The NBA and NHL playoffs have been filled with unexpected turns, particularly as the Cleveland Cavaliers, ranked No. 1, find themselves trailing the Indiana Pacers 3-1 in their seven-game series. The Pacers are now heavily favored, with odds of -325, to win the series at BetMGM sportsbook.
In the NHL, the series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers remains tightly contested with both teams having won two games each. Florida secured their latest victory with a 2-0 shutout on Sunday night. As the week progresses, fans eagerly anticipate the nearing determination of conference finals matchups in both leagues, promising intense competition.
Looking at the weekโs trends, the Panthersโ 2-0 victory came despite being a -185 favorite on the moneyline, but they only attracted 18% of the bets and 33% of the financial backing. For the betting aspect on over-under, the majority leaned towards the over, with 56% of the bets and 69% of the money aligning on this side.
Moreover, the NBA saw the Minnesota Timberwolves claim a significant victory over the Golden State Warriors, winning 102-97 at Golden Stateโs home court, pushing their series lead to 2-1. Minnesota entered the game as a 5.5-point favorite, and a last-second 3-pointer by Jonathan Kuminga allowed the Warriors to cover the spread. In betting terms, 85% of the money wagered at BetMGM supported the Timberwolves against the spread.
In terms of surprises this week, the Cavaliers, favored by 5.5 points in Game 4 against the Pacers, suffered a heavy 129-101 loss, trailing to a staggering 41-point deficit at halftime. 62% of the bets were placed on Cleveland to cover the spread, but Indiana pulled an upset with 64% of the bets and 40% of the money on the moneyline backing the Pacers at +185.
Golden Stateโs Buddy Hield garnered significant attention in prop bets, with 99% betting over his projected 14.5 points, yet narrowly fell short finishing with 14 points in the teamโs defeat.
On a different note, Sepp Straka emerged victorious in the Truist Championship on the PGA Tour, shooting 16 under par for a two-shot win. It marks his second victory this season. Straka, who began the event with +3300 odds, logged only a small portion of wagers and monetary interest in the outright winner market.
Looking ahead, the NFL seasonโs schedule release is slated for Wednesday, with Super Bowl odds already available. The Philadelphia Eagles are leading contenders to repeat their success at +650. Trailing close behind are the Baltimore Ravens at +700, while the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs follow at +750 each. Rounding out the top five favorites are the Detroit Lions, positioned at +900.
Be sure to continue visiting BetMGM for the latest in sports betting insights and odds. Stay tuned as these leagues hit crucial playoff moments.