On Tuesday, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn filed a criminal information sheet indicating Porter will face unspecified felony charges. That’s for his alleged role in a conspiracy that saw him compromise his own play to benefit a New York-based gambling ring.

A spokesperson for the DA’s Office told The Athletic Wednesday that Porter is expected to plead guilty to the charges on July 10. He is also the subject of a criminal investigation in Canada.

Winnings Frozen

Prosecutors believe Porter also provided information about his fitness to the gang, which would have won US$1,272,875 from betting the under on the athlete via DraftKings and FanDuel. However, the lion’s share of those winnings was frozen by the sportsbooks when they detected suspicious betting patterns.

The syndicate placed bets on Porter to underperform in the Raptors January 26 game against the Los Angeles Clippers and a March 20 game against the?Sacramento Kings, both losses for the Raptors.

Four members of the betting syndicate?have been arrested?by federal authorities, one while apparently?attempting to flee the US.?They face wire fraud charges that come with a maximum 20-year sentence.

Porter Owed Gambling Debts

Prosecutors will allege Porter agreed to the scheme because he had amassed large gambling debts to the group. The athlete was in contact with co-conspirators via a Telegram messaging group where details of the scheme were discussed. That’s according to the indictments of the four others, which refer to Porter only as “Player 1.”

On April 4, the day Porter was banned by the NBA, he told his coconspirators that they “might just get hit w a rico” – a reference to federal anti-racketeering charges. He also instructed them to delete their cell phone records, according to the indictments.

Porter’s lawyer, Jeff Jensen, has said his client “got in over his head” because of problems with gambling addiction.

Porter is the first player to be dealt a lifetime ban for gambling since Jack Molinas in 1954. Molinas was a key figure in one of basketball’s most notorious points-shaving scandals.

The post Ex-Raptors’ Jontay Porter to Plead Guilty to Felony Charges in Betting Scandal appeared first on Casino.org.

Unidentified sources close to the matter told Bloomberg that Red Bull is in early talks about buying an NBA team and that its focus on an expansion franchise that would be located in the US casino hub. Speculation about NBA expansion is long-running and the leadership of Las Vegas and Seattle in that unofficial competition is among the worst-kept secrets in sports.

Last year, Commissioner Adam Silver refuted chatter that the league is eyeing expansion, but noted the issue could be addressed after the association’s new broadcast rights deal was sewn up. That is expected to occur over the near-term with recent reports suggesting several networks could combine to pay the NBA $76 billion over 11 years.

Silver hasn’t outright nixed the idea of expansion and has indicated if that happens, it’d be two teams to take the NBA to 32 franchises from the current roster of 30.

Red Bull Has Resources to Buy NBA Team

Red Bull is privately held so it doesn’t publicly report earnings and sales on a quarterly as do publicly traded companies, but its revenue reached $10.9 billion last year, or more than double the figure posted a decade prior.

It’s possible that Red Bull would seek a partner to finance the acquisition of an NBA team because the company reportedly doesn’t have $4 billion in cash on hand and it prefers to avoid the issuance of debt.

Some of the beverage giant’s financial heft comes from its unique approach to sports. Traditionally, food and beverage companies have opted to sponsor arenas, events, and teams while pursuing endorsement deals with individual athletes. Red Bull actually owns teams, including two Formula One (F1) teams and Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls and RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga. The beverage behemoth also owns a stake in Leeds United of the English Premier League and a controlling interest in a cycling team.

Red Bull Will Face Big Competition for Vegas NBA Team

Should the NBA officially declare that Las Vegas will be home to a new team, the list of bidders is likely to be extensive. Beyond Red Bull, NBA legends LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal have both said they’d like to be part of ownership groups for a Sin City team.

Additionally, real estate developer LVXP wants to redevelop the previous Wet’n’Wild near the Fontainebleau and Sahara casino hotels with hopes of including an arena fit for the NBA, potentially positioning it and partners for ownership.

Another of the most viable contenders could be Oak View Group, which has said it’s earmarking $10 billion for a casino resort/entertainment district project that would include an arena fit for an NBA team. That project would require no public financing.

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The PAC has spent over $700K on the Cruz campaign. The total balance in the PAC as of May was $1.6M. It officially isn’t part of Cruz’s reelection campaign.

Adelson and her family are co-owners of Las Vegas Sands (LVS), with Miriam Adelson being the largest shareholder. They are also the new majority owners of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.

Cruz is facing U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, in November’s election. During Q1 of 2024, Cruz raised over $9.7M from various sources.

In a recent University of Texas poll, Cruz leads Allred by 11 percentage points.

LVS is lobbying heavily in Texas to get the legislature to back casino legislation.

Supporting Pro-Gambling Politicians

In recent years, Adelson has donated more than $4M to Texas politicians who support the opening of destination resort casinos in Texas.

These include Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan, R, and Rep. John Kuempel, R.

She also donated $1M to the reelection campaign of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, R, in 2022. He has shown limited support in favor of casino legislation.

“We don’t want slot machines at every corner store, we don’t want Texans to be losing money that they need for everyday expenses, and we don’t want any type of crime that could be associated with gaming,” Renae Eze, Abbott’s press secretary said in a recent statement. “But, if there is a way to create a very professional entertainment option for Texans, Gov. Abbott would take a look at it.”

Miriam Adelson, like her late husband Sheldon Adelson, is a major donor to Republican politicians. In 2019-2020, the Adelsons donated more than $218M to Republican and conservative causes and politicians. Sheldon Adelson passed away in 2021.

Their son-in-law, Patrick Dumont, LVS president and governor of the Dallas Mavericks, also supports casino expansion in Texas.

“Us buying the team had nothing to do with getting gambling in Texas,” Dumont said. “Las Vegas Sands has been looking in Texas way before we ever knew we were going to buy the team.”

“Now, if there ever comes a time where those two things converge and there’s common interest there, and it makes sense, then we’ll pursue it,” he added. “But for now, I’m very focused on the Dallas Mavericks doing the things that are right for the Mavericks and Las Vegas Sands is very focused on doing things that are right for Las Vegas Sands.”

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The American athlete was banned for life by the league in April for “spot fixing” and leaking insider information to a New York-based gambling syndicate

This was done with the knowledge that Porter would exit early from each game claiming injury, according to prosecutors.

?What is Spot Fixing?

Spot fixing refers not to the manipulation of the outcome of a game, which would involve a conspiracy of multiple players, but to one small aspect of the game, which requires the participation of just one player. This could involve the number of yellow cards or throw-ins that might a occur in a soccer game, for example. Or, in this case, a single player’s performance in two basketball games.

Four members of the New York betting syndicate have been arrested by federal authorities, one while apparently attempting to flee the US. They face wire fraud charges that come with a maximum 20-year sentence if convicted.

Porter Owed Debts to Gang

It was unclear whether Porter would also face charges. On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) told ESPN that a criminal investigation is warranted.

US Federal prosecutors believe Porter agreed to the scheme because he had amassed large gambling debts to the group, and this was his way out.

Court documents show Porter was in contact with co-conspirators via a Telegram messaging group where details of the scheme were discussed.

On April 4, the day Porter received the NBA ban, he told the group that they “might just get hit w a rico” – a reference to federal anti-racketeering charges. He also told them to delete their cell phone records.

Porter’s lawyer, Jeff Jensen, has described his client as a good kid who “got in over his head” because of problems with gambling addiction.

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Dumont, who’s president and COO of Las Vegas Sands (LVS), as well as Miriam Adelson’s son-in-law, is the new majority owner of the Mavericks, along with Adelson.

“When we bought the Mavericks, we weren’t really thinking about casino gaming,” Dumont told reporters on Friday.

“Us buying the team had nothing to do with getting gambling in Texas,” Dumont said. “Las Vegas Sands has been looking in Texas way before we ever knew we were going to buy the team.”

“Now, if there ever comes a time where those two things converge and there’s common interest there, and it makes sense, then we’ll pursue it,” he added. “But for now, I’m very focused on the Dallas Mavericks doing the things that are right for the Mavericks and Las Vegas Sands is very focused on doing things that are right for Las Vegas Sands.”

LVS continues to show perseverance and patience as it lobbies for casino legislation.

“We think long term. We’re not people who think in the short term,” Dumont said. “We’re patient … Over time, hopefully, we’ll be successful.”

Experts Weigh In

“Patience is a virtue, especially in the politics of the state legislature,” Brandon Rottinghaus, a political scientist at the University of Houston, told Casino.org when asked about Dumont’s comments on casino legislation.

“Major legislative changes are always a waiting game in the Texas legislature,” he added.?“This is especially true when it comes to gambling, which has both moral and economic impacts on the state.”

Rice University professor Mark P. Jones added that Dumont ideally would like to see destination resort casino legislation passed during the 2025 legislative session.

“Dumont has good reason to believe that at some point this decade destination resort casino legislation will pass out of the Texas Legislature and be approved by voters,” Jones told Casino.org.

That political achievement could be combined with a Mavericks’ championship and a new home complex in Dallas.

“If the Mavericks return to the NBA Championship in 2030, those games will quite possibly be played in a new arena located within the complex of one of the largest and most impressive destination resort casinos in the world, courtesy of the Las Vegas Sands,” Jones said.

Political Positions

During the 2023 legislative session, LVS and other casino supporters got much-needed support from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, R, and House Speaker Dade Phelan, R.

“It is always possible that the lieutenant governor and the Republican senators could change their position vis-a-vis casino gambling, if not in 2025, then in 2027,” Jones said. Perhaps their positions could change if the state faces a budget crisis, he added.

The post Mavericks Co-Owner Patrick Dumont Has Patience for Casino-Enabling Legislation in Texas appeared first on Casino.org.

Long Phi Pham, 38, was apprehended by the FBI on June 3 as he attempted to board a one-way flight to Australia.

Pham’s lawyer, Michael Soschnik, explained to reporters after the hearing that his client ranked in the “one percent of poker players in the world.”

Manipulated NBA Games

Pham was part of a group that profited from bets on NBA games involving Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter when they knew he would be exiting early, according to prosecutors.

The group won more than $2 million by taking the under with DraftKings and FanDuel on Porter’s performances in two games where it had been agreed he would fake injury. Most of the winnings were frozen when the operators detected suspicious betting patterns.

Pham is facing wire fraud charges for his alleged involvement in the plot. Magistrate Judge?Cheryl Pollak granted him bail Wednesday at $750K, although she expressed reservations.

“I think he is trying to flee the country to evade prosecution. I am sitting here today with very serious doubts that I am making a big mistake,” she said.

What Poker Festival?

There was no poker festival scheduled this month at the Star with the kind of fields and prize pools that might tempt the top 1% of poker players to fly to the other side of the world at a time when the World Series of Poker is in full swing in Las Vegas.

Pham faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

The post New York ‘Poker Shark’ Arrested in Jontay Porter Case Denies Flee Attempt appeared first on Casino.org.

Ammar Awawdeh, 32, from New York City, surrendered on Friday following the arrests of three co-defendants last week. The group is accused of conspiring with Porter to profit from Raptors games by betting the under on the player’s performance when they knew he would be exiting early from games.

Federal prosecutors believe Porter agreed to the scheme because he had amassed large gambling debts to the group. In April, he was banned from the NBA for life for violating the league’s gambling rules.

Porter responded: “If I don’t do a ‘special’ with your terms. Then it’s up. And u hate me and if I don’t get u 8k by Friday you’re coming to Toronto to beat me up,” the documents said.

$1.27M Profit

Awawdeh’s alleged co-conspirators are Timothy McCormack, Mahmud Mollah, and Long “Bruce” Phi Pham. They were arrested last week, the latter at the airport as he attempted to flee to Australia. All four face wire fraud charges.

Around eight bets were placed with DraftKings and FanDuel, online and in-person at an unnamed Atlantic City casino.

The flurry of big winning bets on such a small aspect of the second game was a red flag for match-fixing. At least one betting account was immediately suspended and the operators reported their concerns to the NBA, for whom they are both official betting partners.

‘In Over Head’

On April 4, the day he received the NBA ban, Porter told the group via Telegram that they “might just get hit w a rico” – a reference to federal anti-racketeering charges. He also told them to delete their cell phone records.

On Friday, Porter’s lawyer told the Associated Press his client was a good kid who got “in over his head” because of his gambling addiction.

Jontay is a good young man with strong faith that will get him through this. He was in over his head due to a gambling addiction. He is undergoing treatment and has been fully cooperative with law enforcement,” Jensen said.

It’s not clear whether Porter will face criminal charges.

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The league’s Deputy Commissioner and COO Mark Tatum made the comments in a video call to reporters this week in response to developments in the Jontay Porter betting scandal.

