The NBA, National Basketball Association, is one of the best sports betting options. Often, a lot of bettors focus on football and some other sports until they discover and understand the great things the NBA has to offer. I was once like this, but once I was immersed in the fast-paced action of the NBA and the diverse basketball betting options available, I have not looked back. I have enjoyed amazing bet wins and forged strategies that have proven effective over time.

If you have been looking at the NBA from afar, despite your betting exploits, or you are a new bettor looking to start betting on NBA games, this is a comprehensive guide on how to bet on NBA games is exactly what you need for a good start. This is also for you if you are looking to get a better understanding and results in NBA games betting. The types of bets and amazing betting strategies are some of the things you will learn.

Overview of the NBA

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America. It is the third-wealthiest professional sports league in North America, only behind the NFL (National Football League) and the MLB (Major League Baseball). The league has about 32 teams, with each team playing 82 games in a regular NBA season. The 82 games are broken down into 41 home games and 41 away games, played from October to April. Then there are also the NBA playoffs. Very popular teams, globally, in the NBA include Miami Heat, Los Angeles Lakers (LA Lakers), Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons, and Golden State Warriors.

Betting on NBA Games

Many bettors, both seasoned (in other sports) and new bettors, see betting on NBA games as a very difficult adventure. They don’t understand the game, hence they cannot begin to talk about betting. So, they just ignore it all together.

Betting on the NBA is relatively easy, simply requiring you to have basic knowledge of basketball or watch basketball games as often as you can. Another common misconception about the NBA is that games are scarce. Each team plays 82 games in a regular season, so if you multiply this by 30, you have about 2500 games across a regular season. There is also an NBA playoffs tournament after the regular season, running till June. Therefore, bettors have more than enough games to bet on.

Types of NBA Bets

There are so many ways to bet on NBA games, just like most major sports. The common types of bets are point spread, over/under totals, and moneyline. New bettors usually start with these options and get into more advanced bet types as they get familiar with the terrain of NBA betting. Types of NBA bets are explained, as simply as possible, below:

Moneyline

This is perhaps the easiest type of bet. The wager is straightforward – betting on the outright winner of a game. New bettors in almost all sports favor moneyline. For example, you can bet on the Miami Heat to win over the Denver Nuggets.

The team favored to win a game is called the favorite while the other team is the underdog. A plus sign (+) indicates the underdog, while a minus sign (-) indicates the favorite team. These signs are placed in front of the teams’ odds, which show how much a bettor can win.

For example, a bettor will need to wager $150 for a payout of $250, with a profit of $100, if the favorite team has moneyline odds of -150. If the same team has odds of +150, a $100 stake will give a bettor a $150 profit.

Point Spread

This type of bet is on the margin of victory, what the score between the favorite and underdog will differ by. It is focused on leveling the playing field between the favorite and the underdog. Because of the gap between the NBA teams, sportsbooks assign a point spread indicating the points required to handicap the game in the direction of an even outcome.

For example, if team A is considered 15 points better than team B, the point spread will look like the following:

Team A. – -15

Team B – +15

For team A, the favorite team, to be considered the winning team, it must win by at least a 15 point margin. Point spread odds are usually great.

Over/Under or Totals

Sometimes, two teams can be so close in quality and form that picking the outright winning team can be very risky. Fortunately, you don’t have to. An excellent alternative is to bet on the total points scored.

Each NBA game is assigned a total by the sportsbooks. Bettors can now bet under or over this total. For instance, if the total in a game between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers is set at 250 points, you can wager on the outcome being over or under 250 points, based on your analysis.

Parlays

As you grow into NBA betting, most likely with winnings from moneyline, point spreads, and totals bets, you can take on parlay betting. In NBA parlays, two or more individual wagers are combined to form a single bet. The risk is definitely higher, because all the individual bets or legs must win, but so are the payouts.

If you are looking to make more money by improving your profit margin, parlay bets are among the best options you have. Here, it’s not just about moneyline and point spread bets, you can also bet on player performance, multiple NBA games, and even other sports. With parlays, you can win life-changing money if all your predictions are correct. However, you must be weary of making it too long because the more legs you include in your parlay bet, the lower the chances of winning.

Prop Bets

Just like parlays, prop bets allow bettors to explore more bet options such as team or player performance. Assists, rebounds, and points are very popular among bettors who bet on the performance of players. For example, some players have purple patches, during which they make a lot of assists and win points. So, you can bet on them, known as NBA player prop bets, based on your analysis.

