French Open bettors are buying the Lois Boisson fairytale ahead of Coco Gauff semifinal
French Open bettors are buying the Lois Boisson fairytale ahead of Coco Gauff semifinal
Welcome to Prince's Picks, a collection of betting news, analysis and opinions from BetFTW senior writer Prince J. Grimes.
Lois Boisson's storybook run at the French Open continues this morning with her semifinal match against Coco Gauff, and bettor sentiment seems to be turning for the hometown heroine.
Tied for the worst opening odds ahead of her first run at Roland Garros since tearing her ACL before the start of last year's French Open, Boisson has been a massive underdog throughout her run to the semis, including a quarterfinal match against Mirra Andreeva where 97 percent of tickets at BetMGM picked the favorite to win.
However, after the 22-year-old's latest upset, people are starting to believe a fairytale ending is possible. Not only are her +340 odds to beat Coco Gauff significantly better than her quarterfinal odds were at +575, but she was also receiving 55 percent of the tickets on a winner at BetMGM as of Wednesday afternoon.
There is one big problem, though. The big money bettors apparently aren't in agreement with the public. Gauff's odds were receiving 68 percent of the handle at BetMGM, moving her from a -400 opening favorite to -475.
Thunder are massive home favorites
We've already spoken at length about how big a favorite the Oklahoma City Thunder are to win the series against the Indiana Pacers -- one of the biggest NBA Finals favorites ever -- so it should be no surprise in how much that's trickled down at the game level.
With the finals set to begin Thursday, the Thunder are a 9.5-point favorite for Game 1.
Bettors aren't necessarily buying OKC as such as large favorite, as 62 percent of bets and 56 percent of money at BetMGM is on the points with Indiana, and 80 percent of bets on the moneyline has Indiana winning outright. One thing they may want to consider, though, is how dominant the Thunder have been at home. Though OKC has been one of the worst teams against the spread this postseason, they're 7-2 ATS at home.
If the Pacers do upset the Thunder, bettors don't expect Tyrese Haliburton to be a huge help. His props to finish with under 9.5 assists and under 26.5 combined points and assists are the two most popular at the book.
Connor McDavid closing on Conn Smythe
With the Edmonton Oilers' Game 1 win over the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final last night -- aided by two assists by Connor McDavid, including on the game-winning goal in OT -- the reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner just became a bigger favorite to win it again.
McDavid was already the biggest liability to win the award at BetMGM, going into the series with leading +100 odds, which were basically a coin flip. After Game 1, his odds have crossed into the territory of more likely than not at -160.
The movement expands his lead on Sergei Bobrovsky, who dropped from +250 to +400 after allowing four goals to the Oilers. After scoring two goals and the winner, Leon Draisaitl moved to +450, leaping ahead of Aleksander Barkov.
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Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NBA's talks about new league in Europe are continuing, though the process remains in early stages
NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a press conference before Game 1 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a press conference before Game 1 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a press conference before Game 1 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a press conference before Game 1 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) NBA commissioner Adam Silver speaks during a press conference before Game 1 of the NBA Finals basketball series between the Indiana Pacers and the Oklahoma City Thunder Thursday, June 5, 2025, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The NBA's talks with FIBA and other entities about the process of adding a new league in Europe are continuing, Commissioner Adam Silver said, though he noted that it may take at least a couple more years to turn the ideas into reality. Silver spoke at a league event to unveil a refurbished Boys & Girls Club in Oklahoma City on Friday — an off day for the NBA Finals — and said it's difficult to put a specific timeline on the Europe plans. Advertisement 'I will say it's measured in years, not months,' Silver said. 'So, we're at least a couple years away from launching. It would be an enormous undertaking. And while we want to move forward at a deliberate pace, we also want to make sure that we're consulting with all the appropriate stakeholders, meaning the existing league, its teams, European players, media companies, marketing partners. There's a lot of work to be done.' Silver and FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis announced in March that the league and the game's governing body are finally taking long-awaited steps to form a new league, with an initial target of 16 teams. It had been talked about for years, and decades even on some levels. And since the NBA and FIBA went public with their idea to move forward, talks have gotten more constructive, Silver said. Silver said the NBA has been talking directly with the EuroLeague and with some member clubs about a partnership. It's his preference that the NBA work with the existing league on some level, though it's still too early to say exactly what that means. 'Either way, we continue to feel there are an enormous number of underserved basketball fans in Europe and that there's a strong opportunity to have another league styled after the NBA,' Silver said. Advertisement About one in every six current NBA players hails from Europe, including Denver's Nikola Jokic (Serbia) and Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo (Greece) — who have combined for five of the last seven MVP awards — along with the Los Angeles Lakers' Luka Doncic (Slovenia) and San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama (France). The NBA's board of governors will talk more about next steps with the European plans in July at their scheduled meeting in Las Vegas, Silver said. It's possible that the European venture could be unveiled in some way — or possibly start — around the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, just given how much attention will be on international basketball at that time. 'That might be a good launching pad for an announcement around a new competition,' Silver said. Some of the cities that are expected to have interest in being part of the new venture include London, Manchester, Rome and Munich. There will be others, of course. Advertisement 'We haven't had direct conversations yet,' Silver said. "But there have been several organizations that have come forward and said they would be interested and potential owners in operating in those major markets in Europe.' ___ AP NBA:
