Vegas Play of the Day: World Cup final

By Taylor Bern

Sunday, July 13, 2014 | 2 a.m.

Here’s the latest installment of the Play of the Day, which uses odds from the South Point. Our three sports writers started with a $10,000 bankroll — fictional, of course.

Argentina money line plus-260 (three-way wager 90-minute plus injury time) against Germany: $300 to win $780

Let me say up front that I think Germany is definitely the better team, and with a gun to my head that’s whom I would pick to win. But there are no such threats against my safety, and with some excess (fake) cash coming in lately, I feel like being risky.

And honestly, how much of a risk is it really to side with the best player in the world when you’re getting plus-260? Argentina’s main problem is that most of the players have spent the tournament just standing around waiting for Lionel Messi to do something amazing. But guess what? He usually does it.

Messi had a lot of pressure on him coming into the World Cup and has handled it well, carrying the team to the final with four goals and one assist in six games. He’s had a hand in more than half of the team’s goals and will surely be a factor if La Albiceleste find the back of the net against Die Mannschaft.

Like I said up top, the Germans have been the best team in the tournament and should certainly be favored. But I see value in the price, and it will be more fun anyway to root for Argentina.

Standings: Bern (36-24-1, $13,579), Keefer (29-35, $8,596), Brewer (24-36-3, $2,785)

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.