Learn to Bet: NBA Player Props Betting Guide

Traditional bettors continue to wager moneylines, point spreads, and totals; but the latest trend in NBA betting is player proposition bets. With the rise of fantasy sports, NBA player prop bets are gaining in popularity and are becoming a more consistent choice for savvy bettors.

The sheer nature of basketball lends itself to exciting player props. A single player has a greater impact in a basketball game than in any other sport. Think about it. In football, the quarterback doesn’t play defense. In baseball, a hitter gets four and maybe sometimes five at-bats in a game. Hockey players play shifts of one to two minutes, often shorter.

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With each individual basketball player making a greater impact on a game, it’s easy to see why player props are more popular. One player’s performance can lead a team to a win. Sports bettors are drawn to that kind of action.

Here, we take a look at the most popular NBA player props and discuss the advantages of betting them and what strategies bettors can use.

Popular NBA Player Props

The most popular type of NBA player prop bet is on an individual player and how many points he will score in a game. A typical player prop bet may appear as follows:

James Harden – Points Scored

OVER 31.5

UNDER 31.5

Bettors placing a wager on Harden are concerned only with the number of points he scores in the game. When betting the Over, a bettor believes Harden will score at least 32 points. If the bettor wagers on the Under, the bet pays out if Harden scores 31 points or fewer.

Other common NBA player proposition bets are Over/Under wagers on rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, and three-pointers. There are also a number of combination player props. For example, the most common form of a combination player prop is an Over/Under bet on how many points, rebounds, and assists a player will have in a game.

One might appear like this:

LeBron James – Points+Rebounds+Assists

OVER 46.5

UNDER 46.5

If James finished the game with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists; a bettor who wagered on the OVER would win. James total of 47 means the OVER pays out.

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Advantages of Betting NBA Player Props

One of the biggest advantages of wagering on a single player’s performance is … it’s a single player. When wagering on the moneyline or spread, bettors have to take into account the performances of the other players on both teams. A prop bet reduces the number of variables that must be accounted for.

Another advantage involves time. Often, a player – take Harden, for example – may surpass his point total long before the game has ended. Harden has the fourth-most number of 40-point games in NBA history. Knowing your bet has cashed before the third quarter has ended is much different than having to wait until game’s end to see if your team covered the spread.

NBA Player Prop Betting Strategies

The most important step in successful props betting is research. Just because you are betting on one player, don’t discount the way the game will play out. If your player is going up against a great defender, that comes into play. If your player is playing against the NBA team that gives up the most points per game, which is another factor to consider.

Another strategy that can be put to use is the grouping of two or more related bets. Let’s say you are thinking about taking the Over on James’ point total in a game. You may also want to bet the Over on points for one of his teammates, such as Anthony Davis. He would be the beneficiary of James’ assists.