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Best NBA Betting Strategies & Tips 2022
If you want to consistently rake in winnings at online sportsbooks, you might want to pick a site that provides a wealth of NBA betting strategies & tips.
By picking a sportsbook that offers instant access to the latest news, game previews, NBA Picks, blogs, vlogs, etc., you’ll be better placed to make wiser choices when selecting that next killer parlay.
It’s important stuff! So, read on to learn more about NBA betting strategies and discover a host of top NBA betting tips.
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Contents
- 1 NBA Betting Strategy: Tips on the Main Game Lines
- 1. 1 1.NBA Over Under Tips (Total Points)
- 1.2 2. NBA Moneyline Betting Strategy
- 1.3 3.NBA Spread Betting Strategy: ‘No Blowouts!’
- 2 Discover Our Top Betting Guides
- 3 NBA Live Betting Strategy
- 3.1 NBA Betting Strategy: Always Pay Attention to the Team’s Schedule
- 3.2 NBA Betting Strategy: Check the Lineups and Injury News
- 3.3 NBA Over Under Betting Strategy
- 3.4 NBA Betting Strategy: “NBA Vegas Odds Know Best”
- 4 Most Successful NBA Betting Strategy
- 4.1 NBA Quarter Betting Strategy
- 4.2 The Contrarian Betting Strategy NBA
- 4.3 NBA Underdog Moneyline Betting Strategy
- 5 NBA Free Picks
- 6 Grab The Best Promo Codes With Our Reviews
- 7 Best NBA Betting Strategy Sites Reviewed
- 7.1 1. BetUSA – Best NBA Betting Strategy Site for Blogs/Vlogs
- 7.2 2. MyBookie – Best Blogs for NBA Betting Strategy
- 7.3 3. XBet – Superb Blogs and News Available on this Online Sportsbook
- 8 Conclusion: Best NBA Betting Sites for Strategy and Tips
- 9 FAQ
- 9. 1 What is the best NBA betting strategy?
- 9.2 How to bet on the NBA?
- 9.3 What should I look for when betting on NBA?
- 9.4 Is NBA betting easy?
- 9.5 Can NBA players bet on themselves?
NBA Betting Strategy: Tips on the Main Game LinesSo long as you’ve signed up to a sportsbook and familiarized yourself with betting options available, you’re free to get down to the nitty-gritty of establishing your very own NBA betting strategies.
Seeing as these game lines feature on all NBA betting sites, we’ve listed a tried and tested tip for each of the moneyline, point spread, and total points markets. There are literally hundreds of other strategies for each line, (a selection of which will be covered further down the page).
These are by no means the best tips – just a safe tip for each line to get us going. And also to reintroduce the premier NBA betting lines (just in case you’ve landed on this page without reading our ‘How to bet on the NBA’ article).
1.NBA Over Under Tips (Total Points)The total points NBA betting line involves predicting the combined number of points scored by both teams and whether or not the said total will go over or under the number specified by the oddsmakers (O227.5, or U227.5 in the NBA season example given above on the right-hand side, for instance).
The most important thing to do here is to study the total points scored in previous encounters between the two teams, and also the recent points totals; perhaps just for the last 5 games for each team. We recommend figuring out a mean average over the last 5.
If the team you are wagering on – let’s say the Suns – only scored an average of 90 points in their last five, – and especially if the field goal percentage is down low – then it’s probable that the Suns struggle to put up points the next game, too.
Try to make things as predictable as you can!
2. NBA Moneyline Betting StrategyThere are numerous NBA betting strategies on the moneyline. But, one that we’ve grown to enjoy, is the NBA underdog moneyline betting strategy. It’s simple to implement, too: just look for tight contests where one team is expected to lose and put your money on the underdog.
This one pretty much comes out of the daytrader’s handbook – the idea being that you win more when you win, and lose less when you lose. You may even lose more bets than you win. But the odds will always be in your favor and you’ll be winning more money when you do win.
Obviously, this doesn’t mean you take the NBA’s bottom-ranked team vs. the NBA’s top-ranked team every week. It means that you look for value in closely contested games, such as in the image above.
3.NBA Spread Betting Strategy: ‘No Blowouts!’Imagine you log into your favored NBA betting app to find that the Phoenix Suns have opened up as massive -18.5 favorites vs. Milwaukee Bucks (as above). The Suns have been tasked with not only beating the Bucks but humiliating them; running away with a 19 point W!
Should you take this bet on the spread? Well, this NBA point spread betting system says, ‘no!’ The ‘No Blowouts on the Spread’ rule suggests not wagering on such results. It’s not that they never happen; we’ve all seen our favorite team get trounced by 20 at one time or another. It’s just statistically unlikely, so you’re better off leaving this -18.5 spread alone, or checking the NBA betting app’s alternate spread for a closer score.
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NBA Live Betting StrategyImplementing an NBA live betting strategy – that is, betting while the game is in progress – is a lot of fun, especially if you’re watching a game on TV that you’re not spiritually invested in. But ‘How to win betting on live NBA’ is a bit of a loaded question – if we knew that; we’d all be sipping champagne in Seychelles right now. What we can tell you, though, is ‘how to win more often,’ and ‘how to lose less when you do lose.
