NBA Betting
Placing a wager on the NBA can add an extra element of excitement to any game.
Of course, you should really know what you are doing before you take the first steps on your NBA betting journey. There are many different bets you can place, and a little bit of NBA knowledge can go a long way when gambling on basketball.
Moneyline betting is the easiest to understand, as you are simply picking a winner. However, there is much more to NBA betting than choosing the side you think will win on any given night.
From parlays and teasers, to taking on the over-under, there are many interesting ways to wager on the NBA.
Therefore, if you want to have a better chance of winning than the Sacramento Kings do of reaching the NBA playoffs, then you should really read this article and gain a little bit of knowledge about NBA betting.
How to Predict NBA Games
They say that the best way to predict the future is by looking at the past.
Estimating the outcome of any given NBA game is best done by looking at patterns of the past.
For instance, the Sacramento Kings haven’t reached the NBA playoffs since 2006 and they are 5-5 so far this season. Therefore, betting on futures for them to bring home the NBA championship would be a wild bet, as it is unlikely that they will be still in the mix for the top prize in the NBA come the end of the season.
However, you can look at other patterns from the Kings to make your predictions. For instance, in the opening 10 games of the NBA season, they have averaged 111 points. They play the Detroit Pistons on November 15. In Detroit’s opening nine NBA games, they have averaged 94.9 points.
Putting the two averages together, you are getting 205.9. Therefore, betting on the over-under market where the line is at 224 may represent a good opportunity here.
In terms of predictions, betting on the under in this scenario is an educated gamble. That’s NBA betting at its finest.
That is because, in terms of the NBA, looking at a player or team’s statistics and form offers an insight into what may happen in the future.
Of course, NBA predictions are not a perfect science, but betting this way is much better than blindly betting with no basis for the outcome you are wagering on.
Learn to Bet on NBA
It is one thing to predict the NBA, but another thing entirely to actually place your own money down and be betting on the NBA.
If you are going to bet on the league, then you should know about the different types of NBA betting that is available, such as moneyline betting, totals betting, spread, parlay/teaser, and futures betting. They are just a few examples, as some sportsbooks offer hundreds of ways to take part in NBA betting.
As previously stated, if you are betting on the NBA moneyline, you are simply predicting who you think will win any given game. ‘Totals’ betting is the over under we previously discussed with Detroit and Sacramento. Here, you are betting on whether the combined score of two teams will be over or under a certain amount of points.
The point spread in NBA betting is also known as the handicap in certain parts of the world. This is where you can get better prices for a favorite to win over a point margin, or give extra points to an underdog (which reduces its price) to give it a better chance at winning. This is done by adding or taking away points from a teams total to make the bet more attractive.
Parlays is betting that is known as accumulators in other parts of the world. This is a multiple bet, where each element of the bet needs to come in for it to be a winner. In this type of bet, the winnings from each leg gets placed on the next part of the bet, offering a chance for the bettor to win big.
In regard to NBA wagers, a teaser is similar, but the bettor gets points to add or take away from each leg. It can increase the chances of the bet being a winner but reduces the odds available for the bet.
With NBA futures, you are betting on something that will happen down the line, such as the overall winner of the championship or conference, or the MVP for the season. This NBA betting is available for both individual and team outcomes.
Best NBA Betting Sites
Finding the best NBA betting sites isn’t an easy task, but luckily, we’re here to help you. In fact, by the end of this article, we will have provided more assists (albeit to your NBA betting game) than Russell Westbrook gave to his side in the entire 2020-21 NBA season.
Firstly, you are going to want to look at the statistics from the NBA season, so you can navigate your NBA betting predictions in the best possible way.
In terms of actual betting sites, there is no shortage of brilliant sportsbooks that can take your bets.
Using their service, you can bet on point spreads, moneylines, futures and much, much more.
With each team playing 82 regular NBA season games, there will be plenty of opportunities to check out the best NBA betting sites and choose an option which suits you.
