NBA Daily Fantasy:Russell Westbrook vs. Kevin Durant

I am caught up in the #SSAC16 and #DecadeofData frenzy. I am sharing my own analytics comparing Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. I compared their stats over the entire season
to the last 5 games played. I used a scoring system that is associated with #FanDuel.  Assists and Rebounds have more statistical value than points. Turnovers are negative so they decrease the player's score.

I chose Westbrook and Durant because they have similar value in the Daily Fantasy Sport world.
I assigned both of them a cash value of $10,900.

Who would you select? ________

My answer is below.

 Durant is outscoring Westbrook by 8 points over the past 5 games. Westbrook has almost twice as many assists during the same period. Durant total fantasy value over the past 5 games is 50.68 while Westbrook value is 47.70. Both of them have alarmingly high turnover ratios.My analytics show an overall upward trend for Durant.

 

 

 

Westbrook is ahead of Durant statistically for the season with a fantasy value projection base on price of 4.61 to 4.43. I would stay with Westbrook at the same price but if the trend continues upward over the next 2 games then switch to Durant. Value and timing are extremely important elements to winning.

 

The Thunder play the Spurs tonight on NBA on ABC.  See the complete schedule . I am staying with Westbrook since he will be matched against Tony Parker (offensively) more than Kawhi Leonard. More favorable for Westbrook.

                                                          

                                                        Follow me on Twitter
                                                            Friends on Facebook

                                                        Instagram for Photos and videos 

                                                                See the boards I like on Pinterest

                                                               

 

 

                                                                     thegamingguym.com/

This week in Gaming Review

Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board Director of the Office of Compulsive and Problem Gambling, Elizabeth Lanza, has received the “2016 Person of the Year Award” from the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania.  Director Lanza received the award last week during the organization’s “2016 CCGPA Statewide Conference East” in Trevose. This is outstanding news and well timed. This is National Problem Gaming Awareness Month. I suggest we take a moment to revisit some of the initiatives the AGA recommends regarding responsible gaming.

New Jersey is strongly exploring the concept of skill based games with regulations that will fast

track new product to the casino floor. I expect more new about this at the IGNA and the ECGC. The I Gaming North America will be held 4/5/16 thru 4/7/16. The East Coast Gaming Congress will take place 5/25/16 thru 5/26/16. I plan to follow attendees and provide commentary during both events.

New Jersey is also looking at Daily Fantasy Sports as a revenue generator. State Senator Jim Whelan proposed a bill that would regulate daily leagues only and tax them at the current casino rate of 9.5%.

More news from PokerStars this week. In a press release, PokerStars parent company Amaya stated:

“Amaya Inc. (NASDAQ: AYA; TSX: AYA) today announced that it expects to initially launch its PokerStars brand in New Jersey on Monday, March 21, 2016.  The launch quickly follows the September 2015 authorization by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (the “DGE”) to operate the PokerStars and Full Tilt brands in the State. Amaya currently expects to conduct an interim testing period with the DGE and a beta period for a limited player base beginning in mid-March.”

                                                      Follow me on Twitter

                                                                Friends on Facebook 

                                                      Instagram for Photos and videos 

                                                                See the boards I like on Pinterest

 

 

                                                                     thegamingguym.com/

 

 

Top Three Things about Paris Casino in Las Vegas

Number 1 is Paris was voted the top place to play Craps in 2015.

Number 2 is the outstanding buffets.

Number 3 is Ruth's Chris Steak House.

 

 

Follow me on Twitter 

                                                                         Friends on Facebook 

                                                              Instagram for Photos and videos 

                                                                   See the boards I like on Pinterest

 

 

                                                                     thegamingguym.com/

This Week in Gaming Review

 

The hearing on Sports Betting was held in Philadelphia on Tuesday. This will impact New Jersey and Pennsylvania “Look for either an 8-4 or 7-5 victory in favor of the leagues,” said Daniel Wallach, a sports and gambling lawyer at Becker & Poliakoff in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “I don’t expect New Jersey to raise the white flag if it loses. The state is nothing if not persistent.”

 

As part of a grassroots efforts, the American Gaming Association recently launched a website – SportsBettingInAmerica.com – that serves as the hub for information and support from people across the country. If you agree that sports betting law should be changed, join the effort and sign up.