Adjusted totals, adjusted points, and events that occur during a game are other excellent prop bets you can leverage to increase your potential profit. You can bet on which team scores the first basket or who wins a particular quarter.

Live Betting

Live betting is another popular bet type that allows bettors to place wagers during a game. Odds are usually adjusted in real time as events unfold in a game. Player injury and ejections are common things that could cause significant changes in odds during a game. An underdog could also put up a fight in a game, leading to the algorithm significantly adjusting odds in real time. Advantages of live betting include quick bet wins and higher profit margins. Therefore, watch the odds movements closely and act swiftly when an excellent opportunity presents itself.

Futures Bets

NBA futures bet is a long-term betting strategy. It refers to betting on the outcome of games that are to be played weeks or even months later. In the NBA, many bettors place wagers on what end-of-season results would be. Excellent examples of this include betting on who will win the Most Valuable Player or the Rookie of the Year. You can also bet on the winner of the nba finals and coach of the year weeks or months ahead.

Some sportsbooks have these options, with great NBA futures odds, only before the season starts but others allow bettors to make futures wagers even up to the middle of the season, if the final outcome is still in the balance.

Teasers

Teaser bet is similar to parlays but takes it to another level entirely. Bettors are allowed to place the odds at their comfortable number. You have the opportunity to select two or more teams and alter the point spread in a game. This leads to a reduction in odds and ultimately payouts, but the chances of winning are higher.

NBA Sportsbooks

Best NBA Betting Strategies

Casual bettors usually depend heavily on luck when placing bets. Hence, they hardly win in the long run. On the other hand, seasoned bettors, who record consistent wins, put a lot of effort into research, analysis, and strategies. While they know there is always an element of luck, they understand that they can’t control luck. Hence, they focus on skills to increase their winning chances.

To win consistently in your NBA bets, you need to have excellent strategies that are based on facts. Some of the best strategies that have proven highly effective are discussed below:

Research the rivalry

Even though all NBA games are about basketball, there are hardly any two NBA games that are the same. One of the biggest influences on NBA games, like other sports, is rivalry – the history between the two teams. Sometimes, the events that played out in a previous game can place a team on a revenge mission, hence they will be naturally more motivated. Therefore, amazing betting opportunities can be opened up by intense rivalry. Research the rivalry of a game as well as you can and discover any hidden gem in the matchup that many bettors don’t see.

Track player injuries

Tracking players’ injuries is a very vital betting strategy for all bettors. This must be done up to the last minute before the game starts, because some players’ availability for a game may not be decided until the last hours or minutes.

Information on player’s injuries and availability is usually made available in about an hour before a game. Track this information closely because injury to a key player can change the outlook of an NBA game completely. Yes, it is a team sport, but some players are more important to the way a team plays. Also, some players are in excellent form for the team, so an injury to them will affect the overall quality of the team.

Team Form or Performance

When playing NBA bets, the form of a team is a very important consideration. It’s perhaps the first thing most bettors, including seasoned bettors, check when placing a bet. Check the way the team has performed over the past five or more games, not just the results but the overall performance of the team (team stats). For example, if a team that played well and won the past five games is to play against a team on a losing streak of five or more games. It makes sense to bet on the in-form team to win.

Monitor Odds Changes Closely

It is very imperative to monitor how odds change on the game day. Different factors, including information on a possible injury to a player, can cause odds to change and totally change the outlook of a game as well as the betting opportunities available. This, taking advantage of the latest NBA odds, is also one of the reasons it is advisable to wait till the last minute before placing a bet.

Check Schedule

The team schedule is very important because it affects how fresh players are likely to be for a game. For example, if a team is playing on consecutive nights, it could present great betting opportunities for bettors, especially if the team they are playing against is coming from a day or more period of rest. Also, a team can have consecutive games, hence choose to rest a key player in the second one. Once you get this information, try to place an early wager before it becomes official as you are likely to benefit from the odds.

Note: NBA teams always vary in rest level, hence you should always look to take advantage of this to increase your winning rate.

Shop for the Best NBA Odds

You can gain a significant advantage and win more money if you shop for the best NBA betting odds before placing a bet. Odds for NBA games are usually similar across all sportsbooks, but there are occasional significant differences in odds. To win more money, read NBA odds and compare them across multiple sportsbooks and take advantage of the opportunities presented.

