Betting on the NBA this season.
Key Points
– Bettors should prepare wisely before betting on the NBA this season.
– A handful of tips can make betting on the NBA this season successful.
Betting on the NBA This Season
The 2022-23 NBA season will be here before you know it and that means bettors should be preparing. There are a lot of ways to bet on the NBA, from picking a winner to betting on the point spread.
If you really want to make some money betting on the NBA, you need to know how to handicap the games. That means taking into account everything from the teams’ records to their recent performances to the matchups between specific players. Bettors can also look at recent trends in NBA betting.
It can be a lot of work, but if you do it right you can profit from betting on the NBA. The winning starts now with your preparation.
How to Bet
There are a few things you need to know before you start betting on the NBA or betting on any sport. First, you need to understand the odds, how to read them, and how they work.
The odds will tell you how likely it is that a certain team will win. They are usually expressed as a number, with the favorite being the team with the lower number. For example, let’s say the Golden State Warriors are playing the Los Angeles Lakers. The Warriors are given odds of -120 to win. The Lakers are given +110 odds.
The Warriors are the favorite and to win $100 on Golden State a bettor would have to wager $120. A $100 bet on the Lakers would pay out $110 at +110 odds.
NBA bettors can also wager on the point spread. In the same game, the Warriors may be favored to win by 5.5 points. This would be expressed at Golden State -5.5. Point spread bets are accompanied by odds. The standard odds on a point spread bet are -110 though they can be adjusted by sportsbooks.
In this example, if the Warriors won by six or more points, they would cover the spread. If the Lakers lose by five points or less or they win outright, Los Angeles would cover.
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Reading NBA Lines
Another thing you need to know when betting on the NBA is how to read a betting line. A betting line is simply the amount of money you need to bet in order to win a certain amount.
The example above explains this. All odds are expressed in terms of $100 bets. When betting on favorites, you will wager a bit more to win $100. Remember, the favorite is expected to win. The sportsbook will keep a portion of your wager – the vig – for taking the bet.
Bettors will win more than $100 when they bet on underdogs because they are less likely to win. A $100 bet on a team given +250 odds will pay out $250. NBA underdogs are a healthy bet, if you know when to pick them. They win roughly 32.5 percent of the time.
Keep in mind that betting on the NBA is a marathon, not a sprint. You shouldn’t go into it expecting to make a quick buck. Instead, think of it as a way to gradually build up your bankroll over time. If you can do that, then betting on the NBA can be a fun and profitable hobby.
What to Do This Season
There are a number of strategies the average bettor can use to win more NBA bets this season. One of the things you should look to do is bet early. Lines and odds for games come out early in the morning on the day of a game.
This is when oddsmakers have the least amount of information. There are times when you can capitalize on a mistake. Throughout the day, more information will be released, and lines will get sharper. If you really like a favorite, bet early before the line goes up. Public betting on favorites often moves lines.
Look for scheduling advantages. This is one of the easiest things you can do to win more. The league tries to limit teams playing on back-to-back nights. However, the NBA did introduce the two-game series, where two teams play each other consecutively, though not always on back-to-back nights.
Regardless, the team that lost the first game has come back to cover the spread in 65.9 percent of the second games. That is significant and something bettors can use to their advantage.
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Tips for Betting on the NBA
It takes more than just good luck to be successful. Here are a few tips to help you bet on the NBA this coming season.
- Do your research. It’s important to know as much as you can about the teams and players before betting on any game. Pay attention to recent performances, injuries, and overall team strength.
- Consider the betting lines. The odds set by sportsbooks provide valuable information that can help you make informed betting decisions.
- Don’t get emotional. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of your favorite team winning or losing, but it’s important to bet with your head, not your heart.
- Set a budget and stick to it. It’s important to only bet what you can afford to lose. Determine how much you’re willing to risk before placing any bets.
By following these tips, you’ll improve your chances of betting on the NBA successfully and maybe even walk away with some extra cash in your pocket!