Follow these basic basketball betting tips below for a much better chance of exiting an NBA live betting session in the green.
NBA Betting Strategy: Always Pay Attention to the Team’s ScheduleStatistics suggest that teams playing 3-4x per week tire and struggle to uphold consistency; particularly during the second half of a game, so keep an eye on the schedule, especially when you notice a top-ranked team has been given better than usual odds.
NBA Betting Strategy: Check the Lineups and Injury NewsMilwaukee Bucks Giannis Antetokounmpo is a monster in the paint and, when fit, a live bet on the Greek Freak to go over on +30 points at +500 would be a good shout. But, did you do your research? Research is a crucial part of any safe NBA betting strategy. It’s possible Giannis is carrying an injury or had a rough week emotionally, or perhaps he historically struggles in double-coverage vs. this week’s D – whatever. But don’t just bet on a name and assume the name is going to perform.
Oddsmakers always do their research; there will be a reason one of the league’s best players is listed at +500, and the reason isn’t that sportsbooks want to give away money.
NBA Over Under Betting StrategyNBA teams consistently score more points in the second half. If you’ve wagered on the over/under game line for the Orlando Magic to go O210 points vs. Boston Celtics, but it’s just 40-45 at the half – don’t stress; don’t cash out (that’s what they want!). Sit tight: statistically speaking, teams tend to put up more points in quarters three and four, as defenses tire and sharpshooters hone in on the basket.
NBA Betting Strategy: “NBA Vegas Odds Know Best”Another tip for the over/ under market is to not overthink what’s happening during the game so much. Oddsmakers – especially Vegas NBA oddsmakers – tend to be very close to spot on with predictions – that’s why they’re hired! Chances are the score will end at close to what the Vegas oddsmakers said it would prior to the tip. So, again, don’t panic; sit tight and wait for your NBA betting strategy to pay dividends.
As mentioned, there are many hundreds more NBA betting tips and strategies for the NBA point spread, et al when betting live, in-play. We’re just hoping to whet your appetite for some further reading.
Most Successful NBA Betting StrategyThe ‘most successful sports betting strategy is likely to change depending on who you talk to on any given day. But below we’ve listed three strategies that we’ve personally found success with over the years.
NBA Quarter Betting StrategyOne strategy that has nothing to do with stats or research is the NBA quarter’s betting strategy. All you need to do here is to bet on the team that lost the first quarter and then double up if they lose the second quarter and then double up again if they lose the third quarter. It is rare for a team to win and cover the spread in all four quarters of an NBA game; the said team might not win the game but, eventually, they’ll win a quarter – even if it is just because the dominant team opts to rest key players during the latter stages.
The Contrarian Betting Strategy NBAPut simply, NBA sportsbooks remain in business because the general gambling public, drunk on Bud during the big game, tends to get things wrong. Taking the contrarian position just means going against the crowd and is a tactic employed by several world-famous day traders to boot. Some of the best NBA betting sites, such as DraftKings, allow bettors to view what other bettors have been wagering on. Check it out and go against the grain – it’s really that simple.
NBA Underdog Moneyline Betting StrategyWe mentioned this NBA sports betting strategy earlier, so shan’t go into too much extra detail. But, in essence, bettors tend not to win in the long run by simply betting on the favorite. Imagine you bet on the Atlanta Hawks as favorites three times at -100 with 66.6r% success. You would be even on your $300 investment.
Imagine instead that you bet on the 76ers as the underdogs and at the same rate of success: you’re up to $100 profit, and you didn’t need to risk as much to make the $100 either. You see this betting tip appear all the time on NBA totals betting strategy forums and there is a reason for that.
NBA Free PicksBecause wagering on NBA betting sites is now legal in so many states across the US there’s much less of a need to pay money to some bizarre group of oddsmaking specialists in Vegas to get your tips, as has been historically done in America.
Free NBA picks are available on such TV networks as ESPN (William Hill NBA odds) and Fox (FOXBET NBA odds). Most of the major sportsbooks publish NBA betting tips and have skilled groups of writers paid to pen the best NBA betting strategy for a specific game to hungry readers. A few notable places of interest include:
- DK Nation (Draftkings tips and forums, etc)
- BetUS (Free NBA Picks & easy access to stats)
- ESPN.com (every stat you’re likely to need)
- NBA.com (all the stats and all the news)
If you don’t trust the networks or their NBA betting apps, there are legions of other websites to visit that aren’t in direct partnerships with such companies. And, there are numerous NBA betting forums, too, where you can go to chat to like-minded folk to get their perspective and latest NBA betting tips. A few such search terms you might like to ‘Google’ are as follows:
- IG Tipping Pages
- NBA Twitter Picks
Plus, there’s always:
- Basketball Insiders (we aren’t affiliated with anyone in particular and the NBA betting advice we provide is basically what we’re going to be betting on)
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Best NBA Betting Strategy Sites Reviewed
Factoring in all the aforementioned crucial elements that help to make up a truly winning sportsbook when it comes to NBA betting strategy (tips/stats/picks/odds, etc.), the best offshore betting app, in our opinion, is:
1. BetUSA – Best NBA Betting Strategy Site for Blogs/VlogsA sportsbook and NBA betting app that broadcasts highly competitive basketball betting odds and a large selection of NBA lines to choose from, BetUS is a top choice of sportsbook on which to implement your betting strategy.
