Andrew Ortenberg
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It’s that special time of year when most of the major sports are in action. It’s a lot, and we’re grateful for it. There are plenty of crucial contests coming up, which always attract 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 Vikings leading the way on Monday.
NFL: Vikings -6.5 @ Bears
Primetime Kirk Cousins. It doesn’t get much better than that. And it seems like the betting public agrees. It’s certainly not overwhelming, but the Vikings are the clear public side for the nightcap of Monday’s rare doubleheader. 63 percent of the bets and 72 percent of the public money are laying nearly a touchdown with Minnesota, per DraftKings’ internal numbers shared with us.
Cousins doesn’t have the best reputation for delivering in these primetime games, but clearly nobody wants a piece of this dysfunctional Bears team. That being said, home underdogs are 4-0 ATS for Monday Night Football this year. Our expert is fading the public and backing the Bears.
NFL: Seahawks @ Rams over 46
Thanks to COVID-19, NFL Week 15 won’t wrap up on Monday like usual. We’ve got a couple of Tuesday games this week, including this NFC West showdown between the Seahawks and Rams. In this latest showdown between Pete Carroll and Sean McVay, bettors are rooting for lots of points. A total of 75 percent of the bets and 78 percent of the public money are on the over 46 here.
This one is interesting, and likely has to do with the Rams’ most recent game. The last time everyone saw Los Angeles, Matthew Stafford was lighting up the Cardinals in primetime. But I haven’t been too impressed with Russell Wilson, and it looks like he’s going to be without Tyler Lockett here. Jalen Ramsey will handle DK Metcalf, so I’m fading the public once again and backing the under.
NBA: Celtics -3 vs 76ers
The highlight of Monday’s NBA slate is this nationally televised game between the Celtics and 76ers, and bettors know who they favor here. A total of 70 percent of the bets and 76 percent of the public money are on Boston as a short favorite here. This may be a fade of Philly more than anything else, as they’ve had a tough past week.
The 76ers have lost three in a row, and could be pretty shorthanded tonight. It’s not like Boston has been playing great basketball lately, but they haven’t been quite as much of a mess. We’re riding with the public on this one and are on the Celtics, as well.
NBA: Spurs @ Clippers over 217
Nothing the public loves more than a good over. And in the nightcap of the NBA slate, money is pouring in on the over. 71 percent of the bets and a whopping 98 percent of the public money are on the over 217 for this matchup between the Spurs and Clippers. The gap between those two percentages indicates the over has taken almost all of the large volume bets as well.
Paul George is questionable to make his return here. Perhaps there are some sharp bettors out there that already know he’s returning. Even still, neither of these teams are offensive juggernauts, and we’re expecting a physical game here. Once again we’re fading the public and taking the under.
NHL: Wild -110 @ Stars
Wrapping things up now with some hockey. Due to some COVID-19 postponements, there is only one NHL game on tonight. The only game left standing is this matchup between the Wild and Stars, which oddsmakers have as virtually even. The public doesn’t see it that way. 74 percent of the bets and 72 percent of the public money are on Minnesota’s money line at -110.
This one is interesting, because Minnesota has lost three in a row and they’ve only played once since December 12th due to COVID postponements. That being said, they’re still in first place in the Central Division. We’re backing the Wild, as well, for this suddenly standalone game.
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