The Eastern Conference takes the first stage, with a few games tipped in the afternoon hours. First up is Bucks-Magic at 1 p.m. ET, followed immediately by Pacers-Heat (3:30 pm ET).
And while these games are unlikely to draw the windballs that the night lineup will (Rockets-Thunder and Lakers-Blazers), they have performed better in terms of attracting sharp action.
Here’s how the pros bet on afternoon tips.
Odds as of Saturday at 10 a.m. ET and via DraftKings. Get up to $ 1000 sign up bonus today at DraftKings or see more offers and reviews for the best online sports books.
Magy vs. Bets Odds
| Magic Odds | +12.5 [BET NOW] |
| Bucks Odds | -12.5 [BET NOW] |
| Moneyline | -910 / + 650 [BET NOW] |
| Over / Under | 223 [BET NOW] |
| Time | 1 pm ET |
| TV | TNT |
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Even with a bound series, no one seems to expect the Magic to keep Game 3 close. Fifty-eight percent of the bet has been on Bucks land since this spread opened, and across the entire market it has not left the -12 to -12.5 range.
But while the spread has remained stagnant, it has been a whole other story altogether.
In the early hours of the morning, DraftKings still held its opening number of 226.5. From 10 a.m. ET, however, it is the number 3.5 points lower.
Unlike some of the sharp intrusions you may have read in the past, this one will not pit sharply against the audience. In fact, 62% of bettors have landed on the underground, and pros seem to be under there.
For starters, that backing of 62% has generated an impressive 90% of actual money. And while that would capture any attention from the sportsbook as a monetary liability, it also indicates how bigger bettors – those who are more likely to be sharp – see this overall.
Confirming that this will be the case, three Sports Insights Bet signals – specimens of market movement tracking and recording caused by sharp action – have been on the under set since this morning (at 226.5, 225 and 224.5).
As a result, sportsbooks have dropped this number significantly in recent hours.
Sharp angles: Under (moved from 226.5 to 223) [Bet now at DraftKings and get a $1,000 sign-up bonus.]
Heat vs Pacers Bets Odds
| Heat Odds | -5.5 [BET NOW] |
| Pacers Odds | +5.5 [BET NOW] |
| Moneyline | -230 / + 190 [BET NOW] |
| Over / Under | 213 [BET NOW] |
| Time | 15:30 a.m. ET |
| TV | TNT |
The movement on this total has not been very drastic, but when they are combined with the betting percentages, it becomes just as clear which side the sharps are taking.
In this case, the over has been the most popular bet, drawing two cards for each placed on the bottom. But even with that split, the number has dropped from 214 to 213 – which is to say something about the 34% of bettors on the bottom.
Again, these bettors have made bigger bets, albeit only (39% cash). Another three SI Bet signals confirmed the backing of sharpness from below, with movements at 214.5 and 214.
Sharp angles: Under (moved from 214 to 213) [Bet now at DraftKings and get a $1,000 sign-up bonus.]
