Life of a Gambler

The last time the Miami Heat played the Washington Wizards, Miami lost 86-107 and I nearly went to the big sleep in concrete shoes at the bottom of Biscayne Bay. It began like any other day, with a hard-boiled egg, whiskey, and RC Cola. I lit a blunt roach and counted the losing racing stubs from the horses I’d picked at Gulfstream the night before. The rickety shelf where I hung my belt also held a Miccosukee Resort & Gaming room key. I had more collection notes than money to pay ’em. So I did what any degenerate gambler would do and called my bookie, Morretti, and placed a bet. “Three grand on the Heat to win by 13,” I growled into the phone, confirmed, and hung up. Miami lost so bad my heart nearly stopped beating. On the way to beg Morretti not to kill me, I hit a scratcher for $4,000. Now I’m putting it all on the line when the Heat plays the Wizards this Friday at AmericanAirlines Arena (601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami). Tickets cost $25 to $350, and the game starts at 7:30 p.m. Call 786-777-1000 and visit nba.com/heat.
Fri., Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m., 2014