Be Disciplined

Too many bettors, and people generally, are so indisciplined that they find it hard to stick to principles. If you can’t stick to principles and strategies, you should stay away from sports betting because you will end up losing money. You must resist impulsive betting with everything. Once you adopt a strategy based on extensive research, don’t change it except it is based on better analysis. Therefore, whether you are on a winning or losing streak, stay calm and stick to your strategy.

NBA Betting Lines

How to Place a Bet on the NBA

To start placing bets on NBA games, the following are the steps required. The format is generally similar for all sportsbooks though there could be slight differences.

Choose your favorite sportsbooks: there are many online sportsbooks you can use for placing wagers on NBA games. When choosing a sportsbook, you should consider several factors such as the quality and responsiveness of the website, customer support, bonuses, ease of making deposit and withdrawal, etc. The majority of sports betting sites offer good bonuses to customers, including a sign-up bonus to welcome you. Check which sportsbook gives you the best offer and go for it. You can as well open multiple accounts with different sportsbooks to take advantage of the sign-up bonuses.

Sign up and make a deposit: once you identify your preferred sportsbook (or sportsbooks if you want to open multiple accounts), go ahead to create an account. Add all the required personal details and make your first deposit to claim the sign-up bonus.

Find the NBA Markets: once you are done creating an account and making a deposit, you are ready to start betting on NBA games. Go to the NBA or basketball section (NBA betting markets) on the online betting site, and you will find the list of NBA games you can bet on.

Choose and Place a Bet: now, click the games or teams you are looking to place a wager on and locate the type of bet you want to go for. Once you are through with the selection, choose your stake, bet amount, and go ahead to place your first NBA bet. You could as well start with multiple bets.

Betting on NBA games on your Mobile Device

The best sportsbooks have websites that adapt perfectly to different devices, ranging from computers to mobile phones. The majority of bettors now use their phones for virtually all sports betting, particularly because of the convenience and the chance to take advantage of betting opportunities like live betting. Therefore, ensure the website of the sportsbook you choose works perfectly on your mobile device.

There are also sportsbooks’ mobile apps for NBA betting. With these apps, it’s usually easier to follow team stats because you can have notifications on for the latest updates on NBA teams and easily track your bets. Therefore, take advantage of these opportunities as you set out to bet on NBA games.

Making a Deposit and Withdrawal

Deposits and withdrawal are perhaps the most important aspects of betting. Without making a deposit, you cannot take advantage of any betting opportunity. Similarly, you cannot get your winnings out if withdrawal isn’t going through. Therefore, you must check the ease of making a deposit and withdrawal before choosing a sportsbook. You can easily have a good idea of this by checking reviews from other bettors.

You should be able to make a deposit within minutes via diverse channels, including credit cards, debit cards, crypto, etc. In the same vein, your withdrawal should go through seamlessly. You may be required to provide some identification details, especially in the case of significant winnings, you should be able to provide such details online and get your withdrawal processed.

Customer Support

It’s not unusual to have transaction issues. What is strange is not getting it resolved as quickly and smoothly as possible. Therefore, the best sportsbooks have very responsive customer support that responds to bettors’ complaints quickly and solves the problems. Do not choose sportsbooks with poor customer support, regardless of how good their odds may be or their amazing bonuses.

Too Good to be True Odds

Usually, NBA odds are similar across all platforms. There could be significant differences sometimes for different reasons, and you should look to take advantage of such differences. However, if the odds look too good to be true, don’t do it. Firstly, this could be a sign that the sportsbook is fake or fraudulent. It could also mean you are not getting something right which you should get back to. Do not jump at ‘incredible’ odds because you want to make money, otherwise you will end up losing money.

Luck Versus Strategy in NBA betting

There is always an element of luck in gambling, but your focus must not be on this. According to a popular saying, great people make their own luck. Focus on strategy – research and work based on available facts. This usually takes a lot of time and effort, which many new bettors find overwhelming. Once you do this well, you increase your chances of ‘finding luck’. Always stay on strategy, not luck.

Tipsters and NBA Betting

As a new bettor, still learning the ropes of betting on NBA games, having people used to the terrain give tips and predictions can make a world of difference. Therefore, take advantage of such communities that give tips and predictions on NBA games weekly. Social media have made this even easier; you can follow the updates without joining the community. However, it is important to note that there is no 100% winning formula anywhere. Anybody can get their predictions wrong, regardless of how careful and well-thought-out they are. So, don’t just bet blindly on predictions, do your due diligence and edit as you deem fit.