 

International news gives support to the movement for Sports Betting in America. The following is an article from I Gaming Business. Spain’s gambling regulator, the Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego (DGOJ), has revealed that the country’s online gaming market experienced a 26% year-on-year increase in revenue in the 12 months through to December 31, 2015.

Gross gaming revenue for the full year totalled €319.6 million ($357 million), while turnover also increased 28% year-on-year to more than €8 billion.

Sports betting served as the main source of income for operators, generating a total of €179 million of the overall revenue figure and representing an increase of 49% on the previous year.

Although the online slots market also jumped 80% to €67.5 million, the DGOJ did report that revenue from poker dropped to €59.8 million, while bingo also fell to €7.8 million.

The largely positive full-year results come after an impressive fourth quarter in the country, during which revenue hiked 40% year-on-year to €94.7 million.

Sportsbook revenue came in at €53.5 million for the three months to December 31, with casino generating €22.6 million, poker €14.5 million and bingo just €2.1 million.

 

 

The decision will be rendered sometime later this spring or early this summer. I am not confident that New Jersey will prevail. I do think this battle will pick up on a national level.

 

I am headed to Las Vegas this week. I will share part of my time with you once I return.

 

                                                              Follow me on Twitter 

                                                                         Friends on Facebook 

                                                              Instagram for Photos and videos 

                                                                   See the boards I like on Pinterest

 

 

                                                           thegamingguym.com/

This Week in Gaming Review

 

 

Borgata Casino showed why they are the leader in Atlantic City gaming. This was evident this week with a article from Calvin Ayre that they are looking for another partner in the online gaming sector. They are presently aligned with Bwin Party. This news comes on the heels of proposed $50 million makeover which includes an ambitious outdoor pool complex, gigantic nightclub, an upscale eatery , casual food court and other refurbishments throughout the resort.  While most leaders rest on their laurels, Borgata takes the steps to stay ahead of the pack thru property reinvestment and brand stimulation.

 

 

 

A similar announcement came from Tropicana Atlantic City, which plans to invest $25 million in improvements throughout the property. Planned enhancements include renovations to 500 rooms in the Havana Tower incorporating new carpeting, spa-like bathrooms with walk-in showers, textured wall coverings and modern art.

 

"These renovations are not only attractive upgrades for Tropicana's guests, they are creating new employment opportunities at a crucial time in Atlantic City," said Tony Rodio, president and CEO of Tropicana Entertainment in a statement.

There are also plans to refresh the South Tower casino to match the North Tower's upscale feel and decor. Other casino improvements will be enhancements to the Asian gaming room Jade Palace as well as an new high-limit slot area. If I was going to stay in Atlantic City, I know my first two choices.

 

 

In the breaking news. Serena Williams lost in 3 sets in the Australian Open Women's Finals. She was

gracious in defeat with praise for her opponent. When you are use to winning you learn that a level of humility is part of the terrain.

 

This is the 1st day of the Philadelphia Auto Show. This afternoon is the NBA match between the Sixers and the world champion Golden State Warriors. Here is an NBA Preview of the contest. I will provide live tweets from the game.

 

                                                  Follow me on Twitter 

                                                                         Friends on Facebook 

                                                  Instagram for Photos and videos 

                                                                   See the boards I like on Pinterest

 

 

                                                           thegamingguym.com/

 

This Week in Gaming Review

 

The 3rd week of 2016 featured outstanding news from Atlantic City.  Revel is reportedly going to reopen as a waterpark and a casino. The casino will be a smaller version of the previous model. Since they closed in September 2014,  the amount of rooms available at the shore decreased by 1400. That does not include the rooms lost by the closing of Showboat, Atlantic Club and Trump Plaza. While the occupancy rate has risen, the demand for a room will drive prices up as well. Not good for the consumer. The reopening will alleviate a part of that. No timetable was given.

 

The conversation about Online Gaming in Pennsylvania was revisited by State Rep John Payne. Payne is the current chair of the Gaming Oversight Committee. He predicted that some form of gaming outside of the brick and mortar casinos would be approved by July. This will double the amount of people that are playing currently. Good news for 888 and Caesars Interactive.

