HOF Game Action, AI-Generated MLB Mascots; NBA Playoffs; SummerSlam

Written by :

Press Release

Published on :

3 August, 2023

HOF Game Action, AI-Generated MLB Mascots; NBA Playoffs; SummerSlam

The 2023 NFL season officially kicks off tonight with the inaugural Pro Football Hall of Fame Game.

Sadly, we won’t see Aaron Rodgers or Deshaun Watson in the battle between the Jets and Browns, but, hey…it’s still freaking football!

Bettors are coming out in droves to whet their pigskin appetite. Here’s the current action:

Jets vs. Browns (+2, 33.5)

52.2% of $ on Browns +2

51.8% of $ on Jets ML -130

59.6% of $ on OVER

Should a Major League Baseball club decide to explore a costume change for its mascot, perhaps the assistance of AI would be a good place to start?

Or maybe not.

Our marketing team decided to run every MLB mascot through the AI machine and see what came out. Images were made with Midjourney, an AI tool, using simple prompts such as, "Atlanta Braves mascot."

The results? Well, let's just say the vast majority of teams will probably be sticking with what they currently have on the field.

Dominic Genetti, a digital editor for Hearst Communications, broke down each of the mascot images one-by-one in an opinion piece, which was syndicated by the Houston Chronicle. He rates the good, the bad and...the ugly.

ugly-mascot(2)_0.png

The NBA looks more balanced than it has in years as we look ahead to the 2023-24 campaign, which begins in 12 weeks.

We’ve released playoff probabilities for nearly every team in the league (Portland missing due to Lillard), which you can find below.

(NOTE: The play-in tournament does not count as making the playoffs in terms of the odds)

Notable Changes

These teams are favored to make the playoffs after they weren’t to start last season:

- New York Knicks

- Oklahoma City Thunder

- Sacramento Kings

These teams are favored to miss the playoffs after they were to start last season:

- Brooklyn Nets

- Chicago Bulls

- Toronto Raptors

Playoff Chances

Atlanta Hawks

Yes -200 (1/2)

No +160 (8/5)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 66.7% likelihood of making the playoffs.

Boston Celtics

Yes -5000 (1/50)

No +1800 (18/1)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 98% likelihood of making the playoffs.

Brooklyn Nets

Yes +145 (29/20)

No -175 (4/7)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 63.6% likelihood of missing the playoffs.

Charlotte Hornets

Yes +750 (15/2)

No -1400 (1/14)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 93.3% likelihood of missing the playoffs.

Chicago Bulls

Yes +160 (8/5)

No -200 (1/2)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 66.7% likelihood of missing the playoffs.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Yes -1200 (1/12)

No +650 (13/2)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 92.3% likelihood of making the playoffs.

Dallas Mavericks

Yes -210 (10/21)

No +170 (17/10)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 67.7% likelihood of making the playoffs.

Denver Nuggets

Yes -3000 (1/30)

No +1400 (14/1)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 96.8% likelihood of making the playoffs.

Detroit Pistons

Yes +1200 (12/1)

No -2500 (1/25)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 96.2% likelihood of missing the playoffs

Golden State Warriors

Yes -400 (1/4)

No +300 (3/1)

Note: Odds indicate they have an 80% likelihood of making the playoffs.

Houston Rockets

Yes +800 (8/1)

No -1600 (1/16)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 94.1% likelihood of missing the playoffs

Indiana Pacers

Yes +125 (5/4)

No -155 (20/31)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 60.8% likelihood of missing the playoffs

Los Angeles Clippers

Yes -260 (5/13)

No +200 (2/1)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 72.2% likelihood of making the playoffs.

Los Angeles Lakers

Yes -350 (2/7)

No +275 (11/4)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 77.8% likelihood of making the playoffs.

Memphis Grizzlies

Yes -220 (5/11)

No +180 (9/5)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 68.8% likelihood of making the playoffs.

Miami Heat

Yes -1200 (1/12)

No +650 (13/2)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 92.3% likelihood of making the playoffs.

Milwaukee Bucks

Yes -4000 (1/40)

No +1600 (16/1)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 97.6% likelihood of making the playoffs.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Yes -140 (5/7)

No +110 (11/10)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 58.3% likelihood of making the playoffs.

New Orleans Pelicans

Yes -155 (20/31)

No +125 (5/4)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 60.8% likelihood of making the playoffs.

New York Knicks

Yes -350 (2/7)

No +275 (11/4)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 77.8% likelihood of making the playoffs.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Yes -135 (20/27)

No +105 (21/20)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 57.5% likelihood of making the playoffs.

Orlando Magic

Yes +200 (2/1)

No -260 (5/13)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 72.2% likelihood of making the playoffs.

Philadelphia 76ers

Yes -1600 (1/16)

No +800 (8/1)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 94.1% likelihood of making the playoffs.

Phoenix Suns

Yes -1400 (1/14)

No +750 (15/2)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 93.4% likelihood of making the playoffs.

Portland Trail Blazers

Note: Currently off the board due to Damian Lillard situation.

Sacramento Kings

Yes -220 (5/11)

No +180 (9/5)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 68.7% likelihood of making the playoffs.

San Antonio Spurs

Yes +1000 (10/1)

No -2000 (1/20)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 95.2% likelihood of missing the playoffs.

Toronto Raptors

Yes +190 (19/10)

No -240 (5/12)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 70.6% likelihood of missing the playoffs.

Utah Jazz

Yes +425 (16/4)

No -650 (2/13)

Note: Odds indicate they have an 86.7% likelihood of missing the playoffs.

Washington Wizards

Yes +1400 (14/1)

No -3000 (1/30)

Note: Odds indicate they have a 96.8% likelihood of missing the playoffs.

SummerSlam odds are subject to change leading up to each match. Here’s the direct link for real-time lines: https://www.betonline.ag/sportsbook/futures-and-props/wrestling-futures/wwe.

Saturday, August 5, 2023 - SummerSlam

WWE Undisputed Universal Championship

Roman Reigns (c) -5000 (1/50)

Jey Uso +1000 (10/1)

WWE World Heavyweight Championship

Seth Rollins (c) -300 (1/3)

Finn Balor +200 (2/1)

WWE Women’s Championship

Asuka (c) -140 (5/7)

Charlotte Flair +175 (7/4)

Bianca Belair +350 (7/2)

WWE Intercontinental Championship