NBA Betting and Odds

Basketball is one of the state’s most popular sports, so it’s no surprise that wagering on the NBA is also hugely popular.

It’s also one of the few major sports that openly acknowledges that wagers are placed on games. The NBA even has a partnership with BetMGM.

NBA Betting and Odds

The sport has embraced betting so much that there won’t be a shortage of NBA predictions and odds every night from October to April and into the postseason.

With over 2,460 games to bet on during the season, NBA gambling is a fun and lengthy journey. If you’re looking for an explanation of the best NBA betting tips and odds, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s dive into the world of NBA betting.

What types of bets can I place on NBA games?

Common bet types for NBA games include:

• Point Spread Bets: Wagering on the margin of victory, where the favorite is handicapped by a certain number of points.
• Moneyline Bets: Betting on which team will win the game outright.
• Totals (Over/Under Bets): Betting whether the total points scored will be over or under a specified amount.
• Prop Bets: Wagers on specific occurrences or non-occurrences within a game.
• Futures Bets: Long-term bets placed on outcomes such as which team will win the championship.

NBA Betting on the Moneyline

Moneyline betting is simple to understand, especially for beginners. All you need to do is pick which team you think will win an NBA game. Easy as that. For example, let’s say the Golden State Warriors are -180 against the Los Angeles Lakers. The minus means they’re favored (an underdog would have a plus sign). Since all betting is done with $100 wagers in mind, -180 odds means that you’d have to wager $180 to win $100. On the other side of the coin, if the Warriors had +180 odds for a given match, then a $100 bet would earn you an extra $180 if they win. 

NBA Betting Against the Spread

Sometimes, the moneyline odds can be enormous (and risky). For example, let’s say the Golden State Warriors are taking on the Atlanta Hawks, and the odds of them winning are through the roof, with -800 odds. So to make $100, you’d need to bet $800. That’s a lot of risk for minimal reward. 

An “against the spread” (ATS) bet gives you a much less risky alternative. You’d simply be betting on how many points you think the Warriors will win by. In this game, your sportsbook has assigned the Warriors with a -6.0 ATS, with odds of -120. In other words, if you bet $120 that Golden State will win by more than six points, then you win the wager and earn that $100. If you think the Hawks will prevent the Warriors from winning by more than six points, you could bet $100 on them instead (since they’d be +120) and end up winning $120 if you were right.

NBA Betting Over Under

If the two types of bets above don’t pique your interest, there’s a popular third betting option. All you do for an NBA Over/Under wager is pick whether you believe the game will go above or below a specific number. Let’s use a point total as an example. Your sportsbook has predicted the outcome of the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks at 210 total combined points. If you believe the game’s total score will be over that number, you can place your bet there. If you think it’ll be under that 210 total, then you can bet that instead. Many bettors enjoy NBA Over/Under wagers because every single possession counts.

NBA Betting Strategies

Effective NBA betting strategies might include:

• Analyzing Player Matchups: Understanding key player matchups can provide insights into game outcomes.
• Staying Updated on Player News: Injuries or player substitutions can significantly impact game dynamics and betting odds.
• Understanding Team Dynamics: How a team performs at home versus on the road, their recent performance trends, and head-to-head records against their opponents can all influence betting decisions.
• Bankroll Management: Always manage your betting funds responsibly to mitigate losses over time.

Understanding NBA Betting Odds

Odds are typically presented in American (-500), Decimal (1.20), or Fractional (1/5) formats, indicating the stake needed to win a certain amount of money or the payout from a $1 bet, respectively. Negative odds indicate favorites, while positive numbers signify underdogs.

NBA betting Mistakes to Avoid

Common pitfalls in NBA betting include:

• Overvaluing favorites: Always consider the underdog, especially when the odds may favor them unexpectedly.
• Ignoring context: Factors such as team fatigue, travel schedules, and external motivations can alter the expected course of the game.
• Chasing losses: Avoid trying to recover from losses quickly through risky bets.

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