Fifty years ago, basketball was largely a North American sport. Despite the fact that basketball is a relatively new invention in the world of sports, it’s taken off globally. Some of this is thanks to basketball’s short-and-sweet setup. It’s easy to learn the rules and enjoy watching. It’s even relatively easy to put together a basketball court, even in dense areas.
But behind basketball’s meteoric rise is its expansion around the world, largely via Europe and East Asia. Countries from Croatia to China have evolved basketball infrastructure, which has been in the works for decades. From the EuroLeague to the VTB United League, interest in spreading around the world in professional basketball.
Even betting markets are starting to include more varied basketball leagues. For example, an offer from DraftKings can be used on a variety of competitions—from Argentina’s Liga Nacional de Basquetbol to Korea’s Basketball League. From moneylines to over/unders, fans can dive into the details of close to a dozen leagues if they’re in the mood to wager on basketball.
If you’re a fan who has found that their betting horizons are expanding, then you might need a few tips on how to get the most out of the experience. Keep reading for advice on how to wager on the world’s most-watched basketball leagues, aside from the NBA.
The Basics
Regardless of what type of league you’re going to bet on, some advice holds true across the board. First, know where to get helpful information related to stats and analysis. Most people have a favorite analyst who breaks down the latest games and news—but not many analysts excel across multiple leagues. Find one that focuses on your chosen competition.
Second, take advantage of deals from sportsbooks. It makes the most sense to use welcome offers and bonus deals when you’re betting on a new league for the first time. That’s because the offer tends to offset the impact of a loss—which may very well happen as you start wagering on brand-new teams.
Lastly, always check the rule book. Though the differences between most leagues are negligible, these differences might matter in the long run. They’re especially impactful for star players moving to new leagues for the first time.
NCAA (M)
March Madness is one of the most hectic and exciting times to be a basketball fan—but the dizzying number of teams in this annual tournament can throw off even the most dedicated college ball fans. Futures, for this reason, are very popular bets all year round.
But to get the most betting on March Madness, experts advise sticking to a few teams and studying their matchups. Rather than attempt to learn a bit about all the top competitors, narrow your focus as much as possible. That way, you’ll be even more prepared to bet on spreads and props should that team advance to the sweet sixteen, elite eight, final four, and—hopefully—championship game.
Euroleague
Often hailed as the paragon of European basketball, the Euroleague is an annual competition for the top clubs across domestic leagues (including La Liga ACB, below). Some major differences include court size, game length, and strictness of rules.
In general, European sides play in a more team-oriented style. Players pass the ball around and move dynamically to work together oftentimes. The NBA, on the other hand, focuses more squarely on individual style and talent. This should affect how you bet—especially on player props. This also affects over/unders, as single players don’t usually net 30-40 points a game. That means the end results tend to be much lower than in NBA games.
La Liga ACB
Compared to Euroleague, La Liga ACB is a lot more familiar for NBA bettors. That’s because this is a domestic league just like the NBA (including the Raptors, of course). Those who become familiar with how the game is played in La Liga will have a solid foundation for betting on the league in the future. (By comparison, Euroleague takes a lot more studying because clubs come from around Europe.)
So, if you want to bet on Spain’s La Liga ACB, then start studying up just like you would with the NBA. You’ll be familiar with much of the context, including matchup histories and injury reports.