On Thursday, federal prosecutors said three men have now been charged with fraud after making more than $1 million betting on Porter’s performance in two games earlier this year.

Greater Transparency

Tatum praised the state-by-state regulation of sports betting, which he said enabled the scheme to be uncovered, while implying that a uniform federal system might be even more robust and effective.

The fact that we were able to look at certain irregularities in betting lines, and the data that we were able to receive from our partners allowed this to come into the light,” Tatum said. “We’ve always been, again, an advocate for a federal regulatory framework here.”

“I think it creates transparency that we didn’t have previously, which allows us to maintain the integrity of the sport, which is essential to all sports leagues,” he added.

PASPA’s Downfall

State-by-state regulation came about after the US Supreme Court rejected the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which was essentially a federal prohibition.

In May 2018, the US Supreme Court found that PASPA was unconstitutional because it commandeered power from the states in violation of the 10th Amendment.

Little Appetite

In the wake of PASPA’s demise, there were short-lived efforts to establish federal regulation, but there was little appetite in Congress to do so. The concern was that such efforts would give rise to the same commandeering problem that PASPA created.

Proponents of state regulation tend to argue that federal regulation of sports betting is unnecessary because the states do a perfectly good job.

The NBA and other leagues may be more inclined to back federal regulation because it could be an opportunity to mandate the use of paid-for official league data by operators across the country.

The post NBA Calls for Federal Sports Betting Regulations After Jontay Porter Scandal appeared first on Casino.org.

On Tuesday, Long Phi Pham, 38, was charged with conspiring to defraud a sports betting company through wagers, according to Reuters.

Pham and others are alleged to have made more than $1 million by betting the “under” on Porter’s performances for the Toronto Raptors while party to insider information.

Porter was a power forward for the Raptors until he was banned from the NBA for life in April. He’s the first player to be kicked out of the league for gambling since Jack Molinas, a key figure in one of basketball’s most notorious points-shaving scandals, in 1954.

Sportsbooks Tipoff

The NBA began its investigation in March after receiving notice from sportsbooks of suspicious betting patterns surrounding two games featuring Porter. These were a January 26 loss to the LA Clippers and a March 20 game against the Sacramento Kings, again a loss for the Raptors.

Porter exited early in both games. He played four minutes of the Clippers game after a reoccurrence of an existing eye injury, and just three minutes of the Kings game after complaining of feeling ill.

Federal prosecutors allege that Porter owed the co-conspirators large gambling debts and agreed to the scheme as a means of paying them off.

‘Hit with a RICO’

In a Telegram chat group on April 4, the day he received the NBA ban, Porter told Pham and others that they “might just get hit w a rico” – a reference to federal anti-racketeering charges. He told them to delete their cell phone records.

The NBA investigation found Porter had also placed at least 13 bets on games using a friend’s sportsbook account. These included at least one bet on the Raptors to lose.

Pham was carrying $12K in cash, $80K in cashier’s checks, betting slips, and three cell phones when he was arrested at JFK. He faces federal wire fraud charges that come with up to 20 years in prison.

US Magistrate Judge Cheryl Pollak ordered Pham detained at a hearing Tuesday.

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The NBA revealed Wednesday that Jontay Porter, 24, most recently part of the Toronto Raptors organization, has been banned from the professional basketball league for life after he shared confidential information with sports bettors and tried to fix at least two games for the benefit of gamblers he associated with.

There is nothing more important than protecting the integrity of NBA competition for our fans, our teams, and everyone associated with our sport, which is why Jontay Porter’s blatant violations of our game rules are being met with the most severe punishment,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

“While legal sports betting creates transparency that helps identify suspicious or abnormal activity, this matter also raises important issues about the sufficiency of the regulatory framework currently in place, including the types of bets offered on our games and players,” Silver continued. “Working closely with all relevant stakeholders across the industry, we will continue to work diligently to safeguard our league and game.”

Game-Fixing

Billed as a “two-way player” because, this season, he switched back-and-forth between the NBA Raptors and the franchise’s G League development affiliate, Raptors 905, Porter played a total of just 37 NBA games during his two-year professional career.

Between January and March 2024, an NBA investigation determined that Porter made at least 13 bets on NBA games using a friend’s online sportsbook account. His bets ranged from $15 to $22K, and he won $21,965 on the action.

The probe found that Porter bet on the Raptors losing at least once. NBA players are prohibited from betting on NBA games regardless of whether they’re playing in the game.

A more serious infraction arose after a March 20 game against the Sacramento Kings in which Porter disclosed confidential information about his health to an individual he knew to be an NBA bettor. That bettor subsequently risked $80K on Porter underperforming.

The bet won $1.1 million after Porter exited the game after only a few minutes. He reportedly told his coach he felt ill and couldn’t continue playing.

Because the large wager seemed suspicious, DraftKings refused to pay out the win and instead notified the relevant authorities about possible game-fixing.

Player prop bets on the collegiate level are sternly opposed by the NCAA, as such wagers have been determined to increase the harassment of student-athletes. The NBA might soon take a similar stance after seeing how a player like Porter can singlehandedly jeopardize the integrity of the sport.

Porter is the younger brother of Michael Porter Jr., who plays for the NBA Denver Nuggets. The older Porter brother won the 2023 NBA Finals.

Federal Investigation

The NBA said the investigation into Jontay Porter’s alleged criminal activity is ongoing and the league is sharing its findings with federal authorities, including the Department of Justice and FBI.

The NBA has shared and will continue to share information with federal prosecutors about this matter,” the league statement said.

If it’s determined that Porter was paid off by the rogue sports bettors, he could face an array of federal charges, including wire fraud.

Before his NBA career, Porter said he bet “millions” on sports via a VIP account with FanDuel. Porter joins just 19 others on the NBA’s lifetime ban list.

The post NBA Dishes Out Lifetime Ban to Jontay Porter for Sports Betting and Game-Fixing Violations appeared first on Casino.org.

The league is currently investigating suspicious betting patterns surrounding two games in which Porter appeared to underperform earlier this year. After both games, gamblers betting the under on Porter three-pointers were the biggest winners among all NBA prop bets, according to DraftKings.

“I have an enormous range of discipline available to me,” Silver said Wednesday at a meeting of the league’s board of governors. “It’s a cardinal sin what he’s accused of in the?NBA. The ultimate extreme option I have is to ban him from the game. That’s the level of authority I have here because there’s nothing more serious.”

Spot-Fixing Probe

Silver offered no update on the investigation, other than it was “ongoing.” It’s believed the league is looking into whether there is evidence of “spot-fixing,” where players manipulate not the outcome of a game, but aspects within it that can be wagered on as props or of an exchange of insider information for betting purposes.

The second game was played on March 20 against the Sacramento Kings – again, a loss for the Raptors, 123-89. This time, Porter only played three minutes after complaining of feeling ill, managing one missed shot and two rebounds.

Porter has averaged 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 14 minutes per game over 26 games. He hasn’t played since the launch of the investigation.

Silver Bucked the Trend?

In a 2014 op-ed for The New York Times, Silver was the first major league president to declare his support for legal and regulated sports betting, breaking decades of fierce opposition that was rooted in integrity concerns. Silver wrote that “sports betting should be brought out of the underground and into the sunlight where it can be appropriately monitored and regulated.”

Today, sports betting is a big money-spinner for the NBA, which is projected to make?$167 million?in gambling-related revenue this season through its relationship with casinos and sportsbooks.

On Wednesday, Silver told the NBA board that the controversy surrounding Portner hasn’t shaken his belief in regulated markets.

“I mean, this is not new that there’s unsavory behavior, even illegal behavior, around sports betting,” Silver said. “I guess my point is that to the extent it’s going to exist, if you have a regulated environment, you’re going to have a better chance of detecting it than you would if all the bets were placed illegally.”

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It’s believed the investigation is focusing on two games involving Porter. The first was the January 26 game against the LA Clippers, which the Raptors lost, 127-107. The second is the March 20 game against the Sacramento Kings — again a loss for the Raptors, 123-89.

On both occasions, Porter exited early. He played four minutes of the first game after a reoccurrence of an existing eye injury, and just three minutes of the second after complaining of feeling ill.

Taking the Under

In the Clippers game, Porter, who averages 14 minutes per game, totaled no points, three rebounds, and one assist. In the Kings game, Porter managed one missed shot and two rebounds. Porter is averaging 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 26 games.

After both games, DraftKings said gamblers betting the under on Porter three-pointers were the biggest winners among all NBA prop bets.

The player, who wasn’t with the team on Monday due to “personal reasons,” hasn’t been accused of wrongdoing.

But the NBA will investigate whether there is evidence of spot-fixing where players manipulate not the outcome of a game, but aspects within the game that can be wagered upon, or the exchange of insider information for betting purposes.

Raptors coach Darko Rajakovi? told the Associated Press he learned of the news shortly before the team’s game on Monday night.

“I never doubt injuries. I never doubt honesty from players,” Rajakovi? said. “Obviously, I’ve never had a situation like this before.”

Negative Press

Advocates for sports betting regulation in the US will hope this doesn’t develop into another scandal. That’s after a slew of recent negative headlines involving sports figures and betting violations, from Iowa college athletes to Alabama baseball coaches.

Then there is Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter, who is accused of stealing millions from the Dodgers star to wager with an illegal bookmaker.

“In general, it is important to note that one of the many benefits of legal and regulated sports betting is that sports betting operators identify and report suspicious activity, and the integrity of sport is therefore protected in a manner that does not exist in the illegal market.”

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Before his team’s tipoff against the Miami Heat last week, Bickerstaff was asked by a reporter about Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton’s comments saying he feels like a “prop” amidst the heightened sports betting climate.

Bickerstaff said he certainly isn’t immune from the added pressures that sports betting has brought to the game. The Cavs coach, in his fourth season in Cleveland, relayed an unsettling account of an angered sports bettor last year obtaining his telephone number and levying threats against his family.

They got my telephone number and were sending me crazy messages about where I live and my kids,” the 45-year-old Bickerstaff said. “It is a dangerous game and a fine line that we’re walking for sure.”

Bickerstaff has led the Cavs to one of the more surprising seasons this year, though the team has endured recent struggles in losing six of the previous 10 games. At 43-27, Cleveland has the third-best record in the Eastern Conference.

The Cavs’ struggles of late have lengthened their title odds, with DraftKings currently putting Cleveland at 45/1 to win the NBA Finals. The Boston Celtics have the shortest odds at 2/1.

Sports Betting Foul

Bickerstaff says the individual who sent the threatening texts was located by law enforcement after he reported it to the NBA. The coach explained that the person was not charged with any crime.

The Cavs coach says he’s also faced heckling during games from bettors seeking to win an over/under or spread points bet.

The number of times I’m standing up there [on the sideline] and we have a 10-point lead and the spread is 11 and people are yelling at me to leave the guys in so that we can cover… it’s ridiculous,” Bickerstaff said. “There’s no doubt about it that it’s crossed the line.”

The NBA did not fine Bickerstaff for expressing his opinions on sports betting.

The league handed Minnesota center Rudy Gobert a $100,000 penalty earlier this month after he made a money sign by rubbing his thumbs over the tips of his index and middle fingers. The gesture made towards the referee insinuated that the game was fixed.

Gambling a ‘Distraction’

Bickerstaff says the NBA’s embrace of sports betting might be good for the league because of higher television ratings. But it’s a “distraction” for players, refs, and personnel.

“It brings added pressure. It brings a distraction to the game that can be difficult for players, coaches, referees, and everybody that’s involved. And I think that we really have to be careful with how close we let it get to the game and the security of the people who are involved in it,” the coach concluded.

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League Pass is the NBA’s direct-to-consumer subscription service that provides customers with live and on-demand coverage of every single game. The product is available through cable, satellite, and streaming television providers.

The NBA told Casino.org today that emBET, Sportradar’s streamed content service, has been integrated into League Pass. Subscribers physically located in legal sports betting states now have the option to enable live odds on the screen while watching NBA games.

Integrating emBET is consistent with the NBA’s vision to create hyper-personalized and customized viewing experiences within NBA games,” said Scott Kaufman-Ross, the NBA’s executive vice president of media and gaming. “For NBA fans who want to wager on our games during live action, they can now elect to receive contextualized betting information directly on NBA League Pass.”

The odds are provided by DraftKings and FanDuel, which are the NBA’s two official sports betting partners.

Watching and Betting

Sports betting is legal in 38 states and Washington, D.C. The industry continues to expand and welcome new bettors to the ballooning market. Oddsmakers in the United States took a record $121 billion in bets on sports last year, a 30% year-over-year increase.

