What’s On Tap: NBA Playoffs, SBC North America, And Sibella’s Sentencing Hearing
The post What’s On Tap: NBA Playoffs, SBC North America, And Sibella’s Sentencing Hearing appeared first on SportsHandle.
Each week, our “What’s on Tap” series previews the week ahead in the world of sports betting. Come here for a summary of upcoming financial happenings, legislative and regulatory meetings, industry conferences, top games scheduled for the week, and much more.
Monday, May 6
Nuggets look to bounce back
Anthony Edwards erupted for 43 points on Saturday, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a win over the Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. With the defeat, the defending champion Nuggets fell for the first time at home during the NBA Playoffs.
The Nuggets can not afford to fall into an 0-2 hole on Monday with the next two on the road in Minneapolis. Denver opened as a 5.5-point favorite at ESPN BET; the total is 207.5. Also on Monday, the Knicks and Pacers will open an Eastern Conference semifinals series in New York. The Knicks are 6.5-point favorites; the total is 217.5. The Pacers led the league in points per game during the regular season (123.3).
The other two conference semis begin on Tuesday. After eliminating the Magic on Sunday, the Cavaliers will take on the Celtics in Boston. The Celtics will have nearly a week off before Game 1, while the Cavs just finished a grueling seven-game series. Oklahoma City will host the Mavericks in the nightcap. The Thunder are 3.5-point favorites; the total is 215.5.
The Celtics (+115) remain the heavy favorite in the futures market at DraftKings. Two Western teams, the Nuggets and Timberwolves, are next at +425 and +550 respectively. The Knicks still remain a relative longshot at +1100.
Panthers-Bruins open series
The Bruins eliminated the Maple Leafs in overtime on Saturday when David Pastrnak collected a pass off the boards, deked goaltender Ilya Samsonov, and scored for a thrilling victory. The win earned the Bruins a rematch with the Panthers, the top seed in the Atlantic Division. Last year, the Panthers overcame a 3-1 series deficit to defeat the Bruins in seven.
Two other series will begin later this week. The Canucks will host the Oilers in a matchup of two Canadian teams, while the Avalanche will take on the Stars.
As of Monday, six of the remaining eight teams have single-digit odds on the futures’ market at FanDuel. The tight band underscores the tremendous parity in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Oilers, which last won the Stanley Cup in 1990, have emerged as the favorites at +430. Edmonton is just ahead of Dallas, the second choice at +470. The Stars knocked out the defending champion Golden Knights on Sunday, in a 2-1 victory.
Wednesday, May 8
SBC North America begins
Hundreds of stakeholders will converge in New Jersey for SBC North America, one of the world’s largest gambling conferences. The event will be held against the backdrop of several scandals in the sports betting space. Representatives from the NCAA and a litany of professional leagues will speak at the prominent conference. Panelists will tackle issues on integrity, anti-money laundering, and widespread compliance risks, among several others at the two-day conference.
Sibella sentencing hearing
Several months after a stunning guilty plea, Scott Sibella is scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday in Los Angeles. Sibella, a former president of MGM Grand, will be sentenced in California district court in connection with his role in a comprehensive illegal bookmaking operation. In January, Sibella pleaded guilty to one count of failure to file a suspicious transaction report, pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act.
Last week, the Nevada Gaming Control Board filed a three-count complaint against Sibella stemming from his alleged reporting improprieties in the matter. The allegations are related to Sibella’s relationship with Wayne Nix, the bookmaker in the case.
According to prosecutors, Sibella failed to file a suspicious transaction report on a $120,000 cash payment Nix made to the MGM Grand in 2018. The case is tangentially related to an investigation involving Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter of Shohei Ohtani. Sibella’s attorneys have recommended a sentence of probation.
Thursday, May 9
Arraignment of Ohtani’s ex-interpreter
One day later, Mizuhara is scheduled to be arraigned in Los Angeles. Last month, federal prosecutors charged Mizuhara with allegedly stealing $16 million from Ohtani in connection with criminal violations on bank fraud. Mizuhara purportedly stole the funds to re-pay gambling debts with Matt Bowyer, an illegal bookmaker. Associates of Bowyer have placed wagers in the past with the illegal ring operated by Nix, a confidential source told Sports Handle. Mizuhara is facing up to 30 years in prison.
Wyoming meeting on college props ban
In recent weeks, a bevy of states have moved forward with regulations on banning player props on college athletes. Two states, Ohio and Maryland, prohibited the wagers in the first quarter, with Louisiana set to enact a ban later this year.
Following the announcements, Wyoming may be next in line. On Thursday, the Wyoming Gaming Commission will broach the subject at a meeting in Casper. Last week, reports surfaced that the NBA is working with its sportsbook partners to potentially restrict certain wagers on the sport.
The reports come in the wake of Jontay Porter’s lifetime ban from the league. Porter is accused of leaking personal injury information to a bettor, who allegedly wagered on Porter-related props.
NFL schedule release approaching
Over the last few years, the NFL has released its schedule for the upcoming season in early-May. Last week, the league teased the release with a lively spot on Twitter. The Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl champions, are scheduled to open the season on Sept. 5. A day later, the Eagles will face the Packers in Brazil.
Beyond that, the remaining parts of the schedule are unknown to the public. The release will have a considerable impact on season win totals heading into the season. Keep an eye on teams that play consecutive games against potential playoff opponents, as well as teams that are scheduled for three straight road games.
Riddled by injury, the 49ers dropped three straight games last October. San Francisco still went on to win the NFC Championship.
2024 NFL Schedule Release. Coming soon. pic.twitter.com/Gf1IAS958G
— NFL (@NFL) May 3, 2024
Have a good week, everyone!
The post What’s On Tap: NBA Playoffs, SBC North America, And Sibella’s Sentencing Hearing appeared first on SportsHandle.
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