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NBA Trading Blows: this week’s betting market movers and shakers from Cloudbet
The theme-park surrounds of the NBA bubble are a most appropriate venue for what has certainly been a roller-coaster ride of a postseason. The conference semifinals have so far seen one of the title favourites – Milwaukee – bundled out unceremoniously, while the Los Angeles teams – the Clippers and the Lakers – are close to moving through.
Yes, there has been no shortage of drama in the NBA bubble, even without the crowd support and the home-court advantages conferred to higher-seeded teams. Arguably, the games have been more dramatic precisely for those reasons. The first round of the playoffs was highlighted by buzzer beaters, phenomenal individual scoring and a temporary halt to protest yet another police shooting in America.
Lebron James, the game’s best-known player, has rediscovered his imperious form, while the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo may have to console himself with the MVP award (for which he’s heavily favored to win), now that he’s been relegated to the sidelines.
With the Eastern and Western Conference finals beckoning, it’s appropriate for us at Cloudbet to take stock of the big market moves over the past week.
Miami heats up
Title odds: 4.88/+388 (from 8/+700 on 4 September)
The Heat are the hot team at the moment after sweeping Indiana in the first round and rolling over the Bucks in five games. Miami cornerstone Jimmy Butler is playing close to his All-Star best, backed by strong performances Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic, among others.
This is a line-up that outgunned Indiana and Milwaukee by an average margin of 8 points per match, and includes Duncan Robinson, who is fifth in the league for made 3-pointers this season. They’re now heading to their first Eastern Conference finals since 2014, but Butler is focused on bigger things:
Making the conference finals “means a lot, but that’s not my goal,” the All-Star swingman told reporters after closing out the Bucks series. “We want to win it. We want a championship and I think that’s what we’re focused on.”
Butler, who is currently in the deepest playoff run of his eight-year career, indicated that the Heat haven’t played their best basketball yet: “I don’t think we’ve played a full 48-minute game yet and that’s what’s promising. If we do lock in from start to finish and play the way that we’re capable and the way that we’re supposed to, the game will be a lot easier. But it’s yet to happen and we’ve got to have it happen in the next round.”
An ominous signal for their next opponent, the winner of the Toronto-Boston semifinal.
We the West
Los Angeles Clippers title odds: 2.76/+176 (from 3.14/214)
Los Angeles Lakers title odds:2.96/+196 (from 3.54/254)
While not a massive improvement in their lines, it’s worth just talking about the two LAs because of their star-studded line-ups, and because they’re inching closer to facing each other in the Western Conference finals. Both units are leading all current playoff teams in points per game and field-goal percentage.
The Clippers were efficient in dispatching Dallas in the first round, even through injury and Covid-related personnel issues, and now hold a commanding 3-1 series lead over Denver. Kawhi Leonard is the joint second-highest scorer of all players left in the playoffs (with the Lakers’ Anthony Davis), and the Clippers have averaged more points than any other unit in the postseason.
They’ve been boosted by the return of guard Patrick Beverley from a calf injury, and some solid scoring efforts from their other superstar Paul George. Markets favor the Clippers to end the Nuggets series in Game 5 (1.25/-405).
Meanwhile, after early bubble yips, the Lakers have rediscovered their offense in the playoffs, averaging 114 points per game. That’s a big improvement over the 106 they had in their eight regular season contests in the bubble.
GOAT contender Lebron James has lifted his game, as he has done frequently in his career: He’s currently the playoffs’ assists leader, with 9 dimes per game, and the league’s fourth-highest scorer this month. The Lakers have been boosted by Rajon Rondo, who has taken some of the playmaking burden off James’ shoulders.
The Lakers are 3-1 up against a Houston Rockets team that can also score by the truckload, but are coming off a seven-game series against Oklahoma City. Rocket guard Russell Westbrook has shown some flashes of brilliance, but has been struggling with form and a thigh injury.
The Lakers’ latest victory over the Rockets is James’ 163rd playoff win – the most by any player in NBA history.
“It doesn’t happen without the supporting cast,” James said of his playoff record, after winning Game 3 against Houston. The same is certainly true of winning a championship this year, and based on their recent form, the Lakers are looking good on that front.
We the… North?
Boston title odds: 8.03/+703 (from 7.09/+609)
Toronto title odds: 9.95/+895 (from 13/+1200)
The Celtics replace Milwaukee as favorites to take the Eastern Conference title after sweeping Philadelphia in the first round and winning the first two games over the Toronto Raptors. Since then, Boston’s line has drifted as they dropped three of the last four games to a Raptor unit that continues to defy expectations.
