Andrew Ortenberg
Show Bio
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 Warriors leading the way on Tuesday.
NBA: Warriors -7.5 vs Nuggets
The public pounding the Warriors? Must be a day ending in Y. Golden State is rolling like their dynasty never ended, and bettors are fully back on board. Reigning MVP Niokla Jokic and the Nuggets aren’t enough to scare anybody away on Tuesday. 80 percent of the bets and 79 percent of the public money are laying it with Golden State here, per DraftKings’ internal numbers shared with us.
The Warriors are 27-6 and the last time everyone saw them they were beating the Suns on the road on Christmas, so this one isn’t too hard to understand. Denver has also been a pretty big disappointment this year at 16-16. We’re backing Stephen Curry, as well.
NBA: Lakers @ Rockets under 224
The Warriors weren’t surprising, but here’s something we don’t see everyday. A public under! Usually recreational bettors like to root for points, and end up flocking to overs. But not here in Houston on Tuesday night. 76 percent of the bets and 93 percent of the public money are on the under 224 here.
The gap between those two percentages indicates that the large volume bets have been coming in on the under as well. But both of these teams play at really fast paces, and the Lakers’ defense has gotten much worse from last year. We’re fading the public and going over.
NCAAF: Minnesota -5 vs West Virginia
Turning our attention to some college football bowl action now. Minnesota will take on West Virginia in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Arizona, and bettors are swarming toward the Golden Gophers. 72 percent of the bets and 76 percent of the public money are laying the points with Minnesota as a modest favorite.
Bowl games have been getting canceled left and right, but fortunately this Big Ten vs Big 12 showdown is still on as scheduled. Minnesota closed the regular season with a big double digit win over Wisconsin, which is clearly what’s freshest in people’s minds. We’re on the Golden Gophers as well, and in fact it’s a three-star best bet.
NCAAF: Maryland @ Virginia Tech over 54.5
Now this is more like it. Order has been restored. A heavy public over. We also have an early peek at the bet splits for tomorrow’s bowl action, and bettors are rooting for lots of action in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. Will we see a shootout at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday afternoon? 91 percent of the bets and 80 percent of the public money sure think so.
Maryland certainly isn’t known for their defense, and they played in a ton of high scoring games during their Big Ten slate. Check out our full game preview for Maryland vs Virginia Tech to see which side we’re on.
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