Note: some tipsters will make outlandish statements, such as bet all your income on a bet they consider ‘sure’. Beware, no bet is sure. Don’t ever stake more than you can afford to lose at a time. In fact, a good strategy is to bet against the public sometimes because oddsmakers often look at public sentiments when setting odds. So, when you have good reasons to go against public sentiment, do it.

NBA Computer Picks

This is similar to what tipsters do but with greater sophistication as it is done by computer. AI programs study all the available data on both teams for a basketball game and make extensive calculations, running a series of simulations and calculations. It then gives a predicted outcome. Some of the major advantages here are that no human bias is involved and it saves time and energy. However, the fact that a computer makes the prediction does not guarantee the outcome, but it will definitely make your strategy better.

NBA Predictions

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Betting on NBA Games

Assuming the League is easier to bet on

Many bettors assume the NBA is very easy to bet on and end up losing money because they don’t do due diligence. While NBA bets are not rocket science, you must not underestimate them as it can be difficult. Sit down, do your homework, and you can win some money betting on the NBA.

Assuming players and teams will always play at their best

When you see some NBA teams in their full armor, doing what they do best on their best days, you will be blown away. As a new bettor, you may expect one team (e.g. New Orleans Pelicans), whether intentionally or not, to always play that great. So, you are betting based on their best days. Unfortunately, this will be a big mistake because the effort of a team will fluctuate across the season. The team doesn’t want to be inconsistent but factors such as injury to players, how often they are playing, and who they are playing against play key roles in the form of teams.

Ignoring underdogs

Most seasoned NBA bettors know that the biggest betting opportunities in the NBA often come from underdogs, especially on moneyline and point spreads. While the best teams in the league will win a lot of games across a season, they will have a handful of bad days. These bad days can be accurately predicted if you do your research properly. You definitely won’t get it right every time but when you do, you will make more money. So, don’t ignore underdogs; monitor them to see where you can take great opportunities for a windfall.

Being Star Struck

The NBA is loaded with stars who dazzle fans from game to game. Often, bettors are hit by stardom such that they favor a team with a big name like LeBron James to win a game just because of the player, often neglecting other important signals. Oddsmakers know this and they set the lines to take advantage.

Worrying too Much about Schedule

Schedule is an important consideration when placing bets on NBA games, as explained above, but it is also important to note that a lot of players are used to it. So, you must always be wary of worrying about the schedule more than you need to. Account for it in your analysis, but don’t blow its effects out of proportion.

Overvalued Home Court Advantage

Many bettors make the mistake of overvaluing the advantage of the home court, leading to losses. Home teams surely have certain advantages such as crowd support, but it is pertinent to consider them in line with other important factors.

Ignoring line movement

Betting odds or point spread change based on betting volume and insider information, among other factors. These changes are referred to as the betting lines movement. Watch out for any significant changes and the reasons for them. Then, adjust your strategy appropriately. Ignoring these movements can lead to missing good opportunities for increasing your potential profit.

Betting Emotionally

So many bettors allow their emotions to come in the way of rationality. This is often due to betting on their favored team or chasing losses. Regardless of the team you are betting on or the conditions of the bet, always maintain a rational mindset.

Neglecting Bankroll management

Bankroll management is a very important requirement for avoiding reckless betting behavior and huge losses. Therefore, it is pertinent to set betting limits and wager only what you can afford to lose (essentially a small percentage of your bankroll). This way, the risk of excessive loss is minimized, guaranteeing long-term sustainability.

Failing to adapt and learn

Just like in any other endeavor in life, it is important for bettors to adapt and learn. There are always new trends and new insights emerge. Adapt your strategy based on new information and learn from your experiences, to put you in a favorable position in the game and increase your profit margin. As a rule of thumb, always evaluate your strategy, even when you are winning, and be ready to make the required changes. Don’t ever stop learning.

The Legality of NBA Betting

The legality of sports betting generally depends on your state or jurisdiction. For bettors in the United States, most states allow online sports betting but there are a few that haven’t legalized it. If you are caught making illegal bets, you can face serious sanctions including substantial fines or even a jail term. Therefore, it is imperative to always check if the laws of your state or jurisdiction allow you to bet on NBA games online.

Conclusion

You can consistently win bets on NBA games if you understand the terrain of the NBA championship and have excellent strategies. You can occasionally have huge winnings but the most important thing is to win consistently, ensuring profit in the long run. Everything you need to know about how to bet on NBA games has been discussed. Take this knowledge and turn it into winnings. As you make your NBA picks and bets today or later, always remember to bet responsibly.