Monday NBA Sharp Betting Picks (March 9): Pros Hitting Hornets vs. Hawks, Raptors vs. Jazz

On the eve of major conference tournament season, the sports betting world has gone a bit quiet. Even the NBA has just three games to offer bettors tonight, and its best player will be missing one of them with a knee injury.

But sharps aren't necessarily concerned with how exciting the night's slate is. Rather, they're interested in value, and they seem to be finding some on the other two matchups on the NBA docket.

Let's take a look at how they've been betting Hornets vs. Hawks and Raptors vs. Jazz.

Odds as of Monday at 12 p.m. ET and via FanDuel. Get up to a $500 risk-free bet at FanDuel today or see more offers and reviews for the best online sportsbooks.

Hornets vs. Hawks

7:30 p.m. ET

From a market percentage standpoint, it would appear that oddsmakers hit the nail on the head with this total. They've drawn a very balanced 52-48% ticket split (with the edge to the over) and a 51-49% money split (edge to the under).

Yet they've had to adjust the line since opening.

An initial total of 225 has been dropped to 223.5 as sharps have been among the slight minority on the under. They've triggered three Sports Insights Bet Signals — real-time indicators of market activity caused by sharp action — on the under between 225 and 224.5, getting the line down to its current listing.

Sharp angle: Under (moved from 225 to 223.5) [Bet now at FanDuel. NJ, PA, IN and WV only.]

Raptors vs. Jazz

9 p.m. ET

In this case, the pro action has been directed toward the spread, which once again has brought a pretty balanced backing as far as actual bets are concerned. The favored Jazz have been slightly more popular, attracting 54% of bettors to this point, but the money percentages haven't been so even.

That 54% backing has generated 83% of money hitting the spread, which means bigger bettors — the ones more likely to be sharps — are behind Utah.

Another three Bet Signals have confirmed that sharp action, and have convinced most books to move from -4 to -4.5, with some even making the move to -5.

Sharp angle: Jazz (moved from -4 to -4.5) [Bet now at FanDuel. NJ, PA, IN and WV only.]