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NBA betting diaries: Teams and players that won, lost me the most money

Nuccio DiNuzzo / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The first half of the NBA season is officially in the books. While players and coaches get a chance to reset over the weekend, bettors do, too.

If you've been following along with player props, you're already familiar with the ups and downs over the last few years.

Before we dive into all the second-half research - there'll be plenty this weekend and next - I'm going to hand out superlatives for the first half of the season, including the worst beat.

Here's what stood out.

Player that won me the most money - Zach LaVine

LaVine was a hot commodity in our player props earlier in the year before his numbers inflated. The Bulls guard and former two-time Slam Dunk champion nabbed his first-ever All-Star bid. We certainly agree with the selection.

Player that lost me the most money - Rudy Gobert

Every prop or fantasy bettor has that one player that's infuriating to wager on. Mine's Gobert. Every single time I've bet an under on his point total, he plays like Wilt Chamberlain when he dropped 100 on the Knicks. If I bet the over, he records four fouls in the first six minutes of the game and doesn't play again until the third quarter.

Gobert is going to set a world record for the amount of people he's pissed off in the month of March after taking into account these last two years.

Team that made me the most money - Hornets

I love this team more than most relatives. How could you not? Terry Rozier has gone sicko mode, LaMelo Ball is already a walking highlight reel, and nobody really cares about playing defense. The Hornets' offense went scorched earth to close out the first half, recording six straight overs and 120 points or more in four of the last five.

Protect this team at all costs.

Team that lost me the most money - Rockets

I love the Rockets' offensive approach of jacking up more than 40 threes per game, but not when they're connecting at a 33.3% clip. Houston enters the break 11-23 against the spread and 20-13-1 to the under this season, which begs the question: Is this the least fun team ever assembled?

You almost have to respect James Harden for fleeing the scene.

Worst beat - Cavaliers/76ers over 220

I oftentimes wonder how many televisions were pulverized by a human foot last week after what occurred between the 76ers and Cavaliers. Let's relive it.

Philly and Cleveland were tied 92-92 late in the fourth with under two minutes to go. After both clubs went scoreless down the stretch, bettors had a 36-point cushion in overtime.

Somehow, it wasn't enough.

The two teams combined for 16 points over the final 28 seconds of the extra period, including a meaningless three just before the buzzer. If Ben Simmons splashes a 29-foot 3-pointer, you sort of have to laugh, right?

Here's to a profitable second half, folks!

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.

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