Andrew Ortenberg
Show Bio
We have some nice NBA playoffs and MLB action to report on Friday, so it’s a solid day despite the NHL unfortunately being done. There are a lot of big games, 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 Bucks/Suns NBA Finals Game 3 leading the way.
NBA Finals: Suns +4 @ Bucks
The Suns took a commanding 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals on Thursday night and the public isn’t wasting any time picking a side for Game 3. Odds for the game in Milwaukee were released over night and bettors quickly flocked to the Suns in the early going. A total 72 percent of the bets and 67 percent of the money are on the Suns +4 so far, per DraftKings’ internal numbers shared with us.
Additionally, 70 percent of the bets and 68 percent of the money are on their money line at +145. Everybody just saw Phoenix dominate the Bucks in back to back games despite Giannis Antetokounmpo playing very well, so this one isn’t too hard to understand. It’s hard to blame the public for getting excited about what Chris Paul is doing right now. Be sure to check out our ‘NBA Picks’ tab to get our free pick on the side and total for Game 3 when it goes live.
NBA Finals: Suns @ Bucks O/U 222.0
There’s nothing the public loves more than a good over. Especially in a big game. And even more especially when the over has been cashing recently. The over has gone 2-0 in this series and bettors are going right back to the well for Game 3. 60 percent of the bets and 68 percent of the money so far are on the over 222 here.
This total keeps progressively rising, but the public isn’t getting scared off. It was around 217.5 for Game 1 and then 220.5 for Game 2; now it’s 222. It’s risen nearly five points, but oddsmakers are going to have to rise it a little higher if they want even action. There were 226 total points scored in Game 2, although it did take the Suns shooting 20-for-40 from beyond the arc to get there.
MLB: Diamondbacks @ Dodgers over 8.5
Looking at the baseball slate now, see what I mean about the public and their overs? This is something we don’t see every day, though. The public is pretty much unanimously lined up behind this over. Yes, 100 percent of the bets and 100 percent of the money are on the over 8.5 in Los Angeles.
That’s staggering, but it’s not all that shocking when you dig in. The Dodgers, of course, have one of the best lineups in the league and they’re also starting David Price. Therefore Arizona should have some success offensively as well. Price is officially washed at 36 as hitters are batting an absurd .328 against him, so we can’t blame the public for fading him. We’re on the over as well, and it’s actually one of our MLB Best Bets for the day.
UFC: Dustin Poirier -134 vs. Conor McGregor +105
The main event at UFC 264 is this rematch between McGregor and Poirier. We don’t have a heavy public side, but rather this one is interesting to examine because it’s so even. Right now 51 percent of the bets and 50 percent of the money are on Poirier as a slight favorite here.
It’s only fitting that things would be nearly 50/50 for this highly anticipated showdown. McGregor is obviously the bigger name, but we all know how their last fight ended back in January when Poirier beat McGregor by TKO. Our money is on Poirier to win it again.
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