The NBA has opened an investigation into Toronto two-way player Jontay Porter amid gambling allegations. The aligation revolve around two games, one on Jan. 26 and March 20. In both games, Porter played briefly before leaving citing injury or illness. The contention is around prop bets in which Porter was the subject of heavy betting on him hitting the under on his point prop.
A prop bet is a side bet in a game mostly focused on the performance of one of the players in the game. As a two-way player, he is not one in which heavy betting one way or the other is often placed. Allegedly there were many bets, some totalling $20,000. In the games on the 26th of January and March 20th he took himself out of the games for injury while being under his prop bet total not to return. Coach Darko Rajaković had this to say;
“I never doubt injuries. I never doubt honestly from players,” Rajaković said. “Obviously, I’ve never had a situation like this before.”
Last week, Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff revealed he received threats from gamblers last season and reported it to the NBA.
“They got my telephone number and were sending me crazy messages about where I live and my kids and all that stuff,” Bickerstaff said. “So it is a dangerous game and a fine line that we’re walking for sure.”
It is just a matter of time as the amount of money that is bet on games is too much for the bad side to pass on. Although the money on the NBA is great no doubt, for a two-way guy who does not know if he will be in either league next year, the temptation is there. For those who may believe this is a one-and-done, this may only be the start, the opening of the can that will expose much more.
Remember on Monday, Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara lied to him for years and stole millions from him, to pay gambling debts. Many athletes from all sports will tell you they hear every day about how their play affected someone’s bet.
You get messages. You hear it on the sideline. You see guys talking about it all the time. It is what it is. It comes with being in the NBA. People bet on silly things on a daily basis. So, I mean, it’s part of being in the NBA, it’s what comes with it. I get it.” Raptors forward Jordan Nwora
That can is opening and what comes out may change the world of sports altogether. Stay with EDF Lifestyle for more great content and more as the story drops.
