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PrintCharles Barkley will be headed to Las Vegas in the next 24-48 hours to place his annual $100,000 Super Bowl wager, and when he does, he’ll be laying the points with the favorite.
“You know how we say, ‘In God We Trust?’” Barkley said Friday, appearing on 97.5 The Fanatic in Philadelphia. “I trust Bill Belichick. I’m going with the New England Patriots.”
The Patriots are currently favored by 3 points at most sportsbooks but were as low as 2 ½ earlier this week. So desperate is Barkley to get that extra half-point of value that he said he nearly re-routed a recent flight just so he could bet the game at a better number.
“I almost changed the plane to go to Vegas because I want to get that game at 2 ½ and I hope by the time I land the plane, that it’s back to 2 ½,” Barkley said. “Three points scares the hell out of me.”
Barkley, who always places six-figure wagers on the Super Bowl, said he’s taking the Patriots despite his belief that the Giants should be listed as the favorite.
“Can I ask you an honest question?” Barkley said to host Mike Missanelli. ”Why are the Patriots favored in that game? Listen, if you look at these two teams in the playoffs, the Giants have been much better. Come on, the Giants have been much better in the playoffs. And I’ve been surprised.
“I saw that line and the line had basically only moved like a point. I have just been surprised. Look, I’m going to bet on Belichick. But I’m not overly confident. I’m just betting strictly on Bill Belichick in this one.”
Barkley’s predicted final score? Patriots 31, Giants 17.
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BTB Note: h/t to @DavisMets.