A hearing on Tuesday was held to talk about the possibility of sports betting. This would be in concert with a resolution introduced late last year urging the U.S. Congress to repeal a ban on sports betting. Pennsylvania is being proactive with the hearing of the proposal by New Jersey that request that wagering on games be allowed by the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals. This hearing is scheduled for February 17. ESPN Chalk provided coverage of this hearing and cited the opinions the Commissioners of the NBA and MLB.

 

 

Finally, New York has New York will have another crack at online poker. Legislation that would regulate online poker sites in the Empire State was re-introduced this week. The measure was considered last year but didn’t gain any traction in Albany. The bill is from Assemblyman Gary Pretlow, who is pushing legislation along with Sen. Bonacic, who has yet to re-introduce his proposal. Both are at the helm of gaming and racing committees.  The amount of money projected in the 1st year of operation was estimated at 120 million. That is the same amount that Pennsylvania projected for the online gaming market 12 months after launch.

This news regarding Poker is cited from Cardplayer.com.

 

Last week, I went 2-2 with my NFL selections. My best bet was Seattle + 8.5 in a teaser. Today my best play is the over 47.5 in the Panthers and Cardinals game. Enjoy the games.

                                         Twitter for Tweets, Facebook for friends
                                                                 facebook.com/gaming.guym

                                         Photos and videos at Instagram 

                                                                Boards that I like on Pinterest.

                             
                                                             thegamingguym.com

This Week in Gaming Review

The 2nd week of 2016 provided statistics that made operators in Pennsylvania and New Jersey nothing less than ecstatic.  Pennsylvania posted record numbers last year to $3.17 billion, topping the previous high of $3.16 billion set in 2012. This information was released by the PGCB on Friday.

 

The four casinos in the Philadelphia area had $1.19 billion in revenue, up 3.9 percent form $1.14 billion the year before. Slots revenue was up 2.8 percent locally, while table games revenue gained 6.6 percent. The 4 Philly casinos include Parx, SugarHouse, Harrahs and Valley Forge. These outstanding numbers are a prelude to the Philly Live project that is expected to start construction within the next 11 months.

New Jersey Online Gaming hit a new monthly revenue high in December and full-year revenue improved by more than 20 percent. The Atlantic City leaders in December were Borgata and Caesars Interactive.

Borgata

According to figures released Wednesday by the Division of Gaming Enforcement, state-licensed online operators reported revenue of $14m in December, 6% more than November reported 13.2 million and 30.8% higher than December 2014’s total. The online casino vertical rose 39% year-on-year to $12m, while poker revenue fell 3.6% to just under $2m. For the year as a whole, the state’s online revenue came to $148.8m, 21% higher than 2014. Total online casino revenue in 2015 came to $125m, up one-third from 2014, while poker revenue fell 18% to $23.8 million. This is confirms that online gaming is trending in the right direction.

 

Governor Brian Sandoval

Lastly, Gov. Brian Sandoval officially reconvened the Nevada Gaming Policy Committee to discuss skill-based games and daily fantasy sports, among other issues.

According to a statement from his office, Sandoval signed an executive order to reconvene the 12-member committee, which includes the governor, select members of the legislature, a tribal representative, members of the public and other appointees, including gaming regulators and licensees.

"The industry is constantly changing as more states and countries enter into this increasingly competitive field, and I believe the changes we are witnessing demand the attention of Nevada’s policy leaders," Sandoval says in the statement.

According to the statement, "The objective of the Committee is to gather input from various constituencies, including the public, on gaming policy issues, for possible future consideration by Nevada’s Gaming Control Board and Gaming Commission, as appropriate."

The committee meet no later than March 15 and deliver non-binding recommendations before October. I am curious to see which licensees will be on the committee. I'll report that information in a future post.  I want to note that the Associated Press was the source of the Nevada related news. It was condense to fit this post.

 

 

I was 2-2 last week during NFL wildcard weekend with the best bet losing. Texans + 8.5 in a teaser.

This week my best bet is #Seattle + 8.5 in a teaser. Enjoy the games.

 

                            twitter.com/GamingguyM and Facebook
                                                                 facebook.com/gaming.guym

                            Photos and videos at Instagram 

                                                        Boards that I like on Pinterest.

                             
                                                             thegamingguym.com