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Monday’s Chicago Bulls vs. Philadelphia 76ers matchup is drawing plenty of attention from NBA fans in general, and with the sports betting marketplace in particular. NBC’s regional sports networks and their official sports betting sponsor, PointsBet, are offering a simulcast in Chicago and Philadelphia geared toward the bettors in their audience.
The broadcast, branded BetCast, will include data on live odds, alternate betting commentary, and special features. It will air on NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus at 7 p.m. ET and on NBC Sports Chicago Plus at 7 p.m. CT.
A sports betting-specific telecast is not necessarily a novel concept, as sports media continues to leverage sports betting’s rising popularity. NBC RSNs have done BetCasts before, and ESPN offered a similar production for a Nets vs. Sixers game last April.
Also, NBC Sports and PointsBet partnered last month with the PGA Tour for a four-day BetCast during the WM Phoenix Open. It was the first such show done in conjunction with a PGA Tour event. Those broadcasts aired on Peacock Premium.
Big Game For BetCast
Entering play Thursday, the Bulls are 39-23 and sit second in the Eastern Conference behind the Miami Heat. The 76ers are 38-23, third in the East. The teams have met three times this season, with Philadelphia winning all three matchups.
All of those meetings took place before the Sixers acquired James Harden in a trade with Brooklyn. The Sixers have won all three of their contests since Harden has teamed with Joel Embiid.
The Bulls, meanwhile, are led by MVP candidate DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Lonzo Ball. Aside from Embiid and Harden, Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris are the other key offensive contributors.
Dual-Market BetCast A First For NBC
While PointsBet and NBC Sports have a partnership, Monday’s broadcast will be the first time an alternate broadcast will air in two markets. NBC Sports Philadelphia has done BetCasts on select 76ers games since April 2019. NBC Sports Chicago aired a BetCast with the Bulls last April.
The live odds presented on Monday’s broadcast will include the point spread, totals, and moving moneylines, in addition to futures odds and play props. Data will appear on an enhanced graphic overlay surrounding the regular live-game coverage.
With the broadcast going to both markets, the on-air commentary team will also have a different look. NBC Sports EDGE host Sara Perlman will lead the broadcast, and Jay Croucher, PointsBets’ head oddsmaker, will provide analysis throughout the game.
Analysts Jim Lynam (76ers) and Kendall Gill (Bulls) will also be on the broadcast, adding insight specific to the two teams.
‘Pick n’ Roll’ Contest Features $50,000 Jackpot
The NBC Sports Predictor app, powered by PointsBet, will be running a ‘Pick n’ Roll’ contest with a guaranteed $50,000 jackpot.
During the game, BetCast viewers will have the ability to select PointsBet’s ‘Live Same Game Parlay’ options to place wagers while tracking odds, player performance, and team stats in-real time.
In the hour before the game, NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus and NBC Sports Chicago Plus will air a special edition of the ‘Bet the EDGE GameTime’ podcast.
