Raptors center Jontay Porter is the subject of the latest NBA gambling investigation, according to ESPN.
The issue at hand reportedly involves “prop bets involving Porter from games on Jan. 26 and March 20,” multiple sources told ESPN’s David Purdum, Brian Windhorst, and Adrian Wojnarowski.
An NBA spokesman told ESPN that the league is “looking into it.”
Porter has bounced between the NBA and the G League for four seasons now. He made his NBA debut in 2020-21 with the Grizzlies, suiting up in 11 games for Memphis.
He is currently signed to a two-way contract with the Raptors, playing in 26 games with Toronto so far this season. He is averaging 4.4 points on 38.5-percent shooting in 13.8 minutes of action per game.
Here’s more to know about the investigation into Porter.
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Jontay Porter gambling investigation, explained
The NBA’s probe into Porter’s involvement in a potential gambling scandal has to do with games on Jan. 26 and March 20.
In the game on Jan. 26 against the Clippers, there was reportedly an increased betting interest on the UNDER for Porter props. At the beginning of the night, the lines were set at 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. There was also an over/under for Porter’s made 3-pointers, which sat at 0.5.
Porter played four minutes against the Clippers before leaving the game. The Raptors said that he had aggravated an eye injury he’d suffered four days earlier in a game against the Grizzlies.
As a result of Porter’s diminished minutes, he recorded no points, three rebounds, and one assist while not attempting the three. That meant that the UNDER hit on all of those prop bets.
DraftKings Sportsbook reported that the UNDER on Porter’s 3-pointers was the “biggest money winner for bettors of any NBA player props from games that evening.” The news came as a part of a daily report to users on betting results sent out by the sportsbook.
During the March 20 game against the Suns, Porter played just three minutes against Phoenix before leaving the game. The Raptors said his removal was due to an illness, and he did not return. He did not score and had two rebounds.
Sportsbooks had his over/under set at 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. Once again, the UNDERs for both of those wagers involving Porter hit.
The next day, DraftKings SportsBooks reported to its users that Porter’s prop bets were the top earners from that night in the NBA.
Is Jontay Porter related to Michael Porter Jr.?
Jontay is the younger brother of Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr.
The two played collegiate ball together at the University of Missouri during the 2017-18 season. While Michael only played in three games due to injury, Jontay suited up for 33 contests for the Tigers, starting in seven while averaging 9.9 points.
