Tuesday night was a whirlwind for sports fans, filled with unexpected twists and jaw-dropping performances. While Maxx Crosby's trade to the Ravens fell through and Team USA faced an unexpected defeat to Italy in the World Baseball Classic, it was Bam Adebayo's performance that truly stole the spotlight. The Miami Heat center put on a show, scoring an astonishing 83 points against the Washington Wizards.
Now, if you were to guess who might surpass Kobe Bryant's legendary 81-point game, Adebayo might not be your first pick. Known for his solid two-way play and career average of 16 points per game, Adebayo isn’t typically in the same scoring conversation as players like Luka Dončić or Donovan Mitchell. Yet, there he was, making history.
Naturally, the question buzzing around was whether anyone could have placed a bet on Adebayo breaking Kobe's record. The answer?
Not quite-at least not before the game tipped off. A quick survey of U.S. sportsbooks revealed that no one had set odds for such a feat.
But as Adebayo's scoring rampage unfolded, the betting scene turned lively.
Before the game against the Wizards, sportsbooks had modest expectations for Adebayo. His point total prop was set at 23.5 on BetMGM and 25.5 on DraftKings.
Interestingly, 67 percent of the money was on the over, despite low total bets. Fanatics Sportsbook offered an intriguing alternative bet: Adebayo scoring 40 or more points at +1700 odds.
Adebayo's explosive start saw him rack up 31 points in the first quarter, far exceeding BetMGM's first-quarter prop of 6.5 points. This unexpected surge sent the live betting markets into a frenzy.
By halftime, with Adebayo sitting at 43 points, sportsbooks were scrambling to adjust. DraftKings even offered odds on Adebayo reaching 100 points at +4000.
For context, a $10 bet would have netted $400.
As the game progressed, Fanatics offered a live bet for Adebayo scoring 76 or more points. One savvy bettor seized the opportunity, wagering $1,500 at +175 odds when Adebayo was at 70 points, ultimately cashing in $4,125.
Looking ahead, the Heat are set to face the Milwaukee Bucks, with Miami favored by 6.5 points. Despite Adebayo's recent heroics, his point total prop for the next game remains at 22.5 across major sportsbooks like FanDuel.
Betting expert Doug Kezirian explains that oddsmakers rely on a mix of recent form and season averages, factoring in the game's point spread. With Miami favored by a significant margin, there was a chance Adebayo might rest in the fourth quarter, especially with key players absent.
However, despite the buzz, oddsmakers have decided not to adjust his points prop for the upcoming game.