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. Also, check out our weekly review, “Get a Grip,” for a look back at last week’s notable news.
Monday, May 8
Lakers look to take command of series vs. Warriors
Less than four months ago, the Los Angeles Lakers returned from the NBA All-Star break sitting in 13th place in the Western Conference. But after Saturday’s thrashing of the Warriors, the Lakers are two games from reaching the conference finals.
The Lakers can take a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series with a win Monday night against the defending NBA champs. At BetMGM, the Lakers entered Monday as the co-second choice with the Denver Nuggets (+450) to capture the NBA title. Odds on the Lakers to win it all fluctuated between +400 and +500 over the weekend at several leading books.
The Lakers are 3.5-point favorites on Monday against Golden State; the total is 227.5 points. The Heat can also take a 3-1 lead Monday in their series against the Knicks. Miami is favored by 4.5 points; the total is 206.5.
"The Lakers are easily our worst result. It was a perfect storm for our futures book." – @BetMGM's Hal Egeland
Lakers now the +400 second choice to win championship.
More in updated @VegasInsider #NBAFinals Futures Odds & Action Report:https://t.co/qQ8PMOocZd
— Patrick Everson (@PatrickE_Vegas) May 7, 2023
High-octane Oilers-Knights series moves to Edmonton
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl notched two goals in Saturday’s win over the Golden Knights, increasing his total in the Stanley Cup playoffs to 13 through eight games. The flurry of scoring prompted teammate Connor McDavid to remark that Draisaitl has taken his game to new heights during the postseason.
Draisaitl is only seven goals from breaking the NHL record for goals in a postseason, a mark shared by Reggie Leach and Jari Kurri. At DraftKings, Draisaitl has odds of +800 to win the Conn Smythe Trophy, an award given to the most valuable player in the playoffs.
"He's the best player in the world a lot of nights."
Connor McDavid has some high praise for Leon Draisaitl following the Oilers Game 2 win. pic.twitter.com/bB9UOseSTc
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 7, 2023
On Monday, the Oilers will face the Knights with the series knotted at one game apiece. While the total for Monday’s Game 3 is listed at seven goals, there is some juice on the under at -125. The teams have combined for 16 goals in the first two games of the series. The Oilers enter Monday as the favorite to win the Stanley Cup, with odds of +300.
Tuesday, May 9
Genius Sports Q1 earnings
Genius Sports kicks off a busy week for sports betting data providers when the company hosts its 2023 first-quarter earnings conference call Tuesday morning. Investors will be focused on the company’s long-term projections for profitability. Genius previously indicated that it anticipates incurring a slight loss in fiscal year 2024 before swinging to a profit of around $12 million in 2025.
A day later, archrival Sportradar will hold a call for analysts in releasing its own first-quarter earnings. Sportradar is expected to post earnings per share of $0.05, up from per-share earnings of $0.03 in the same quarter a year ago. Sportradar traded around $13 a share on Monday, up approximately 30% year-to-date.
Man City takes on Real Madrid in opening leg of Champions League semi
In pursuit of an elusive Champions League-Premier League double, Manchester City is heading into a critical week. Before Sunday’s match against Everton, Man City will travel to Spain to face Real Madrid in the opening leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals. Man City is a heavy -152 favorite at PointsBet to capture the Champions League crown.
Real Madrid, the defending Champions League winner, defeated Man City in last year’s semis by a 6-5 aggregate. Real Madrid trailed 4-3 after the opening leg but rallied furiously in the second leg to eliminate the British power. Man City did not have prolific striker Erling Haaland on its squad last year. Haaland already has 47 goals combined this season in Premier League and Champions League matches.
Real Madrid is the second choice at +350, followed by Inter Milan and AC Milan, at +700 and +800, respectively. The two Italian rivals will square off on Wednesday.
Real Madrid don't know how to stop Erling Haaland 💀 pic.twitter.com/5vuy9Fq8Qr
— GOAL (@goal) May 8, 2023
Kraken, Devils pursue key home victories
The New Jersey Devils and Seattle Kraken both recorded victories Sunday, netting 15 goals combined in the resounding wins. New Jersey climbed back into its series against Carolina, as the Hughes brothers combined for eight points in the 8-4 rout. At Caesars Sportsbook, the Devils are -155 moneyline favorites to even the series against the Hurricanes at two games apiece.
The Kraken, meanwhile, scored five second-period goals in Sunday’s 7-2 win over the Stars. The Kraken, a second-year expansion team, entered the playoffs with odds around 50/1 to win the Stanley Cup, now down to 11/1.
With a victory over Dallas on Tuesday, Seattle will be just one win from reaching the Western Conference Finals.
Celtics, Nuggets each host a pivotal Game 5
James Harden drained a clutch 3-pointer with 19 seconds left in overtime Sunday to lift the Sixers to a 116-115 victory over the Celtics. The teams return to Boston for Tuesday’s Game 5 with the series knotted at two games apiece. The Celtics (+165) are still the overwhelming favorites at FanDuel to win the NBA Championship.
None of the seven other teams remaining have odds shorter than +450, with the Nuggets next at +460. The odds will likely change dramatically if Nikola Jokic is suspended for pushing Suns owner Mat Ishbia. During the Nuggets’ loss Sunday night, Jokic made contact with the owner in a brief skirmish near the sidelines.
In defending his actions after the game, Jokic claimed he was hit first by a fan. The two-time NBA MVP scored a career-high 53 points in the defeat. A decision on Jokic’s availability may come as early as Monday. The Nuggets will host the Suns Tuesday night.
Wednesday, May 10
Fanatics’ King delivers keynote at SBC conference
Throughout the week, a bevy of C-suite executives, sports league officials, and Wall Street analysts will convene for SBC Summit North America, one of the world’s largest sports betting conferences. Wednesday morning, Fanatics Betting and Gaming CEO Matt King’s keynote address will open a packed agenda. After moving into a “second phase” of testing last week in Ohio and Tennessee, Fanatics Sportsbook is poised to expand in more than 10 states by year’s end.
Other top panels at the conference
- Are ‘Suggested Bets’ the Future of Data-Driven Sports Betting?
- Leaders Keynote: Johnny Aitken, CEO, PointsBet USA
- Leaders Keynote: Richard Schwartz, CEO, Rush Street Interactive
- In-Arena Sportsbook: The Driver of Omni-Channel?
- Hard Target … Profitability 2023
- College Students and Sports Betting: Opportunities for Risk and Resilience
- Sports, Betting, Teams & Media — Forensic Analysis of Converging Relationships
Saturday, May 13
Defenders heavy favorites over Renegades in XFL Championship
The XFL season comes to an end Saturday when the D.C. Defenders take on the Arlington Renegades in the 2023 championship. At first glance, the Defenders should prevail with ease. Led by XFL Offensive Player of the Year Jordan Ta’amu, the Defenders (10-1) haven’t lost since a one-point defeat to Orlando in Week 7. Arlington, moreover, entered the playoffs with just four regular-season wins.
When the teams met in Week 9, Arlington quarterback Luis Perez threw for 335 yards in a 28-26 overtime win by the Defenders, who are favored by 6.5 points to cap a dominant season by winning the XFL title.
I was NOW old when I realized I have an XFL future alive with Arlington in the title game.
Might have to bother @statsowar this week to gauge if I should buy out with DC -250.— Douglas Farmer (@D_Farmer) May 6, 2023