About a quarter of the U.S. adult population reportedly bet on sports last year. The latest trend in the emerging industry is integrating betting into the sports viewing experience.

NBA League Pass being viewed on mobile devices like a smartphone or tablet has the easier option of simply touching the displayed odds on the screen and being taken immediately to the bet slip.

“emBET is an exciting innovation for NBA fans, making in-play betting more engaging and immersive,” said Patrick Mostboeck, Sportradar’s senior vice president of audiovisual. “Through our exclusive partnership with the NBA, we’re committed to developing next-generation, value-added products and services, like emBET, to drive fan and bettor engagement.”

The NBA League Pass sports betting integration follows a similar product announcement from Comcast. The telecommunications giant last week revealed the integration of DraftKings odds into its Xfinity X1 cable service. ?

Sportradar Exclusive NBA Data Partner

Sportradar is a Switzerland-based company that gathers and analyzes sports data and then disseminates that information to bookmakers around the world.

Along with the NBA, Sportradar holds distribution rights for the NFL, NHL, and NASCAR. Sportradar’s high-profile investors include Michael Jordan and Mark Cuban.

The firm generated revenue of nearly $1 billion during the 2023 fiscal year, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of about $180 million.

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During the last 30 seconds of regulation, Gobert was called for his sixth foul after going up for a critical offensive rebound amongst two Cavs players. Minnesota was leading 97-96 at the time when Gobert fouled out of the game.

After unsuccessfully pleading his case to official Scott Foster, Gobert made a money gesture by running his thumbs over the tip of his index and middle fingers. Official Natalie Sago saw the inappropriate gesture and immediately called a technical foul.

Gobert Alleges Sports Betting Problem

Gobert’s gesture presumably would have given him a fine, but the amount rose greatly for his post-game comments. It’s not the first time an NBA player has made the money gesture in response to a foul being called, but Luka Doncic was slapped with a fine of just $35K for the same shrug last year.

Gobert’s fine was elevated for doubling down on his belief that officials are in on a fix of certain games, with the prevalence increasing in the wake of legal sports betting expanding across the U.S.

I’ll be the bad guy. I’ll take the fine. I think it’s [sports betting] hurting our game,” Gobert said. “The betting … is becoming bigger and bigger.”

Gobert conceded he should not have made the gesture during the game. But he didn’t back down from alleging that his sixth foul was a bad call.

“I made some mistakes. I airballed a dunk. Mistakes happen. Referees make mistakes, too. But sometimes I think it’s more than mistakes. I think everyone in this league knows it’s got to get better,” Gobert said.

Minnesota was a 1.5-point favorite against the Cavs. The over/under was 208.5 points.

Allegations Unfounded

While Gobert is correct that sports betting continues to grow in the U.S. — the practice is legal in almost 40 states, with bettors wagering a record $120 billion last year — his allegations that the NBA is fixed are unsubstantiated. The NBA, as well as the NFL, MLB, NHL, and NCAA, have gone to great lengths to protect game integrity in the wake of the country’s embracing of legal sportsbooks.

The NBA also works with U.S. Integrity, a Nevada-based firm, to monitor every second of every NBA game for suspicious betting and irregular wagering patterns.

That said, U.S. Integrity’s surveillance capabilities are limited to data reported by legal, highly regulated sportsbooks. Offshore sports betting platforms remain a major concern.

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Vegas has been rumored to be in line for the honor many times before, with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James repeatedly stating his desire to own the team that plays there.

But this statement from Silver, which he made to ESPN, is the clearest indication of actual NBA plans so far. It comes just days after something most sports analysts used to think could never happen — a Super Bowl going off in Las Vegas without a hitch.

Time Out?

Silver stopped short of offering a timetable for when Las Vegas could be added to the NBA’s current cluster of 30 clubs. He said the NBA needs to “figure out what our media relationships are going to look like” before any expansion talks can start.

The NBA’s current media deal still has a year left to go. And that’s after the current season ends this June.

Las Vegas already hosts the NBA’s primary summer league, and has hosted its All-Star weekend, semifinals, and finals. And within five years of relocating to Las Vegas in 2018, the Aces became the first WNBA team to win back-to-back championships in 20 years. The WNBA is the only women’s basketball league to receive the NBA’s full backing.

Other cities Silver has previously mentioned as possible expansion candidates include Nashville, Vancouver, and Montreal.

Expect plenty of questions about Las Vegas when Silver holds his annual All-Star weekend news conference on Saturday in Indianapolis.

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As part of the transaction that saw the families with ties to Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) acquire about 70% of the NBA franchise from now-minority owner Mark Cuban, ownership of more than a dozen acres in the Dallas Design District changed hands. Located near downtown Dallas, the land includes the Mavericks’ practice facility.

It’s rumored that Cuban had previously hoped to use that acreage for a new arena for the team. For tax purposes, the land is valued at $42.9 million, according to county records.

Last week, the NBA approved the sale of a majority interest in the Mavericks to the families of Dr. Miriam Adelson, and Sivan and Patrick Dumont. Adelson is the widow of Sands founder Sheldon Adelson while Patrick Dumont is her son-in-law and chief financial officer (CFO) of the largest publicly traded gaming company.

Adelsons, Dumonts Know Real Estate

In an interview following the NBA’s approval, Cuban acknowledged that real estate isn’t one of his core competencies and that the Adelsons and Dumonts are more well-versed in that business than he is. Dumont is now the Mavericks’ representative to the NBA Board of Governors, but Cuban maintains control of basketball operations.

When Sands sold the Venetian Resort and Sands Expo and Convention Center in early 2021 for $6.25 billion, $4 billion of that price was absorbed by VICI Properties (NYSE: VICI), which bought the related real estate assets.

It’s not yet clear if the Adelson/Dumont group can work such wonders with the Dallas land or what their plans are for the property. The Mavericks are committed to playing the American Airlines Center through 2030. The team shares that venue with the NHL’s Dallas Stars.

Important Real Estate Clarification

The aforementioned Dallas acreage that’s now owned by the Adelson/Dumont consortium isn’t related to 108 acres of land near Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas that was purchased last July by a limited liability corporation (LLC) tied to Las Vegas Sands.

While Adelson remains the largest individual Sands shareholder and Dumont remains employed by the gaming company, they are the owners of the Mavericks, not the casino operator. For now, the aforementioned Irving transaction doesn’t involve the NBA team.

However, that deal did stoke speculation that Sands remains committed to bringing a casino resort to Texas and that the company could partner with Cuban on such a venture. He’s long said he wants to bring an integrated resort to the Dallas area and that LVS is his preferred partner.

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Adelson is the widow of Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS) founder Sheldon Adelson, while Dumont, her son-in-law from a previous marriage, is chief financial officer of the gaming company. He will serve as governor of the franchise, while Mark Cuban will retain a 27% interest in the team and remain as head of basketball operations.

Through our commitment and additional investment in the team, we look forward to partnering with Mark Cuban to build on the team’s success and legacy in Dallas and beyond,” the Adelson and Dumont families said in a statement. “The goal is to win and to have a team that proudly represents the greater DFW area and serves as a strong and valuable member of the local community.”

Adelson sold $2 billion worth of Sands stock in November to fund the purchase of 73% of the NBA franchise. That was roughly equivalent to 10% of her stake in the casino giant, and she remains the largest individual investor in the operator. LVS pledged to repurchase up to $250 million of her sold shares.

Mavs Purchase Stoked Slew of Rumors

The initial headlines of the Adelson and Dumont families taking control of the Mavericks spurred an array of speculation, including the possibility of the Mavericks moving to Las Vegas — a city that’s widely believed in the pole position for an NBA franchise if the league expands.

The more believable hearsay is that Sands and Cuban are angling to bring a casino hotel to the Dallas area. Assuming such a venue is approved, it’d be part of a broader entertainment complex that would include a new arena for the Mavs.

In July, a limited liability company (LLC) with ties to Sands acquired 108 acres of land near Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. That could eventually be the site of a Sands-operated gaming venue. That would require the Texas legislature amending the state constitution so voters can have a say on casino gaming. But that won’t happen prior to 2025.

More Comments from Cuban

Cuban told the Associated Press he doesn’t care too much about sports betting being legalized in Texas. But he views the idea of a Venetian-esque casino hotel in Dallas as a potential game-changer in terms of luring more tourists to the region.

He added that he could have fetched a bigger price for the Mavericks. But his lengthy relationship with the Adelsons and their real estate expertise made them attractive partners.

As for making the team a legitimate championship contender, Cuban told the AP that Dumont gave him near carte blanche to do what it takes to build a winner.

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Holmgren, the #2 pick in the 2022 NBA Draft from Gonzaga, sustained a foot injury during a pro-am game in Seattle before the preseason began. He didn’t appear in any regular games during the 2022-23 season, so he retained his rookie status heading into this season.

Holmgren began the season as the second favorite on DraftKings’ NBA awards board at -155 odds to win the Rookie of the Year.

Wembanyama, a teenage sensation from France, was DraftKings’ preseason favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year at -225. The San Antonio Spurs selected the 7-foot-4 wunderkind with the #1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Chet Holmgren (Thunder) -155

Holmgren is a key starter on the young Thunder (18-9), who are in third place in the Western Conference. The rookie center is the Thunder’s third-best scorer behind all-star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (30.8 ppg), and second-year forward Jalen Williams (17.4 ppg).

Holmgren has had two big scoring games this season, including a 33-point effort against the Philadelphia 76ers. It was an impressive performance from Holmgren, who more than held his own against reigning MVP Joel Embiid.

Holmgren dropped a career-high 36 points in an overtime victory against the Golden State Warriors in November. That clutch performance grabbed the attention of NBA bettors.

Victor Wembanyama (Spurs) +120

Wembanyama averages more points (18.5), rebounds (10.7), and blocks (3.0) than Holmgren, but he’s the best player on a very bad team. The Spurs (4-24) are one of the worst teams in the Western Conference this season, which has been a detriment to his Rookie of the Year odds.

Wembanyama looked good through the first 25 games this season. He demonstrated flashes of utter domination, including a 38-point performance against the Phoenix Suns in November.

Wembanyama tallied 30 points, 13 rebounds, and six blocks in a loss against the Los Angeles Lakers in mid-December.

There’s more than two-thirds of the season remaining, so Wembanyama has plenty of time to impress voters.

Jaime Jaquez (Heat) +3000

If you’re looking for a value bet, then keep tabs on rookie Jaime Jaquez from the Miami Heat. Jaquez is third on the NBA awards board at +3000 odds to win Rookie of the Year.

The Heat (18-12) are the defending Eastern Conference champion and are currently in fifth place in the East.

Jaquez averages 13.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game as a rotation player with the Heat. He’s shooting 51.6% from the floor and 38% from 3-point land.

Jaquez saved his best game for Christmas in a victory over the 76ers. He led the Heat with a game-high 31 points and handled the bulk of the offense with all-star Jimmy Butler sidelined with a calf injury.

Great to get a win, and career night on Christmas,” said Jaquez. “I grew up watching these games and to be able to play and have a career night, I just go back to all the hard work, late nights in the gym, preparing for moments like this.”

Jaquez earned the trust of head coach Erik Spoelstra early on, and began the season as a vital member of the second unit. He also started seven games when Tyler Herro missed time with an ankle injury.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvBLKfKULOc&ab_channel=NBA

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The Pistons (2-27) have a chance to set a new NBA record for the longest in-season losing streak when they host the Brooklyn Nets Tuesday night at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.

The Nets (14-15) held off the Pistons on Saturday in Brooklyn, 126-115, and denied them a chance to get off the schneid. The two teams meet again Tuesday, with the Pistons seeking to avenge that loss.

The Pistons hired Monty Williams in the off-season and made him one of the richest coaches in professional sports. Williams signed a six-year deal worth $78.5 million, and he’s earning approximately $13 million this season.

During his last three seasons with the Phoenix Suns, Williams had a .675 winning percentage and he won the NBA Coach of the Year in 2022. In 29 games with the Pistons, Williams has a winning percentage of .069.

Pistons Join 76ers and Cavs

The Pistons matched the Philadelphia 76ers (2013-14) and Cleveland Cavaliers (2010-11) for the longest in-season skid in NBA history. This horrendous streak needs to be put into perspective, so let’s take a quick glimpse at those other losing squads.

LeBron James left Cleveland after the 2009-10 season to join the Miami Heat in free agency. James was the top player in the NBA at the time and on his way to becoming the NBA’s greatest scorer. The Cavs embarked on a 26-game skid without James.

