The typical ways to bet on NBA games are like most sports. There is against the spread, where a team has to beat their opponent by more points than it is favored by, or the underdog must lose by less than the spread. If the final margin of victory lands exactly on the point spread, the bet is called a push and is normally refunded.
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 number of points. You can also find plenty of prop options in every NBA game.
Favorite NBA Betting Types
- NBA Moneyline: The moneyline is a bet on the outright winner of the game, without involving a point spread. Moneyline odds are expressed in terms of money, with a positive number indicating the potential profit on a $100 bet (for underdogs), and a negative number showing how much you need to wager to win $100 (for favorites). Moneyline odds are one of the most straightforward ways to bet on NBA games, letting you simply pick which team will win and see the potential pay or risk based on the odds.
- NBA Spreads: Point spread odds level the playing field by giving an advantage (plus points) to the underdog and a disadvantage (minus points) to the favorite. The minus sign denotes the favorite, while the plus sign indicates the underdog—teams expected to lose, but that can provide better value for your money. 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.
- NBA Totals: 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.
- NBA Player Props: If you’re interested in individual player performances, NBA player props are a great choice. These bets let you wager on specific player statistical categories, such as points scored, rebounds, assists, steals, or blocks. You can also place bets on whether a player will achieve a double-double or triple-double during a game. Head-to-head player props allow you to compare the individual performances of two players.
- NBA Championship Odds: For those interested in long-term bets, NBA championship odds are a type of futures bet. These involve predicting which team will win the NBA championship at the end of the season, with outcomes that span multiple weeks or months.
- NBA Parlays: Parlays are a form of multiple bets, allowing you to combine different bet types or selections combined into a single wager. While the potential payouts can be high, all selections must be correct to win. Multiple bets like parlays can maximize your pay by increasing the risk and reward.
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.
- A plus sign (+) and a positive number indicate underdogs, showing how much you can win on a $100 bet.
- A minus sign (-) indicates the favorite, showing how much you need to wager to win $100.
- American odds are the most common format in NBA betting, indicating the amount needed to win $100 for favorites (minus sign) or the payout for underdogs (plus sign/positive number).
- Point spread odds require you to consider the margin of victory, with favorites shown by a minus sign and underdogs by a plus sign.
- 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. Recognizing underdogs (positive number, plus sign) and favorites (minus sign) is key to reading NBA odds.
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!
