The NBA is bigger than ever, with international viewership skyrocketing in numbers thanks to the games being more accessible via several platforms. A growing audience also means more people have joined in on betting on NBA games.
NBA itself has even partnered up with two reputable online books and has also launched a program focused on the NBA betting market, fully embracing the activity. After all, earning a few wins while being on the edge of your seat with some court action is one of the best ways to enjoy these games.
Whether you’ve been a long-time NBA fan or a newbie and want to dive into sports betting, read this guide to know how you can make the most out of these thrilling basketball games.
Types of NBA Bets
The current NBA season is well underway, but it’s not yet too late to join in on the fun. Betting on NBA games is more than just spending money on your favorites. There are several types of betting markets, and choosing the best one for you can help you earn great value.
Moneyline
Similar to other sports that have wagers, moneyline bets also exist in the NBA betting market. For this type of bet, you’ll only need to choose who you think will win the game. This is the simplest bet and is the most common type of bet available in the majority of sportsbooks.
Unlike other sports, there’s no draw in the NBA so you have a one-in-two chance of making a profit. If your chosen team wins, you get your payout, but if your team loses, the sportsbook keeps your wager.
Generally, sportsbooks generate the moneyline odds for a game based on each team’s implied probability of winning. As basketball teams are not always evenly matched, the moneyline odds will reflect those chances of victory. The odds are typically displayed in hundreds; the favorites have a negative value while the designated underdog will have a positive value.
Point Spread
Spread betting is wagering on a team winning by a certain amount of points. While the moneyline bet is the most straightforward bet and the best one for beginners, most basketball bettors prefer to wager on the point spread. This is because spreads often provide better odds than the moneyline.
Sportsbooks will indicate a negative value for the point spread of the favorite, and that team has to win the match by more than that spread for the bettors to win their wagers. The underdog will have a positive value in front of their point spread, and they can either win outright or lose by less than that spread to generate winning bets.
Totals or Over/Unders
This is another popular type of betting in the NBA. Oddsmakers measure the matchup between two teams and set an expected total number of points scored by both sides for the game. Once the total is set, bettors can wager if the final score will go over or total that number.
Futures
For this type of market, the betting is focused on the overall result for a team or player. This could be a team’s odds to win the NBA finals, a team’s odds to make it to the playoffs, or which player will be named NBA MVP.
These odds open before a season begins and bets will be taken throughout the schedule, adjusting to results and various factors, until the market is decided.
Proposition Bets
Proposition bets or prop bets allow you to gamble on matches without picking a winning team. Instead, you can place wagers on various aspects such as the total number of points scored, how many points a player will score, the first team to get to a certain number of points, and so on.
Tips and Strategies
Now that you’re armed with the knowledge of how to bet on NBA games, it’s time to place your wagers. Before you do though, here are some tips that you can adopt to be on the winning side and minimize your losses.
Check Recent Performances
In professional sports, any team can beat any other team on any given night. The best teams can go through slumps while underdogs can find their winning form. It’s best to learn and study your chosen team’s recent performances to help you decide on your wagers.
Consider Matchup History
Historical matchups between teams can provide insights into the pace and result of the game. Matchup data will also allow you to check how two teams have stacked up when facing common opponents.
Be Mindful of the Schedule
The NBA season is a lengthy one, with each of the 30 teams playing 82 games during the regular season, totaling a whopping number of 1,230 games in total. There are also the playoffs and advancements to the next stages before a team can be crowned as the season’s champion.
With the long schedule, fatigue can be a factor for teams and players who have played several games over a short stretch, as well as travel time and road trips. Be mindful of the recent schedules of the two teams for any games you want to place wagers on.
Take Note of Injuries and Off Nights
Because of the lengthy NBA schedule, injuries can play a huge role in the team’s performance and success. Don’t forget to comb through the injury reports and see which key contributing players will be missing in action.
Some players may also be resting, which could affect the lineup in matches. Missing key players may not move odds, but it will definitely affect the score and your wager.
Observe the Line Movement
As with all types of sports betting, many factors can affect the betting market. The numbers are always subject to change in response to wagering action, news, and other developments. Always keep an eye on the opening odds and where they’re moving to figure out the best time to place your wager.
Conclusion
Whether it’s the NBA or other sports, there’s always a risk associated with placing wagers. But with this guide and strategies that you can take, you can vastly improve your chances of winning while enjoying a great ball game.