When the 76ers dropped 26 games in a row a decade ago, they were at the start of the controversial tactic called “The Process.” They assembled a terrible team on purpose for the sole intent of tanking, and wanted to lose as many games as possible to increase their chances of landing the #1 pick in the NBA Draft Lottery. They eventually drafted center Joel Embiid with the top pick, and he won the MVP last season.

The Pistons are currently in the fourth season of a rebuild, which is why this losing streak is troublesome for the players, the coaching staff, the front office, and the fan base.

Resilient Pistons Still Fighting

The Pistons began this season at 2-1, but haven’t won a game since late October. They were winless in November (0-15), and failed to win a game in December (0-10).

Everybody feels down when you lose,” said Williams. “When you’ve lost this many in a row, the way they come back the next day is something that I’m blown away by. Not many teams have that type of resilience. Our guys don’t want to be part of any kind of losing, or streak, or whatever. Every day they come back with focus, drive and grit to try and win a game.”

Die-hard fans continue to support the Pistons and attend games in-person. But the vibe got surly during their last home game. In a 119-111 loss against the Utah Jazz, frustrated fans chanted directly at team owner Tom Gores. “Sell the team! Sell the team!” echoed around the arena. The chant was loud enough to be heard on the TV broadcast.

“We have an incredible city still backing us, and I know some of them are mad at me,” said Gores in an interview with The Athletic. “I don’t blame them. It’s a great city with enthusiastic, caring fans. We’re connected to the community. But we’re just not winning.”

Cade Cunningham, the #1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, leads the Pitons with 22.4 points, 7.1 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game. Cunningham has been trying to stay upbeat through the skid.

“We have to keep fighting,” said Cunningham. “Everyone hates losing.”

Keep Fading the Pistons?

The Pistons are 1-13 on their home court this season, and they host the Nets on Tuesday night. The Nets are currently in ninth place in the Eastern Conference standings.

The Pistons are a +6.5 home underdog, and the point spread suggests that their losing streak will continue. Six out of nine of their last losses were decided by 10 or more points.

Since the beginning of their losing streak, the Pistons were a favorite in three games and listed as an underdog in 23 games.

The Nets are 18-10-1 against the point spread this season. The Pistons are the second-worst betting team in the NBA this season at 9-19-1 ATS. Over their last 10 games, the Pistons are 1-9 ATS.

If you started with $100, bet on every Detroit opponent money line and rolled it over, you’d now be up over $343,000 during the streak,” tweeted Ben Fawkes.

Oddsmakers didn’t have much faith in the Pistons before the 2023-24 season began, giving them a projected win total of 27.5 over/under, which was the second-lowest on DraftKings’ NBA preseason prop bets.

The Pistons have been chasing an elusive third win of the season for over two months. They now have a projected win total of 9.5 over/under.

The 76ers hold the distinction as the worst team in NBA history. The 1972-73 team posted 73 losses and won only nine games that season.

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Upshot recently updated their playoff projections, giving the Bills a 63% chance of advancing to the postseason.

The Bills (8-6) are playing their best ball of the season, but they’re currently ranked ninth in the AFC. Only seven teams advance to the postseason from each conference, including four division winners and three wild-card teams.

The Houston Texans (8-6) are on the bubble in the eighth overall spot, and just ahead of the Bills in ninth.

Bills: 3-1 Since Dorsey Got Fired

Since the Bills fired offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey, their offense has looked much better in the last four games. Josh Allen accepted full responsibility for Dorsey’s dismissal, and he’s been playing with more gusto. The Bills went 3-1 with one loss against the Philadelphia Eagles in overtime in Week 12.

The Bills have been in “playoff mode” since their bye week. They went on the road and defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 20-17, in a must-win situation in Week 14.

Last Sunday, in Week 15, the Bills easily defeated the Dallas Cowboys, 31-10, to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Allen has completed 66.3% of his passes this season for 3,541 passing yards with 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He’s not running the ball as frequently (80 rushes) or effectively (5.0 yards per carry) as he did in previous seasons. But he scored a career-high 11 rushing touchdowns through 14 games this season. He’s tallied four rushing scores in the last three games.

Cook rushed 188 times for 968 yards, and two touchdowns this season. He’s averaging 5.1 yards per carry. He also added 40 receptions for 433 yards and four touchdowns.

On the defensive end, the Bills are peaking at the right time. They held opponents to 10 or fewer points twice in their last three victories.

Betting the Bills on the Futures Market

With three games remaining on the schedule, the Bills host only one more home game, playing against the New England Patriots in Week 17 on New Year’s Eve. They hit the road to play the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday in Week 16. They end the season in Miami to play the Dolphins in Week 18.

The final week of the season could ultimately determine whether the Bills make the playoffs. That’s when they head to Miami to play a divisional rival. The Bills already defeated the Dolphins once this season, demolishing them 48-20, in a Week 4 blowout.

If the Dolphins lose all their remaining games, then the Bills can snatch away the AFC East division crown by winning all of their games, including a victory against the Dolphins in Week 18. The Dolphins are -270 odds to win the AFC East while the Bills are +210 odds.

The Dolphins have a 73% chance to win the division, according to a projection by Upshot. The Bills have a 27% chance to pull off a huge coup.

The Bills are +1200 odds to win Super Bowl LVIII. They hit a low point of +5000 odds at the end of Week 13, but have since rebounded. The Bills are fourth on the NFL futures board at +650 odds to win the AFC Championship.

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Beal sprained his ankle in the first quarter against the New York Knicks last week. It was a crushing blow, considering it was only his sixth game of the season.

X-rays were negative and an MRI revealed no structural damage. The Suns will evaluate Beal in early January.

Beal knocked down a 3-point shot, but he landed on Donte DiVincenzo’s foot and rolled his ankle. Officials reviewed the incident and called DiVincenzo for a flagrant 1 foul since he failed to allow Beal space to land after his jump shot.

The Knicks held off the Suns, 139-122, thanks to a 50-point eruption by point guard Jalen Brunson. The Knicks hadn’t defeated a team with Kevin Durant in more than 10 years, but finally got off the schneid with the road victory.

Another Injury, Another Setback for Beal

The Suns acquired Beal in a blockbuster trade with the Washington Wizards in the off-season. They sent future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul and multiple draft picks to the Wizards, who then flipped Paul to the Golden State Warriors for shooting guard Jordan Poole.

Mat Ishbia purchased the Suns in the middle of last season for a record price tag of $4 billion. He wanted to put his imprint on the team by assembling a “Big 3” with Durant, Devin Booker, and Beal.

Beal missed most of this season with a back injury, and his debut with the Suns was delayed while he recovered from a sprained back. He appeared in three games in November before he aggravated his ailing back, and was sidelined for almost another month.

Beal averaged 16.4 points per game in five full games before he went down with an ankle injury against the Knicks.

There were only two games this season in which neither Booker nor Durant led the Suns in scoring. Guard Grayson Allen led the Suns with 26 points in an overtime victory against the Chicago Bulls in early November. Center Jusuf Nurkic dropped 31 points in a loss against the defending champion Denver Nuggets in early December.

Next Man Up: Grayson Allen, Eric Gordon

With Beal sidelined, the Suns will rely on the veteran tandem of Allen and Eric Gordon to log more minutes.

The Suns acquired Allen, formerly of the Milwaukee Bucks, in a multi-team trade with the Portland Trail Blazers that sent Damian Lillard to the Bucks.

Gordon started 16 games for the Suns this season. He averages 13.8 points and 2.8 assists per game, and emerged as the Suns’ most reliable scorer aside from Durant and Booker.

Second-year guard Jordan Goodwin earned Vogel’s trust and he’s been logging 20 minutes per game off the bench. Goodwin, an undrafted player from St. Louis, averages 6.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.

Banged-Up Suns Trying to Stay Above .500

The Suns had an 11-6 record in late November before they lost seven out of their last 10 games. They sunk to 14-13.

The Suns are one of the rare teams that play better on the road (7-5), and who have a losing record (7-8) on their home court.

The Suns are one of the worst betting teams in the NBA this season. They have a 10-16-1 record against the point spread.

Despite their slow start, the Suns are +850 odds to win the 2023-24 NBA Championship. They’re the fourth-highest team on DraftKings’ NBA futures board.

The Suns are +450 odds to win the Western Conference, and trail only the defending champion Denver Nuggets at +225 odds.

The Suns are a +3.5 underdog when they visit Sacramento to play the Kings on Friday night. They host the Dallas Mavericks on Christmas evening during the NBA’s yuletide quintuple-header.

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Teams can apply with the NBA league office for a DPE if they think a player will be sidelined for an entire season. In Robinson’s case, his prognosis changed after he underwent surgery to repair a left ankle injury. The Knicks haven’t commented on his injury, but the DPE application suggests that Robinson will be out through June 15.

An initial estimate suggested Robinson would be evaluated eight to 10 weeks before the Knicks set a specific timetable for his return sometime in March.

The Knicks need help to bolster their front line, and were linked in different off-season trade rumors with big men, including Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves (20-6) and reigning MVP Joel Embiid from the Philadelphia 76ers (19-8). Both the 76ers and the Timberwolves are playing well right now, so it doesn’t make sense for them to move their star players.

The Knicks have also been mentioned as a possible trade partner with the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls are shopping three starters before the trade deadline, including shooting guard Zach LaVine, small forward DeMar DeRozan, and center Nikola Vucevic.

Backup Isiah Hartenstein Shines

Third-string center Jericho Sims replaced Robinson in the starting lineup at center to maintain continuity and allow backup center Isiah Hartenstein to come off the bench. Sims started five games this season and averages 1.6 points and 1.7 rebounds per game. Hartenstein developed great chemistry with the second unit, anchored by point guard Immanuel Quickley and forward Josh Hart.

“To be in that situation where I can be in that role, it’s something I’ve always wanted,” Hartenstein told The Athletic. “You’re going to be tired playing 40 minutes regardless. I’ve got a million scratches. It’s physical. But that’s what I’m ready for. That’s what I train my body for in the summer, to be prepared for that.”

In his last nine games, Hartenstein is averaging 6.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. He hauled down 17 rebounds in a victory against the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, and tallied at least 10 rebounds in each of the last three games. Since the start of December, Hartenstein had just one game in which he recorded fewer than seven rebounds (and it was six against the Jazz).

I didn’t want Mitch to go out,” said Hartenstein. “That’s my man. He texts me after every game, so I miss him. We have to hold it down for him. So, I just keep proving that I can be in this role, too.”

Veteran center Taj Gibson was an unsigned free agent at the start of the season, but rejoined the Knicks when Robinson went down, adding much-needed depth.

Knicks Playing Well In Toughest Stretch

The Knicks recently returned from a four-game road trip against Western Conference teams. They went 2-2, with victories against the Phoenix Suns and L.A. Lakers, but lost a game against the Utah Jazz they should have won.

The Knicks are in the middle of a difficult 10-game stretch in which all of their opponents are winning teams above .500. They’re 3-1 at the onset without Robinson in the starting lineup.

The Knicks play an upcoming “duplex” series with two games against Damian Lillard and the Milwaukee Bucks. They square off Saturday at Madison Square Garden and again on Christmas. Then the Knicks hit the road for a quick three-game swing against the Oklahoma City Thunder (17-8), Orlando Magic (16-10), and high-flying Indiana Pacers (14-12). They return to MSG to host the Timberwolves at noon on New Year’s Day.

If the season ended today, the Knicks (16-11) would secure the #5 seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Knicks are sixth overall on the NBA futures board at +2500 odds to win the Eastern Conference for the first time since they appeared in the 1999 NBA Finals. It’s been 50 years since the Knicks last won an NBA title, and they’re currently +6000 odds to win the 2023-24 NBA championship.

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The Cavs (14-12) occupy eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Cavs would be headed for the Play-In Tournament if the season ended today.

The Cavs went 51-31 last season and secured the #4 playoff seed, but the #5 New York Knicks eliminated them in the first round.

The Cavs entered this season with a projected win total of 50.5 over/under. After a sluggish start, oddsmakers adjusted their win total to 46.5 o/u.

Mobley Knee Injury: Opts for Surgery

Mobley was sidelined with a left knee injury in early December. His ailing knee hasn’t improved with rest, and he’s still experiencing discomfort. He’s undergoing arthroscopic surgery to remove a loose body from his left knee.

Mobley will miss six to eight weeks and hopes to return before the All-Star Break in February.

In 21 games this season, Mobley averaged 16.0 points and a career-high 10.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. He also shot a career-best 57% from the floor.

The Cavs selected Mobley out of USC with the third-overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, setting him up for a promising rookie season. Scottie Barnes from the Toronto Raptors narrowly edged out Mobley in the 2022 NBA Rookie of the Year, voting in one of the closest races in the last decade.