New York Times
44 minutes ago
- New York Times
Gauff, Boisson walk on court
Catch up on the French Open semifinal reaction after Gauff and Sabalenka beat Loïs Boisson and Iga Świątek respectively at Roland Garros Getty Images Aryna Sabalenka just won her French Open semifinal. I blinked and Coco Gauff and Lois Boisson are walking on Court Philippe-Chatrier. We're moments away from the second women's singles semifinal getting underway. Settle in, tennis fans. Getty Images Iga Świątek won just six points in the entirety of that third set. She well and truly unravelled and will surely feel bruised by that demolition in the third set of a semifinal on her favourite surface and at her favourite venue. She'll be back for another go in the Grand Slam at Wimbledon but it is now a year since she held one of those titles. With Aryna Sabalenka's three-set victory, she's into her first Roland Garros final and sixth at slams overall. She's also the second woman to beat Iga Świątek twice on clay (the other being Elena Rybakina). Getty Images And here's our winner! Aryna Sabalenka can be pleased with the outcome of that one, particularly the final set — here's what she had to say in her on court interview: 💬 'Honestly it feels incredible but the job is not done yet. I'm thrilled with the performance today with this win and with the atmosphere in the stadium. It makes us feel amazing. 'She's the toughest opponent, especially on clay at Roland Garros. I'm proud that I was able to get this win. It was tough and a streaky match. I'm so proud right now. 'I'm glad that I found my serve and it was a bit easier with the serve (int eh third set). 6-0, what more can you say.' Getty Images Are we witnessing a changing of the guard? Aryna Sabalenka is already No. 1 in the world but Iga Świątek has only lost twice on clay at Roland Garros before today. Is this the end of her dominance here? She has not had the best season up to this point and while it was not a perfect Sabalenka performance, it is hard to look past her now. With Iga Świątek knocked out we know that the French Open women's singles trophy will have a new name on it this year. But will it be Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff or Lois Boisson? Stick around for the second semifinal on the way soon as we narrow that list down to two names. Getty Images Aryna Sabalenka has become a staple in Grand Slam finals. She will play in her third straight final on Saturday having got to the final hurdle in Melbourne and New York. She won at the 2024 U.S. Open against Jessica Pegula but was beaten at the Australian Open by Madison Keys. Will the world No. 1 go all the way and win her first French Open title? Getty Images FINAL: Sabalenka (7)7-6(1), 4-6, 6-0 Świątek What a match and what a performance in that third set from Aryna Sabalenka. She was so far off it in the second set but fought back with a bagel to secure her place in her first-ever Roland Garros final. There were twists and turns in that one, what an enthralling match. Getty Images Aryna Sabalenka is known for her power. It's hard to believe that she's hitting her groundstrokes harder than she's had the entire match, isn't it? She's plastering Iga Świątek's serve off the return, dictating the point and putting the Pole on her heels. Sabalenka is hitting her forehand even flatter. And her backhand is deep off the return, forcing Świątek to hit unforced errors. It's one of the main reasons why Sabalenka's up a double break in this final set. Sabalenka (7)7-6(1), 4-6, *4-0 Świątek This is where Sabalenka has come alive. It has been an up and down match for her but Świątek is crumbling as Sabalenka asserts herself as No. 1. She is running away with the third set as Świątek makes error after error and can't keep the ball on the court. Getty Images Sabalenka (7)7-6(1), 4-6, *4-0 Świątek Wow, wow, wow! You could maybe have predicted a Sabalenka win over three sets but her surge to a 4-0 lead in this third set is really impressive. She's just broken Świątek without the reigning champion managing to get a point on the board. A rough start to the set for the No. 5 seed. This is a scintillating start to the final set for Aryna Sabalenka. The world No. 1 hasn't had a sniff at a break of Iga Świątek's serve. Until that last game. I love how Sabalenka hit behind the No. 5 seed with a powerful cross court forehand out wide, before Świątek committed an unforced error to end the game. After breaks of serve today, there have been four service holds and six immediate break backs. Let's see if Sabalenka can consolidate. Getty Images Iga had good reads on that break point. She was in position to extend the rally but couldn't seem to handle the pace. I had her winning in three sets. I still believe — but if she keeps making errors by going for big shots instead of getting into points, that's going to be a problem. She's up 24-14 on points longer than four shots. But Sabalenka is 71-46 on points that last four points or fewer. Getty Images Another bit of Sabalenka variety — a chipped return short in the court off a strong first serve — draws a crucial error from Świątek, who again tried to hit up on a low ball close to the net rather than hitting a slice with her racket under the ball. She has been good at the net the past few games, but not on that sort of shot. Sabalenka duly breaks to move four games from the final. Getty Images Sabalenka (7)7-6(1), 4-6, *2-0 Świątek How important could this be? Sabalenka gets the break as Świątek drills a return into the net. After a frustrating second set, Sabalenka has chance to replicate the first with a blistering start to this deciding set. Świątek has made five unforced errors in this set so far. Sabalenka won't be happy about her first-serve percentage dropping to 48 percent in that set, but it does give her something to build back up in the decider. The short point / long point battle is the same as it was, but Świątek won 71 percent of points behind her first serve in the second set, compared to 43 percent in the first. Sabalenka actually raised her effectiveness too, from 64 percent to 75 percent. Getty Images Break points won: Sabalenka: 60 percent Świątek: 50 percent Winners: Unforced errors: Getty Images The feel Świątek demonstrated in that exchange at the net is symptomatic of a set in which she's played with much better variety and touch. We're back level at a set each and have the third set this match deserved. I went for Sabalenka in three before the match, have to stick with that — even though the momentum is with her opponent. Getty Images In full recognition of the fact that there is a 50 percent chance I'm wrong... I think Sabalenka needed to win this match in two sets.
