Around the Betting Planet: Lakers seal NBA title in style

US sports betting news

Lakers clinch NBA Championship in Game 6

A hotly contested NBA Finals Game 5 between the Miami Heat and the LA Lakers kept Miami in the series, barely. The Heat managed to eke out a 111-108 victory over the Lakers in a very exciting evening.

LeBron James and co. were a mere 20 seconds away from winning yet another NBA Championship. However, Miami held on, thanks to Jimmy Butler netting two free throws with 16 seconds left on the clock.

The two teams faced off again in Game 6 on Sunday night. The Lakers bolted out of the gates and took a whopping 64-36 lead into half time. The Heat fought back with a blistering 35-point final term, but it wasn’t enough as LA won 106-93 to clinch the title.

UK sports betting news

New pay-per-view Premier League model attracts criticism

After the English Premier League announced the new pay-per-view model for live broadcasts, experts have come forward to criticize the move. According to critics, the model will harm smaller teams and drive many viewers towards illegal streams and bookmakers.

In the new model, games that aren’t broadcasted on regular channels would be available through Sky Sports Box Office or BT Sport Box Office. Each game would be priced at £14.95.

As matches between smaller teams are rarely aired live on television and streaming services, fans of those clubs would often have to pay a premium to watch their teams play. Experts fear that this move will drive viewers to illegal sportsbook streams, which teams don’t profit from. That loss of income could be crushing for smaller outfits.

Africa sports betting news

South Africa’s participation in Rugby Championship still up in the air

The Rugby Championship, the largest annual international rugby event in the Southern Hemisphere, will kick off on November 7. However, it’s still unclear whether the reigning world champions, South Africa, will actually be present for the competition.

Two main factors are keeping Rugby South Africa from confirming their presence in the event. COVID-19 travel restrictions mean significant complications on the logistical side of things, while concerns exist over team readiness under present conditions.

Rugby South Africa so far have only stated that several “hurdles” stand in the way before they can confirm assistance. A final decision is expected at some point next week. The Rugby Championship will take place in Australia from November 7 until December 12.

Europe sports betting news

Page vs Houston will mark MMA’s French debut

The Michael “Venom” Page vs Scot Ross “Hitman” Houston match in Paris is a historic event. It’ll be the very first mixed martial arts bout taking place in French territory.

MMA has only been legal in France since January of this year. The nation is a shockingly late adopter, considering the widespread popularity of MMA across much of Europe. A 2016 law originally banned the sport, making France and Norway the sole standouts in MMA recognition.

Experts chalk up the changing tides to significant lobbying efforts, as well as growing popularity of MMA among the French. Conor McGregor, in particular, is cited as responsible for introducing many new French fans to the sport.

South America sports betting news

CONMEBOL World Cup 2022 qualifiers begin amid uncertainty

The South America Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) teams are starting their FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifiers this month. However, many unanswered questions still exist surrounding the conditions that these matches will be played in.

Travel restrictions paint a complex picture for players, most of which play in clubs abroad. Protocols change significantly between countries, making it hard for FIFA to set a guideline.

Many clubs are refusing to release players to territories where the pandemic is particularly serious, such as Peru or Ecuador. In other cases, players aren’t allowed to leave, such as Venezuela’s Salomon Rondon, playing in the Chinese Super League.

Australia sports betting news

Rabbitohs prevail over Eels in NRL semi final

The season has come to an end for the Parramatta Eels after an unexpected disaster cost them precious momentum in Saturday’s NRL semi final at Bankwest Stadium. The Eels were dominating the South Sydney Rabbitohs early, but the Bunnies fought back to take the lead at 20-18 early in the second half.

The crucial moment came when Mitchell Moses missed a straightforward penalty goal that would’ve tied the scores at 20-20. The ball hit the post and bounced back into play, allowing South Sydney to regroup against a scattered Parramatta defence. This led to a sudden reversal, with the Rabbitohs racking up eight points in a short few minutes. After the game, Moses seemed absolutely crushed, knowing he might’ve cost his team the game.

As for South Sydney, they’ll move on to face the Penrith Panthers in the preliminary finals this weekend.

NZ sports betting news

Beauden Barrett sidelined for second Bledisloe Cup Test

After All Blacks coach Ian Foster switched out Jordie Barrett as fullback for his brother Beauden, fans were puzzled. Now, Beauden has been benched for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup Test after sustaining an Achilles injury.

However, continuing to defy expectations, Foster has replaced Beauden with Damian McKenzie. The coach is doubling down on using Jordie Barrett as a right wing, rather than his usual fullback position.

Fortunately, Beauden Barrett’s Achilles lesion is rather mild, and he’s expected to rejoin the team within a week.