Live Odds
One of the beautiful things about NBA betting is that you can bet after the jump ball and the game starts.
When a game is in-play, odds will shift and you can gain value when wagering on the NBA.
For instance, if a team is down going into the fourth quarter, but you know that the fourth is when they usually hit their stride, you may be able to take advantage of the live odds that are available.
And because the team in question is losing, it is likely that you will get better odds for your bets than the pre-game moneyline offer too.
Expert Picks
Now for the fun part. We are going to share some of our best bets for this season’s NBA Championship.
For the most part, we will stick with NBA futures, as we don’t know when you are reading this guide.
Last year’s championship winners, the Milwaukee Bucks, are priced at +400 to win the Eastern Conference. Giannis Antetokounmpo and his side haven’t been at their best this season with a 4-6 NBA season record so far, but as the old saying goes, ‘form is temporary, but class is permanent’.
This is a side that has proven their class repeatedly in the past, particularly when the chips are down. We think they are an excellent price to find their form and win the NBA’s eastern conference.
Lebron James and his Los Angeles Lakers’ side are another team that are yet to hit good form. They have shown glimpses of brilliance, but their 5-5 NBA season record demonstrates that they are another side that is struggling for consistency.
It is hard to write off arguably the greatest NBA player of our generation and his team. We are not convinced it will be a winner, but they are currently priced at +550 to win this season’s NBA championship.
The Brooklyn Nets and their team of superstars look to be finally clicking and it is hard to look past them. Kevin Durant is in the form of his NBA career and James Harden is throwing almost 40 percent from the three-point line.
However, the value available for the Nets’ team of superstars is quite simply not there. At this early stage of the season, they are +275 and that quite simply isn’t big enough odds for us to be interested in backing them as potential NBA championship winners.
Instead, we are looking at the Golden State Warriors and their merry band of three-point shooters. They are priced at +800 to win the NBA championship and have looked amazing so far this season, with a record of 8-1.
What to consider while choosing NBA Betting Site
When deciding what NBA betting site to use, there are several factors you should consider.
They include the following:
Safety
Of course, you will want to pick a reputable site for your NBA bets.
Afterall, you will be placing your hard-earned money on this type of betting. Therefore, you should read reviews about the deposits and withdrawal processes of the sites in question. There is little point in winning a bet if you are not going to receive the winnings.
Bonus Offers
Different gambling sites offer different offers. With some, there are introductory bonuses, while others offer boosts and bonuses during games. You should examine the sites you are considering and see what is the best option for you and your NBA betting needs.
User Experience
It should go without saying, but some sites are more user friendly than others. With NBA betting, you should feel comfortable on the site and know that you can find exactly what you are looking for when you need it.
Payment Flexibility
Not all sites offer the same options when it comes to deposits and withdrawals. For example, there are some sites that accept Paypal and some sites which do not. This is true of virtually all payment options. You should seek out a site that accepts your chosen payment method for your NBA bets.
Odds and Wager Options
There are several points to make here. Firstly, the site you choose should allow you to see NBA odds in your chosen way, whether that be decimals, fractional or US odds. Secondly, some sportsbooks are notorious for not offering value when it comes to NBA betting. By shopping around, you can avoid these sites and get the most from your NBA bets.
Strategies & Tips for NBA Betting
Of course, in the above we laid out a couple of tips for predicting NBA games.
However, it takes more than the ability to place a well-informed wager to be a good NBA bettor. Here are a few additional tips.
Bankroll Management
First and foremost, never bet more than you can afford. Gambling on the NBA is always a risk and although it can add fun to the basketball game, or any other sporting event, it can also be terrible if you lose more than you can afford.
If you have a set bankroll, it is always a good idea to stick to pre-set limits and never bet too high a percentage of that allocated bankroll. You should also avoid gambling when tired, or in a heightened state of emotion.
