Eric James Miller is the official Living-Las-Vegas.com sports book handicapper and on Saturday mornings, you can find his insider tips for the hottest lines and best bets at sports books in Las Vegas.

There are over 300 ways to bet the Super Bowl game at most Nevada casinos. Some of the “prop” bets are especially attractive, even if you don’t care who is playing!

First off, I cannot begin to convey how HAPPY I am that Donald Sterling, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, accepted the resignation of coach Mike “Dumb”-leavy on Thursday. Too bad the NBA season is already half over. Unless the Clippers do something stupid like trade Chris Kaman or defensive pro Marcus Camby, I expect them to make a strong push for the 7th or 8th spot in the play-offs now that Dunleavy is finally out. (He’s still the GM for now, but that might be okay. He recognizes talent he just can’t coach it.)

It’s unfortunate that the Clippers first game without Dunleavy is going to be against the Spurs. After that game though, they could easily win five in a row. And I guarantee they won’t lose to anymore teams like New Jersey and Minnesota this year!

NBA
no NBA picks this week-end.

Super Bowl:
As a fan, I’ll be cheering for the New Orleans Saints. But my money is going to be on the Indianapolis Colts because of their better defense. Like I said a few weeks ago, DEFENSE almost always decides the victor in the NFL play-offs.

I don’t think this game is going to be close, so I’m betting on substantial margins of victories by BOTH teams because of the attractive odds. The Saints could pull off an impressive upset and that would be fine with me because:

1) Saints – 7 1/2 pays 4-1

2) I’ll double the units I bet on #1 and take the Colts -10 1/2 because it pays almost 2-1

(if either #1 OR #2 is right I’ll be up at least 2-1)

3) I think the Saints are going to have trouble getting in the end-zone and will end up kicking a few field goals. The Saints > 1 1/2 field goals is my favorite close to even money (-110) bet.

4) I’m betting the coin toss is going to be TAILS.

5a) I think the Saints are going to start out strong and that they will be the first team to score in the game. This bet pays +135 as opposed to the Colts scoring first which pays a terrible -180.

5b) If I wasn’t doing #5a I’d bet that the First Score of the Game will be a Saints TD pass because of the 3-1 odds.

5c) If you agree with either 5a or 5b, you might like this long-shot bet too: Marques Colston of the Saints as the first player to score a TD in the game (it pays 10-1).

6) I don’t think this is going to be the high scoring game John Q. Public hopes to see. The official over/under is holding at 57. I’m going to take the almost 2-1 odds that the total points scored by both teams combined will be under 51 1/2.

7) Unfortunately I’m probably not going to make it down to the Las Vegas Hilton to get in on the “Kardashian Bet” bet (they’re the only ones doing it) but if I did, I’d definitely take Reggie Bush to have more total yards than Lamar Odom’s total points, assists and rebounds on Sunday.)

If your gut feeling is really yelling at you and you think you know who is going to win, take a look at some of the MARGIN OF VICTORY ODDS. The Colts by 2 TD’s is paying 6-1 and the Saints by 2 TD’s is paying 18-1!

Okay, so there you have it. If anyone strongly agrees or disagrees let me know, because I’m probably going to be one of those last in line guys at GVR on Sunday! ; – )

Good Luck, have Fun and Happy Wagering!
Don’t forget to say hello to a jalepeno cheese dip and spicy buffalo wing for me!

Last week’s picks: 3-0
Season-to-date: 8-2