Each Monday, 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. Also, check out our weekly review “Get a Grip” for a look back at last week’s notable news.
Monday, April 25
Celtics look to sweep the Nets
Through three games in an Eastern Conference quarterfinals series, the Boston Celtics have placed the clamps on Kevin Durant. On Saturday night, the Celtics held Durant to 16 points in a 109-103 road victory in Brooklyn. After the crushing loss, Durant admitted to overthinking too much over the course of the series.
Now trailing 3-0, the Nets are in desperation mode as Durant & Co. attempt to claw their way back into the series. The Nets, the preseason favorite to win the NBA championship, now have odds of 65/1 at FanDuel to win it all. No team in NBA history has won a series after falling behind 0-3 in it. The Celtics have -4000 odds to capture the series over the Nets, who are now longshots at 15/1. On Monday, the Nets are 2-point favorites to win Game 4.
While Durant has floundered during the series, Jayson Tatum has displayed one of the breakout efforts of the playoffs. Tatum has averaged 29.7 points per game in the series, including 39 on Saturday night when he scored 14 in the final quarter.
The Truth gives his take 👀 pic.twitter.com/tTRfnzmfGE
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 24, 2022
Also on Monday in the Western Conference quarters, the Utah Jazz will face the Dallas Mavericks in a pivotal Game 5 of their contentious series. Despite the return of Luka Doncic in Saturday’s Game 4, the Jazz edged the Mavericks 100-99 on an alley-oop dunk by Rudy Gobert with 11 seconds left. The Mavs are 3-point favorites over the Jazz at Caesars Sportsbook. In addition, the Philadelphia 76ers are 7.5-point favorites over the Toronto Raptors as the Sixers look to close out the series Monday night.
Tuesday, April 26
EGR North America East Coast Briefing
A host of industry experts, C-suite executives, and pro sports league representatives will converge on Midtown Manhattan for Tuesday’s EGR North America East Coast Briefing. The keynote panel on Tuesday features Bill Pascrell III, partner at Princeton Public Affairs; Rhea Loney, vice president of compliance at Penn National Gaming; Martin Lycka, senior vice president for American regulation at Entain; and Louis Rogacki, deputy director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.
Other panels at Tuesday’s conference:
- New York sports betting: exploring the successes, the challenges, and predictions for the year ahead.
- Staying secure in the online marketplace: assessing cybersecurity and strengthening online platforms.
- Innovations in fan engagement technology and sports partnerships.
- M&A trends and the startup journey in the East Coast market.
Manchester City heavy favorite in Champions League semis
Nearly one year after a crushing defeat in the UEFA Champions League Finals, Manchester City is back in the semifinals. On Tuesday, Man City hosts Real Madrid at Ethiad Stadium and will have to contain striker Karim Benzema, who already has 12 goals this season in Champions League play.
The books expect Man City to successfully defend its home field before next month’s second leg in Madrid. At PointsBet, Man City is a heavy -228 favorite over Real Madrid (+525) in Tuesday’s opening leg. Odds on a draw are +360. On Wednesday, Liverpool is a -371 favorite over Villarreal in the opening leg of their semifinal clash.
Golden Knights and Stars face off in key matchup
The Vegas Golden Knights entered the season as a chic pick to win the Stanley Cup. The Knights then bolstered their offense with the midseason acquisition of Jack Eichel. The Knights’ playoff chances are on life support, however, after Sunday’s shootout loss to San Jose.
The Knights face the Dallas Stars Tuesday night, trailing the Stars by three points for the final wild card spot in the Western Conference. Each team has three games left in the regular season. With a regulation win, the Stars would eliminate the Knights. But if the Knights win in regulation, they will trail Dallas by just one point with two games remaining. The Knights have odds of 30/1 to win the Stanley Cup at BetMGM, while the Stars have odds of 40/1.
Vegas loses. Bordeleau, the Michigan kid, gets the only goal in the shootout. Eichel one of three stopped by Reimer… Devastating defeat. Up 4-2 with under 3:00 left. They go to Dallas three points back. They lose in regulation and they're out.
— Mike Harrington (@ByMHarrington) April 25, 2022
Thursday, April 28
Massachusetts Senate may debate sports betting bill
A bill that seeks to legalize sports betting in Massachusetts gained momentum last week when approved by the Senate Ways and Means Committee. As a result, the Massachusetts Senate could debate proposed legislation on sports betting as early as Thursday. The legislation, Bill S. 269, includes prohibition on the use of credit cards for both in-person and online wagers. The bill also prohibits licensees from purchasing biometric data from athletes for sports betting purposes. It should be noted that Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has been a proponent of legalized sports betting for more than a year.
SEC expected to dominate opening round of the NFL Draft
Over the last 15 years, 147 players from the SEC have been selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, by far the most of any conference. A prop at Caesars Sportsbook puts the over/under total at 10.5 for the number of SEC players to be taken in Thursday’s first round of the NFL Draft. Ironically enough, CBSSports.com projects Georgia LB Quay Walker to be selected with the 32nd and last pick of the first round.
147 players from the SEC have been drafted in the first round since 2007 😲@wingoz examines what that might mean for the conference this year 🧐 pic.twitter.com/qGZlWFnqJD
— Caesars Sportsbook (@CaesarsSports) April 24, 2022
Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral may be one of the last players selected in the opening round. As of Monday morning, CBSSports.com had Corral headed to the Detroit Lions with the 25th overall pick. The website also projects the Atlanta Falcons selecting Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett with the 31st overall selection. At SI Sportsbook, there are odds of -200 for more than 2.5 quarterbacks to be selected in the first round, and +150 for under 2.5.
