The NBA has launched an investigation into Toronto Raptors forward Jontary Porter regarding multiple instances of betting irregularities that have occurred over the past few months. The league is examining prop bets involving Porter from games that took place on January 26 and March 20. The issue revolves around the significant betting interest on the under for Porter’s props during these games, which has raised suspicions and prompted further scrutiny.
During the game against the LA Clippers on January 26, there was a noticeable surge in betting activity on the under for Porter’s props. His performance that night fell below the set targets of 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, with an additional prop bet on his made 3-pointers, which was set at 0.5. Porter played only four minutes due to an eye injury re-aggravation, resulting in him not scoring, securing only three rebounds, and one assist, while also not attempting a 3-point shot. As a result, the under hit on all of the props.
In another game against the Sacramento Kings on March 20, Porter played merely three minutes before exiting due to an illness, which kept him from returning to the court. He failed to score, missed one shot, and grabbed two rebounds, falling short of the over/under targets set at 7.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. Once again, his performance led to a significant financial gain for bettors, raising further concerns about the integrity of the games.
NBA players, including all league personnel, are strictly prohibited from participating in any form of betting on league events, including prop bets. Violations of this policy could result in severe penalties such as fines, suspensions, or even termination of contracts. To uphold the integrity of the game, sports betting activities are closely monitored by dedicated personnel from each NBA team, along with a team of data scientists focusing on anomalies and integrity issues in sports betting.
Jontay Porter, the brother of Denver Nuggets’ star Michael Porter Jr., is currently under a two-way contract with the Raptors, earning $415,000 this season. Despite starting his NBA career in 2021, Porter faced several setbacks during his college years at the University of Missouri, where he suffered multiple serious injuries that interrupted his playing career. Despite going undrafted and not playing in the NBA for the past two seasons, Porter signed with the Raptors in December and has since appeared in 26 games, averaging 4.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 14 minutes per game.
The ongoing investigation into Jontay Porter’s betting irregularities raises serious concerns about the integrity of the NBA and the consequences of violating league policies. As the league looks into these allegations, the future of Porter’s career and the impact on the sport remain uncertain.