5 Reasons You Should Get Excited About The NBA and NHL Finals
It’s a pretty exciting time with two major sports championships happening at the same time. Here’s what you need to know.
It’s a pretty exciting time with two major sports championships happening at the same time. Here’s what you need to know.
Let’s get right to it,
The Last Night’s Game Team
5 Reasons You Should Get Excited About The NBA and NHL Finals
1. If you’re having déjà vu over the NBA (National Basketball Association) finals, you're not the only one. This is the fourth straight meeting of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors in the finals, with the Warriors taking home two championships to the Cavs one. HISTORY
2. Here’s something you don’t hear often, LeBron James and his Cavs are the clear underdogs (especially at the sportsbooks). James is the only Cavs player to play in all four matchups against the Warriors and is playing in his eighth consecutive finals. Think about what you were doing in 2010 (it wasn’t playing on Instagram because it hasn’t been invented yet). That was the last time James was not in the NBA finals.
3. While the NBA finals are a matchup of familiar foes, the battle for the Stanley Cup (NHL – National Hockey League) is the most unlikely scenario featuring the Vegas Golden Knights, in their first year as an expansion team, and the Washington Capitals, who have never won the cup and haven’t been in the finals in 20 years. A GUIDE TO THE FINALS
4. The pregame ceremony before a Golden Knights game is pure Vegas-style and is a must see. Not only is it a who’s who of celebrities but anything can happen and it does during the pregame on the ice. (A live tiger, fire or Lil Jon? No problem). Fans are not only tuning in for the entertainment but for great hockey with game one already setting record TV ratings. A DIFFERENT KIND OF PREGAME
5. The Golden Knights are the first expansion team to reach the finals in 40 years. The team’s roster is made up of “misfits,” as they call themselves, who were selected from the other 30 NHL teams in a draft. (Want to know more about how the team came together? Here’s a quick video explanation). At the beginning of the season, the odds were 500-1 that the Golden Knights would win the Stanley Cup. If you would have bet $10 on the team then, you could be the proud owner of $5,000, if they win. Coulda, shoulda, woulda. PLACE YOUR BETS
- The NBA finals start Thursday night and game two of the quest for the Stanley Cup is tonight in Vegas. (The Golden Knights are up 1-0). Both series are best-of-seven games.
It just keeps coming
Want to keep the conversation going today? Here’s some fodder for your friends, including Serena’s superhero look, why you should never make a bet with the Twittersphere and when you get busted on social media. READ
5 Things To Know About The New Way To Bet On Sports
There’s been a lot of hype around the U.S. Supreme Court overturning a ruling on betting, but what does that mean for you, your paycheck and your state taxes?
There has been a lot of hype around the U.S. Supreme Court overturning a ruling on betting, but what does that mean for you, your paycheck and your state taxes?
Going all in,
The Last Night’s Game Team
Where were we? Before the ruling, if you wanted to place a bet on the outcome of an individual game it was illegal in all states, besides Nevada. The key word is individual games as other states had sports betting. Despite it being illegal to bet on individual games everywhere except Nevada, over $4.7 billion was bet on the Super Bowl - 97% illegally.
What does that mean for the cash burning a hole in my pocket? It will take some time for this to flush out. Much like legalizing marijuana, betting on individual games is determined at the state level. There are six states that are already working on laws to start operating. New Jersey is leading the pack, planning to take legal bets by Memorial Day, with other states hoping to get everything in place in time for the start of football season (Sept). WHY MARK CUBAN IS A BIG FAN
Everyone is looking to get a piece of the pie including professional teams that are hoping to drive attendance. Look no further than across the pond where many European sports stadiums have betting stations inside so you can bet while at the game. Adding live betting could help increase attendance at sporting events.
When we say everyone wants a piece of the pie, you didn’t think Uncle Sam wouldn’t be standing in line for a slice. Remember, winnings are taxable (provided the bet is legally placed). While those taxes may seem like a great revenue generator, don’t hold your breath. Sports betting revenue is a drop in the bucket for Nevada where it accounts for only two percent of the state’s gambling revenue. TAX ME
Ready to go all in? Here’s where your state stands as it relates to being able to place a bet on an individual game. Curious how to bet? Here’s our Five Things To Know About Sports Betting.
The trifecta to get you through your day
Keep up on the office chatter with today’s hot topics including why peeing in a cup could be hazardous to your baseball career, is P. Diddy the newest owner of a football team and which team literally won the lottery? READ
That Breakthrough Moment
In case you missed it, the Super Bowl is this Sunday. The spectacle where pop culture, kitchen fare and sports collide.
In case you missed it, the Super Bowl is this Sunday. The spectacle where pop culture, kitchen fare and sports collide.
Be there or be square,
The Last Night’s Game Team
PS - It’s our last Tailgate Treat of the season and we’re bringing you the best recipes state by state for the Super Bowl. What’s the most popular recipe in your state? Find out here.
NFL (National Football League)
That #FridayFeeling of impressing your co-workers. It’s inevitable, the Super Bowl is coming. You could choose not to watch it or simply watch it for the commercials. Either way impress everyone over the next few days with your knowledge around the game. How much does the halftime performer make? What food is the most popular? Have the Eagles ever won a Super Bowl? We have it all in our Five Things To Know About The Super Bowl.
When you can't help but Say Something. Justin Timberlake may be performing during the NFL's halftime show but that didn't stop him from ruffling some feathers with a statement he made in a press conference. Amid all the concussion controversy that surrounds the league, he told a reporter that his son would "never play football."
Overtime
On Sunday before the Super Bowl, you can tune into the Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl. The real winners, besides the viewers of course, are the puppies because all of them are adoptable shelter dogs. (Hint: they all get adopted). This year’s game will feature 90 puppies from a record 58 shelters and rescue groups from 24 states and Puerto Rico. The cheerleaders? Obviously, baby barnyard animals. Also helping out the referee? Shirley the rescue sloth. 15 FUN FACTS ABOUT THE PUPPY BOWL
Sideline stat
Experts predict over $4.76 billion will be wagered on the Super Bowl this year but only three percent of it will be legally bet in Nevada. The rest of the money will be bet with offshore sportsbooks and local bookmakers. (Nevada is currently the only state where you can bet on a single game). SPORTS BETTING 101
Coaches’ Corner
The biggest tradition in the storied Duke basketball program is “Krzyzewskiville," where students camp out before games to secure their game ticket. (The camp name is an homage to their coach). Since this year's flu has been so widespread and deadly, the school has closed the camp. Party poopers.
Vegas readers! Catch us this morning on The Morning Blend (ABC 13) between 9-10 am (PST) to play Super Bowl trivia alongside Shawn and JJ.