The attention to detail on the site does not go unnoticed: regular patrons can access up-to-date stats and metrics at the click of a button whilst navigating the game lines. It’s also possible to sift through all the latest player and team news whilst on the site, as well as to scope the BetUS NBA picks written by online gambling experts.
It’s almost as if the sportsbook wants you to win – (almost).
What we like:
- Deep markets for prop bets and NBA futures
- Parlay betting feature
- NBA Live betting is available
- $2,500 Risk-Free bet
- Stats and metrics are readily available at the click of a button
- Picks and latest news written by gambling experts accessible on-site – free
- Rewards patrons regularly with bonuses + referral bonus
What we don’t:
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2.
MyBookie – Best Blogs for NBA Betting Strategy
MyBookie has been operating since 2014 and in our opinion is one of the best sites to implement a winning NBA strategy. Their competitive odds, various betting options, and live betting make it the ideal place to place your wagers.
The site offers a myriad of betting options for NBA games, so whatever strategy you are going for with MyBookie you can implement it. It offers live betting, prop builders, and various futures. If you back Ja Morant to win MVP this season or Steph Curry to lead a fourth-quarter comeback, MyBookie has you covered.
The site also boasts a first-rate blog for the NBA with up-to-date team and player news, stats, results, and information on where and when you can find coverage of games. In addition, you can also find some top NBA tips from online gambling experts.
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What we like:
- Competitive odds
- NBA news and betting tips written by gambling experts
- Prop Builders available for NBA and various other sports
- Free weekly competitions
- Generous deposit bonus + referral bonus
What we don’t:
- No live streaming of NBA games
- Not much in terms of live NBA in-game statistics
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3. XBet – Superb Blogs and News Available on this Online Sportsbook
Xbet is another site that features a top-quality NBA blog that will help prospective bettors implement a more successful NBA betting strategy. They also have varied markets and great odds for all NBA games.
Xbet has plenty of markets on the NBA, everything from spreads, over/under, and futures to an array of interesting prop bets. Overall their odds aren’t always as good as some other sites like BetOnline and Bovada but they are always close and you often find better odds here for the favorites in a matchup.
When it comes to tips and strategy Xbet like Mybookie offers a superb blog featuring current NBA news on teams and players, stats, results, and where and when you can catch the NBA action.
The welcome bonus you can claim using the Xbet promo code falls short of the other two sites we reviewed as it’s worth up to $500. They make up for this with other regular promotions including some free bets when March Madness comes around.
What we like:
- Excellent blog written by experts
- Competitive odds
- Varied prop bets
- NBA Live betting is available
- Free March Madness bets
What we don’t:
- No live streaming of NBA games
- Lower welcome bonus
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Conclusion: Best NBA Betting Sites for Strategy and Tips
While many NBA betting sites are a good choice if you are looking for tips on where to wager your money and implement a winning strategy. We would have to choose BetUS as the best of the bunch. The Lockerroom section of their website is constantly being updated with player and team news. There are also tons of expert picks, blogs, and vlogs that will help both new and seasoned NBA bettors.
On top of all the useful information, their NBA markets are incredibly varied and they are always competitive when it comes to odds on the NBA. Finally, the bonus they offer is worth up to a whopping $2,500. For these reasons, we rate them the highest of the NBA betting sites for strategy and tips.
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FAQ
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How To Bet On Basketball
Learn NBA moneylines, point spreads, totals, parlays, and more in this comprehensive NBA betting guide.
The NBA is one of the most fun leagues to bet on, with an up-and-down pace and unrivaled intensity on every shot. It's a sport where you can't look away from the TV and is enticing for bettors across the globe.
There's no shortage of basketball betting options during the NBA schedule.
Multiple matchups are on the board, allowing bettors to wager on their favorite teams as well as bet on the big games on TV each night.
Basketball betting lines explained
Like most major sports, there are endless ways to wager on basketball. The most popular forms of basketball betting are the moneyline, point spread, and Over/Under totals.
Moneyline
NBA moneyline odds ask bettors to pick the winner of the game. Based on the strength of the teams and other factors, oddsmakers calculate the implied probability of victory for both sides and set moneyline odds for each team.
Point spread
NBA point spreads level the competition between two teams, with oddsmakers setting a handicap in points. One team is the point spread favorite – and has to win by more than the spread – while the other will be pegged as the point spread underdog – having to win outright or lose by less than the spread.
Over/Under
NBA Over/Under totals are the estimated total number of points scored by both teams in a game. Bettors wager on whether the final score will go Over or Under that expected tally.
Moneylines: Pick the winner of an NBA game
Betting basketball moneylines is the most straightforward and basic betting market available, simply allowing you to bet on which team you think will win the game.
Sportsbooks generate moneyline odds for a game based on each team's implied probability of winning. Basketball teams are not always evenly matched, and the moneyline odds will reflect those chances of victory. You can use our odds converter and moneyline calculator to see a team's implied probability based on their odds.
Sportsbooks most often display moneyline odds in hundreds (American odds). American odds show one team set as the favorite (indicated by a negative value) and one team designated as the underdog (positive value).
