Ricky Dimon
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Before March Madness takes center stage once again on Thursday (first four) and then to an even greater extent on this weekend, the NBA and NHL will share the spotlight early this week. Seven games or on the NBA schedule for Tuesday, while the NHL also offers a seven-game slate.
Let’s take a look at where the public money has gone so far when it comes to tonight’s action.
NBA: Atlanta Hawks -9.5 over Houston Rockets
Per Draft Kings, bettors are all over the Atlanta Hawks as they prepare to visit the Houston Rockets on Tuesday. A whopping 88 percent of the money to go along with 78 percent of the bets are coming in on the Hawks -9.5. Atlanta on the money line is a trendy play, as well (even though there is not much value at -500), with 82 percent of the handle and 91 percent of the wagers tipping the visitors to win straight up.
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NBA: Los Angeles Lakers ML over Minnesota Timberwolves
Punters are also hammering the Los Angeles Lakers in their home game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. With 94 percent of the bets coming in on L.A.’s money line (-375), 92 percent of the money is going in that direction. The public is not quite as eager to give the 8.5 points, as 63 percent of the handle and 72 percent of the bets are on the Lakers ATS.
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We feel good about both the Hawks and Lakers on Wednesday, as well. The Rockets are utterly hopeless right now and Atlanta is riding a five-game winning streak under interim head coach Nate McMillan. You should be happy to give the 8.5 points with Los Angeles, too, as it is also facing one of the worst teams in the association in Minnesota. Yes it is a back-to-back situation for the Lakers, but they destroyed Golden State by 31 points on Monday and therefore have momentum.
NHL: Minnesota Wild -1.5 over Arizona Coyotes
Bettors’ favorite NHL play of the day is the Minnesota Wild against the Arizona Coyotes. An overwhelming 98 percent of the handle in addition to 83 percent of the wagers are coming in on Minnesota’s -1.5 puck line. They also love the money line (-210), with 88 percent of the money and 87 percent of the wagers backing the Wild to win straight up.
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NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning ML over Dallas Stars
In the eyes of the public, perhaps the next-best play is on the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Dallas Stars. The money line (-148) on Tampa Bay is drawing 95 percent of the money and 91 percent of the bets. As for the -1.5 puck line, bettors are clearly willing to give the goals. A total of 94 percent of the handle and 83 percent of the bets are on the favorites.
We are certainly behind the public with these two NHL plays, although it might be wise to go the safer route and take both Minnesota and Tampa Bay on the money line.
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NCAAB: Michigan State Spartans -2 over UCLA Bruins
Taking an early look ahead to the NCAA Tournament, one of the most popular plays of Thursday’s first-four action is on Michigan State -2 against UCLA in a battle for the No. 11 seed in the East Region and the right to meet BYU in the opening round. The Spartans are drawing 93 percent of the handle and 90 percent of the wagers. Bettors are also content to settle for less value on the money line (-132), with 88 percent of the handle and 81 percent of the bets on Michigan State to win outright.
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