NBA betting odds are on the board for Game 2 of the NBA Finals, set for Friday night. The Los Angeles Lakers look to pick up where they left off in Wednesday’s Game 1, aiming to take firm control of this championship series against 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 8:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Thirty minutes or so before tipoff, BetMGM in Nevada moved the Lakers from -10 to -10.5, up 2.5 points from the opener of -8. The total just went from 216.5 to 217, up 2 points from the opener of 215.
UPDATE 3:45 P.M. ET FRIDAY: BetMGM opened the Lakers -7.5 and is currently at -9.5. The total is up a tick from 216 to 216.5.
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Miami entered Game 1 with a 12-3 SU and ATS record in this year’s playoffs, then sprinted out to an early double-digit lead in the opener against Los Angeles. But it was all Lakers the rest of the way, as LeBron James and Co. breezed to a 116-98 victory laying 4.5 points.
That led FanDuel to install Los Angeles as 7-point favorites for Game 2, and the line was already up to Lakers -9.5 by Thursday afternoon. Part of that is surely bettors’ reaction to Game 1, but the Heat are also banged up: Goran Dragic (foot) is doubtful for Game 2, while Jimmy Butler (ankle) and Bam Adebayo (shoulder) are questionable.
The total opened at 216 and moved to 216.5 Thursday afternoon.
NBA sharp money
Check back for updates throughout the day on sharp bets coming in on Friday’s NBA game.
NBA public betting
UPDATE 8:30 P.M. ET FRIDAY: "It's all Lakers. Just on my screen now is $25,000 on Lakers -10. Every five-figure bet I've seen is on the Lakers," BetMGM's Scott Shelton said, noting a significant need on the Heat. "Tickets are 3/1 on the Lakers, and money is about 15/1. It's a really well-bet game, and it's a six-figure decision." On the total, Shelton said ticket count is dead even, but money is 2/1 on the Over.
UPDATE 3:45 P.M. ET FRIDAY: Los Angeles is drawing 61 percent of tickets and 81 percent of money on the spread at BetMGM. Bettors also like the Over, which is drawing 57 percent of tickets/78 percent of money.
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Bettors were buying the Lakers early and often at FanDuel, with 84 percent of tickets and 95 percent of dollars wagered landing on Los Angeles, through Thursday afternoon. On the total, ticket count is two-way, with the Over at 54 percent, but money is running 81 percent on the Over.
Odds to win the NBA championship
UPDATE 3:45 P.M. ET FRIDAY: BetMGM opened the Lakers -358 to win this series before the NBA Finals began, and with L.A. up 1-0 and a 9.5-point favorite Friday night, the price is up to -1,250. The Heat opened +300 and are now +800.
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Prior to Game 1, DraftKings had the series priced at Lakers -375/Heat +280. Ahead of Game 2, it's now Lakers -1,667/Heat +880.
Where can I bet NBA odds?
Many online books and casinos offer bets on basketball odds and props. Check out the best sportsbooks available where you live.
