“ Regardless, I didn't like this choice. That’s how it is, I clearly wasn’t a fan. » The object of the discontent of Mikal Bridges ? The fact of having only played the first quarter of the match against the Bucks, before being rested. A strategy assumed by Jacque Vaughn who did the same with Cam Thomas, and deprived himself of several starters.
But this strategy has made few bettors much happier than the Nets winger. Because some had very well sniffed out what was going on with the Nets. “ I wouldn't be surprised if he starts and plays a quarter tonight “, one of them rightly predicted. The challenge, in parallel with the rest, was to maintain the series of matches started consecutively (423), without absence, by the former Suns player. The longest in the league.
“ Let's be frank and honest, he's on a streak he doesn't want to see end. It's understandable, but at the same time I treat each player individually “, said Jacque Vaughn. “ This series is a topic of conversation for everyone. But I don't come into play just for that. I come in to play and because I want to win “, thundered the player in response.
Still, bettors bet on the fact that he would come into play, but would finish far from his usual statistical standards. Winning bet because the winger, in 12 minutes, only accumulated 6 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist.
A viral tweet at the origin of multiple bets
“ He was the only starter on the active roster. We were hoping he would only play a minute or two. I had no luck with this bounce », testifies a young punter with ESPN, who says he still pocketed $22,000 thanks to a bet linked to the Nets player. He also shared a screenshot of a $1,000 bet that reportedly won him nearly $61,000. But one too many rebounds from Mikal Bridges deprived him of that amount.
He wasn't the only one to try his luck. At DraftKings, again according to ESPN, the odds increased long enough to make Mikal Bridges the second player who received the most bets over the six games on Wednesday, behind Tobias Harris, Joel Embiid being absent against the Magic.
On BetMGM, the upper and lower limit of the number of points scored by Mikal Bridges was set at 21.5 points. Unsurprisingly, 83% of bettors imagined that it would not reach this value. In the end, we do not know how much was brought in and how many people benefited from this rest.
However, some accuse Danny Komendera, author of a viral tweet on the subject, of having “leaked” the information. Which, mechanically, reduced the pie for everyone. “ I made a lot of people a lot of money and received crazy hate ” in return, he writesassuring ESPN to have “ not accomplished » the reach of his tweet. Welcome to a strange world…
| Mikal Bridges | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2018-19 | PHX | 82 | 30 | 43.0 | 33.5 | 80.5 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 3.2 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 8.3 |
| 2019-20 | PHX | 73 | 28 | 51.0 | 36.1 | 84.4 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 4.0 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.6 | 9.1 |
| 2020-21 | PHX | 72 | 33 | 54.3 | 42.5 | 84.0 | 1.1 | 3.2 | 4.3 | 2.1 | 1.6 | 1.1 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 13.5 |
| 2021-22 | PHX | 82 | 35 | 53.4 | 36.9 | 83.4 | 0.9 | 3.3 | 4.2 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 14.2 |
| 2022-23 * | All Teams | 83 | 36 | 46.8 | 38.2 | 89.5 | 1.0 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 3.3 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 20.1 |
| 2022-23 * | PHX | 56 | 36 | 46.3 | 38.7 | 89.7 | 1.0 | 3.3 | 4.3 | 3.6 | 2.1 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 17.2 |
| 2022-23 * | BRK | 27 | 34 | 47.5 | 37.6 | 89.4 | 0.9 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 0.6 | 26.2 |
| 2023-24 | BRK | 31 | 34 | 46.0 | 36.3 | 83.1 | 1.0 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 3.8 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 21.1 |
| Total | 423 | 32 | 49.1 | 37.5 | 85.3 | 0.9 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 2.4 | 2.0 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 13.7 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
