Learn the basics of NBA betting including how NBA odds work, common bet types, money management, and NBA betting strategies to make the best NBA choices. There has never been a better time to start betting on the NBA than now. With dozens of legitimate betting sites and hundreds of different bets to make for each game, the NBA betting options are practically endless. However, how do you go from someone who has never bet on the NBA before to a professional bettor? In this guide, bestsoccertips helps the most inexperienced bettors learn how to become a serious NBA bettor.
What is NBA Betting Explained?
Betting on the NBA (National Basketball Association) is a form of placing bets with money or other valuable assets on events and matches related to the United States’ National Basketball Association. The NBA is one of the premier and most popular basketball leagues in the world, garnering significant attention from fans and individuals interested in engaging in betting to enhance the excitement and thrill of watching matches.
When wagering on the NBA, players can place bets on various aspects of a match, including:
- Match outcome: Betting on the specific team that will win or lose a particular match.
- Match points: Predicting the total number of points scored by both teams in a match. Players can bet on whether the total points will be higher or lower than a specific point threshold.
- Point spread: Placing bets based on a specific point spread. This is often used to balance the odds between two teams of uneven chances of winning.
- Specific events: Betting on specific events such as the top scorer, the number of fouls committed, three-point shooting percentages, and more.
- Pre-match and in-play betting: Players can place bets before a match starts or during the course of the match.
Betting on the NBA not only adds excitement to the experience of following the matches but also provides players with the opportunity to utilize their knowledge and predictions to profit from betting. However, as with any form of betting, managing risks and considering information is crucial to ensure a safe and reliable betting experience.
What are the most common types of NBA bets?
There are many popular types of bets in the NBA, these types of bets present many opportunities and challenges for players. Here are some of the most common types of NBA bets:
Moneyline Bets
Betting on the moneyline involves predicting which team will win the game. In the table below, the Dallas Mavericks are a -175 favorite and the San Antonio Spurs are a +165 underdog. That means to win a dollar betting on the Mavericks you would need to bet $1.75, while a one dollar bet on the Spurs would return $1.65 if they won.
Point Spread
Betting on the spread involves betting on by how many points a team will win or lose a game. In the below graphic the Mavericks are -4.5 favorites meaning that if you bet on Dallas, they would need to win the game by 5 or more points for your bet to be a winner. If you bet on the Spurs, who are +4.5 underdogs, you would win that bet if the Spurs win the game or lose by 4 or fewer points. Learn more about spread betting strategy and the point spread.
Total (Over/Under)
Betting on the total, or over/under is a classic NBA bet. A total bet involves predicting how many points will be scored in a given NBA game. The graphic below features a game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Orlando Magic. The total is 225, meaning if you bet on the over, you would win if more than 225 points are scored, and if you bet on the under, you would win if less than 225 points were scored. (Exactly 225 points being scored would mean it’s a push.) Learn more about Over/Under betting.
Prop Bets
Prop bets focus less on the outcome of the game and more on individual players. So, prop bets will include how many points a specific player might score, or how many rebounds they grab or assists they dish out. For a random game, Julius Randle might have an over/under of 24.5 points or 9.5 rebounds and you can bet on either side of those props.
Parlays
Parlay bets are wagers that incorporate two or more bets. So, suppose you wanted to bet on the New York Knicks to beat the Charlotte Hornets, and you also wanted to bet on the Brooklyn Nets to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers. Instead of betting on both teams separately, you can merge both bets together by parlaying them and increasing your potential winnings. You can generally parlay as many bets as you want together on most sportsbooks. Your return will rise exponentially with each bet you add, but remember that every bet in you parlay needs to win for you to get any money at all.
Live Betting
One of the fastest growing forms of NBA betting is live, in-game betting where you can place bets on an NBA game while the game is being played. For example, suppose the Denver Nuggets are playing the Sacramento Kings. Denver was a -7.5 favorite before the game started, but the Kings got out to an early 21-11 lead. Live betting might move Denver down to a -4.5 favorite at that point. If you believe the Nuggets will come back, you can take advantage of the decreased spread (or increased moneyline odds) right there during the game.
