NBA betting odds are on the board and getting action for Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Friday night, which could end with a hoisting of the championship trophy as LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers look to finish off the Miami Heat.
FanDuel Sportsbook provided insights on NBA Finals opening lines and early line movement, sharp money and public betting for Friday’s matchup, along with odds to win the NBA championship. Covers will update this action report with NBA sharp picks vs. public bets and line movement up until game time.
NBA line movement
UPDATE 8:45 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Shortly before game time, FanDuel is back to the opener of Lakers -7.5, after spending the past 24 hours at -7. The total opened 216.5 and got as low as 214.5 this afternoon, before ticking up to 215.5.
UPDATE 6:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Less than three hours before tipoff, PointsBet USA just moved back to the opener of Lakers -7.5, after spending the past two days at -7. It's two-way action, with the Heat actually taking more tickets and money, at 53 percent and 56 percent, respectively. The total opened at 216 and saw little movement until this afternoon, when it dropped to 214.5, before ticking up to 215. There's two-way play on the total, as well, with a lean to the Over, which is taking 54 percent of bets/58 percent of money.
UPDATE 4:15 P.M. ET FRIDAY: DraftKings twice moved from Lakers -7.5 to -7, and the number is at 7 right now. The total opened at 216.5 and is down to 215.5.
UPDATE NOON ET FRIDAY: After opening the Lakers -7.5, FanDuel bounced down to -7 and back to -7.5 a few times, but has been stuck at 7 since early Thursday evening. The total is at 216, down a half-point from the opener and a full point from its peak late Tuesday night/early Wednesday.
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The Lakers held off the Heat 102-96 in Game 4 Tuesday night to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series and move to the brink of the title. FanDuel opened Los Angeles a 7.5-point favorite for Game 5 and bounced to -7 a couple of times, including late Wednesday night.
The total opened at 216.5 and spent a few hours at 217 Wednesday before dropping to 216.
NBA sharp money
Check back for updates throughout the day on sharp bets coming in on Friday's NBA game.
NBA public betting
UPDATE 8:45 P.M. ET FRIDAY: FanDuel continues to see two-way action on Game 5, with the Lakers getting 52 percent of tickets and money on the spread. On the total, 61 percent of bets/70 percent of dollars are on the Over.
UPDATE 4:15 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Game 5 is getting two-way action on the side and the total at DraftKings. The Lakers are taking 54 percent of tickets/59 percent of money on the spread, and the Over is landing 56 percent of bets and 59 percent of dollars.
UPDATE NOON ET FRIDAY: Tickets remain balanced and money is much more balanced than it was late Wednesday night at FanDuel. The Lakers are taking 52 percent of bets on the spread, while the Heat are attracting 53 percent of the money. Ticket count on the total is also two-way, with 52 percent on the Over, but money is running 75 percent to the Over.
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Early betting splits at FanDuel indicate customers at least think the Heat will cover the number in Game 5. While ticket count is two-way, with a lean toward Miami at 54 percent, 82 percent of money was on the Heat through Wednesday night.
The total is very much seeing two-way action, with 59 percent of tickets on the Over, but money split right down the middle through Wednesday.
Odds to win the NBA championship
Prior to Game 4, FanDuel had the series priced at Lakers -1,500/Heat +900. With the Lakers now holding a 3-1 lead, the pricing jumped substantially to Lakers -8,000/Heat +2,200.
Where can I bet NBA odds?
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