This is not the first time we say this (but it might be the last if my editor has his way) but we are getting closer to the dog days of summer, from a bettor’s perspective at least. The only consistent action to be had comes from the baseball diamond, but there are special events (Euro 2008, tennis, golf, boxing, etc.) to keep us players on our toes and provide a little opportunity for more betting action. 

The NBA championship has gone to the Boston Celtics, meaning there won’t be any more hoops to wager on until late October, early November right? Not exactly. 

The 2008 NBA Draft takes place this Thursday and SportsBetting.com is the place to wager on the potential draft picks. So with that lets take a look at the 2008 NBA Draft props and betting odds.

Going into this year’s NBA draft lottery, the 33-49 Chicago Bulls had a 1.7 percent chance of grabbing the top pick overall but defied the odds and won the lottery and by all accounts will select either Memphis PG Derrick Rose or Kansas State forward Michael Beasley first overall. 

There is a NBA prop play for which team Derrick Rose will play his first game for. Michael Jordan’s former team is the prohibitive favorite as the Chicago Bulls are listed at -600 while the Miami Heat, who select second, are listed at +350.

Bettors think there is no way Chicago passes on Rose, as he is getting 82% of the action on this option. 

They say you can’t teach height and two giants up for grabs in this year’s draft are Georgetown’s Roy HibbertStanford’s Robin Lopez (7 feet).  (7 feet, 2 inches) and

SportsBetting.com offers the NBA Draft prop of which one of the two centers will be selected first, -220 if you think Lopez and +170 if you think Hibbert . The early betting action has been tabbing the favourite, Lopez, as the guy. He’s received 71% of all the volume to come in on this prop. 

While many suspect that the top two will be Rose and Beasley , some are speculating that USC shooting guard O.J. Mayo could rise and be selected No. 2 by the Miami Heat. 

There are NBA Draft odds on whether Mayo will be the third pick overall. If yes it will pay out at -350 , if he is selected at any other pick it will be at +225 . 

Looking ahead to the weekend MLB betting action:
Now that the Boston Red Sox have taken a couple of World Series rings we turn our pity and well wishing solely towards Chicago Cubs fans. 

It’s been a century since the Cubbies hoisted a World Series and that is one long drought. 

Signs are pointing to a possible title in 2008 though as the Cubs currently have the best record in all of the majors with a 48-29 mark. 

After having played host to the Chicago White Sox last weekend, the Cubs head south to begin a series in White Sox territory this weekend. 

The Cubs swept the series at Wrigley so the ChiSox will be looking for a little revenge. 

In their last eight games at U.S. Cellular Field the North Siders have fared well winning six of them. 

The Chicago Cubs are listed at +400 to take this year’s World Series. 

This should be a great series. You can check out the daily lines on this series and all the sports action at SportsBetting.com

---