For example, the Los Angeles Lakers are -130 moneyline favorites versus the Toronto Raptors, the +110 moneyline underdogs.
Because the Lakers are the stronger team (56.52 percent chance of winning), for every $10 you wish to win betting on Los Angeles, you must risk $13 ($130 bet will win $100). Since the Raptors are the weaker team (47.62 percent implied probability), you can win $11 for every $10 risked ($100 bet will win $110).
Point spread: Betting the spread with basketball
The point spread is the preferred odds market for many basketball bettors because it levels the difference in skill between the two teams. When calculating the perceived point spread between the two sides, oddsmakers analyze both teams and consider the venue, current form, and any critical injuries.
The negative value indicates a point spread favorite, and that team must win the game by more than that spread to win for bettors. The underdog has a positive value in front of its point spread. Underdogs can either win outright or lose by less than that spread to generate winning bets.
For example, the Los Angeles Lakers are -2.5 point spread favorites hosting the +2.5 underdog Toronto Raptors. For the Lakers to cover the spread, they must win the game by three points or more. For the Raptors to cover the spread, they must either win the game outright or lose by two points or less.
Point spreads always have a second set of odds with them, known as the vig or the juice. They are the cost of placing a bet. Most point spreads have a vig of -110; to win $100, you need to risk $110. However, vig can be adjusted depending on current betting action and can vary from book to book.
Over/Under: Betting on basketball point totals or season win totals
Another popular way to wager on basketball is via the Over/Under odds, also known as the total.
Oddsmakers measure the matchup between two teams, looking at both offensive and defensive production, and set an expected total number of points scored by both sides for the game. Once a sportsbook sets that total, bettors can wager if the final score will go Over or Under that number.
For example, the Over/Under total between the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors is 222.5 points.
A bet on the Over requires the game's final score to total 223 points or more to win, while a bet on the Under needs 222 or fewer points.
Like point spreads, both sides of the total – Over and Under – have attached vig, often set at -110. This value can adjust to betting action and may vary from book to book.
Parlays: Combine NBA bets for bigger payouts
Parlays allow you to risk a smaller amount to win a bigger payout but carry a higher risk. NBA parlays require you to tie two or more bets together.
The more bets added to the parlay, the bigger the potential payout and the bigger the risk, as all bets in the parlay must win for the entire parlay to pay out.
The majority of parlays will end up with a line at plus money. Each fixture within a parlay is considered a "leg. " Most books will allow anywhere from 2-12 games in an NBA parlay.
If you're solely betting the Milwaukee Bucks, you're getting them at -120. By parlaying the Bucks with the Warriors at +140, the bet turns into plus money. Now the parlay is listed at +340 odds.
Two-team Parlay |
---|
Moneyline: Milwaukee Bucks (-120) |
Moneyline: Golden State Warriors (+140) |
Parlay | +340 |
Stake | $100 |
Total return | $440 |
Prop bets: Betting on player performance and more
Prop bets are a rapidly growing way to bet on basketball, allowing you to wager on different aspects of the game – not just the final score.
NBA prop bets can focus on game events as well as a team's performance and individual player performances. Examples of game and NBA player props odds include betting on the first team to 15 points, a team's total three-pointers made, or a player's combined points, rebounds, and assists.
Listed below are Kevin Durant's and James Harden's over/under for total points scored in a single game. You must pick whether or not either player scores more than or less than the designated number set by the sportsbook. In this case, the Over/Under are both listed at -120, meaning the sportsbook favors neither scenario.
Player | Over | Under |
---|
Kevin Durant | 30.5 points (-120) | 30.5 points (-120) |
James Harden | 25.5 points (-120) | 25.5 points (-120) |
There's no way this bet can be a push because of the half-point. If the game goes into overtime, the prop still counts as well.
Futures: Win totals, MVP, and NBA Championship Odds
Futures odds are long-running betting markets focused on overall results for a team or player, such as odds to win the NBA Finals and the player to be named NBA MVP. Another popular form of futures is season win totals, in which you can bet on whether a team will go Over or Under their set total of wins for the year.
These odds often open before a season begins and will take bets throughout the schedule, adjusting to results and injuries, until the market is decided.
Below are the odds of winning the NBA Finals. Odds will come out as early as the end of the season prior, and can usually be wagered on into the final round of the postseason. In this example, you can see that Brooklyn is favored to win the Finals at +250, with the Lakers having the second-best odds at +400. These types of lines will fluctuate and change throughout the NBA season depending on team performance, injuries, and roster transactions.
Team | Odds to win NBA Finals |
---|
Brooklyn Nets | +250 |
Los Angeles Lakers | +400 |
Milwaukee Bucks | +650 |
Golden State Warriors | +1,200 |
Utah Jazz | +1,400 |
Phoenix Suns | +1,500 |
Basketball betting tips and strategies
Keep these basketball betting strategies in mind when looking to handicap NBA odds.
Shop for the best odds
When betting, it's always good to get the best bang for your buck. Line shopping is something all the experts do and takes very little time. If you want to bet the Lakers at -140 at one book, but they're -125 elsewhere, there is a ton of value on the latter. Missing out on the best lines long-term will affect your bankroll, especially if you're betting larger sums of money.
