Odds Format

NBA Odds and Betting Lines

Another Busy Week in a Packed NBA Schedule That Keeps Getting Better.

The Action Is Always Hot as the All-Star Break Nears

The trade deadlines have come and gone and some big names have new teams. One of them is expected to make his debut on Monday in a game that will see the Los Angeles Lakers host the Utah Jazz.

Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers Betting Analysis

The Lakers are expected to have Luka Doncic on the court as they face the Jazz on Monday. Surprisingly, they will also have Dalton Knecht back. The Mark Williams trade with Charlotte was rescinded due to the big man’s injury concerns. It will be interesting to see how Doncic fits in on the Lakers.

It also will be intriguing to see how they fare without a big man now that Williams is not an option and Anthony Davis is in Dallas. Wouldn’t expect Doncic to be a significant prop option here because he hasn’t played in a while and could see limited minutes. The Jazz have more wins on the road than at home but they won’t be a good match for the Lakers in NBA picks and predictions.

Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers

Sometimes it is key to spot a good thing even if the teams have struggled. Have to like the 76ers at home now that Joel Embiid is back and showing he still can be a force. The Raptors don’t have anyone to match up well with the big mana and look for him to have a big night on NBA betting odds.

Golden State Warriors at Dallas Mavericks Betting Analysis

Teams that were busy at the deadline meet on Wednesday. The Warriors with Jimmy Butler come into Dallas and face the Mavericks, who will be without Anthony Davis for a few weeks with a strained adductor muscle. Davis had a huge first half in his Dallas debut before leaving with a non-contact injury. He downplayed it but it came out late Sunday he will miss significant time. Butler had 25 points in his debut as Golden State erased a 24-point deficit against Chicago to win by 21. Yes, that’s a 45-point turnaround. This should be a tight game and look for both teams to fill up the hoop.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves

Two of the best in the West meet on the final day before the NBA All-Star break. The sizzling Thunder visits the Timberwolves. If Oklahoma City wasn’t powerful enough, it has gotten back Chet Holmgren after a long injury spell. Both teams have been playing winning basketball and that sets this up as a great way to go into the break when looking at free NBA picks tonight. Anthony Edwards will have a chance to showcase his skills against the best in the West.

How To Bet On NBA

There are some basic ways to bet on NBA games like against the spread, money line, and totals. Against the spread means you are either giving or taking points.

Giving points and your team has to win by more than that number. Taking points and your team has to win the game or lose by less than the number.

Moneyline is straightforward: Bet the team at the odds on the line and they have to win. Totals are also known as over/under.

The game has a set number of points and you decide whether you think it will go over that number or be under it at the finish.

The three are all self-explanatory. Lines do move but once you place your bet that is the number you get.

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.

NBA Props

NBA game props come in many categories. There can be team bets like a first-half winner, total points, and first-half total points.

There are also individual player categories you can get on such as points, assists, rebounds, combo bets in categories, and so on. Three-point makes are also in the category of props.

There is something for everyone in the prop market.

How to Bet on NBA Props

When looking to bet on NBA props at BetUS or any other site, simply find the area in the shop that offers prop bets.

You can search for the game you like and then look for the prop category you want to choose. If it is a team, then look for it and click on the option that is what you want.

If you want an individual go to the area where player props are and choose the category – points, assists, rebounds, etc. – find the one you like and then do the necessary clicking and place your wager at the shop you have an account at.

NBA Odds vs NBA Futures Odds

While NBA odds typically refer to betting odds for specific games or events that are happening in the regular season, NBA Futures Odds are related to long-term events in the NBA that will occur at a later date, often months in advance.

These odds are more concerned with season-long or playoff-related basketball betting. Common NBA futures odds include betting on which team will win the NBA championship, which player will be named MVP or Most Improved Player of the Year, and so on.

Here are some additional tips for interpreting and using odds effectively.

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.

How to Read and Interpret 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!

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NBA FAQs

The plus sign (+) is used to indicate underdog teams, representing the potential profit on a $100 bet. The minus sign (-) is used for favorite teams, showing the amount you need to bet to win $100.

For positive moneyline odds, divide your bet amount by 100 and then multiply by the positive number to calculate your potential profit. For negative moneyline odds, divide 100 by the absolute value of the negative number and then multiply by your bet amount to determine potential profit.

If the point spread results in a tie, or a “push,” your bet is typically refunded, and no winnings or losses are incurred.

Yes, besides moneyline, point spread, and over/under bets, you can explore parlay bets (combining multiple bets into one), teasers (adjusting point spreads for multiple games), and futures bets (predicting outcomes of future events, like NBA championships).

Yes, many sportsbooks offer a wide range of prop bets (proposition bets) that allow you to wager on various aspects of the game, including individual player statistics, the first team to score, and more.

While there are no NBA lines available today. Explore all Basketball lines here.

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Rolling If Bets (RIF) allow you to use the balance (amount) from existing wagers to make a new wager. As long as existing wagers have not been graded, the amount wagered can still be used to make new wagers. However, if your original wager loses, the Rolling If Bet is then cancelled. There are two options for ties (pushes); you can specify if you want the Rolling If Bet to continue in case of a tie or simply cancel the RIF.

Rolling If Bets are:

  • only allowed on straight bets, Parlays and Teasers.
  • not available with Free Plays or Futures and Props
  • only available if you have pre existing, non graded wagers
  • you can only use the funds from the amount of the pre existing wager

How to Place a Rolling If Bet:

  • Choose any straight, parlay or teaser and Place it on the Bet Slip
  • Click on the Rolling If Bet button next to the wager detail
  • In the RIF dropdown, choose a wager that you want to use for RIF
  • Click on "If Win Only" or "If Win or Push" (explained above)
  • Fill in the amount and confirm your wager (the system will not allow you a higher amount than what is available)
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Rolling If Bets (RIF) allow you to use the balance (amount) from existing wagers to make a new wager. As long as existing wagers have not been graded, the amount wagered can still be used to make new wagers. However, if your original wager loses, the Rolling If Bet is then cancelled. There are two options for ties (pushes); you can specify if you want the Rolling If Bet to continue in case of a tie or simply cancel the RIF.

Rolling If Bets are:

  • only allowed on straight bets, Parlays and Teasers.
  • not available with Free Plays or Futures and Props
  • only available if you have pre existing, non graded wagers
  • you can only use the funds from the amount of the pre existing wager

How to Place a Rolling If Bet:

  • Choose any straight, parlay or teaser and Place it on the Bet Slip
  • Click on the Rolling If Bet button next to the wager detail
  • In the RIF dropdown, choose a wager that you want to use for RIF
  • Click on "If Win Only" or "If Win or Push" (explained above)
  • Fill in the amount and confirm your wager (the system will not allow you a higher amount than what is available)
Close