The National Football League is the most popular betting market in the U.S., but betting on the National Basketball Association isn't far behind. The NBA season usually runs from the beginning of November through June, giving bettors plenty of opportunities to bet.
Not only does the NBA provide months worth of jam-packed action, but this is also a sport that has many betting options available as well. This guide will walk you through some of the most popular NBA betting options while providing you some tips on how to bet on the NBA.
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If you are someone that only sticks to betting on the NFL, then it would be wise to expand to betting on the NBA as well.
Best NBA bets
Sportsbooks continue to come up with new ways to bet on the NBA, but there will always be some betting options that remain the most popular. This part of the guide will discuss some of those popular bets but be aware that there are other options available as well.
When discussing all of the betting options below, we will be using the Charlotte Hornets as the favorites and the Atlanta Hawks as the underdog. These examples should help you have a better understanding of how each betting option works.
Spread
Similar to the NFL, betting against the spread is one of the most common and popular bets made in the NBA. A spread bet focuses on the difference in the final score, and teams not only have to win the game, but they also have to cover a certain spread.
Charlotte Hornets -5.5
Atlanta Hawks +5.5
We already know that the Hornets are the favorites, but now we know how big of a favorite they are. Charlotte needs to win this game by at least six points to cover the spread that has been set.
On the other side, Atlanta just needs to lose the game by five points or less to cover the spread set for them.
Totals
A totals bet is another popular NBA betting option, and this is sometimes referred to as an "over/under." This type of bet focuses on the total number of points scored in an NBA game, and the two betting options are either "over" or "under."
Charlotte Hornets vs. Atlanta Hawks
Over 221.5 | (-110)
Under 221.5 | (-110)
If the Hornets and Hawks combine for at least 222 points, then the over would be the right bet. If the total number of points is 221 or less, then the under is the right play.
Moneyline
A moneyline wager is extremely simple to understand because you are just betting on which team you think will win the game. Each team in the matchup will have different betting lines given to them, and that will indicate how much money can be won.
Charlotte Hornets -125
Atlanta Hawks +115
In this situation, it would take a $125 bet on the Hornets to win $100. Meanwhile, a $100 bet on the Atlanta Hawks would have a payout of $115.
Live or in-play
Live betting options work well on mobile sportsbook apps because the bets have to be placed quickly. Betting odds and lines are adjusted in real-time, leaving the bettor with very little time to make a decision.
The three betting types listed above are the most common betting options that can be found during an NBA game.
Parlays
A parlay bet is another betting type that has become extremely popular, and this is just a combination wager. You can build up your parlay with as many bets as you like, and you don't have to stick to making selections from just one game.
The odds of the parlay increase with each additional leg that you add, but you are also increasing the risk associated with the bet.
Props
Here are some potential prop bets that you could see in a game between the Hornets and Hawks:
Will either team lead by at least 15 points in this game?
Will Trae Young record a triple-double?
Will there be a flagrant foul called in this game?
Futures
Betting on the Charlotte Hornets to win the NBA Championship is an example of a Futures bet, and it is one of the most popular futures bets to make. This bet opens up as soon as one season ends, and the odds continue to change until there is an outcome.
Tips for betting NBA games
Just like with any other betting market, there are a few tips or strategies that can help you become successful. There is a long list of NBA betting tips out there, but here are three of the most important things to remember.
Check NBA schedule
NBA teams face a grueling regular-season schedule, and teams are forced to play back-to-back games on certain occasions. This puts that team at a major disadvantage, and it is something to keep in mind when betting on the NBA.
Take a look at the previous week for each team in a betting matchup, and also look at how far each team has had to travel.
Beware of load management
The NFL is a sport where you always want to keep an eye on the injury report, and that is a smart thing to do when betting on the NBA as well. An even bigger thing to consider is that NBA teams and players often use what is called "Load management."
This strategy is used to help keep some of the top players healthy and fresh throughout a season, but it can have a major impact on NBA betting. This is not information that is usually easy to find, but it can affect the winning and losing team in a game.
Look at recent trends
Another major part of your research should always be to look at recent trends for each team in a particular matchup. This is a solid strategy to use when betting on every sport, but basketball teams tend to be more streaky than other sports.
Trends can always change at any time, but this is a great place to start your research. You can find trends to help you with all of the NBA betting options listed above, especially if you know what you are looking for.