Mobley is the third-best scorer on the Cavs. Head coach J.B. Bickerstaff will rely on forwards Dean Wade and Georges Niang to fill in for Mobley in the rotation. Niang averages 7.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game off the bench. Wade has been starting in place of Mobley, but he only averages 4.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.

Guard Drama: Garland Out, ‘Spida’ Trade Rumor

Garland suffered a face injury on Thursday night in a loss against the Boston Celtics. X-rays revealed a fractured jaw. He will be evaluated in four weeks and could be out until February.

Garland started 22 games at shooting guard for the Cavs this season. He’s the second-best scorer on the team, averaging 20.7 points and 5.9 assists per game.

The Cavs selected Vanderbilt’s Garland with the #5 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. He averaged 21.6 points per game for the Cavs in the previous two seasons.

The Cavs will rely on Max Strus (13.6 ppg), Caris LeVert (15.2 ppg), and Sam Merrill (3.7 ppg) to fill in for Garland at shooting guard.

Meanwhile, point guard Donovan “Spida” Mitchell isn’t happy in Cleveland and could get traded for the second time since last summer. The Utah Jazz traded Mitchell to the Cavs before the start of last season when they outbid the New York Knicks.

The next month of the season without Garland and Mobley could determine Mitchell’s future in Cleveland. If the Cavs slide out of playoff contention, they could deal Mitchell at the trade deadline in February.

The Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, and Miami Heat have all been linked to Mitchell in different trade rumors.

Cavs on the Futures Market

The Cavs occupy third place in the Central Division behind the Milwaukee Bucks (19-7) and the upstart Indiana Pacers (13-11), who recently lost in the NBA Cup Finals in Las Vegas. The Bucks are the betting favorite to win a sixth-straight division title at -750 odds. The Cavs are second on the board at +700 odds, followed by the Pacers (+1000).

The Cavs haven’t won the Central Division since LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.

The injuries to Mobley and Garland directly affected the NBA futures market. As of Monday morning, the Cavs saw their odds to win the 2023-24 NBA Championship move from +3500 to +4500. They’re also the fifth team on DraftKings’ futures board at +1600 odds to win the Eastern Conference.

The Cavs host the Houston Rockets (13-10) on Monday night in Cleveland. The Rockets are the second-best betting team in the NBA this season, with a 15-6-2 record against the point spread. The Cavs have an 11-13-2 ATS record.

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Born in February 1963 in Leeds, Al., Barkley reveals in his new authorized biography by author Timothy Bella that his family participated in illicit activities to make ends meet. The 11-time NBA All-Star and the NBA’s Most Valuable Player in 1993 says his family ran card games in the 1960s and early 1970s and sold bootlegged liquor out of their house.

The house was like a casino on the weekend,” Barkley said in Bella’s biography of the titled, Barkley: A Biography. “Guys would come on Friday and drink and gamble until Sunday.”

Barkley’s mother, Charcey Barkley, said she and Charles’ stepdad, Clee Glenn, worked, and Charles also helped at her janitorial job. However, the family still struggled to pay the bills. They eventually turned to a side hustle that involved making their home an illegal gambling and drinking outfit.

“How much money can you make working in a meatpacking factory?” Charcey asked in the book in reference to Clee’s job. “Or working as a maid? So, we sold alcohol.” ? ?

Admitted Gambling Losses

Like many other athletes, including golfers Phil Mickelson and John Daly, boxer Floyd Mayweather, baseball player Pete Rose, and the basketball GOAT Michael Jordan, Barkley has admitted to fancying casinos during his career. In a 2007 interview with ESPN, Barkley conceded to losing at least $20 million.

It’s stupid. It’s a bad habit,” Barkley said at the time. “But I can afford to gamble. I didn’t kill myself when I lost $2.5 million. I like to gamble and I’m not going to quit.”

In a 2015 interview, Barkley told CBS Sports that it had always been his goal in Las Vegas to win $1 million.

“I’d get up to $300,000, $400,000, $500,000, and then lose it all and then a $1 million,” Barkley said. “You can never break the casino. I went to Vegas a bunch of times and won $1 million. Probably 10 times.”

Rags to Riches

But Barkley admitted that he lost $1 million about three times for every time he won $1 million.

Barkley suffered from severe anemia until a full blood transfusion cured him.

“My mom used to always joke — ‘I have no idea what blood they put in your body.'” Barkley told Bella.

FanDuel Ambassador

Barkley has acknowledged that he often failed to keep his gambling in moderation, but that didn’t prevent him from being tapped by one of the largest sportsbooks in the US for a marketing partnership.

In 2020, FanDuel signed Barkley to a multi-year deal to help promote the sports betting platform in the US.

Barkley has since appeared in various advertising content for FanDuel. The sportsbook, along with DraftKings, is a market leader in the sports betting space.

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The Pistons have a home-and-away “duplex” series against the 76ers, with two games against each other in three days. The 76ers host the Pistons in Philadelphia on Friday.

The 76ers have won three games in a row and are looking to extend their winning streak against the struggling Pistons.

The 76ers hold multiple NBA records for losing streaks. They set the single-season record with 26 consecutive losses in 2013-14. They also hold the overall longest losing streak in NBA history with 28 losses that spanned two seasons. Their epic slide began at the end of the 2015-16 season and continued through the start of the 2016-17 season.

Pistons Try to Stay Positive

The Pistons lost a shootout, 131-123, against the high-scoring Indiana Pacers on Monday night. The Pistons have the third-lowest offense in the NBA, averaging 108.7 points per game. Yet, they kept pace with the run-and-gun Pacers.

Head coach Monty Williams is trying to remain upbeat after dropping 20 games in a row.

As much as this losing hurts us, and it hurts like you can’t believe, I see a lot of growth,” said Williams. “I’m encouraged by some of the things we saw tonight. We just need to build on them.”

Point guard Cade Cunningham, the #1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, appeared in just 12 games last season because of a stress fracture in his leg. A healthy Cunningham leads the Pistons with a career-high 22 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

“We need to get to the point where we are turning that page,” said Cunningham. “We keep talking about it, but now we have to do something.”

Center Isaiah Stewart thinks that a win can help jumpstart the team and propel them in a new direction.

“It’s about momentum, energy shift,” said Stewart. “If we get some wins, I feel like we might show more. We all get along with each other off the court. It’s just all about transferring over to the court.”

The Pistons ended last season with a 2-23 skid after the NBA trade deadline. They finished the 2022-23 season with the worst record in the NBA at 17-65.

Since mid-February, the Pistons are 4-44, including 2-21 this season. They began the 2023-24 season with a loss, but bounced back with two victories in a row to improve to 2-1 before embarking on their 20-game slide.

Losing in Motown: Keep Fading the Pistons

During the current losing streak, the Pistons were handed 11 double-digit losses, and four were blowouts by 20 or more points. Seven losses were within an eight-point margin, and two close games were within four points.

With an 8-14-1 record against the point spread, the Pistons have the second-worst betting record in the NBA this season. The Atlanta Hawks have the worst ATS record this season at 5-17.

During their 20-game losing streak, the Pistons are 5-14-1 ATS. The Pistons are +11.5 home underdogs against the 76ers Wednesday night. The point total is 233.5 over/under.

The 76ers are the fifth-best betting team in the NBA with a 15-7 ATS record. The 76ers are one of the top points over/under teams in the NBA. They have a 16-6 record in hitting the over this season. The Pistons are 13-8 in hitting overs in their last 21 games.

The Bulls are on the verge of breaking up the team and trading away their top assets, like Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan. The young Pistons want to keep their roster intact despite their awful start.

Pistons Last Won a Playoff Game in 2008

With only 17 victories last season, the Pistons finished in last place in the Eastern Conference for the second time in the last three seasons. They haven’t finished higher than 13th place in the conference over the last four seasons.

When the season began, oddsmakers installed the Pistons with a win total of 27.5 over/under. After a troublesome start, the Pistons have an updated win total of 19.5 o/u.

The Pistons are a long shot to participate in the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament at +2000 odds.

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Robinson will undergo surgery and he’s expected to miss 10 weeks of action while he recovers from the injury. The Knicks hope to evaluate him in eight weeks, when they will have a better idea of when he’ll return to the lineup.

The Knicks have one of the best defenses in the NBA, allowing only 109.7 points per game. Robinson is the focal point of their stifling defense. He breaks up opposing pick-and-rolls and generates fast breaks by creating turnovers via steals or blocked shots.

Robinson averages 10.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game in his sixth season with the Knicks. He only scores 6.2 points per game, and gets buckets mostly on put-backs from the offensive glass.

Losing Robinson for the next couple of months is a huge blow to the Knicks. Backup center Jericho Sims will slide into the starting lineup, and versatile big man Isiah Hartenstein will log more minutes off the bench.

Next Man Up: Jericho Sims, Isiah Hartenstein

Hartenstein is a key part of the Knick’s second unit as a tenacious offensive rebounder with a nice outside shooting touch and stellar passing skills. He averaged 18 minutes per game off the bench before Robinson’s injury. Monday night against the Raptors, Hartenstein scored 11 points and added eight rebounds in 27 minutes off the bench.

Sims played well last season when filling in for a banged-up Robinson. He started 16 games and averaged a career-high 3.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.

Sims started Monday night in the first game without Robinson. He scored two points and hauled down seven rebounds in 21 minutes of action.

If Sims falters this season, the Knicks could seek help on the trade market. The Knicks caught a glimpse of a pair of big men in a victory against the Toronto Raptors last night, including center Christian Koloko and power forward Precious Achiuwa.

Other potential trade targets of the Knicks include Kelly Olynyk (Utah Jazz), Wendall Carter Jr. (Orlando Magic), Daniel Gafford (Washington Wizards), and Day’Ron Sharpe (Brooklyn Nets).

Before Robinson’s injury, the Knicks were linked in numerous trade rumors involving a trio of All-Stars. Karl-Anthony Towns from the Minnesota Timberwolves, forward DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls, and center Joel Embiid from the Philadelphia 76ers have been the subject of trade chatter over the last few months.

Knicks on the Futures Market Sans Robinson

The Knicks are now 13-9 and currently sit in third place in the Atlantic Division. If the season ended today, the Knicks would earn the #6 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Knicks are -360 odds to make the playoffs, and +285 odds to miss the postseason. The Knicks have a win total of 45.5 over/under for this season.

The Boston Celtics (16-5) have the best record in the Eastern Conference, and they’re the betting favorite to win the Atlantic Division at -475 odds. The 76ers are the second divisional favorite on the board at +350 odds, and they’re ahead of the Knicks (+3500), Brooklyn Nets (+18000), and Toronto Raptors (+30000).

The Knicks are +6000 odds to win the 2023-24 NBA Championship, but they’re in the middle of the pack on DraftKings’ NBA futures board.

The Knicks are +2500 odds to win the Eastern Conference title, which they have not done since the 1999 season.

During the In-Season Tournament, the Knicks qualified for the knockout stage with a 3-1 record. The Milwaukee Bucks defeated the Knicks last Tuesday in the quarterfinals, and they failed to advance to the semifinals in Las Vegas.

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On Tuesday, the Lakers squeaked by the Phoenix Suns in a controversial win in the quarterfinals. The Lakers then demolished the New Orleans Pelicans with a 44-point defeat in the semifinals Thursday night in Las Vegas.

The Pacers are the surprise team of the In-Season Tournament, with two upset victories against two top teams from the Eastern Conference. They picked off the Boston Celtics in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. Then, on Thursday night, the Pacers knocked out the consensus favorite Milwaukee Bucks in the semifinals.

We’re a disruptor, a lot of people didn’t want us here,” said Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle. “We didn’t care about that. We earned our way here, we earned our way to three additional national TV games. So people are gonna find out about the Pacers and who we are and how we play.”

Oddsmakers installed the Lakers as a -4 favorite in the championship game. The points total is 241 over/under. The In-Season Tournament finale is at 5:30 p.m. local time at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and will be televised on ABC.

One Win Away

LeBron James bypassed college and went directly from high school into the NBA. He never had a chance to play in a high-stakes, single-elimination tournament like March Madness, where you go home if you lose. The In-Season Tournament is filling that void.

“It’s pretty cool in that regard,” James said. “Every game counts. I love it.”

James is averaging 25 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game this season, while shooting 40.7% from 3-point range. James averaged 30.5 points, 9.5 assists, and 6.5 rebounds per game during the two knockout-stage games. He’s also knocked down 75% of his 3-point attempts.