You can use our odds comparison tool to find the best lines for each game and a huge variety of online sportsbooks.
Count on current form
Don't get caught up looking at the standings when betting on the NBA. Pay more attention to current form, weighing the past three games more attentively.
Even the best teams can go through slumps, and losing teams can suddenly find their form. Find out what's behind those recent results and if they'll carry over into the game you want to bet.
Mind the matchups
Every team has its strengths and weaknesses. When searching for the best NBA bets, look closely at how those attributes match up against that day's opponent using our NBA scores and matchups page.
If a team struggles to rebound and takes on a foe with a bigger, more potent frontcourt that dominates the glass, make sure you account for that and bet accordingly.
Basketball is a game of runs, and these matchups and mismatches often fuel those deciding swings.
Injuries and off nights
The NBA schedule is a grind, and injuries will play a huge role in a team's success along the way. If you're looking to bet on a side, comb through the injury report and see which key contributors are out of action. Also, try and find out which players could be resting – a recent wrinkle to betting the NBA, particularly on back-to-backs.
Big-name stars' status will carry the most impact on the NBA odds. Still, there is an edge in finding undervalued injuries and how those could impact a team's performance. A missing backup point guard or a sidelined wing defender may not move the odds but will have a say in the final score.
Follow the line movement
As with all sports wagering, NBA betting is often not about betting the best team but rather the best number.
Point spreads, moneylines, and totals will constantly adjust to action and injury news. Make sure you monitor the opening NBA odds and where they're moving to pinpoint the best time to place your bet.
Dive into derivatives
NBA betting odds can be chopped up into halves and quarters, setting sides and totals for different segments of the game. These derivative odds can hold added value not found in the full-game lines as teams present tendencies and trends that fly under the radar of oddsmakers.
Some teams are slow starters and find their form in the second half, making them an excellent bet to fade with the first-half spreads. Others come out firing quickly on offense in the first quarter, adding value to the Over in the opening frame. Dive into the analytic splits to uncover the best derivative bets on the board.
Scout the schedule
The calendar can sometimes dictate a team's performance on the court, depending on rest spots, travel, and motivation. Situational betting – also known as spot bets – is a valuable tool to find underlying value betting on or against a team.
Chunks of the schedule could have a team playing multiple games in a short window, leaving them running on empty for the final outings of that stretch. The schedule can also allot an extended break from the action, allowing players and coaches to adjust their game plan and get injured bodies back. And as always, be mindful of "letdown" and "lookahead" spots around important matchups and big wins.
Handicapping refs
An underutilized method of handicapping basketball odds is to dissect the guys blowing the whistle. Referees significantly impact games' outcomes, specifically the Over/Under totals. Covers is one of the rare sources of unique betting data for every NBA referee assignment.
You can use this data to measure a team's recent betting results when a particular ref is part of the officiating crew. Or, you can follow referees with one-sided tendencies to the Over and Under, as some refs will call more fouls than others. Those whistles result in foul shots, which means teams are scoring points with the clock stopped – a big boost for Over backers.
How to make an NBA bet
1
Research available games matchups on our scores and matchups page.Our NBA scores and matchup page lists the day's games and upcoming days, but you can also sort by spread, total size, and line movement.
Each game gives a snapshot of the opening odds, current odds, team records straight up and against the spread, as well as the percentage of picks calculated by our Covers Consensus.
From there, you can dive deep into our detailed matchup pages for each game. Track line history, view the most popular spread and total picks and analyze unique betting trends for every team.
2
Find the best NBA odds using our odds comparison tool.Making intelligent bets on NBA basketball isn't always about betting the best team, but betting the best odds.
Find current spreads, totals, and moneylines for every NBA game from the top legal sportsbooks in your area using our odds comparison tool. Compare across the industry and shop for the best odds for your NBA bets.
3
Login/Sign up for a sportsbook in your area.Signing up for a new sportsbook is simply a few clicks away. Once you find a legal book in your area, sign up for an account and quickly deposit using various banking methods, such as credit cards and e-transfers. Most sportsbooks also offer great bonuses and sign-up promotions to new users.
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Today's NBA odds
Here are the current NBA odds for today's biggest games:
Best basketball sportsbooks for beginners
Covers’ team of betting experts have thoroughly researched the internet’s vast collection of online sportsbooks so you don’t have to. Here are the best basketball betting sites so you can get your NBA betting underway.
These sportsbooks are licensed and trusted sites and offer great sign-up bonuses, plenty of convenient and quick banking options, and great odds for rookie bettors.
NBA betting forum
Want to learn more about NBA betting and meet a large, knowledgeable community? Check out Covers’ NBA betting forum to get picks, ask questions, and learn from experienced sports bettors.
Smart NBA betting strategies
10 Winning Tips for Betting NBA Basketball Odds
Strategies to Help You Handicap NBA Betting Odds
Basketball betting FAQs
There are a number of online sportsbooks where you can bet on the NBA. Check our betting sites reviews for the best legal online sportsbook options in your region.
One team will be set as the point spread favorite and must win the game by more than the designated number of points. The other is the point spread underdog and must win outright or lose by less than that number of points.
All sportsbooks in Las Vegas will offer markets for NBA, college basketball, and WNBA. So simply find a sportsbook near you, head to the counter, and make your bet.