Jayson Tatum has been a stud for the Celtics in the playoffs, leading his team with 27 points per game, with support from Kemba Walker and Jaylen Brown. The Raps, however, found a way to contain Walker in Game 6, a double-overtime thriller destined for the pantheon of classic NBA match-ups.
Defending champions Toronto, meanwhile, refuse to go quietly into the night, thanks to gutsy performances from guards Kyle Lowry and Fred Van Vleet. This is a team that had the second-most regular season wins in the league this year, even without Kawhi Leonard, who left for the Clippers after last year’s title run.
The Raps have now leveled the series with the much more talented and fancied Celtics – and are looking to go one step further.
“Winning is all that matters right now,” a determined Lowry said after scoring 33 points in Game 6. “Just go and win, it don’t matter how you get it done, don’t matter who gets to do it.”
Truer words rarely spoken.
Results and odds are current as of 8am UTC on Friday 11 September.
The Hippodrome has been named official casino partner of iGB L!VE.
Sited in Leicester Square, London, in the heart of the city’s West End entertainment hub, the Hippodrome comprises seven floors of entertainment and gaming, with three uniquely-themed casino floors, the capital’s largest dedicated poker deck, nine bars, two award winning restaurants – Heliot Steak House and the Chinese restaurant Chop Chop – a ‘hidden’ cocktail bar Archive & Myth and the record breaking Magic Mike Live show.
The partnership which is part of iGB L!VE’s London iGaming Week a program of immersive curated networking events, seminars, socials and parties, will see delegates and exhibitors receive a complementary drink on arrival and a 25% discount at Heliot Steak House and Chop Chop. Delegates will need to present their iGB L!VE show pass to secure their discount and complementary welcome drink.
Announcing the collaboration Clarion Gaming Managing Director Stuart Hunter said: “When ICE was held in London the Hippodrome was the ‘go to’ social and networking hub enjoyed by show visitors from throughout the world. This will be the first edition of iGB L!VE to take place in the capital and I am absolutely delighted to continue that unique relationship with what is a cornerstone of London’s West End. There’s no doubt that the Hippodrome has provided the backdrop to numerous discussions, partnerships and collaborations that have impacted the gaming industry and I am certain that will continue when iGB L!VE comes to town!”
Simon Thomas, the Hippodrome’s executive chairman, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming delegates to iGB LIVE as we celebrate our 13th birthday. I’m proud to say we have grown into one of the London’s most famous (and busiest) venues, a night time icon that has introduced casino-going to hundreds of thousands new customers. So where better for visitors to iGB LIVE to come and celebrate this prestigious event.
Connecting igaming operators, affiliates, tech vendors and game providers, iGB L!VE will welcome a projected 15,000 iGaming and affiliate pioneers helping businesses throughout the ecosystem to navigate the iGaming landscape, provide networking opportunities, showcase cutting-edge innovations and share crucial market knowledge.
For more information and to register for iGB L!VE, 2 – 3 JULY 2025, ExCeL London: igblive.com
The post iGB L!VE and Hippodrome Casino join forces for London iGaming Week appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Company’s Lottery Expert Recognized for Four Decades of Service Excellence to Fuel Lottery Performance
Scientific Games proudly announces the induction of Charlie Scannella, Vice President of Commercial Sales and Client Relations, into the prestigious Lottery Industry Hall of Fame. The honor recognizes Scannella’s extraordinary contributions to the North American lottery industry during his 40-year career. He will be honored at a ceremony with all 2025 inductees on September 10 at the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries 2025 Annual Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Scannella joins an elite group of lottery professionals worldwide whose efforts have made an indelible impact on the industry. His deep industry knowledge, strategic vision and dedication to client success have set the highest standard for excellence. Scannella’s contributions have fueled lottery growth, mentored future leaders and strengthened the industry at every level.
“Charlie’s passion for the lottery business, his commitment to collaboration and unique ability to build strong, enduring relationships have set our industry’s gold standard for client partnership and support,” said Pat McHugh, CEO of Scientific Games. “His Hall of Fame induction is a well-deserved recognition of the profound and lasting mark he has made on the success of the North American lottery industry.”
Building on valuable foundational experience gained at the New Jersey Lottery and Webcraft Games, Scannella joined Scientific Games in 1990, where he has since held several pivotal roles, including leading instant product sales, portfolio management, licensed properties and customer relations. His extensive work with lotteries across the U.S. has been instrumental in helping them responsibly grow their game portfolios and meet profit goals to fund their good cause programs.
McHugh added, “Trusted and respected by peers and customers alike, Charlie is known not only for his operational expertise and strategic thinking but also as a mentor who continuously gives back to our industry. His leadership has strengthened lottery programs across North America and inspired generations of professionals.”