Injuries & Load Management
The NBA is one of the most intense professional sports leagues on the planet. As they say, there is nothing quite as action packed as the NBA.
For that reason, star players regularly miss games in the NBA, through both injuries and load management. It goes without saying that the Lakers aren’t the same side without Lebron, the Mavs aren’t nearly as good without Luka Doncic, and the Bucks struggle more when Giannis isn’t playing.
These are simple facts. Thus, before engaging with NBA betting, you should always read up on who will be playing and who will have to sit out the games you wager on. This can give your bets the added advantage.
Travel Schedules
NBA travel schedules can give you an insight into a team’s fatigue levels and offer you the opportunity to get the edge when it comes to NBA betting. These players may be travelling in style, but no matter how fancy the private jet, flying can still be a tiring experience.
Fade the Public
This simply means betting against whatever team the public is loading up on. In the past, it was a popular method for NBA gamblers. However, smartly used point spreads can offer just as good odds, with an increased chance of winning.
Second Half Lines
Second half betting lines allow the gambler to put any of the bets he would put on a normal NBA game in just the second half. Think of it as if everything is reset for the person who is betting at halftime.
This is a useful betting tool if you are wagering on a team like the Charlotte Hornets, who are only 5-3 for the season, but have the best second half record so far in the NBA.
Which States Allow Legal NBA Betting?
In the following states, some form of sports betting is either legal, or there are plans in place for it to be in the future. This is a useful list for all you NBA aficionados out there.
· Arkansas
· Colorado
· Delaware
· Indiana
· Iowa
· Michigan
· Mississippi
· Montana
· New Jersey Nevada
· New York
· New Mexico
· North Carolina
· Oregan
· Pennsylvania
· Rhode Island
· Tennessee
· Virginia
· Washington DC
· West Virginia
Why Bet on the NBA?
There are many reasons to bet on the NBA, amongst them are the many games and different types of bets available. You can also examine NBA form and find excellent value against the sportsbooks.
Compared to other types of betting, like roulette or blackjack, you also have some idea of the potential outcomes pregame in the NBA, as it is easier to predict.
However, most importantly, betting on the NBA can add a little bit of enjoyment to the experience of watching the game and potentially win you some money.
NBA Betting FAQ
How do I bet on NBA games?
There are a huge number of ways you can bet on the NBA, if it is legal to do so in your jurisdiction. These can include everything from NBA moneyline bets, to over unders and futures. You can even combine your NBA bets for bigger odds with a parlay or teaser. You can bet on the outcome of individual NBA games or seasons for both teams and players with futures.
Where can I bet money in NBA?
Where it is legal, sportsbooks offer odds on a huge number of potential outcomes for both NBA games and seasons. We have listed the states where this is possible above.
How do NBA odds work?
Just like with all other forms of betting, the sportsbooks try to predict the likelihood of each outcome in the NBA, calculating odds based off of this. The longer the odds, the less likely the event will come to fruition, according to the sportsbook. However, if you think you can outsmart the bookie when it comes to NBA, this is where you can make your money.
What is handicap betting NBA
Handicap betting allows you to get more favourable odds for a favourite in the NBA, on the basis that you think that favourite will win by more than a certain number of points. This works by the bettor backing the team, minus a certain amount of their total points.
Likewise, if you think the underdog will get closer to the favourite, without winning, handicaps give you the opportunity to add points on to their total at lower odds. Handicaps work like moneyline bets, except they add or subtract points from your chosen NBA team’s total score.
How does NBA betting work?
Just like all betting, gambling in the NBA works by placing a bet on a specific outcome at certain odds. If your NBA wager wins, you get paid off the pre-agreed price or odds. Some sportsbooks take fees, or vigs, for bets. Some don’t.
How do you bet on basketball games?
You can gamble on NBA basketball games pre or during games. In-play NBA betting has gained a huge amount of popularity in recent years, with more and more bettors realizing that this could be an excellent way to gain value with the odds involved in these bets.
