Andrew Ortenberg
Show Bio
March Madness is in full swing, and we also have NBA and NHL action to look forward to. It’s a lot, and we’re grateful for it. There are some big contests coming up, which always create some big public sides. Let’s take a look at where the public money is going as bettors once again try to beat the ‘books, with the Celtics leading the way on Monday.
NBA: Celtics -15 @ Thunder
We’ve got a big NBA slate on Monday with nine games, and the Celtics are shaping up as the day’s big public side. If there’s one thing recreational bettors are never going to be afraid to do, it’s lay double-digits. Accordingly, 80 percent of the bets and 80 percent of the public money are coming in on Celtics -15 here, per DraftKings’ internal numbers shared with us.
The Celtics have been a juggernaut since the all-star break, and the public is latching on for the ride. Boston has won eight of nine, while the Thunder are of course one of the worst teams in the league, so these splits aren’t too shocking. Be sure to check out our free picks on the side and total for every NBA game before placing your wagers!
NBA: Heat @ 76ers over 215.5
There is nothing the public loves more than a good over. There are nine NBA games on Monday, and the majority of bets are on the over in seven of them. This one might have the most interesting dynamic. A total of 82 percent of the bets are on the over 215.5, but only 52 percent of the public money is doing the same. That means that the larger volume bets have been coming in on the under.
This is the lowest total on the board, and bettors are hammering the over. That’s going to happen pretty much every time two top teams play each other. Head over to our full game preview for Heat vs 76ers to see if our expert agrees.
NBA: Jazz @ Nets over 231.5
This total is a full 16 points higher, but the public is still pounding the over. This is also the only nationally televised game on the slate, and bettors are almost always going to gravitate toward the over for the big marquee matchups that are on TV. 75 percent of both the bets and the handle are on the over 231.5 for Jazz/Nets.
You can say the same about just about any game that has a lot of star-power, and this one certainly qualifies. Even without Kyrie Irving for the Nets. Kevin Durant is still arguably the best player in the game, while Donovan Mitchell is 16-for-27 from beyond the arc over his past two games. Our NBA Monday mega parlay has odds north of 10/1!
NHL: Predators @ Ducks over 5.5
Wrapping things up with some hockey now. See what I mean about the public and their overs now? There are four NHL games on Monday, and at least 60 percent of the bets are on the over for all four. A total of 79 percent of the bets and 75 percent of the public money are on the over 5.5 for Predators/Ducks.
The Ducks are coming off a game where they got shutout, and this play from the public likely has a lot more to do with the Predators than Anaheim. Nashville has scored at least four goals in six straight games. Make sure to check out our free picks on the side and total for all NHL games tonight.
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