What You Need to Know Before Betting on NBA Games

As the NBA season rapidly approaches, so too does time for sports betting enthusiasts to start making their bets. For those looking to make some money off the upcoming games, it is essential to understand what you are doing. This article overviews what you need to know before placing your bets on any NBA games this season.

The Popularity of NBA & Betting

The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the most popular professional sports leagues in North America. With 30 teams competing in an 82-game regular season, bettors have plenty of opportunities to make money on both individual and team matchups. However, to increase your chances of winning, you must understand how the odds work and how to read betting lines.

PA sports betting has been legal since September 2018, which means that now more than ever, it is essential for people to educate themselves on the ins and outs of basketball betting. The following sections will overview some critical topics related to betting on NBA games.

Learn How to Read Betting Lines

If you are new to sports betting, one of the first things you need to learn is how to read betting lines. When you look at a typical NBA betting line, you will see two numbers separated by a dash (-). The number on the left is called the “spread” and is the number of points the favored team is expected to win. The number on the right is called the “moneyline” and is the odds of the underdog beating the game outright.

For example, let’s say you want to bet on a matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. The betting line might look something like this:

• Los Angeles Lakers -5.5 (-110)
• Golden State Warriors +5.5 (-110)

In this case, the Lakers are 5.5-point favorites, which means they are expected to win by at least six points. Therefore, the minus sign in front of the spread (-5.5) indicates that the Lakers are favored. The number after the dash (-110) is called the “juice” and is how much you need to risk to win $100. So in this case, you would need to bet $110 on the Lakers to win $100.

The Warriors are 5.5-point underdogs in this matchup, so they are expected to lose by at least six points. The plus sign in front of the spread (+5.5) indicates that the Warriors are the underdog. The number after the dash (-110) is still the juice, which means you would need to risk $110 to win $100 on a Golden State victory.

It is important to note that spreads and moneylines can change until game time as more bets come in. Sportsbooks will often adjust lines to try and get equal action (bets) on both sides of the line. However, the most important thing to remember is that the longer you wait to make your bet, the less favorable the odds may become.

Consider Parlays and Teasers

In addition to betting on individual games, many sportsbooks also offer parlays and teasers. A parlay is a bet that involves two or more teams, and all teams must-win for the bettor to collect their winnings. For example, let’s say you want to bet on three different games:

• Los Angeles Lakers -5.5 (-110)
• Golden State Warriors +5.5 (-110)
• Boston Celtics +2.5 (-105)

If you were to bet $100 on each game, you would need to risk $300 total. However, if you were to put those same three bets into a parlay, you would only need to risk $100 to win $261 potentially.

A teaser is similar to a parlay in that it involves two or more teams. However, you can add or subtract points from the spread with a teaser to make a bet more favorable. For example, let’s say you want to bet on the following games:

• Los Angeles Lakers -5.5 (-110)
• Golden State Warriors +5.5 (-110)
• Boston Celtics +2.5 (-105)

But you feel confident that all three favorites will win by more than five points. In this case, you could “tease” the lines and bet on the following:

• Los Angeles Lakers -0.5 (-110)
• Golden State Warriors +0.5 (-110)
• Boston Celtics +7.5 (-105)

By teasing the lines, you are now Betting on the favorites to win by at least one point. However, you are also increasing the risk because if any of the three teams lose outright, your entire bet would be a loss.

Research Team and Player Statistics

Finally, one of the most important things you need to do before betting on NBA games is to research team and player statistics. Many sites offer detailed information on past performance, so take advantage of these resources. In addition, pay attention to how teams and players fare against certain opponents. For example, some teams may have an excellent record overall but struggle when they play a specific type of team.

By doing your research, you will be better prepared to make informed and successful bets on NBA games.

What You Need to Know Before Betting on NBA Games to NBA Basketball Blog

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