On This Day in Sports Odds History

---

 <<--  April 12 April 13  April 14 -->>

---

1986 (Golf): 46 year-old Jack Nicklaus becomes the oldest champion in Masters history after shooting a final round 65 (-7) as he defeats Greg Norman and Tom Kite by 1 stroke. Nicklaus was +2000 to win the Green Jacket as he won his record 18th and final major title.

---

1986 (NBA): As 12^½-point favorites, the Boston Celtics defeat the New Jersey Nets, 135-107, to finish the regular season with an NBA record 40-1 at home. They would go on to win each home game in the playoffs, capping the season off with a Game 6 17-point victory at home to win the NBA Championship over the Houston Rockets. Their only loss that season at home came on December 6, 1985, to the Portland Trail Blazers, 121-103.

---

1997 (Golf): 21 year-old Tiger Woods becomes the youngest player to win the Masters as he set tournament records for 72-hole score (270, -18) and margin of victory (12 strokes ahead of Tom Kite). Prior to the start of the tournament, Woods was the betting favorite at +800.

---

2008 (Golf): As a 150-1 long shot, South African Trevor Immelman wins his first major title at the Masters after defeating Tiger Woods by 3 strokes. Going back to 1985 (as far back as we have) it's the longest odds for the eventual Masters champion. Immelman led or tied for the lead after each round.

---

2013 (NBA): In the final game of his legendary career, Kobe Bryant scores 60 points for the Los Angeles Lakers as they beat the Utah Jazz, 101-96. The Lakers were 3^½-point underdogs.

---

---