Yes. Almost all sportsbooks offer WNBA odds.
A 3x2 bet in basketball means a three-bet parlay in which at least two of the picks must be correct for you to get a payout. If you get all three correct, the amount of the winnings would be larger.
In the NBA, +/- or Plus/Minus often refers to the point differential when a player or team is on the floor. Don't confuse Plus/Minus with American odds, which use positive and negative numbers to display betting odds. Positive numbers indicate underdogs (+110). The lower the number, the bigger the betting favorite, indicating a negative number (-110).
A draw in basketball betting is an option when wagering on the three-way line. You have three choices: Home, Draw, or Away. If you're betting a draw, you're betting on a tie at the end of regulation.
You can bet on the NBA at nearly any online sportsbook across the globe. It is among the most popular sports leagues for bettors.
strategy and system tips - how to win more often
Basketball (along with baseball and hockey) is one of the most popular sports in North America, and basketball betting takes a serious place in the total amount of sports betting. At the same time, the point here is not only (and even not so much) that it is in North America that the matches of the strongest basketball league in the world take place - the point is the number of equiprobable outcomes that the basketball line offers. Also on our site you will find bookmakers for betting on basketball.
Content
- Benefits of betting on basketball
- Disadvantages of betting on basketball
- Types of bets
- Main Outcomes
- Handicap
- Total
- Basketball total betting strategy
- Quarter Basketball Betting
- Quarterly Basketball Betting Strategy
- Pre-match analytics
- Where to bet on basketball?
The vast majority of professional players and cappers, of which there are many in America, play just such “half-way” outcomes in order to get the most even profit over a long distance. In any basketball game, there are at least two equally likely events that you can bet on - handicap and total. It is thanks to this property that basketball has become one of the most popular objects for large bets.
Basketball bookmakers
Benefits of betting on basketball
A large number of equally likely events . As mentioned above, basketball is one of the most suitable sports for those who like to bet on equally likely events.
High NBA betting limits. The vast majority of big cappers make bets on the NBA, including the lion's share of US players who traditionally make big bets. In pursuit of this traffic, the best bookmakers are trying to create the most comfortable conditions for basketball betters by offering generous betting limits on the main outcomes, as well as handicap and total. True, this feature is more characteristic of large Western bookmakers. Domestic gambling establishments most often offer limits for NBA matches no higher than those given for the same Euroleague and the Russian Championship.
Low NBA margins. All the same competition between bookmakers in the struggle for the biggest players has led to the fact that in almost all leading gambling establishments in the world the margin for NBA matches is less than for all other competitions and sports offered in the line.
Regularity of games. The fact that most basketball teams play between two and four games a week makes this sport the most attractive for statistics lovers in calculations - the sample of analyzed NBA matches is very solid and allows you to make fairly accurate predictions. In addition, the NBA is often the only competition that can be bet on any day, including holidays - even on December 31 and January 1, at least two or three matches are invariably played in this league.
Disadvantages of betting on basketball
Low limits and odds for European competitions. Unlike NBA matches, European Cups and European Championship matches usually offer very modest upper betting limits; the odds are also generally 3-5 points lower than the NBA odds. All this makes betting on the same Euroleague not the most profitable business.
Rating of bookmakers by odds
You can find out which Russian bookmakers offer the best basketball odds on Legalbet in the Odds Rating (“Basketball” tab). Our experts have calculated the margins of all bookmakers based on real events in their lines and based on these calculations sorted the companies into categories in order to identify the best offers for fans of basketball betting.
Weak painting. The vast majority of bookmakers offer a weak list of basketball matches. Many are completely limited to handicap, total and main outcomes. Despite the fact that such painting is enough for professionals, for many players who are used to betting on football, it may seem very meager.
Types of bets
Main outcomes
The number of main outcomes offered for a basketball match depends on which bookmaker you play at. Some gambling establishments open three main outcomes: W1, X and W2, adding a win including overtime to the list, while others offer only two outcomes - W1 and W2 (this means that in case of a draw, the winner will be determined in overtime).
Before you start betting on basketball, it is very important to clarify which positions in a given gambling establishment take into account OT and which do not, because it often happens that the handicap with the total is calculated according to one rules, and the main outcomes are calculated according to others.
Handicap
Handicap in basketball shows the final score difference in favor of one of the teams. You are required to guess if it will be more or less than the specified value. For example, if you bet on a team with a handicap of -5.5, you need it to win at least 6 points. If you bet on it with a handicap of +5.5, you would be rooting for this team to lose no more than 5 points. The handicap in basketball is not much different from the handicap in other sports, and most bookmakers allow you to buy more handicaps, while most often the coefficient drops by 8-10 points for each point bought. You can usually buy in addition from 4 to 12 points (each office determines the exact value for itself).
Total
Total is a type of bet in which you have to predict whether the final result of the game will be more or less than the proposed value. Almost always, the coefficients for "more" and "less" are the same. Totals, as well as odds, can be bought in addition, both up and down. The dynamics of odds changes in this case is most often similar to the dynamics of changes in quotes for a handicap.
Please note! Bookmakers accept bets on both the total in regular time of the match and the total with overtime in basketball, and it is important to understand that when calculating these bets, different time periods of the game will be taken into account. The calculation of the total in basketball in regular time is based on the results of 4 quarters.