The Lakers will have their hands full trying to slow down the Pacers, who lead the NBA with 128.4 points per game. If the Pacers can maintain that pace for the remainder of the season, they’ll set a new record as the highest-scoring team in NBA history.

We are starting to get a feel for what we need to become a team for us to win basketball games, to be consistent,” James added. “When we defend, we give ourselves a chance to win every night.”

The Lakers held opponents to 96 points per game since the quarterfinals began.

James is the favorite to win the In-Season Tournament MVP at -145 odds.

Tyrese Haliburton Breakout Star

If you don’t live in Indiana, it’s rare to see point guard Tyrese Haliburton on TV. Thanks to the In-Season Tournament, fans finally get a chance to enjoy the thrilling Haliburton and frenetic Pacers.

The Sacramento Kings selected Haliburton with the #12 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft after he played two seasons at Iowa State. He earned a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Team in his first season in the league.

Haliburton averaged 20.7 points and 10.4 assists last season and was named an NBA All-Star.

Haliburton’s Season

This season, Haliburton averages a career-high 26.9 points per game and leads the NBA in assists with 12.1 per game.

“We’re playing the right way and we’re shocking the world right now,” said Haliburton. “We’re going to continue to do that.”

Haliburton has a +115 odds to win the MVP of the In-Season Tournament. Even if the Pacers lose in the final against the Lakers, Haliburton could still be in contention for the MVP with his stellar play.

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Four teams advanced to Las Vegas for the In-Season Tournament semifinals on Thursday. The Lakers and Pelicans meet in the Western Conference semifinal, and the Bucks and Pacers slug it out in the Eastern Conference semifinal.

Despite initial skepticism and cynicism, the In-Season Tournament has been a huge hit among fans. It has been a great way to give exposure to small-market teams that don’t usually play televised games, which is the exact case with the Pacers. The In-Season Tournament provided a chance for the world to catch a glimpse of up-and-coming star point guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Milwaukee Bucks +170

Damian Lillard is thrilled at a chance to finally win something in the NBA. The veteran point guard has never been to the NBA Finals or won a championship, so the In-Season Tournament is his first opportunity to potentially hoist a trophy. Giannis “Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo led the Bucks to a championship in the 2020-21 season, but this is Lillard’s first season with the Bucks since they acquired him in a blockbuster trade with the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Bucks and Pacers played against each other only once this season. The Bucks edged out the Pacers, 126-124, but Lillard sat out the game with calf soreness. Antetokounmpo dropped 54 points in the victory, which is the most points scored in a single game by any player this season.

The Bucks are a -5 favorite on a neutral court in Las Vegas. They have a losing betting record with a 9-11-1 clip against the point spread. The Pacers are 11-8 ATS this season.

Lillard and the Antetokounmpo are second cofavorites at +400 odds to win the In-Season Tournament MVP.

LA Lakers +240

The Lakers held off the Phoenix Suns in the quarterfinals, 105-103, to advance to Las Vegas. LeBron James logged 40 minutes and led the Lakers with 31 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds, and five steals. Big man Anthony Davis added 27 points and 15 rebounds, and guard Austin Reaves dropped 20 points off the bench.

The Lakers are a -3 favorite against the Pelicans in the semifinals. The two teams have yet to meet each other this season. The Pelicans have the sixth-best betting record in the NBA with a 13-8-1 ATS record. The Lakers have a losing record against the spread at 10-12.

New Orleans Pelicans +360

Zion Williamson has battled injuries during his entire career with the Pelicans. The former #1 pick in the draft hasn’t competed in a playoff game with the Pelicans, so this is his first chance to appear in a high-profile game.

When Williamson is healthy, he’s one of the top power forwards in the league. Right now, Williamson is in peak form and has a chance to show off his skills against James and Davis.

Small forward Brandon Ingram leads the Pelicans in scoring and assists this season with 23.7 points and 5.3 dishes per game. Willaimson is the team’s second-best scorer, averaging 22.7 points per game, but he leads the Pelicans with a 56.9% field-goal percentage.

Veteran shooting guard CJ McCollum returned to the starting lineup after he recovered from a collapsed lung. McCollum averaged 19.3 points per game since his return.

Indiana Pacers +425

Haliburton, 23, is one of the best players in the NBA who flies under the radar of casual fans. The fourth-year player is the floor general of one of the highest-scoring teams in NBA history.

Haliburton averages a career-high 26.9 points per game this season, which is 6.2 more points per game than last season. He’s the NBA assists leader with 11.9 per game.

The Pacers are a +5 underdog against the Bucks in the semifinals. The total is 257 over/under. The two teams combined for 250 points in their only meeting of the season in early November.

Haliburton is +425 odds to win the In-Season Tournament MVP.

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Eight teams qualified for the tournament’s knockout stage, which is single elimination, and begins Monday night with the quarterfinals.

The semifinals take place in Las Vegas on Thursday, and the championship game is slated for Saturday night in Sin City.

NBA In-Season Tournament Odds

The Indiana Pacers (10-8) host the Celtics (15-4) Monday night, and the Bucks (14-6) host the New York Knicks (12-7) Tuesday night on the Eastern Conference side of the In-Season Tournament bracket.

The Sacramento Kings (11-7) host the New Orleans Pelicans (11-10) Monday night, and the Los Angeles Lakers (12-9) host the Phoenix Suns (12-8) Tuesday night on the Western Conference side of the bracket.

Boston Celtics +300

The Celtics currently have the best record in the NBA, with a .789 winning percentage. They’re the consensus favorite to win the NBA Championship at +370 odds.

The Celtics acquired center Kristaps Porzingis in a trade this off-season, and the “Unicorn” is averaging 18.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Porzingis is currently sidelined with a calf injury and isn’t expected to play in the In-Season Tournament.

The Celtics exploded for 155 points in a victory against the Pacers in early November, their only meeting this season.

Milwaukee Bucks +340

The Bucks are led by their dangerous dynamic duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.9 points per game) and Damian Lillard (25.5 points per game). In their first season under rookie head coach Adrian Griffin, the Bucks are the third-highest-scoring team (121.1 ppg) in the NBA this season.

The Bucks’ bench is a little thin while forward Jae Crowder recovers from surgery to repair a stomach/core injury.

The Bucks won their group and host the visiting Knicks on Tuesday. They have a 9-1 record on their home court this season. Meanwhile, the Knicks are the best defensive team in the league.

LA Lakers +550

The banged-up Lakers posted a perfect 4-0 record in group play and host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night in Hollywood.

Point guard D’Angelo Russell has emerged as the Lakers’ third-best scorer, averaging 171. points per game. Russell maintains his focus despite the swirling trade rumors involving both Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls.

Sacramento Kings +550

The Kings were the surprise team in the NBA last season and secured the #3 playoff seed in the Western Conference. They’re looking to build upon last season’s success with a victory in the first In-Season Tournament.

Big man Domantas Sabonis averages a double-double with 18.6 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 6.9 assists per game. Shooting guard Malik Monk is making a good argument to become the Sixth Man of the Year, with 14.4 points per game, including 41.3% from 3-point range.

Phoenix Suns +650

The Suns have probably the most dangerous one-two punch in the Western Conference, with Kevin Durant (31.0 points per game) and Devin Booker (27.9 points per game). Booker has been slowed down by a sprained ankle, but he dropped 34 points in his first game back on Saturday.

The Suns are only 5-5 at home this season, but they have one of the best road records in the NBA this season at 7-3. They visit LA on Tuesday to play the Lakers in the quarterfinals.

New Orleans Pelicans +1200

The Pelicans know their fate is tethered to the health status of Zion Williamson. The All-Star power forward missed 53 games last season with a hamstring injury but has avoided the injury bug so far this season. Williamson leads the Pelican with 23.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game while shooting 56.7% from the floor.

Small Forward Brandon Ingram was hampered last year by a toe injury, but he’s looking good this season while averaging 23.4 points per game.

The Pelicans won’t have veteran shooting guard C.J. McCollum in the lineup for the In-Season Tournament. McCollum is still recovering from a collapsed lung.

Indiana Pacers +1300

The Pacers are the highest-scoring team in the NBA this season (128.8 ppg), which makes them must-see TV. The points total overhit in 16 out of 18 games for the Pacers this season.

The Pacers are only 10-8 this season because they have a porous defense that allows a league-worst 125.9 points per game.

The Pacers went 4-0 in group play and host the Celtics tonight. The quarterfinal game is expected to be a shootout, with 242.5 over/under.

New York Knicks +1400

The Knicks are the fifth-best team in the Eastern Conference this season, which they pulled off with all-star forward Julius Randle at 70%. Randle underwent ankle surgery in the off-season, and he’s been slow to recover.

Point guard Jalen Brunson has been cooking in his second season with the Knicks and leads the team with 24.9 points per game.

Shooting guard RJ Barrett (18.6 ppg) has battled migraines, which kept him out of a few games this season. Barrett is expected to play in the In-Season Tournament.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau is a defensive guru, and it’s no surprise that the Knicks boast the best scoring defense in the NBA, allowing only 105.5 points per game.

The Bucks defeated the Knicks in their only meeting this season. But Brunson erupted for 45 points in a losing effort.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPr3ur7qr0g&ab_channel=NBA

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Cordish’s firm operates casinos in its home state of Maryland and Pennsylvania. The company has three gaming properties, including Live! Casino Hotel Maryland is in Hanover near BWI airport. Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia, and Live! Casino Pittsburgh in Westmoreland.

In early 2025, Louisiana is expected to become Cordish’s third gaming state. That’s through a $270 million redevelopment of the former Diamond Jacks riverboat that will become Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana. Cordish also seeks a third casino in Pennsylvania through State College but remains in a legal dispute with Bally’s and the state’s Gaming Control Board.

Texas Live! in Arlington is a public-private partnership between the City of Arlington, the MLB Texas Rangers, and Cordish Companies. The $250 million dining, entertainment, and hospitality destination is between Globe Life Park, the Rangers’ home, and AT&T Stadium, the NFL Dallas Cowboys home. Texas Live! opened in August 2018.

Cordish additionally operates Bayou Place in Houston’s downtown Theater District.

Cordish Celebrates Cuban Sale

Cuban has repeatedly said that the Lone Star State must diversify its leisure and hospitality segments to lure vacationers better. One idea the billionaire has floated is allowing casino resorts to open.

Speaking recently with the Dallas Business Journal, Cordish said casino resorts are precisely what Texas needs to attract out-of-state travelers.

The idea of combining entertainment and mixed-use around a casino is absolutely the winning formula,” Cordish said.

In Philadelphia, Cordish operated a similar Live! Entertainment and hospitality destination in the city’s Stadium District before commercial casino gaming came to the commonwealth. Cordish opened its $700 million casino resort adjacent to Xfinity Live! Philadelphia in early 2021.

Texas Casinos

If Texas decides to legalize casinos in the coming years, Cordish would presumably make a bid to gain development rights. Cuban has expressed interest in partnering with Las Vegas Sands for an integrated resort in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Last week, Cuban announced he was selling a $3.5 billion controlling stake in the Mavs to Dr. Miriam Adelson, the widow of Sheldon Adelson, who founded and ran Sands until his death in January 2021.

Adelson sold $2 billion of Sands shares to partially fund her Mavs purchase. After the transaction, she still maintains about 47% of the casino firm.

Adelson doesn’t deal with day-to-day operations at Sands. But Sands officials have heavily targeted Texas for the company’s next domestic play. Sands has spent tens of millions of dollars in recent years lobbying Texas lawmakers to support gaming.

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Dell sustained a left leg injury as a blocker on a running play at the goal line in the first quarter. Running back Dameon Pierce scored a touchdown, but Dell got caught up in the dog pile at the goal line.

Man, it hurt bad,” said Texans veteran wide receiver Nico Collins. “You don’t ever want to see someone get hurt. You see the hard work Tank puts in every single day. Hate to see one of our brothers go down like that.”

X-rays revealed a fractured left fibula. Dell will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.

Stellar Rookie Season for Dell

Dell, who is 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds, is considered vastly undersized for a wide receiver. Dell was a star with the Houston Cougars, so the Texans’ scouts were familiar with the local legend.

The Texans took a flier on Dell with a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Dell made their scouts look like geniuses. Through his first ten games of the season, Dell caught 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns. He entered Sunday’s game with a four-game touchdown streak.

To lose Tank there with a leg injury, it hurts our team because of what he means to our team, not only on the field but off the field,” said Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans. “Tank always has a huge smile on his face, always full of energy, and it just really hurts losing Tank.”

