Shocking news of Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter has surfaced amid the clampdown on sports gambling amongst professional athletes. Porter is out of the Raptors lineup and subject to an NBA investigation into irregularities on prop betting, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
Raptors' Jontay Porter investigated for involvement in sports gambling incidents
The issue at hand centers around prop bets involving Porter from games on Jan. 26th and March 20th, sources told ESPN. On the night of Toronto's Jan. 26th matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, there was increased interest on the under for Porter's props.
His marks were set at 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. He was also subject to a 0.5 over/under for his made 3-pointers. Porter only played four minutes that night before leaving from what the Raptors described as a reaggravated eye injury he had suffered in a Memphis Grizzlies matchup four days prior.
Porter did not score in the Clippers game and had three rebounds and one assist. Moreover, he did not attempt a three-pointer. Thus, the under hit on all of his props.
One day later, DraftKings Sportsbook reported that the under on Porter's three-pointers was the biggest money-winner for bettors of any NBA props from games that evening. Porter then played 19 minutes and scored 12 points in addition to seven rebounds and three assists two days later.
Then, on March 20th, Porter played just three minutes against the Phoenix Suns before exiting with what the Raptors said was an illness. He finished with zero points and two rebounds.
Sportsbooks had Porter's over/unders set at roughly 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. The day after the game, DraftKings Sportsbooks reported that his props were the best money maker from March 26th's night of NBA games.
Porter's investigation continues amid his two-way contract stint with the Raptors. The examination of the center's alleged involvement comes at an untimely moment.
Examining parallels between Jontay Porter and Shohei Ohtani's alleged Dodgers incident
Just a few days before news of Porter's investigation broke, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani became subject to an MLB investigation. Ohtani's former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was accused of stealing money from the Dodgers star's account to pay off sports gambling debts.
Mizuhara allegedly transferred approximately $4.5 million to an illegal sportsbook. He originally said Ohtani paid the debt for him but later retracted the statement.
Like the NBA, the MLB has rules on player participation in sports gambling. Thus, Ohtani could face severe consequences if he was found to be directly involved in the incident. Despite the allegations, Ohtani firmly denied any wrongdoing.
“I never bet on baseball or any other sorts and have never asked someone to do so on my behalf and have never bet through a bookmaker,” Ohtani said, per Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
Furthermore, the Dodgers star said Mizuhara stole money from his account and is telling lies about his involvement.
Shohei Ohtani and Jontay Porter are members of their respective professional sports leagues with strict rules on sports betting. Therefore, it prompts the question of how these alleged incidents could have arisen. Nevertheless, a thorough investigation must be made before conclusions are drawn.
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