If you're the betting type, you might want to throw down a few bucks on Texas Sen. Ted Cruz to win this weekend's charity basketball game against late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.

The Republican is the odds-on favorite at 5-11, while the late-night host is listed at 8-5, according to Bovada, an online betting site.

Sorry @jimmykimmel -- you're the underdog.



Who will win the 2018 Blobfish Basketball Classic (odds via @BovadaLV)?

Ted Cruz -220 (5/11)

Jimmy Kimmel +160 (8/5) — Adam Thompson (@_Adam_Thompson_) June 14, 2018

The matchup — dubbed the "2018 Blobfish Basketball Classic," referring to a comment by Kimmel on Cruz's appearance — is scheduled for Saturday at 5 p.m. at Texas Southern University in Houston.

The men will play to 15 points, with each basket counting as one point. The loser must donate $5,000 to the winner's non-political charity of choice: Texas Children's Hospital or Generation One, a Houston-based education nonprofit. Tickets are free if you register in advance, using the promo codes #TeamKimmel or #TeamCruz, and supporters are encouraged to donate to either charity.

"[I'm] working hard to get ready for the big game on Saturday," Cruz tweeted last night. "@jimmykimmel — are you scared yet? I'm playing better than ever."

The tweet was accompanied by a video that showed Cruz missing jump shots and lay-ups, set to the Chariots of Fire theme song.

On Jimmy Kimmel Live, Kimmel has been realistic about his chances against Cruz, who played on his high school's varsity basketball team. Kimmel, on the other hand, played clarinet in his high school's marching band. Cruz is also two inches shorter than Kimmel, who stands at 6 feet, and three years younger than the late-night host.

"And yet, I think about it, I cannot imagine any scenario in which I lose this game to that greasy blobfish — there's just no way," he said last week, comparing Cruz to what's been rated one of the world's ugliest animals.

.@jimmykimmel All right, Big Guy...you talk a good game. You besmirched my support for the @HoustonRockets 🤨 So let’s settle this man-to-man: one-on-one, hoops (or “ring-ball,” if you prefer). The loser gives $5k to the (non-political) charity of the winner’s choice. https://t.co/BWvAP5VOtM — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 31, 2018

The Republican senator, who's campaigning for re-election in November, opened a Twitter exchange with Kimmel earlier this month after the host poked fun at Cruz for sporting a "super-cool, T-shirt-over-a-polo look," at a recent Houston Rockets game.

Cruz challenged the late-night host to settle their scuffle "man-to-man" in a game of hoops. Kimmel said "game on," but on one condition: Both have to sport "VERY short shorts."

It's a requirement Cruz wasn't too keen about.

"I give you my earnest commitment: Under no circumstances will I be wearing short shorts and a crop top," Cruz said last week at a conference in Washington, D.C. "Nobody in America wants to see that."

Cruz, speaking candidly to the crowd, said his staff is a little worried about whether Kimmel will dunk on him.

"That ain't gonna happen," Cruz added. "If need be, I'll pull his shorts to the ground, but he is not getting to the rim."