night game to open the season.

  With Phillies ace Cole Hamels nicked up, Brett Myers gets the Opening Day nod for Philadelphia. He’ll match up against sinkerballer and offseason acquisition Derek Lowe. In hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park, this could be a high-scoring affair if Lowe’s sinker doesn’t sink.

Visit the BetOnline.com sportsbook for all your weekend betting lines.