Before his injury against the Broncos, Dell didn’t record a reception in the game. In Week 11, Dell had his best performance as a rookie, with eight receptions for 149 yards and one touchdown in a victory against the Arizona Cardinals. In a narrow win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9, Dell caught six passes for 114 yards and two touchdowns.

“It’s cold, it’s not easy,” added Stroud. “I got to be there for him. I can try to be positive about it, but it’s tough. I’m hurt. I can’t sugarcoat it. I love my brother to death and I’m praying for him.”

With Dell down, veteran wide receiver Noah Brown is next on the depth chart. Brown returned to the lineup after missing a couple of games with a knee contusion. In six games this season, Brown caught 21 passes for 439 yards and two touchdowns.

Texans in the Playoff Hunt

The Texans improved to 7-5 after holding off the Broncos in Week 13. They currently occupy third place in the AFC South. The Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3) hold down first place, with a game pending against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football.

If the season ended today, the Texans would bubble the postseason as the eighth-ranked team. The three teams who occupy the AFC wild card, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Indianapolis Colts, are also 7-5.

The Colts are in second place in the AFC South and hold a playoff tiebreaker over the Texans, based on head-to-head winning percentage.

The Texans defeated the Colts in Week 2, and the two will meet again in the season’s final game in Week 18. The Colts also began the season with a rookie quarterback as the starter. But Anthony Richardson sustained a season-ending shoulder injury, putting backup Gardner Minshew under center.

The Jaguars are the consensus favorite to win the AFC South at -1000 odds. The Texans are +750 odds to win the division, and they’re ahead of the Colts (+2000) and last-place Tennessee Titans (+50000).

The Texans have a +4000 odds to win Super Bowl LVIII. They’re +1800 odds to win the ACF Championship as the fifth-highest team on the board.

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A report by The New York Post indicates Cuban could be readying Matan Adelson to one day run the team in which his mother is buying a majority interest. A Stanford alum, Matan previously interned for the Mavericks and Goldman Sachs. An unidentified source told the media outlet that Matan will almost certainly be running the team by the team he’s 30 years old.

Matan and Adam Adelson are the children of the late Sheldon Adelson and Miriam. Both have children from prior marriages.

Matan’s ‘Mamba Mentality’

In addition to his experience as an intern for the Mavericks, Matan Adelson has other relevant experience that could prove useful should he eventually run operations for the NBA team.

Earlier this year, an investor group he led shelled out $20 million to acquire 90% of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem of the Basketball Champions League (BCL). Former NBA star Amar’e Stoudemire was among the previous owners of the team.

I’ve been a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant in particular since I was young. For me, Kobe embodied grit, an unmatched work ethic, and incredible determination,” said Matan Adelson in a statement announcing the sale. “Growing up, I took a lot of inspiration from him, watching him strive to be the best version of himself, and through my leadership, I hope to manifest this mentality in this club for now and for years to come.”

Close to half of Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem’s roster is comprised of American players, indicating Adelson has some experience in working with an often demanding group of athletes.

Matan Adelson Could Have Advantages in Running Mavs

When Miriam Adelson assumes control of the Mavericks, the team will enjoy the benefits of her deep pockets — a necessity to keep up in the NBA, where the salary cap consistently rises, and financial resources are vital in keeping and attracting stars.

Additionally, the Adelson family’s business experience could prove beneficial in terms of navigating the complex roads of trades and the NBA salary cap.

Specific to Matan Adelson, his experience in running a foreign basketball team could be a plus because it exposes him to talent from outside the US — plenty of whom eventually find their way onto NBA rosters.

The Mavericks have been among the league’s biggest beneficiaries of European-born stars. German Dirk Nowitzki is the franchise’s greatest player of all time, and current star Luka Don?i? — a Slovenian — is widely considered one of the best players in the league.

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The worries were voiced on The New Normal with host Victor Rocha, a weekly webcast that discusses pressing topics in the tribal gaming industry. Indian Gaming Association Executive Director Jason Giles and Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Chair Matthew Morgan talked about the impact of Cuban divesting his majority control of the NBA franchise.

Cuban is supportive of Texas ending its prohibition on commercial casino gambling. He’s pitched the idea of bringing a Las Vegas-style casino resort to Dallas, and has hinted that he’d like to do so in partnership with Sands.

Adelson is one of the world’s richest women. Her Forbes real-time net worth of $31.3 billion ranks her as the 45th-richest person in the world, and the fifth-richest woman.

Sports Betting Controversy

Oklahoma tribal casinos are critical economic drivers for the state’s many gaming tribes. The casinos heavily rely on players from Texas, with the Dallas-Fort Worth market being a major feeder for the tribal resorts in the Sooner State.

The Choctaw Nation opened their $600 million integrated resort casino in Durant, just 10 miles north of the Oklahoma-Texas border, in 2021. The tribe, through their company Choctaw Casinos & Resorts, additionally operates tribal casinos in Grant and Pocola. Both are border towns, with Grant just north of the Texas line and Pocola just west of the Arkansas border.

Along with casinos possibly opening in Texas in the coming years, the tribes in Oklahoma are worried that sports betting could be legalized in the Lone Star State. The tribes want to begin taking sports bets as soon as possible to build their market share.

In hopes of sports gambling, the Choctaws in August tapped three Texas sports legends — NFL greats Troy Aikman and Darren Woodson, who both played for the Dallas Cowboys, and MLB Hall of Fame member Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, who spent most of his career with the Texas Rangers.

Stitt’s sports betting recommendation would tax tribal sports betting revenue at 15%. The governor also recommended that the state allow one commercial online sportsbook operator, which would need to pay a one-time $500K licensing fee and a $100K annual renewal, plus direct 20% of the gross revenue to the state.

The tribes were quick to push back on the pitch, saying the proposal would effectively end their monopoly on casino gaming.

Sands and Sports Betting

Unlike many other major casino operators, Sands has been much less enthusiastic about sports betting. Sheldon Adelson was never a big fan of the low-margin gaming business vertical, and that thinking has held in the following Sands regimes.

Adelson was also strongly opposed to online casino gaming and internet sports betting. His widow has remained quiet about whether she supports further expansion of gaming, including if she thinks Texas should enter the commercial gaming industry.

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Rumors surfaced Tuesday when Las Vegas Sands (NYSE: LVS), the gaming company founded by Miriam’s late husband, Sheldon Adelson, announced she and her family trust were selling $2 billion worth of the casino operator’s stock.

In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Sands said Adelson would be using proceeds from the share sale to fund the purchase of a majority interest in an unidentified sports franchise.

Soon after news of the equity sale hit the wires, rumors surfaced that the team in question was the Mavericks. That was confirmed Wednesday by the buyers.

The Adelson and Dumont families have entered into binding purchase agreements to acquire majority ownership and the right to serve as Governor of the Dallas Mavericks,” according to a statement.

Dumont references LVS President and COO Patrick Dumont and his family. He’s Miriam Adelson’s son-in-law. Pending approval by the NBA’s Board of Governors, the Adelson and Dumont families are expected to take majority control of the Mavericks from current owner Mark Cuban before the end of this year. The Shark Tank star will remain with the team, overseeing basketball operations.

Adelson Share Sale News Hit Sands Stock

Before news of the share sale, Adelson and her family entities controlled about 57% of LVS stock. That figure will decline by approximately 10% as she funds the purchase of her interest in the Mavericks.

The extent to which the Adelson and Dumont families are involved in basketball decisions remains to be seen. Still, they have the financial resources to potentially attract and retain some of the NBA’s biggest stars.

Additionally, Patrick Dumont’s investment banking background and previous role as chief financial officer (CFO) of Sands could prove advantageous in navigating the complex world of the NBA salary cap, if only on an ad hoc basis.

Transaction Stirs Plenty of Speculation

Clarity on the Adelson/Mavericks transaction has added fuel to the Texas gaming expansion rumor mill, with chatter over the past 24 hours largely focusing on the possibility of casino resorts and sports wagering coming to the second-largest state.

Those are separate issues. For his part, Cuban has made clear he’d like to work with Sands to develop a Dallas-area entertainment district anchored by a casino hotel and a new arena for the Mavericks.

Politicians would need to approve casino gaming, something they failed to do in this year’s legislative session, before the matter can be put to Texas voters.

As for sports wagering, Texas bettors shouldn’t get their hopes up simply because the largest Sands shareholders are entering the state via the Mavs acquisition. Under Sheldon Adelson and the current leadership regime, the operator has largely eschewed online sports wagering, opting to focus on its luxury land-based casino hotels.

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Ball, 22, appeared in only 33 games last season with an injury on his other ankle. He initially rolled his left ankle in the preseason and missed several games at the start of the 2022-23 season. He stepped on a fan sitting courtside in the front row and reinjured the same ankle last November. In late February, Ball fractured his left ankle and missed the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery.

The Hornets selected Ball with the third-overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Ball missed 21 games during his rookie season in 2020-21 due to a wrist injury, but still earned NBA Rookie of the Year honors.

A healthy Ball appeared in 75 games in his second season and earned a spot on the 2022 NBA All-Star Team.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nqzq2t2_VA&ab_channel=NBA

Buzz City Buzz Kill

The banged-up Hornets finally had their full roster intact for only one game before Ball strained his ankle against the Orlando Magic on Sunday. Ball needed assistance off the court. An MRI revealed a strained right ankle.

Obviously it’s frustrating,” said head coach Steve Clifford. “The other night was the first time we went into a game for two years where that was the projected starting lineup. Basically, that it was the team that I thought I would coach. We got about a quarter and three minutes, when LaMelo got hurt.”

Ball averaged a career-high 24.7 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game prior to his injury. He shot 44.3% from the floor and connected on 38.9% of his 3-point attempts, which were both career highs.

Combo guard Terry Rozier recently returned to the lineup after missing the previous three weeks with a groin injury. Rozier averages 20.4 points per game, and he’ll pick up some of the scoring slack with Ball sidelined.

Rookie shooting guard Brandon Miller, the second-overall pick from the 2023 NBA Draft, has already started nine games this season. Miller averages 14.4 points per game and he’s shooting 37.4% from 3-point range. Miller will also have a chance to play a bigger role in the offense.

Clifford will rely on veteran point guard Ish Smith to step up over the next few weeks. Smith signed with the Hornets in the offseason, and he’s playing for an NBA-record 13th team in his career as a journeyman.

The Hornets also have guards Bryce McGowens, Theo Maledon, and James Bouknight on the roster.

“Bryce and Ish will all play bigger roles,” added Clifford.

Fading the Hornets Without LaMelo

The Hornets won back-to-back games before Thanksgiving, including an upset victory against the Boston Celtics in overtime. Ball exploded for 36 points with nine rebounds and eight assists in the victory against the best team in the NBA.

The Hornets dropped two in a row since Ball’s injury. They slipped to 5-11 after the New York Knicks blew them out on Tuesday night.

If the season ended today, the Hornets wouldn’t even qualify for the Eastern Conference Play-In Tournament. They are currently ranked #12 out of 15 teams in the East. The Washington Wizards and Detroit Pistons, who lost 14 games in a row, are the only teams in the conference with fewer wins than the Hornets.

The Hornets have one of the worst betting records in the NBA this season at 6-10 against the point spread. They are 1-5 ATS in their last six games.

The Hornets are in fourth place in the Southeast Division, and 6.5 games behind the Orlando Magic (12-5) in first place.

The Hornets (+30000) and Wizards (+60000) are long shots to win the Southeast.

The Hornets are at the bottom of DraftKings’ NBA futures board at +100000 odds to win the 2023-24 NBA Championship. They’re tied with the Pistons, Wizards, Portland Trail Blazers, and San Antonio Spurs as the longest moon shots on the board.

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While the exact percentage of Adelson’s interest in the team hasn’t been revealed, $3.5 billion represents a massive chunk of the $4.5 billion Forbes valued the Mavericks at last month. The transaction, which is subject to approval by the NBA’s Board of Governors, would be one of the most unprecedented arrangements in U.S. professional sports history, because it would allow current owner Mark Cuban to maintain day-to-day control of the team he bought nearly 24 years ago.

Typically when sports franchises change hands, the new majority owners look to make their mark on the team, and the previous regime is relegated to smaller roles or ushered out.

News of Adelson’s divestment of $2 billion worth of Sands shares — her first sale since her late husband Sheldon Adelson died in January 2021 — was reported earlier Tuesday. LVS said it will repurchase up to $250 million worth of the stock she’s selling.

Adelson Mavericks Deal Stokes Speculation

In the wake of news breaking about Adelson — the richest Israeli and one of the wealthiest women in the world —? acquiring a stake in the Mavericks, speculation as to her motivations reached a fevered pitch on social media.

