Bet the under if the Ducks are playing

The Ducks, 7-2-1 in their last 10 games, play host to the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight and if the defending Stanley Cup champions continue their recent run at the Honda Center, bettors can expect a low-scoring game.

The over/under for combined goals for tonight’s game is 5.5 with the under attracting heavy support based on the trends of both teams.

In 23 Ducks home games this season, the under is 14-6-3, including 4-1 in their last five. And since Dec. 5, only two teams have scored more than two goals against the Ducks at Honda Center.

The under has also been a strong play for the Maple Leafs, who have not played since losing, 3-2, at home to Philadelphia on Saturday.

In Toronto’s last eight road games, the under is 6-2. The under is also 6-2 in the Maple Leafs’ last eight games when they’ve played with three or more days rest.

The money-line for tonight’s game? A $100 bet on the underdog Maple Leafs will pay +178, while it will take $191 to pay $100 for a win by the favored Ducks.

College basketball

Now that the Bowl Championship Series is over with Louisiana State crowned champion, betting on college basketball is expected to pick up with teams playing for their conference titles.

No. 1 North Carolina, 14-0 overall, may have a solid 10-3 record against the spread, but the hottest team in the nation for bettors has been New Mexico.

The Lobos, 14-2 overall, are 13-2 against the spread. Although UCLA is 14-1 overall, the Bruins are only 8-4-2 against the spread.

Pro football

Here are a few proposition bets involving non-playoff teams for next season, available at Bodoglife.com: Who will be the starting quarterback for Arizona on opening day? Matt Leinart (3-2), Kurt Warner (6-5) or other (9-5); Who will be Atlanta’s next head coach? Among the names listed are Mike Singletary (6-1), Jason Garrett (7-1) and Marty Schottenheimer (9-1). Will Coach John Fox return at Carolina? Yes (-130) or no (even).

Here are three bets for Chicago supporters: Will Rex Grossman play for the Bears next season? Yes (+450) or no (-700); who will start at quarterback for the Bears on opening day next season? Kyle Orton (6-5), Brian Griese (3-1), Grossman (7-1) or other (3-2); will Ron Turner return as offensive coordinator for the Bears next season? Yes (-200) or no (+150).

--

lonnie.white@latimes.com