Daily public money update: Bettors need Knicks on Thursday

It’s that special time of year when most of the major sports are in action. It’s a lot, and we’re grateful for it. There are plenty of crucial contests coming up, which always attract some big public sides. Let’s take a look at where the public money is going as bettors once again try to beat the ‘books, with the Knicks leading the way on Thursday.

NBA: Knicks -3.5 vs Pelicans

There are only three NBA games on Thursday, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still some big public sides. In fact, there’s a big public side brewing for each NBA game tonight. The first and biggest is here at Madison Square Garden. Eighty-eight percent of the bets and 94 percent of the public money are coming in on the Knicks -3.5 vs the Pelicans, per DraftKings’ internal numbers shared with us.

The Knicks are coming off back to back losses, so this could be more a fade of the Pelicans than anything else. New York has struggled to meet expectations this year, but New Orleans has been an even bigger disappointment at 16-28. Check out our full game preview for Pelicans vs Knicks to see what side our expert is on.

NBA: Suns -2.5 @ Mavericks

The public is banking heavy on a road favorite for this Western Conference matchup. Dallas has been playing really well lately with 10 wins in their last 11 games, so it’s pretty interesting to see bettors lining up to fade them here. Despite the Mavs’ recent resurgence, 89 percent of the bets and 88 percent of the public money are laying the points with Phoenix here.

While the Mavericks have turned it on recently the Suns have been great all year, entering with a 34-9 record. This is the second half of a back to back for Dallas, which could have something to do with these splits. We’ve got a three-star best bet for this game, so you won’t want to miss our full betting preview of it.

NBA: Warriors -11 vs Pacers

Looking at the nightcap of the NBA slate now, the public is never going to hesitate to lay double digits with an elite team. One of the league’s best teams is playing one of the league’s worst teams, that’s always going to produce a heavy public side. A total of 70 percent of the bets and 92 percent of the public money are laying 11 points with the Warriors on Thursday. The gap in those two percentages means the large volume bets have been on Golden State as well.

Apparently the Pacers’ surprise road win over the Lakers last night wasn’t enough to sway too many people. That’s probably because beating the Lakers isn’t much of an accomplishment these days, and because before that Indiana hadn’t won a road game since November 22nd. That being said the Pacers did play well last night, and this spread feels a bit high. We’re fading the public and backing the underdogs here.

NCAAB: #3 Arizona -11.5 @ Stanford

See what I mean about the public not being afraid to lay double digits? They’re also pounding #3 Arizona on the road for their PAC 12 matchup with Stanford. The Wildcats have only lost one game all season and have risen to the top of the polls, and bettors are looking to keep riding that momentum. A total of 80 percent of the bets and 91 percent of the public money are laying the points with Arizona here.

Stanford has been solid this year and their only two recent losses were both very close games, so it’s not like they’re a lifeless doormat. That being said, they still will probably be a bit overmatched here. We’re on Arizona as well and our expert got them yesterday at -9.5, so it pays to be checking Pickswise early and often.

NHL: Jets @ Predators over 5.5

Nothing the public loves more than a good over. Incredibly if you look at the NHL splits for today, bettors are hammering the over in almost every single one of the league’s nine games tonight. Perhaps none harder than this over 5.5 for the Jets/Predators game. A total of 87 percent of the bets and a near-unanimous 97 percent of the public money are banking on there being at least six goals here.

Nashville’s defense has been a bit suspect lately, as they’ve given up at least three goals in five straight games. The Jets on the flip side have scored at least three in five of their past six. Be sure to check out our picks for every hockey game today, as we’ve got a few three-star top plays for the day.

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