How to bet on the NBA

Betting on the NBA is an exciting way to engage with one of the most dynamic sports in the world. With games nearly every day during the regular season, there’s no shortage of opportunities to test your betting strategies. Whether you’re new to betting or a seasoned bettor, understanding how to consistently secure the best odds, decipher what odds mean, and maximize the potential of parlay odds is crucial. This guide covers everything you need to know to make smarter NBA bets.

NBA Betting Basics

Let’s begin with the fundamental types of bets in the NBA and how they work:

1. Moneyline Bets:
   A moneyline bet is a wager on which team will win the game.
   Example:

   • Golden State Warriors -250
   • Los Angeles Lakers +200
     If you bet $250 on the Warriors and they win, your profit will be $100. Conversely, betting $100 on the Lakers will yield $200 if they win. Comparing moneyline odds across sportsbooks ensures you’re getting the best odds for your pick.
     
     

2. Point Spread Bets:
   
   Point spreads level the playing field by setting a margin of victory.
   Example:

   • Milwaukee Bucks -6.5
   • Miami Heat +6.5
     If you bet on the Bucks, they must win by at least 7 points for your bet to cash. If you bet on the Heat, they can lose by up to 6 points, or win outright, for your bet to succeed.
     
     

3. Totals (Over/Under):
   
   Totals betting involves wagering on whether the combined points of both teams will be over or under a set number.
   Example:

   • Over 225.5
   • Under 225.5
     If the final score is 118-110 (a total of 228), the Over wins. If the score is 110-100 (a total of 210), the Under wins.
     
     

4. Parlay Bets:
   
   A parlay combines multiple bets into a single wager for higher payouts. All selections must win for the parlay to cash. Parlay odds multiply with each leg, offering significant returns.
   Example:

   • Bet 1: Suns -5.5
   • Bet 2: Lakers moneyline (+150)
   • Bet 3: Over 224.5 in the Warriors game
     A winning parlay pays out far more than betting on each selection individually but comes with higher risk.
     
     

Understanding What Odds Mean and Finding the Best Odds

Odds represent the likelihood of a specific outcome and determine your potential payout. For example, odds of -110 indicate you’d need to bet $110 to win $100, while +200 odds mean a $100 bet would win $200. To maximize your profits, always seek out the best odds. Here’s how:

1. Shop for Odds Across Sportsbooks:
   Different sportsbooks often offer slightly different odds. For instance, one sportsbook may list the Knicks at +130 while another offers them at +150. Choosing the latter boosts your potential profit.

2. Use Odds Comparison Tools:
   Websites like OddsChecker and Action Network allow you to compare odds across multiple sportsbooks for a single game or market, helping you find the best odds available.

3. Follow Line Movements:
   Odds change due to factors like player injuries, betting trends, or news updates. Monitoring these movements can help you time your bets to get the most favorable odds.

4. Leverage Promotional Offers:
   Many sportsbooks provide odds boosts or special promotions for NBA games. For example, you might find a “boosted odds” promo offering better returns on a marquee matchup.
   
   

Using Parlay Odds to Maximize Returns

Parlay betting is popular for its potential to turn small wagers into significant payouts. The parlay odds of each leg compound, resulting in much larger returns than single bets. However, winning requires all selections to be correct. Here’s how to make the most of parlay odds:

1. Start with a Few Legs:
   While a 10-leg parlay offers massive payouts, it’s extremely risky. Instead, stick to two- or three-leg parlays to balance risk and reward.

2. Include Safe Selections:
   Pair heavy favorites with more uncertain picks. For instance, adding the Bucks at -300 to your parlay increases the payout while keeping the risk low.

3. Correlate Your Bets:
   Use bets that are connected. For example, if you believe the Warriors will cover the spread, you might also bet on the game total to go Over, assuming they’ll need a strong offensive performance to win big.

4. Try Same-Game Parlays:
   Many sportsbooks now allow bettors to combine wagers from a single game. For example, you could bet on LeBron James to score 30+ points, the Lakers to win, and the total points to go Over 225. These parlays let you capitalize on your knowledge of a single matchup.
   
   

Advanced NBA Betting Strategies

1. Analyze Team Trends and Stats:
   Look at factors like a team’s record against the spread (ATS), recent performance, and head-to-head history. For example, if the Celtics have an 8-2 ATS record at home, they’re likely a strong pick in a home game.

2. Account for Injuries:
   Star players like Kevin Durant or Stephen Curry can drastically influence the outcome of a game. Betting early can secure favorable odds, but waiting for injury updates ensures informed decisions.

3. Bet Against Public Sentiment:
   Popular teams like the Lakers or Warriors often see inflated odds due to public betting. Fading (betting against) these teams can reveal value, especially in less obvious matchups.

4. Bankroll Management:
   Effective betting requires discipline. Set a budget for each game and avoid chasing losses. A common strategy is to bet no more than 1-3% of your bankroll on a single wager.
   
   

Example: Finding the Best Odds and Maximizing Parlay Odds

Imagine you want to bet on three NBA games:

• Warriors (-5.5) at -110
• Knicks moneyline (+150)
• Over 226.5 in the Bucks game (-105)

If you place individual bets of $100 on each, your total potential payout would be lower compared to combining them in a parlay. Using a parlay calculator, these combined parlay odds could turn a $100 wager into a payout of around $700. If you shop for the best odds and find the Knicks at +160 instead of +150, your payout increases even more.