Joey Backdoor’s Worst Bad Beats of 2022

Let’s look back on the first half of the year’s bad beats. Part 1 of 2 in my 22 worst beats of ’22. Here it is below.

Editor’s note: It’s only looking up for J Baby in 2023 with his first-ever smartphone purchase. Welcome to the 21st-century, JBD.

1. 1/17: Bucks ML vs. Hawks.

One day I will learn not to go against Atlanta on MLK Day. The Hawks had lost 10 straight home games. Milwaukee held a 97-86 lead with under 9 minutes to play. Atlanta scored 35 of the final 52 points. Milwaukee had been 23-0 when leading after three quarters. Both long streaks came to an end. 

2. 3/10: Michigan -3 vs. Indiana.

The Wolverines seemed to be in control of this conference tournament clash between Big Dance hopefuls. Michigan lead 60-43 with just over 11 minutes left. Things changed quickly. A 28-4 Indiana run put the Hoosiers in front by a score of 71-64. Indiana went on to a 74-69 victory. 

3. 3/29: Jazz +1 vs. Clippers.

Utah had been 235-0 when leading by 25 points since the 96-97 season. Best record over that span. The Clippers closed on a 34-12 run and erased a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter. 

4. 3/31: Nets ML vs. Bucks.

Brooklyn was ahead by 9 with 3:01 to play in regulation. The lead was 7 with two minutes remaining in the fourth period. Khris Middleton had been ejected from the game for a flagrant foul in the third quarter. Milwaukee rallied to force overtime. The Greek Freak was fouled with three seconds left in the extra session. Milwaukee was down by one. He hit both foul shots to put his team in front. Kevin Durant missed a shot to win it for Brooklyn. Shades of a painful game 7 loss against the Bucks in 2021. 

5. 4/8: Jazz ML vs. Suns.

Utah was ahead by 17 after three quarters. The Suns used a 22-4 run to go in front. Phoenix outscored Utah 36-13 in the fourth period. Utah had collapsed again. This time at home.

6. 4/11: Mets ML vs. Phillies.

Philadelphia rallied from down 4-0 in the eighth inning and came away with a 5-4 win as the Mets and their fans suffered through a major bullpen meltdown. I easily could have taken +1.5 and still won. That did not happen.

7. 4/21: Timberwolves +1.5 vs. Grizzlies.

Minnesota was ahead by 26 points. However, the Timberwolves lost by 9. Minnesota was outscored 37-12 in the final period, and 42-12 in the last 13 minutes. An 83-62 advantage was erased with a 21-0 Memphis run. Minnesota also put up just 12 points in the second quarter. 

8. 5/20: Rangers +1.5 vs. Hurricanes.

Carolina won 2-0, but their second goal was scored with 1.8 seconds to play. In fact, the Rangers actually had control of the puck with 5 seconds left and turned it over. I was winning for 59 minutes and 58.2 seconds.

9. 5/20: Mavericks +6.5 vs. Warriors.

Dallas fell apart shortly after the Rangers debacle. Despite leading by 19 points, Dallas lost 126-117. Golden State took a shot clock violation. It would have been nice if the Mavs decided to throw one in late and cover. Often I will jump in with a second half over or live bet. There were 75 points scored in the fourth quarter, but I decided to stand pat. Didn’t buy it up to 9.5 or tease with the over. Lots of missed opportunities.

10. 6/19: Yankees ML vs. Jays.

Another New York bullpen meltdown was my downfall. The Yankees were up 8-3 and appeared to be headed for an easy win. After Toronto rallied for a 10-8 lead, the Yanks tried to come back. Anthony Rizzo’s home run made it 10-9. Four Yankees were stranded in the final two innings. It was a shocking loss.

11. 6/30: Twins +1.5 vs. Guardians.

Minnesota held a 3-1 advantage in the eighth inning. Cleveland scored twice to tie it. This was an unlikely rally. It consisted of a hit batter, two walks, an infield hit, and a throwing error. I turned the game off and checked online as I prepared to leave. The Guardians won with a walk and home run in the ninth inning. Only a deep ball with somebody on base could beat me. That’s what happened. Cleveland finished with 5 runs on 3 hits. I then left to attend a wake, and got Covid. R.I.P. Donnie Naps.

Joey Backdoor’s Worst Gambling Beats of 2020, Part 1

Narrowing my list to 20 wasn’t easy. It has been a brutal year. Here is the first 10 of my top 20 bad beats from 2020.

1. LSU-Clemson:

In a battle of the Tigers, LSU prevailed to become champions. I should have loaded up on LSU after riding them all year. A guest on WFAN talked me into betting the total early in case it went up. 67 points were scored. Not over 69. Somehow, the total was bet down and closed at 66. I also could have gone for insurance by popping an LB on the under. Bet more on the lower number. Done a teaser. Total debacle. Literally, since it involved the total. Great way to end the season and start my year. 

2. Kings-Bucks:

Getting in early burned me again. Milwaukee beat Sacramento by 12. The line went down to 10, but that was after my bet went in. Giannis skipped the game. Apparently becoming a father is somewhat important to people. 

3. San Francisco-Gonzaga:

A late three by the Zags gave them a 71-54 victory. Some people won on -16.5, but I had 17.5. Bet it too soon. The line went down. This story seems familiar. Another problem with early wagers is I’m not able to buy points. I am great at finding ways to lose. 

4. Iowa-Michigan State:

MSU defeated Iowa 78-70. I had the Spartans -8.5, and Cassius Winston missed a late free throw to cover. Teasing with the over would have worked. It especially hurt because Winston was shooting free throws at an 87 percent clip.

5. Braves-Mets:

Edwin Diaz blew a save, and the Mets fell to 1-1. They were one out away from starting 2-0 against Atlanta in the shortened 2020 campaign. This set the tone for their entire season, and mine.

6. Mets-Braves:

I could not leave out the Mets losing 11-10 to Atlanta. It was 8-2 Mets. They also were ahead 10-5. Atlanta scored once in the sixth inning, but still trailed 10-6 in the eighth. Travis d’Arnaud doubled in three runs against his former team. That capped Atlanta’s five-run eighth, and the comeback was complete. Or, choke job. Depends on your point of view. 

7. Rockets-Mavericks:

Dallas squandered a 138-131 lead with under 50 seconds remaining. Seth Curry’s late miss at the free throw line gave Houston hope, but James Harden was shooting two free throws with less than 4 seconds left and the Rockets still trailing 139-136. Harden made his first. The second was missed, and Robert Covington’s tip forced overtime. Dallas went up by four in the extra session, but Houston went on to win. Could have loaded up on the over. Even at halftime.

8. Jazz-Nuggets:

The NBA postseason kicked off in fine fashion. Denver covered the game in overtime despite 57 from Donovan Mitchell. Another example of me not jumping in on the over and turning it into a profitable game. This was also another example of overtime not being a friend of the underdog bettor.

9. Mavericks-Clippers:

Hours after Denver and Utah’s overtime game, Dallas took on the Clippers. Kristaps Porzingis was ejected, and things turned. Dallas scored 13 points in the third quarter. 135 combined points were scored in the first half. It ended 118-110. Not over 229. Tim Hardaway missed the game’s final shot. Could have covered and put it over. I didn’t tease the two. Lost them both individually. Two bad losses, but I’m going to combine them. Not getting over 229 had to be the real bad beat.

10. Indiana-Rutgers:

It appeared the Scarlet Knights had scored on a wild play to cover that featured a number of laterals. Replay overturned the touchdown. A Halloween disappointment. That’s what I get for letting Joe Benigno and others talk me into liking Rutgers.