What’s On Tap: Run Of Quarterbacks Expected At 2024 NFL Draft

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, April 22

Nuggets, Knicks seek commanding leads

Trailing at the half on Saturday, the Denver Nuggets staged a furious rally in a 114-103 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Nikola Jokic thrashed the Lakers with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. Days after his brother received a lifetime ban for violating the NBA‘s gambling policy, Michael Porter Jr. had 19 points on efficient shooting. The Nuggets are 7.5-point favorites on Monday at ESPN BET; the total is 223.5.

There are also two games in the Eastern Conference on Monday night. After a close win on Saturday evening, the Knicks look to leave Madison Square Garden with a 2-0 series lead. The Knicks defeated the Sixers in Game 1, despite a rough shooting night from Jalen Brunson. The Sixers are 4.5-point dogs at ESPN BET; the total is 207.5.

Brunson finished with 22 points, but shot just 8-of-26 from the field. He received a lift from Miles McBride, who poured in 21 off the bench. There are odds of -125 on Brunson to hit the Over (30.5 points) at DraftKings on Monday.

“What’d it take to get it done?”

“Deuce McBride” – Jalen Brunsonpic.twitter.com/bZBOaTSxby

— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) April 21, 2024

Also on Monday, the Cavs will attempt to extend their series lead against the Magic. Cleveland is a 5.5-point home favorite.

Magic guard Cole Anthony was held to four points on Saturday on 0-for-7 shooting. Orlando finished with 42 points after halftime in the 93-87 defeat. The total on Monday is 203.5 points.

Stars-Golden Knights begin series

After winning their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, the Vegas Golden Knights raced out to an 11-0-1 start in the regular season. The Knights even led the NHL in points in December, before hitting the skids in the second half. Besieged by injuries, Vegas limped to the final wild-card spot out West.

The Knights open the playoffs on Monday night against the Stars, the top seed in the Western Conference. The series is a rematch of the 2023 Western Conference Finals, won by the Knights in six games. The Stars have odds of -130 at FanDuel to advance over the Knights (+108).

The Oilers also begin a first-round series on Monday night against the Kings. The Oilers are the +370 choice to win the West, ahead of the Stars and the Canucks at +400 and +490 respectively.

Thursday, April 25

GLI Regulators Roundtable

A host of state gambling regulators will convene in Las Vegas for the GLI 2024 Regulatory Roundtable. The three-day event at The Palms is being held against the backdrop of several major scandals that have roiled the legal sportsbook industry.

Last week, the NBA banned former Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter for life amid match manipulation allegations. Next month, Ippei Mizuhara, the former interpreter of Shohei Ohtani, will be arraigned for federal charges on bank fraud.

Mizuhara is accused of stealing $16 million from Ohtani to help pay off his sports betting debts. A panel on Thursday entitled “Compliance, Integrity, and Evolving Regulatory Cooperation” will tackle the convergence of those issues.

Run on QBs expected at the top of the Draft

During Thursday’s NFL Draft, USC QB Caleb Williams is a virtual lock to go to the Bears with the No. 1 pick. At bet365, there are odds of -10000 for Williams to be selected with the top overall pick. As of Monday, draftniks are more focused on which player will go No. 2.

Two quarterbacks, Jayden Daniels of LSU and Drake Maye, have emerged as the favorites at -130 and +110 respectively. Another signal caller, J.J. McCarthy of Michigan, is the third choice at +1400. There’s a strong possibility that four quarterbacks could be taken in the first five picks.

“You don’t have time to let players develop…”

Who will the Commanders take at #2 in the #NFLDraft?

Former Washington HC @Coach_JayGruden joined @VSiNLive and told us which QB he would take…

Current odds at @DKSportsbook
Jayden Daniels -155
Drake Maye +130 pic.twitter.com/5hFsqJEqNs

— Tim Murray (@1TimMurray) April 21, 2024

Two others, Bo Nix and Michael Penix Jr., may also be selected in the opening round. BetMGM has pegged the total for quarterbacks taken in Round 1 at 4.5, with considerable juice on the Over at -210. The total is also 4.5 at DraftKings, with a less favorable price at -170.

There is considerable depth at wide receiver and offensive tackle in Thursday’s opening round. Three wideouts, Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze, could be selected in the Top 10.

Sunday, April 28

Korda pursues record sixth straight win

Nelly Korda captured her second-career major on Sunday with a two-shot victory at the Chevron Championship in Texas. Korda also tied an LPGA record for consecutive tournament victories with five. Korda now shares the tour record with Annika Sorenstam and Nancy Lopez.

On the men’s side, Scottie Scheffler won his second straight tournament with a three-shot victory in the RBC Heritage. Scheffler won The Masters in convincing fashion a week earlier.

It’s Nelly Korda’s world. Scottie Scheffler is just living in it.

Read more: https://t.co/gcq3QYH3pu https://t.co/gcq3QYH3pu

— Brotips (@brotips) April 22, 2024

Korda can break the mark on Sunday at the JM Eagle Championship in Los Angeles. Keep an eye on Korda’s odds early this week. She entered the $2.7 million Chevron Championship with odds of +500.

Typically, it is unusual for an LPGA golfer to enter a tournament with single-digit odds.

Have a good week, everyone!