Professional and casual bettors aren't always on opposite sides of the same game. In fact, one of the biggest misconceptions among recreational sports bettors is that sharps and squares can't agree.
While bettors of all skill levels can certainly make the same wagers, Game 1 of the NBA Finals closed as a classic case of professional and public bettors lining up on opposite sides of one matchup.
Casual bettors overwhelmingly jumped on the Golden State Warriors, while sharps pounded the Raptors, moving the line from Toronto +1.5 to -2.
For tonight's Game 2, sharps are squares are once again at odds on how to bet the Warriors-Raptors spread, and have decided to disagree on the over/under as well.
Let's look at how casual bettors are approaching tonight's matchup, and how wiseguys are moving lines in the opposite direction.
After opening at at a consensus of 215.5, the over/under has dropped to 214.5 (see live odds here) — even to 214 at many sportsbooks across the market.
While 70% of the bets have come down on the over, actual money wagered is more balanced as 57% of dollars are hoping for a high-scoring matchup.
Sports Insights' Bet Signals have weighed in, triggered one Reverse Line Move on the under, shedding some light as to why the total has dropped despite the majority of tickets — and smaller majority of money — hitting the over.
As for the spread, sharp and public bettors are betting Game 2 exactly as they were Game 1.
Recreational players — to the tune of 67% of tickets and 69% of dollars — are all over the Warriors. Wiseguys, on the other hand, have hit the Raptors in two separate market-moving instances per Sports Insights' Bet Signals.
As usual, the opinions of the respected minority outweigh those of the general masses as oddsmakers have moved the line from Toronto +1 to -2.