Basketball total betting strategy
Basketball total betting strategy seems simple at first glance. It is enough to look at the previous results of the teams and analyze how many points they score per game. However, not everything is so simple: anything can happen in one particular match, and several factors can affect the team's game at once: from the psychological state of the players to their physical condition.
Quarter basketball betting
This type of bet is very popular among those who like to bet on basketball. A quarter in basketball is a mini-match. The head coach uses different tactics, simulated combinations, there can be constant replacements of athletes on the court. Player fatigue accumulated over the previous quarters also affects the result. Often in betting lines you can see a bet not only on the outcome, handicap and total of each quarter, but also on a comparison of the performance of the quarters: more points scored, more fouls committed, etc.
Basketball betting strategy by quarters
Basketball by quarters strategy also has its own peculiarities. Here you need to have an idea how the team plays in the first half of the game, and how in the second, what are the features and differences in the team's actions in different quarters. In the case of betting on quarters, you should keep a closer eye on what happened on the court in the previous quarter.
Other offers. In addition to the standard set of positions, the vast majority of bookmakers include an additional painting in their line. An additional list can offer a variety of betting options: on the handicap and total of each quarter, on the individual totals of the teams, on the individual totals of the leading basketball players, on the presence or absence of overtime, etc. There is also a bet under the conditional name "even-odd". Basketball is a game that scores a lot of points. And the score at the end of the meeting or quarter will definitely be even or odd. Bookmakers also offer to bet on this. This type of bet, by the way, is the purest “guessing game” and does not require any knowledge of the game from the player.
Pre-match analytics
Pre-match analytics of basketball matches is somewhat simpler than debriefing in football matches, since the lineups in basketball teams are 2-3 times smaller, and teams play twice as often, so there is always plenty of information about opponents. Some difficulty is represented only by a small number of broadcasts of basketball competitions in the post-Soviet expanses. However, the availability of high-speed Internet fully compensates for this small drawback. So, what does basketball match analytics include?
- Opponents current kit . The specificity of basketball lies in the fact that there are traditionally much fewer game recessions than, for example, in tennis and football, and therefore it becomes much easier to track the current form. It also helps that each team plays 2-3 matches a week, which means that it is possible to get the latest information about their current level and fitness.
Don't forget to check the results of the last 5-6 matches of each team. Separately, pay attention to the statistics of home and away matches: basketball is a sport in which the home court factor is extremely important, and sometimes even decisive, so when analyzing statistics, evaluate home and away matches separately.
- Head-to-head history . Let's not forget about the history of rivalry confrontation. It often happens that the indicators of the last three or four face-to-face meetings of teams can tell you much more than dozens of live matches watched with their participation. Again, do not forget that in basketball, the statistics of home and away matches differ significantly, and therefore it is worth evaluating it differently.
- Tournament position and motivation. And, of course, we could not forget about such a key factor as motivation - in such a hard and strong-willed sport as basketball, motivation is of particular importance. Be sure to evaluate who needs what from the upcoming match and, based on this information, try to adjust your forecast so that you do not bet on a team that no longer needs anything against an over-motivated opponent.
- List of injured and disqualified. With basketball's busy schedule, it's no surprise that injuries and suspensions are common in the sport. In order to be sure that your bet is considered, you should definitely monitor the press regularly to keep abreast of any personnel changes in the composition of each team.
During major basketball tournaments on the Legalbet website, you can get acquainted with the expectations of the forecasters of our website, find out which basketball bets they recommend choosing, as well as get acquainted with their arguments in favor of one or another option.
- Basketball predictions at Legalbet
Where to bet on basketball?
Modern bookmakers try to offer players the widest possible line of basketball. Bets on matches of the NBA, VTB United League, Euroleague, as well as the World and European Championships can be made at absolutely any legal bookmaker in Russia.
The bookmaker's office "1xBet" offers the most complete list. On the site of this bookmaker, in the left menu, you can click on the sport, and this will open all the championships available for betting. After selecting a specific match, the entire list for the match will appear in the center of the screen. Also, BC "1xBet" offers a wide variety of live basketball bets, in which the bettor, using various strategies, can try his luck. A good painting for basketball is also offered on the official websites of the online bookmakers Paribet and Winline.
- View basketball bets on the 1xBet website
- View Basketball Betting on Winline
- View basketball bets on Paribet website
Read also:
- NBA betting
- Basketball World Cup Betting
- Euroleague betting
- Bets on VTB United League
Subscribe to new bookmaker bonuses
Material prepared:
Alexander Noskov
Legalbet editor
Betting on the favorite in basketball, how to bet on the favorite in pre-match and live, the best strategies for NBA matches
Ordinary betting on the favorite in basketball will not justify itself at a distance. We explain what needs to be done to get a profit. Basketball attracts with dynamism and unpredictability. It's hard to tear yourself away from watching an NBA match, in which a noteworthy underdog puts up quite worthy resistance to a stronger opponent. But therein lies the difficulty of betting on favorites in basketball.
If you just choose to bet on stronger clubs, then you will go into the red at a distance. What to do if you want to bet on the favorite? Let's look at two interesting strategies that can turn you into a plus if you are well versed in this team sport.
