Another week begins with the Pistons in the red. On Saturday, the Pistons fell 146-114 to the Bucks to extend a franchise-record losing streak to 23 games. The Pistons can end the losing streak on Monday when they take on the Hawks in Atlanta. The streak dates back to Oct. 28, when the Pistons beat the Bulls in their third game of the season.

With a loss to the Hawks, the Pistons would tie the Cavs for the fourth-longest streak in NBA history. Following the Hawks’ matchup, the Pistons will face the Jazz on Thursday, then the Nets on Saturday night.

By Christmas Eve, the Pistons could tie two others for the second-longest losing streak in the history of the league. The 2014-15 Philadelphia 76ers hold the record with 28 consecutive defeats. The Pistons could break their mark on Dec. 30 against the Raptors. If you bet $500 on the Pistons to lose starting on Nov. 1, then carried over your winnings for each subsequent Detroit tilt, you could purchase a caravan of Teslas for your family this Christmas.

It is tied for the fifth-longest losing streak in NBA history.

If you started with $100, bet on every Detroit opponent ML and rolled it over, you'd now be up over $114,000 during the streak

— Ben Fawkes (@BFawkes22) December 17, 2023

A host of states with produced favorable monthly sports betting revenue reports last week, indicating legal U.S. sportsbooks will collectively reach record handle numbers in 2023. The robust figures pushed nationwide handle this year to $98.9 billion, with several states scheduled to issue monthly reports this week. The nation will likely approach the $100 billion threshold when the report for Pennsylvania sports betting is released early in the week, and the mark could be exceeded by Christmas Day if another state such as Louisiana, Arizona, or Mississippi reports by then.

Last week, ESPN.com reported that a deal between the PGA Tour and a syndicate of leading pro sports owners is imminent. The deal that could infuse $3 billion of financing into the PGA Tour may serve as a precursor of an accord with LIV Golf. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan are scheduled to meet this week.

In June, the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and PIF signed the framework of an agreement to form a partnership. The agreement, which expires on Dec. 31, would combine the commercial assets of the three tours under one entity. Such an agreement would bring considerable sports betting implications to the top global golf tours.

The Eagles downgraded Jalen Hurts to questionable Sunday after the quarterback began feeling ill. If Hurts is unable to play on Monday night against the Seahawks and replaced by Marcus Mariota, it could move the line several points. Typically, the absence of leading quarterbacks can result in line fluctuations of up to seven points. The Eagles were 3.5-point favorites Monday morning at bet365 and on some other sports betting apps.

Regardless of Hurts’ status, there could be a considerable amount of scoring on Monday Night Football. Over the last three weeks, the Eagles have surrendered 109 total points, including at least 33 in each game. During that span, the Seahawks have allowed 100 points, including a season-high 41 in a Week 13 loss to Dallas. The total on Monday is 45.5 points.

Hurts still is harboring hopes of playing Monday night, and is traveling to Seattle separately from the team so as to try not get anyone… pic.twitter.com/fdtOTgRWUR

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2023

When the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission (LGCC) meets on Thursday, exchange wagering figures to dominate the conversation. First, the LGCC will consider the sports betting operator license of Sporttrade, a Philadelphia-based company that launched in Colorado over the summer.

For its Colorado sports betting launch, Sporttrade debuted in the state without its signature exchange wagering mechanism. Earlier this year, the LGCC delayed the passage of exchange wagering regulations, as the state considers tax implications for the activity.

In addition, the LGCC will formally review a letter submitted by Novig Laboratories, a New York-based operator. In last week’s letter, Novig urged the LGCC to approve exchange wagering, contending that the activity acts as a “significant magnet” for institutional capital. By welcoming institutional funds as market makers on sports betting exchanges, Colorado would see an infusion in volume on the legal sports wagering market, Novig asserts.

After impressive wins over Gilberto Ramirez and Canelo Alvarez, boxer Dmitry Bivol enters the ring on Saturday as a massive favorite over Lyndon Arthur. If Arthur hopes to score the upset, he will need to land punches at a higher rate than Ramirez. Bivol cruised to a unanimous decision in last November’s bout, as Ramirez connected on just 12.2% of his punches. Bivol has odds of -2400 at FanDuel to defeat Arthur (+1180) in the WBA Light Heavyweight Championship. Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder are also on the card on Saturday night in Saudi Arabia.

— Ron Bohning (@RonBohning) December 18, 2023

Lions quarterback Jared Goff tossed five touchdowns Saturday in a 42-17 win over the Broncos. With the victory, the Lions moved one win from clinching their first NFC North championship in more than 30 years. The Lions can sew up the division Sunday with a win over the Vikings.

The Vikings, meanwhile, remained in playoff contention despite an overtime loss to the Bengals. At 7-7, the Vikings are in a logjam for one of the final NFC wild card spots. Among the major sports betting sites, the Lions are 3.5-point favorites at ESPN BET; the total is 46.5. Also on Sunday, the Jaguars will face the Bucs in Tampa. The matchup is the first between two Florida NFL teams since Hard Rock Bet relaunched in the Sunshine State last month. The Jags are 1-point favorites; the total is 43.5.

Key injuries and absences heading into the NFL’s Week 16: