On the second day of both the Sweet 16 and MLB season, it shouldn't really come as a shock to see that the NBA slate isn't attracting a heavy load of bettors.
It is, however, attracting some professional action, on at least a couple of games. Wiseguys have caused lines to move in tonight's Blazers-Hawks and Hornets-Lakers matchups (7:30 and 10:30 p.m. ET, respectively). Let's take a look.
>> All odds as of 2 p.m. ET. Download The Action Network App to get real-time NBA odds and track your bets.
Portland Trail Blazers @ Atlanta Hawks
7:30 p.m. ET
Sharp angle: Hawks (moved from +4 to +2.5)
Now playing without Jusuf Nurkic, the Blazers opened as just 4-point favorites over the 27-48 Hawks. Unsurprisingly, the majority of the public has been happy to lay the points with the third-place team in the West. But despite a 61% backing, Portland has fallen all the way to -2.5.
The 39% of bettors behind Atlanta have generated 53% of actual money being wagered on the matchup, revealing how bigger — probably sharper — bettors are playing the point spread.
Sports Insights' Bet Signals, which are triggered whenever sharp action causes market-wide line movement, also showed two sharp moves hitting the Hawks at +3.5 and +3, resulting in the current number.
Charlotte Hornets @ Los Angeles Lakers
10:30 p.m. ET
Sharp angle: Over (moved from 225.5 to 228.5)
The over is generally the more popular bet on the total of a given game, and tonight's Hornets-Lakers matchup is no exception.
What is slightly unusual about this one, though, is that it's not only casual players betting on the over. While 77% of overall bettors are behind it, all signs point to wiseguys being a part of that majority.
Those bets have generated just about all of the money being wagered on the total (99%). That's not a figure I'd expect to see hold up until tipoff, but the significant discrepancy between bets and dollars is enough to make it clear that the over is attracting bigger bettors — the ones more likely to be sharps.
Sports Insights' Bet Signals have also revealed two instances of professional action hitting the over at totals of 225.5 and 228.
