The typical ways to bet on NBA games are like most sports. There is against the spread, where a team has to win by more points than it is favored by or lose by less than it is the underdog. There is the moneyline where you are betting on your team to win the game.
Sounds simple, right? It isn’t because odds teeter and there is no guarantee an upset won’t happen. Then there is the total where you are betting whether a game will go over or under a certain amount of points. You can also find plenty of prop options in every NBA game.
Understanding NBA Odds
When it comes to the world of sports betting, one of the most popular and exciting areas to bet on is the National Basketball Association or NBA.
You can place informed bets today with some knowledge or studying NBA odds.
While the world of betting lines may seem complex to newcomers, once you understand the NBA betting odds you will find it fascinating.
Do you love the Phoenix Suns? Are you a huge fan of Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks? Do you want to see the Detroit Pistons deteriorate on the court because you love the Sacramento Kings?
What Are NBA Odds?
At their core, NBA odds are numerical representations of the probability of a particular outcome for a team in a basketball game, regardless of the conference they belong to (Western Conference or Eastern Conference).
They serve as a guide for bettors to assess the potential return on their basketball betting lines.
There are three common types of odds when comparing the NBA.
Here is a quick description to help you understand how they work:
Moneyline Odds
Moneyline odds indicate the amount you can win or need to wager on a particular team to win the game outright. Positive numbers represent the potential profit on a $100 bet, while negative numbers show the amount you need to bet to win $100.
Moneyline odds are one of the most straightforward ways to bet on NBA games. They show the potential profit or risk of betting on a particular team to win the game outright.
Here’s how to understand moneyline odds.
Positive Moneyline (+)
When you see a positive number next to a team’s name (e.g., +150 for the San Antonio Spurs), it means they are the underdog. In this case, a $100 bet on the Spurs would yield a $150 profit if they win the game. So, if you bet $100 on the Lakers and they win, you’d get back $250 ($100 initial bet + $150 profit).
Negative Moneyline (-)
Negative numbers (e.g., -120 for the Memphis Grizzlies) indicate the favorite. A negative moneyline tells you how much you need to wager to win $100. In this example, you’d need to bet $120 on the Nets to win $100 if they emerge victorious. Chances are that the Brooklyn Nets will win the game which is why the odds are in their favor.
Example: If you see the Los Angeles Lakers at +150 and the Brooklyn Nets at -120, a $100 bet on the Lakers would yield a $150 profit if they win, while a $120 bet on the Nets would yield $100 if they win.
Point Spread Odds
Point spread odds level the playing field by giving an advantage (plus points) to the underdog and a disadvantage (minus points) to the favorite. Betting on the point spread involves predicting if a team will win by more points than the spread suggests. They assign a handicap (plus or minus points) to each team to make the game more balanced in the eyes of bettors.
Here’s how point spread odds work.
Favorite (-)
The team with a negative point spread is expected to win by more points than indicated. For instance, if the Golden State Warriors have a point spread of -5.5 against the Miami Heat, they must win the game by at least 6 points for a bet on them to be successful.
Underdog (+)
The team with a positive point spread is the underdog and can lose the game by a certain margin and still cover the spread. In our example, if you bet on the Miami Heat with a point spread of +5.5, they need to either win the game outright or lose by less than 6 points for your bet to win.
Example: If the Golden State Warriors have a -5.5 point spread against the Miami Heat, they need to win by 6 or more points for a bet on them to pay out.
Over/Under (Totals) Odds
Over/under odds, also known as totals, focus on the combined number of points scored by both teams in an NBA game. Bettors wager on whether the actual total will be over or under the number set by oddsmakers.
Here’s how to understand over/under odds:
Over
If you bet the “over” on the total points, you’re predicting that the combined score of both teams will exceed the specified total. For example, if the over/under is set at 215 points, and the final score is 216 or more, your bet wins.
Under
Betting the “under” means you believe the combined score will be less than the specified total. If the final score in the same example is 214 points or fewer, your bet is successful.
Example: If the over/under for a game is set at 215 points, a bet on the “over” wins if the final score is 216 points or higher.
How to Read and Interpret NBA Odds
Understanding how to read NBA odds is just the beginning. You can research the teams and keep track of players so that you make informed bets and stand a better chance of winning.
Research Matters
Before placing any bets, research the teams, player statistics, injuries, and recent performance. This information can help you make more informed betting decisions. You can, for example, follow an NBA team closely and watch as they perform.
You can then bet for them or against them, as you have gathered all the information related to their appearances.
Bankroll Management
Set a budget for your betting activities and stick to it. With NBA odds it’s easy to set a weekly budget. You know that for 2023-2024, there will be 82 games involving 30 teams. If you are following a few teams, watch closely and spread your bets as your team performs and plays.
Never bet more than you can afford to lose, and avoid chasing losses by making reckless bets. The best bet is an informed bet that matches your financial situation.
Keep Track
Keeping a record of your bets can help you analyze your results and identify trends. This can be valuable for improving your betting strategy over time. Just like companies check their sales and see which products sell the best, so with NBA odds keep watch of how your previous bets worked out for you.
NBA Odds at a Glance
Now that you know the types of NBA odds, it’s practical to understand how to interpret them when making betting decisions. Here is a summary of the key points worth remembering.
- Positive moneyline odds indicate an underdog, while negative odds represent the favorite.
- Point spread odds require you to consider the margin of victory.
- Over/under odds are all about predicting the total points scored in a game.
While NBA odds might appear complex at first, it’s easy to understand them and start working with them if you are looking to get into sports betting.
Grasping the basics of moneyline odds, point spread odds, and over/under odds can open up an exciting world of wagering on NBA games and NBA odds.
As you gain more experience, you can explore more advanced betting strategies and make even more informed bets that follow complex action plans.
Bet Responsibly with BetUS
Thanks for joining us in the exciting world of sports betting! Whether you’re a Houston Rockets fan, love MLB, NHL, or NFL, or cheer for teams like the Washington Wizards or the New Orleans Pelicans, we hope you’ve picked up some useful tips. And when you’re ready to place your bets, don’t forget about the parlay calculator to boost your winnings.
As always here at BetUS Sportsbook & Casino, we ask you to bet responsibly. Only wager what you can afford to lose, and always do your research before making any bets. Enjoy the thrill of NBA games and the added excitement that comes with understanding the odds.
Stay informed, bet responsibly, and let’s enjoy the games together. Best of luck with your wagers!