With operations on five continents, Scientific Games is the world’s largest creator, producer and manager of lottery games and a global leader in lottery and sports betting technology, digital games, player loyalty programs and advanced analytics. The company serves 150 lotteries in 50 countries worldwide.
© 2025 Scientific Games, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
The post Company’s Lottery Expert Recognized for Four Decades of Service Excellence to Fuel Lottery Performance appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
CRKD Collaborates With Licensed Special Edition NEO S™ Controller, Complete with 5 Fret Festival Attachment
CRKD™, the premium collectible gaming brand behind the award-winning Nitro Deck™ and NEO S™ collectible controllers, announced today the NEO S BRUNO MARS 5 Fret Edition, a licensed, special edition NEO S controller, designed for use with Fortnite Festival and other rhythm-based games.
Compatible with Nintendo® Switch™, PC, Mobile, Tablet and Smart TV’s, the NEO S BRUNO MARS 5 Fret Edition celebrates the global superstar artist’s arrival in Fortnite Festival.
The ideal companion for Bruno Mars and Fortnite Festival fans, the limited-edition NEO S Controller features artwork inspired by the 16-time GRAMMY winner himself, matching the artwork appearing in Fortnite Festival.
Available for pre-order now, the NEO S BRUNO MARS 5 Fret Edition is expected to ship in September of this year.
The NEO S BRUNO MARS 5 Fret Edition is the third NEO S controller in CRKD’s Festival range, bringing gamers closer to the music they love and transforming the Fortnite Festival experience thanks to the unique Festival Attachment (included), which replicates the frets found on a real guitar, providing a more authentic and immersive experience.
The NEO S BRUNO MARS 5 Fret Edition follows the recently announced NEO S LINKIN PARK 5 Fret Edition controller, as well as the long-awaited CRKD Gibson® Les Paul™ Guitar Controller range, which will also be fully compatible with Fortnite Festival, bringing rhythm music fans more ways to play and enjoy their favorite music.
All products in the CRKD music controller range have been designed to continue the proud legacy of dedicated rhythm-based controllers, with the new hardware designed and engineered by team members behind the much-loved hardware for Guitar Hero™ and DJ Hero™.
Attaching with ease to the NEO S, the Festival Attachment has been ergonomically designed to fit in the palm of your hand. Featuring five action buttons which replicate the frets on a guitar, fans of rhythm music games such as Fortnite Festival or Rock Band™ will feel right at home.
The NEO S BRUNO MARS 5 Fret Edition can be used to play multiple instruments within Fortnite Festival, including Guitar, Keytar, Drum, Mic and Bass song parts. Compatible with multiple community-based rhythm music games, players can easily remove the Festival Attachment, to enjoy their NEO S controller with all regular games.
With robust wireless compatibility and compact footprint, the NEO S is the ideal controller for gaming at home or on the move. With Hall-Effect Thumbsticks, ‘Stick Drift’ is a thing of the past and the ‘No Deadzone Mode’, integrated Motion Controls and Adjustable Trigger Sensitivity mean that the NEO S is a highly adept controller, no matter what you’re playing. Remappable Back Buttons provide extra controls when you need them the most, and Adjustable Vibration and Swappable Stick Tops provide a wealth of customizable options. Thanks to Bluetooth® technology, the NEO S can even be used with Smart TV’s, mobile devices and tablets, delivering a mighty controller for all your gaming!
Like all CRKD hardware, the NEO S BRUNO MARS 5 Fret Edition is fully compatible with the CRKD ‘True Collection System’ a free mobile App for iOS™ and Android® which will register the product number and rarity ranking of your hardware into your personal secure collection, adding to your bragging rights and giving instant oversight to all your CRKD gaming gear. CRKD products with Bluetooth capabilities also connect to CRKD CTRL feature within the App which allows users the ability to customize the adjustable features of their controller.
The NEO S BRUNO MARS Edition is available for pre-order today crkd.gg, and is expected to start shipping from September this year for a suggested retail price of $59.99/ €69.99 / £59.99. Browse the full 5-Fret Festival collection crkd.gg/pages/fortnite-festival.
This collaboration was facilitated by Epic Games’ licensing agency IMG Licensing.
Stay up to date with all the latest news, product releases, and more by following CRKD on all social media channels @crkdgg or visiting go.crkd.gg/socials
To join the CRKD Discord, a growing community of engaged gamers and collectors please visit: go.crkd.gg/discord
To read our latest blog post to the rhythm community please visit: go.crkd.gg/rhythm
The post CRKD™ Debuts The NEO S™ BRUNO MARS 5 Fret Edition, Compatible with Fortnite Festival! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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