Fresh off an exhilarating 110-106 triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, the Golden State Warriors find themselves in an intriguing situation. Despite securing the victory, they fell short of covering the 12.5-point spread as favorites. Interestingly, the aftermath of this win has led many to underestimate the Warriors tonight. Presently, SportsInsights reports a notable trend, with over 66% of the betting tickets and a staggering 98% of the money favoring the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although the Thunder initially opened at -4, most betting outlets are now displaying a line of -3.5.
What stands out in this scenario is the presence of reverse line movement. This phenomenon occurs when the betting line shifts away from the side that commands the majority of bets. Such adjustments are typically influenced by bookmakers responding to significant activity from sharp bettors, prompting them to make strategic alterations to the lines. When professional bettors make substantial wagers, sportsbooks often prefer to align with their positions.
In terms of the game's value, my assessment suggests that the spread for this matchup should have been set at Oklahoma City Thunder -2.5. In my view, Golden State is slightly being undervalued, and this perspective is in sync with the observed reverse line movement. Drawing from my personal betting experiences, I've found it to be most profitable to back the Warriors when they are designated as underdogs. The Warriors currently boast a commendable 6-3 record against the spread this season when oddsmakers position them as underdogs.
Furthermore, the timing appears to be favorable for the Warriors, who carry a double revenge angle after suffering defeats at the hands of the Thunder in their last two encounters. For those inclined to delve deeper into betting trends, Golden State holds an impressive 5-1 straight-up record in its last 6 games when playing on the road in Oklahoma City. Additionally, the Warriors showcase a strong 25-10-1 record against the spread in their last 36 games played on Fridays. Happy Friday everyone. Go Warriors!
Projection: 120 Warriors 118 Thunder
Pick: Golden State Warriors +3.5 (-110)
🍀Best of luck! ExclusiveVipSports
