Three Friday Bets Attracting Heavy Public Action

Bettors are out in full force today, driving very lopsided action in some of the day's most heavily-bet games. The combination of huge handles and one-sided betting can be a headache for oddsmakers, forcing them to adjust for an influx of recreational action while also needing to account for potential sharp buyback waiting to take the unpopular side.

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With this in mind, we've fired up the portfolio of betting tools available at The Action Network to break down three games attracting heavy public money.

*Odds and betting percentage data as of 2:00 p.m. ET

Clemson vs. Virginia (-8)

7:00 p.m. ET

Virginia opened as an 8-point favorite against Clemson and bettors are all over the Cavaliers. In a game that will be one of the most heavily-bet college hoops matchups of the day, 77% of tickets and 87% of dollars wagered are laying the points, forcing oddsmakers to move the line from -7 up to -8.

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Why the public loves Virginia: Virginia pummeled Clemson by a cool 25 points in their lone meeting this season. Now bettors only have to lay eight to take the Cavaliers? L-O-C-K.

Houston Rockets (-2) at Toronto Raptors

7:30 p.m. ET

Tonight's Rockets-Raptors game is not only the most heavily-bet NBA game on the slate, but it's also the most lopsided with 76% of tickets and 93% of dollars on Houston.

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Why the public loves Houston: Houston, a team on a 17-game winning streak with the best record in the NBA, is only laying two points tonight? Who cares who they're playing!

UCLA vs. Arizona (-5.5)

9:00 p.m. ET

With a later start, this game should drive a massive handle and oddsmakers have already been forced to account for an influx of Arizona money. Eighty percent of tickets and 86% of dollars have taken the Wildcats, forcing sportsbooks to move this number from an opener of -4.5 up to -5.5.

Why the public loves Arizona: In all seriousness, I'm surprised to see the public so heavy on Arizona. UCLA beat Arizona in Tuscon, 82-74, and is now a 5.5-point underdog, but recreational bettors have been happy to lay the points. We know that the public overwhelmingly prefers betting favorites and this matchup provides a prime example of that.

Photo: Arizona Wildcats forward Deandre Ayton high fives guard Rawle Alkins; credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports