The fifth season of the annual Play of the Day betting competition between the Sun's sports staff is now underway, effective July 1.
Bankrolls start at $10,000 for each of the four participants, with the objective to increase it as much as possible over the next year. The minimum daily wager is $300, with a $200 penalty assessed for failing to place a bet on an assigned day.
Past winners are Case Keefer in 2017-2018, Ray Brewer in 2016-2017 and 2015-2016, and Taylor Bern in 2014-2015.
Golden State Warriors minus-7.5 vs. Portland Trail Blazers: $440 to win $400
My mama taught me two things growing up: Keep your elbows off the table, and don't bet against the Warriors.
The Trail Blazers have been one of the better stories to this year's playoffs. They reached the conference finals for the first time since 2000, including a fantastic Game 7 road win against the Nuggets in the conference semis. Don't ever believe that a team is "just happy to be here" when it comes to the playoffs, but Portland's season is already a success.
Meanwhile, the Warriors took Kevin Durant's injury and became what the Patriots were in the football playoffs: the dynastic team who talked themselves into believing they have something to prove. If that's the case, the Warriors did just that in Game 6 against the Rockets, shutting them down on the road without KD and with Steph Curry staying off the scoreboard in the first half. He exploded in the second half, because of course he did, and Warriors are back in the conference finals.
Maybe the Rockets were the best hope for all of us to have some new blood in the Finals. Maybe Portland surprises. But 7.5 at home seems comfortable enough for the Warriors to cover at home in Game 1.
Current Standings: Brewer (23-21-2, $8,700), Keefer (33-36-2, $7,976), Emerson (9-9, $5,397), Grimala (22-24-1, $2,750)