It’s also possible that Adelson and the Miriam Adelson Trust simply see investment opportunity in the Mavericks. Sales of U.S. sports franchises are rare, and owing to the small number of teams across the four major domestic sports leagues, such transactions usually fetch massive sums of money.

For example, the last two sales of NBA teams, the Charlotte Hornets and the Phoenix Suns, commanded $3 billion and $4 billion, respectively. Cuban is sitting pretty. The 65-year-old “Shark Tank” star paid just $285 million for the majority percentage of the Mavericks in January 2020.

Interesting Tidbits in Adelson/Mavericks Deal

Assuming she becomes the governor of the Mavericks, Adelson will join Houston Rockets boss Tilman Fertitta as the only two NBA owners with majority control of casino gaming companies. Others, including Cuban, have invested in fantasy sports and sports wagering operators.

Another interesting point could be future interactions between Adelson and Mavericks star Kyrie Irving. Adelson is a fierce supporter of Israel and recently excoriated Hamas supporters in an editorial in an Israeli newspaper she owns. Last year, Irving was suspended by the NBA after posting a link on X, then Twitter, to “Hebrews to Negroes: Wake Up Black America,” a 2018 film rooted in antisemitism, including Holocaust denial.

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A locker room rift that fractured the team last season has spilled over into this season. The Bulls have only five victories through the first 18 games this season. They’re on a four-game losing streak and have slipped to #13 in the Eastern Conference.

The low-scoring Bulls average only 106.7 points per game, which is third-lowest in the NBA this season.

DeRozan, 34, averages 21.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game this season. He also shoots 36.6% from 3-point range.

Three starters from the Bulls, DeRozan, guard Zach LaVine, and center Nikola Vucevic, have been the subject of trade rumors since the season began. All signs point toward multiple trades because DeRozan and Vucevic have expiring contracts.

The latest trade rumor suggests that the Lakers would send a package, including guard DeAngelo Russell, forward Rui Hachimura, and a 2029 first-round draft pick to the Bulls in exchange for DeRozan.

LaVine, the Bulls’ leading scorer, could fetch a good haul on the open market. The Lakers, 76ers, and Miami Heat are all potential LaVine suitors.

DeRozan Almost Joined the Lakers … Twice

DeRozan spent nine seasons with the Toronto Raptors before they traded him to the San Antonio Spurs in 2018 in exchange for Kawhi Leonard. The Raptors won the NBA Championship with Leonard in the 2018-19 season, while DeRozan was exiled to San Antonio.

The Bulls acquired DeRozan in a sign-and-trade in 2021. He wishes to remain in Chicago and is seeking a contract extension, which the Bulls have been slow to negotiate.

“People have to make decisions however they see fit,” DeRozan said about the recent trade rumors. “You may agree with them, you may not. But it’s part of being in this game.”

DeRozan grew up in Los Angeles and played collegiate ball with USC. He thought he would fulfill a lifelong dream and play for his hometown Lakers in 2021. The Lakers wanted to add DeRozan via a sign-and-trade with the Spurs, but negotiations fell apart, and he ended up with the Bulls instead.

I thought it was a done deal,” said DeRozan. “And in my mind, that was the only option for me to go to.”

The Lakers went in another direction and acquired point guard Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards, which was disastrous.

Before last season’s trade deadline, the Lakers were interested in swapping Westbrook for DeRozan. However, the Lakers’ asking price was too high, and DeRozan remained in Chicago.

Lakers Advance to Knockout Stage

The Lakers (18-8) are currently in ninth place in the Western Conference standings. They went 4-0 in group play for the In-Season Tournament and secured a spot in the quarterfinals as the Western Conference Group A winner. The Lakers are +500 odds to win the In-Season Tournament.

The Lakers need a third playmaker who can shoulder the scoring burden if/when LeBron James and Anthony Davis miss time with injuries.

Lakers head coach Darvin Ham hinted that James, who turns 39 at the end of December, would play fewer minutes to start the season to keep him fresh for the postseason. That hasn’t been the case, as James is averaging 33 minutes per game, or second-most on the team because the Lakers have been struggling to win games.

The Lakers are a popular pick to win the championship every year. But they’re only +1700 odds to win the title.

The defending champion Denver Nuggets are the consensus favorite at +225 odds to win the Western Conference crown in back-to-back seasons. The Lakers are fourth on the board at +900 odds. They were swept by the Nuggets in the conference finals last postseason.

The Phoenix Suns (11-6) are the favorite to win the Pacific Division at +120 odds, followed by the Golden State Warriors (8-9) at +380, the Sacramento Kings (9-6) at +425, the Lakers at +550, and the LA Clippers (7-9) at +800.

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Porzingis underwent an MRI on Saturday to gauge the severity of his left calf strain, but the Celtics didn’t reveal the results. Porzingis made a vague reference via social media that he avoided a serious injury and will be back soon.

We will re-evaluate Kristaps in a week or so,” said head coach Joe Mazzulla.

The Celtics have the best record in the NBA this season at 13-4, and have yet to lose a game on the home court at TD Garden, sporting a 7-0 record. The visiting Chicago Bulls will attempt to tarnish the Celtics’ perfect home record when they meet on Tuesday night.

Porzingis Sustains First Injury of the Season

Porzingis tweaked his left calf in a game against the Orlando Magic on Friday afternoon. The injury occurred at the start of the third quarter, and Porzingis missed the remainder of the second half.

The upstart Magic won, 113-96, and currently have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference at 12-5, thanks to a seven-game winning streak.

The Celtics pulled off a blockbuster trade to acquire Porzingis from the Washington Wizards. The three-team trade sent veteran point guard Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies, and the Celtics snagged Porzingis in the deal.

On paper, the Porzingis trade made sense for the Celtics, who added a much-needed scoring big man with strong spatial awareness who can knock down 3-pointers. However, general manager Brad Stevens knew he gambled on Porzingis’ health. Porzingis battled injuries during previous stints with the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, and the Wizards.

Prior to his calf injury, Porzingis looked like a great fit with the new-look Celtics. He averaged 18.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game in 15 games with the Celtics. He shot a career-best 54.7% from the floor and connected on 32.4% of his 3-point attempts.

Porzingis is the Celtics’ third-highest scorer behind Jayson Tatum ((28.1 points per game) and Jaylen Brown (21.4 ppg). With Porzingis out, the Celtics will rely on veteran centers Al Horford (6.3 points, 6.5 rebounds per game) and Luke Kornet (4.7 points, 3.6 rebounds per game).

Celtics and In-Season Tournament

The Celtics are on a mission to win the NBA Championship and aren’t focused on winning the inaugural In-Season Tournament.

The Celtics have a chance to win Group C and advance to the single-elimination game quarterfinals. The winner of each group — six overall — automatically qualifies for the knockout stage. Two wild-card teams — one from each conference — will be selected based on their best record in the tournament. The scoring differential in group play will break any ties.

The Magic are currently in first place in Group C with a 3-1 record. The Celtics (2-1) are in second place, with their final group game Tuesday night against the Bulls.

The Celtics are currently eighth on DraftKings’ futures board at +1400 odds to win the In-Season Tournament.

The semifinals and finals for the In-Season Tournament will take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The semifinals are slated for Thursday, December 7. The championship game will take place on Saturday, December 9.

Futures Darling, but a Losing ATS Record

The Celtics are the consensus favorite to win the NBA championship at +380 odds. The defending champion Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks are second cofavorites to win the title at +425 odds.

The Celtics have been at the top of the futures board since they added point guard and defensive guru Jrue Holiday in a trade with the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Celtics are +150 odds to win the Eastern Conference for the second time in the last three seasons and are slightly ahead of the Bucks at +190.

The Celtics are -400 odds to win the Atlantic Division. They’re ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers (+330), New York Knicks (+2500), Toronto Raptors (+25000), and Brooklyn Nets (+25000).

The Celtics might have the most wins in the NBA with 13 victories, but they have a losing record against the point spread at 7-8-2.

The Celtics are -13.5 favorites against the struggling Bulls (5-13) on Tuesday. The Bulls have the worst betting record in the NBA this season at 5-12-1. The Bulls have lost four games in a row and are bogged down in locker room drama and nonstop trade rumors involving all-star guard Zach LaVine.

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The Wizards have lost nine games in a row and they’re on the verge of reaching a double-digit losing streak.

The Pistons and Wizards are both 2-14 and are tied for the worst record in the NBA this season. The NBA doesn’t have ties, so one of those bad teams will secure a win on Monday night.

Even with a 13-game losing streak looming ahead, the Pistons are a -3 betting favorite against the visiting Wizards.

Pistons New Coach Not Freaking Out … Yet

The Pistons hired Monty Williams as their new head coach and made him the highest-paid coach in the league. The front office tasked Williams with turning around the franchise. Williams inherited the worst team in the NBA that won only 17 games last season.

Williams is focused on getting his team to execute better in big spots.

Turnovers have plagued us for a while and we’ve got to rectify it,” said Williams. “We’ve talked about this as a team. There’s a sliver of time in every game where it’s like three or four minutes where you turn it over or give up offensive rebounds. Now, we have to go out and execute in those pivotal moments in the game.”

The Pistons averaged only 20 wins per season over their previous four seasons. They were the worst team in the Eastern Conference twice in the last three seasons.

The Pistons advanced to the playoffs only three times in the last 15 years and were swept in the first round in all three instances.

The Pistons haven’t won a playoff game since the 2007-08 season, when they advanced to the Eastern Conference finals for a sixth-straight season. During that prominent stretch in the early 2000s, the Pistons reached the NBA Finals twice and won a championship in the 2003-04 season under head coach Larry Brown.

Cade Cunningham: ‘We’re Bad’

The Pistons are currently ranked #22 in scoring defense, allowing 117.2 points per game. Their offense averages 109.8 points per game, ranked #25 overall.

The Pistons allowed opponents to score 120 or more points eight times during their losing streak. They reached the 120-point mark only once during that span.

Point guard Cade Cunningham, the #1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, leads the Pistons in scoring this season. He’s averaging a career-best 22 points and 7.1 assists per game in his third season while shooting a career-high 33% from 3-point range. Despite his solid stats, Cunningham isn’t happy about the losing streak.

We got to be realistic about the situation,” Cunningham said in an interview with The Athletic. “It’s hard to just be like, ‘We’re good,’ you know what I’m saying? Because we’re bad. We have to address that. We have to address what we’re not good at. Address it with not only our words, but on the court, in the huddles.”

The young Pistons have yet to find a consistent secondary scorer. Center Jalen Duran (12.7 points per game) is second on the team in scoring, followed by guards Alex Burks (12.5 ppg) and Jaden Ivey (12.5 ppg).

Rookie forward Ausar Thompson, the fifth-overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, averages 11.1 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.

Wizards Drop 9 in Row

The Wizards are rebuilding after they traded All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal to the Phoenix Suns in the off-season. Without Beal, they lost their team’s leading scorer and rudder.

The Suns shipped future Hall of Fame point guard Chris Paul to the Wizards in the Beal trade. But Paul was on the roster for less than two weeks before he was traded again. The Wizards traded Paul to the Golden State Warriors for shooting guard Jordan Poole.

Poole twisted his ankle in a loss against the Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. He sat out Saturday’s loss against the Indiana Pacers, and he’s expected to miss Monday night’s game.

Swingman Corey Kispert (10.7 points per game) started on Saturday, and rookie guard Bilal Coulibaly (8.3 points per game) also saw an uptick in playing time with Poole sidelined.

Without Poole in the lineup, the Wizards are on the verge of losing 10 games in a row.

Keep Fading the Bottom-Feeders

Through the first 16 games this season, five teams have a winning percentage below .250, including the Portland Trail Blazers (.250), the Memphis Grizzlies (.188), the San Antonio Spurs (.176), the Pistons (.125), and the Wizards (.125).

Four losing squads are at the bottom of DraftKings’ NBA futures board. The Pistons, Wizards, Spurs, and Trail Blazers are +100000 odds to win the 2023-24 NBA Championship.

The Trail Blazers (4-12) won only a quarter of their games this season during a rebuilding season. They traded All-Star guard Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks and flipped point guard Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics.

The Spurs (3-14) have been must-see TV since they selected French teenage sensation Victor Wembanyama as the #1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. But they’ve only won three games.

The Grizzlies are tied for the second-worst betting record this season with a 5-11 clip against the point spread. The Spurs are right behind them at 6-11 ATS. The Pistons, Wizards, and Trail Blazers also have a losing ATS record at 7-9.

During their 13-game streak, the Pistons are 4-9 ATS. The Wizards are 3-6 ATS during their nine-game skid.

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