Ricky Dimon
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It is a busy Thursday across the NBA, NHL, and college basketball. We have a total of 19 games in the two professional leagues, while a whopping 10 Top 25 teams are taking the court as they come down the stretch in advance of March Madness. Let’s take a look at where the betting money has gone so far.
NBA: Denver Nuggets -4.5 vs. Indiana Pacers
Per Draft Kings, bettors are all over the Denver Nuggets as they prepare to visit the Indiana Pacers on Thursday night. A bloated 97 percent of the money and 82 percent of the bets are coming in on Denver -4.5. Bettors like the money line (-180), as well, with 90 percent of the handle and 78 percent of the wagers backing the Nuggets.
We are on Denver, as well. In fact, it is one of our two NBA best bets on Thursday.
NBA: Portland Trail Blazers -4.5 vs. Sacramento Kings
Punters are also hammering the Portland Trail Blazers in Thursday’s showdown against the visiting Sacramento Kings. They like Portland almost as much as Denver; 92 percent of the money and 71 percent of the bets are on the Blazers -4.5. As for the money line, almost as much money (88 percent) and even more wagers (80 percent) have Portland getting the job done outright (-180).
We also like the Trail Blazers in this spot. They are playing the second game of a back-to-back situation, but so is Sacramento. The Kings beat the Lakers on Wednesday, but it was a 123-12o struggle and L.A. was missing both LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Don’t confuse the Kings with being good.
NHL: New York Islanders ML vs. Buffalo Sabres
One of bettors’ favorite NHL plays of the day is the New York Islanders against the visiting Buffalo Sabres. An eye-popping 97 percent of the handle and 95 percent of the wagers are taking New York on the money line (-195). Although a modest 57 percent of the bets are backing the Islanders -1.5, 95 percent of the money is going in that direction. Clearly there are more than a few massive plays on NYI covering the puck line.
The Islanders on the money line is one of our three-star plays of the day.
NHL: Calgary Flames vs. Ottawa Senators Under 6 goals
An even more interesting play is on the Calgary Flames, who host the Ottawa Senators. Only 35 percent of the money is going toward Calgary on the -1.5 puck line. Clearly, though, some punters have a ton of confidence because 86 percent of the handle is going that way. On the money line (-195), the Flames are getting 74 percent of the money and 76 percent of the wagers. However, bettors’ favorite play is the Under 6 goals (89 percent of the handle; 74 percent of the wagers).
Like basically everyone, we also like Calgary to win straight up. And why not? Ottawa is the worst team in the North Division and one of the worst teams in the entire NHL.
NCAAB: Oklahoma State Cowboys +12 vs. Baylor Bears
This line has come down by a point (not surprising), but bettors still like Oklahoma State and the points against Baylor. In terms of both bets and the money, 74 percent is backing the Cowboys +12. Punters also like an Over 148.5 play. A total of 76 percent of the handle and 79 percent of the wagers are of the opinion that this will be a high-scoring affair.
We took the under when the total was all the way up at 151.5, but we agree with the public that Oklahoma State is getting disrespected by such a huge line. Cade Cunningham and company have won five in a row–including back-to-back games at the expense of Oklahoma.
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