Tips and the best NBA betting strategies
When it comes to NBA betting, implementing effective strategies can increase your chances of success. Here are some common NBA betting strategies to consider:
Increasing Your Betting Odds
The first betting tips for NBA betting is that the best way to improve your betting odds is to increase your options. How do you do that? By having accounts with multiple sports betting sites. This way, you can compare the most valuable odds for the team you want to bet on. A favored team could be -190 on one book and -160 on another. Or if you see a point spread of -5 and think you’d prefer a similar line at -4.5, check the lines on different websites, and you may find the line you’re looking for. The more options you have, the more chances you have to find favorable odds.
Home vs. Away Advantage
In NBA betting, the advantage of the home team has been diminishing over the past decade. The key is to know which teams have a strong home advantage and which ones don’t. Additionally, some teams excel on the road, while others, often young or inexperienced teams, might struggle in away games. It’s crucial to understand which teams truly show a clear home advantage.
Betting on Underdogs
If you know how to do it right, you can make money by betting on underdogs. Any NBA team can beat any of the other 29 teams on any given night. So, if you feel that, for example, the home team +8 underdog has a good chance of winning outright against the team they’re playing, that’s a match you should consider betting on. To bet on an underdog, at the very least, you should be able to envision them potentially winning the game rather than just covering the spread.
Betting on Live Line Swings
When it comes to live betting on NBA matches, understanding line swings is crucial. If a favorite team falls behind early, their odds may decrease a few points in live betting. If you can accurately time your bets—since live betting happens rapidly—you can place a bet on a favored game with much lower odds than you ever dreamed of before the match started. With live betting, you need to predict which outcomes are just momentum shifts and which games are genuinely mismatched, where your favorite game might never catch up.
Understanding External Factors
One of the most unspoken but critical factors in NBA betting is the fatigue level of an NBA team. If a team you want to bet on has played four games in six days, they might be worn out, and you might want to avoid that betting proposition. However, what if both teams are playing back-to-back in the second half, or both are in the middle of a dense schedule? Is one team starting the fourth quarter well-rested from the night before while the other has to play overtime? These are all key factors to consider when betting on NBA teams.
Frequently Asked Questions About NBA Betting Strategies
Here are some frequently asked questions when betting on the NBA, we will answer specifically for players to easily remember:
Is NBA betting skill or luck?
NBA betting is considered a game of skill. This is because bettors can use various statistics to influence the bets they place. However, the outcomes are still random, so a bit of luck doesn’t hurt either. To enhance your winning chances, you should watch NBA games and read previews from basketball experts.
How do you choose the right NBA team to bet on?
You need to consider the strengths of both teams, the match, injuries, etc. One way to ease the burden is by reading selections from experienced NBA bettors. Our experts provide betting advice throughout the NBA season. We also offer daily selections from our sophisticated AI tool, which accurately predicts the outcome of over 55% of games.
Is NBA betting legal?
If you are in a country or state where sports betting is allowed and you are not affiliated with the NBA, then yes, you can bet on NBA matches. Just ensure that you are using a licensed website within your jurisdiction.
What types of bets can I place in NBA matches?
NBA bettors have a wide range of betting markets to choose from. Some popular types of NBA bets include:
- Moneyline
- Point spread
- Total points
- Props
- Live betting
These FAQs cover some essential aspects of NBA betting strategies and considerations. Always ensure that you understand the regulations and risks associated with betting before placing any wagers.
Conclude
Now that you know many betting tips vip and NBA betting strategies of experts to become a winning NBA bettor, you are ready to become an NBA bettor. The best way to learn is by experience, so spend a night watching NBA games, doing research, placing some hypothetical bets, and seeing how you do. Once you’re comfortable with the process, you’re ready to bet. Learn how to use the betting odds calculator, create a spreadsheet to keep track of all your bets, then move forward as a pro bettor, look up NBA betting odds, and start picking some winners. I wish you every success!
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