The NBA is the best basketball league to bet on, but one needs to do their homework first. I shall highlight the best NBA betting options and strategies that really work in the paragraphs below.
Open a Sportsbook Account
To bet on NBA games, you should first open an account with a legal sportsbook in your area. With the rapid boom of mobile technologies, the process should not take you more than 15 minutes. You can sign up from wherever you can find secure wi-fi.
You can also experiment with lesser-known online sportsbooks that lure bettors with exorbitantly high odds. However, I advise you to stick to the established players in the field.
The situation with Massachusetts sports betting is a bit more complicated because the state currently does not allow any sportsbooks.
Most Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, and New Hampshire sportsbooks offer lucrative startup bonuses and promotions to new bettors.
Common NBA Betting Lines
The possibilities of wagering on NBA games are endless. I shall briefly highlight the top options.
Moneyline
Picking the winner of an NBA game is the most straightforward bet one can make. It’s called a moneyline.
The odds are calculated against many factors: the opponents’ current shape, injuries, and rest times, to name a few.
Point Spread
This is the most popular option with basketball bettors. The spread aims to level the difference in strength between two NBA teams.
You’ll notice favorites usually have a negative point spread by their names. This obliges them to win the game by a higher margin than the spread’s value.
By contrast, the challenger has a positive value next to their names.
The underdog can either beat the favorite or lose by less than the spread’s value to produce winning bets.
The Vig
The vig, also known as the juice, is the cost of placing a point spread bet. The most common vig is -110. In other words, a deposit of $110 can bring you a profit of $100.
Over/Under & Totals
Over/Under and total point odds are another fun way to wager on NBA games. By analyzing the attacking and the defensive capabilities of two NBA rivals, oddsmakers predict a total number of points that may be scored in that particular game.
Bettors wager if the total score will go above or below the set benchmark. The vig here is the same as with point spreads -110.
Prop Bets
If you think you know your NBA favorites like the back of your hand, you can place a multitude of prop bets. For example, you can make an over/under bet on the final score of the team’s star or bet that your team will be the first to score a certain number of points.
Future Bets
During the pre-season, you can wager which team will win the league or how many wins a particular team will score. The earlier you place your bet, the higher the yield.
NBA Betting Tips
Here are a few simple tips to make your NBA betting easier and funnier.
Find The best odds
Before placing your bet, check if you can find better odds for the same moneyline. Line-shopping is something you can’t neglect. There are multiple odds comparing platforms online, so find one that suits you.
Current Shape Matters Most
The NBA standings are for rookies; expert bettors are looking to get tips from a team’s changing room. Is their top player doing well, or is he going through a nasty divorce?
Armed with such inside info, experienced bettors win big time against the oddsmakers and pocket tons of money.
Examine The Matchups
Every team has their strong sides and imperfections. Before placing a spread or a prop bet on an NBA game, it is always wise to check the head-to-head comparisons of the two opponents. The NBA’s matchup page is one such source.
Unfollow the Crowd
When placing an NBA bet, you should unfollow the crowd and bet with your head on the most solid numbers. Follow the latest updates on the teams’ shape and injury lists to increase your winning chances.