Fox Sports
44 minutes ago
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Aces, BetMGM Sportsbook team up: What this means for the WNBA
Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — The announcement last week was made in true Las Vegas fashion, boldly and loudly in the heart of the Strip. Representatives from the Aces, MGM Resorts and a local charity placed their hands on a big red button that they together pushed down, and the famous Bellagio fountains suddenly roared behind them as water blasted into the sky. They announced a three-year sponsorship between the WNBA team and BetMGM Sportsbook, timed for a news release in which the league reached a similar agreement. This is not the first time the WNBA or one of its clubs have partnered with a sports-betting company. The league also has deals with DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel, and Indiana (FanDuel), Phoenix (Bally's Corporation) and Washington (ESPN Bet) have reached similar agreements in recent years. 'I think it's long overdue,' said Hall of Fame broadcaster Debbie Antonelli, who has been on the Fever's announcing team since 2000. 'I think it's a demographic in our base that we have missed. I think that 18- to 36-year-old male that predominately was betting has brought that demographic to our game. I think anything that puts attention on our game in that way is good for our game.' The WNBA is the most visible women's league, but not the only one to do what not long ago was unthinkable and establish a relationship with the sports-betting world. Nearly all leagues avoided such arrangements until the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 allowed states to legalize sports betting if they preferred. That is changing and changing fast, including in women's sports. Last September, the Washington Spirit of the National Women's Soccer League signed a deal with Fanatics Sportsbook. The 2-year-old Professional Women's Hockey League agreed in December to a deal with FanDuel. 'We're seeing growth across all of women's sports,' said Molly Wurdack-Folt, BetMGM Sportsbook team and league partnerships director. 'We're seeing viewership increase. We're seeing attendance increase. But from a sports-betting perspective, specifically, the WNBA is leading the way. Just last year alone, BetMGM saw a 130% increase on bets placed on the W. They are definitely the trailblazers.' The WNBA already was on an upward trajectory before the Fever's Caitlin Clark took it to another level last season. Antonelli refers to it as "Clarkanomics,' and last season's Rookie of the Year has more than helped the WNBA soar in TV ratings, attendance and, yes, betting. Though sports betting is traditionally a male-dominated activity, women are becoming a larger part of that population. That's at least partially why BetMGM entered into these partnerships and plans to establish become an even larger presence in the WNBA. The sportsbook is offering more betting options this season and for the first time is posting futures odds on the Commissioner's Cup. Defending league champion New York is the +130 favorite to win the mid-season tournament. It's not just BetMGM's involvement. According to the WNBA, regular-season betting on league games more than doubled at DraftKings and FanDuel. Hall of Fame player Lisa Leslie signed a promotional agreement with DraftKings, and FanDuel has more than tripled its WNBA betting menu. 'I've said for decades, the product is the narrative,' Antonelli said. 'Our game has always been good. Now more people are paying attention to it, and that's good for everyone. The ultimate disruption was Caitlin in the marketplace. Everyone's getting a piece now, and it's great.' The announcement at the Bellagio represented a full-circle moment for MGM, the Aces and the WNBA. It was MGM Resorts International that purchased the then-San Antonio Stars in October 2017, moved them to Las Vegas and rebranded the organization. MGM maintained ownership until Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis bought the team in January 2021. And now the two are joined together again, and it was little surprise that Las Vegas-based MGM chose the Aces for its first major partnership with a women's professional team. 'It almost gives you a different level of credibility,' Aces President Nikki Fargas said. 'Not that I didn't think we were credible, but it gives you a different level of it. I think it's important for us to be trendsetters. I think it's important for us to really push for this league to be the best it possibly can be because I think we've got the best players in the world playing in this league.' ___ AP WNBA: recommended