Why betting on a favorite in basketball is dangerous
Why is betting on a favorite in basketball at a distance unprofitable? There are three key reasons for this: The first one is the underestimation of odds by bookmakers. Basketball is a very popular sport in which a large number of bets are made by ordinary fans. They load a lot of money on their favorite clubs - the ones that are playing well now and winning often. This trend is especially strong in the US when betting on the NBA. Therefore, bookmakers logically put slightly understated quotes on the wins of the favorites.
For example, if objectively, according to the ratio of teams' strengths, the pre-match odds for the victory of a stronger opponent should be at the level of 1.50-1.60, then in a bookmaker's office it may turn out to be about 1.30-1.40. This is a completely reasonable policy of bookmakers aimed at making a profit. The second is bookmaker margin . Given the high demand for basketball confrontations among the bookmaker's clients, companies are trying to keep it at a reasonable level - 5-6%. But even these percentages often become decisive when playing according to a long-term strategy. After all, in fact, the operator has a head start of several percent.
Third - numerous sensations . Yes, we love basketball for its high level of unpredictability. But in betting on favorites, this factor leads to offensive losses. In order to avoid the latter, a thorough pre-match analysis of each event is necessary, taking into account different circumstances.
But if everything is so complicated, then maybe it makes no sense to bet on favorites in basketball? Let's not give up and see how you can increase your odds against smart bookmakers.
How to choose a match to bet on the favorite in NBA
Let's start with the fact that betting on the favorite in basketball with odds of 1.10-1.40 is simply pointless. To increase quotes, the easiest way is to use negative odds at the level from (-6) to (-12). Matches for such rates are selected taking into account the following factors: 1. The favorite plays on the home parquet. Basketball is an exciting show for spectators. With the stormy support of the stands, the home team simply will not allow itself to slow down; 2. Good shape of the leaders of the favorite team. All performers, on which the result depends, approached the reporting match in excellent physical and psychological conditions;3. The hosts want to rehabilitate themselves for past losses in the championship or take a convincing revenge on the upcoming opponent;4. The presence of tournament motivation in the favorite home team; 5. Achievement of team or personal records. For example, a club has a long winning streak that could go down in history. Or a key scorer caught the courage and forms an impressive personal record;6. Coach motivation. In basketball, many coaches compete fiercely with each other. If the mentor of the favorite has a long difficult relationship with his counterpart, he will set up the wards for defeat.
To adequately assess the listed and other attendant factors, read the thematic expert press about a particular tournament, follow the career of players and coaches, analyze the current form and standings of clubs.
Strategy for finding odds for betting on the favorite in basketball
So, the strategy for betting on the favorite in basketball is to reach value odds using negative odds. Consider how this is done in a specific match. In the Turkish Super League 19On May 2021, the semi-final series began, in one of which Anadolu Efes and Besiktas became rivals. A coefficient of 1.20 was given for the victory of the first team in the opening game. But using the handicap (-12) for the victory of Anadolu Efes, it grew to 2.10. We explain why such a bet was valuable: - Anadolu Efes is a clear favorite, which is much stronger than the opponent in terms of performers; - the first match of the series is played on site of the favorite. There were restrictions on spectators due to the pandemic, but still the hall was filled by more than 50%. That is, the team had solid support; - Anadolu's international starting five approached the championship playoffs in excellent shape; - in the first match of any series, a stronger team seeks to immediately show a serious attitude.
Everything indicated that the favorite would win this match with a crushing score. The final result is 96:77. That is, the H1 (-12) bet would play with a margin and without unnecessary nerves. By the way, another strategy would be suitable for this match - betting on the favorite in the first quarter. Here, everything led to the fact that Anadolu Efes would immediately go in with trump cards. And so it happened: already in the first quarter, a backlog of 18 points was completed - 35:17. By the way, the bet on F1 (-6) in the first quarter went for 2.20.
Basketball favorite live betting strategy in quarters
But what to do if there is no complete confidence in the big advantage of the favorite team? In such situations, it is worth trying the live betting strategy for the third quarter in basketball. Its main principle is formulated as follows: if the favorite does not win by the third quarter or does not have an overwhelming advantage in the score, then it is advisable to bet on his victory with a minus handicap in this segment.
If the pre-match strategy described above is better suited for the European championships, then betting on the favorite in the third quarter gives a good plus in the NBA.
Take, for example, the Philadelphia 76ers vs Orlando Magic on May 17, 2021. The home team was the clear favorite with pre-match odds of 1.40. But by the big break, the score was 60:65, that is, the guests won, the underdog. It is these matches that best suit the described strategy. We bet on the victory of Philadelphia in the third quarter with a handicap (-7) for 2.10. For more risky players, F1 (-10) is also suitable, for 2.60. We get the score of twelve minutes - 39:25. Both the less and the more risky bet would have gone in.
The only difficulty is that the described situation is an ideal model. Far from all matches, the favorite loses or plays on equal terms after the first half of the game. To implement such a strategy, it is necessary to constantly monitor the current score in many confrontations. At the same time, you need to know in advance whether there is a clear favorite in a particular game.
Finally, the difficulty for playing live NBA matches lies in the fact that for Russian viewers, most confrontations take place at night.