How to Bet on NBA: Understanding Moneyline, Spreads & Over/Unders

If you’re a major NBA fan looking to add some extra excitement to your viewing experience, look no further than betting on NBA games! With a little know-how and some strategic thinking, you could potentially cash in big time. That’s where we come in – we’re here to walk you through the ins and outs of NBA betting, so you can bet with confidence and potentially win big.

First things first, let’s get familiar with the basics of NBA odds and the different types of bets you can make. From moneyline bets to point spreads and over/unders, there are plenty of ways to get in on the action. We’ll break down each type of bet and provide real-life examples to help you understand the nuances of NBA betting. So let’s get started and unlock the potential for big winnings!

How to Bet on NBA: Table of Contents

Understanding NBA Odds

Before you can start betting on NBA games, you need to understand how NBA odds work. Odds are used to determine the payout for a winning bet, and they also give an indication of the likelihood of a particular outcome. In general, the higher the odds, the lower the probability of a particular outcome, and the larger the potential payout.

NBA odds at online sportsbooks are typically displayed in one of three formats: American, decimal, or fractional. In the American format, odds are displayed as either positive or negative numbers.

Positive odds indicate the potential payout on a $100 bet, while negative odds indicate the amount you need to bet to win $100. For example, if the odds are +150, you would win $150 on a $100 bet. If the odds are -150, you would need to bet $150 to win $100. Keep these negative and positive factors in mind and betting on basketball will be simple.

Decimal odds are displayed as a decimal number, and they represent the total payout, including the initial stake. For example, if the odds are 1.50, you would receive a total payout of $1.50 for every $1 bet, including your initial stake.

Fractional odds are displayed as a fraction, and they indicate the potential payout relative to the initial stake. For example, if the odds are 2/1, you would win $2 for every $1 bet, plus your initial stake.

Now that you understand NBA odds, let’s explore the different types of bets you can place on NBA games.

Betting on the Moneyline in NBA

The moneyline bet is the simplest type of NBA bet. It involves betting on which team will win the game outright, regardless of the margin of victory. The odds for the moneyline bet are based on the relative strength of the two teams, with the underdog offering a higher potential payout than the favorite.

For example, let’s say the Los Angeles Lakers are playing the Golden State Warriors, and the odds for the moneyline bet are as follows:

• Lakers: -150
• Warriors: +130

In this scenario, the Lakers are the favorite, with negative odds indicating that you would need to bet $150 to win $100. The Warriors are the underdog, with positive odds indicating that you would win $130 on a $100 bet.

If you believe that the Lakers will win the game, you would bet on the Lakers to win the moneyline. If you believe that the Warriors will win, you would bet on the Warriors to win the moneyline.

The potential payout for each bet is based on the odds, so if you bet $100 on the Lakers and they win, you would receive a payout of $166.67 ($100 initial stake plus $66.67 in winnings). If you bet $100 on the Warriors and they win, you would receive a payout of $230 ($100 initial stake plus $130 in winnings).

Betting on the Point Spread in NBA

The point spread bet is another popular type of NBA bet. It involves betting on the margin of victory, with a handicap given to the underdog to even out the playing field. The odds for the point spread bet are based on the relative strength of the two teams and the size of the handicap.

For example, let’s say the Lakers are playing the Warriors, and the point spread is as follows:

• Lakers: -5.5 (-110)
• Warriors: +5.

In this scenario, the Lakers are the favorite, and they are given a handicap of -5.5 points. This means that they need to win the game by at least 6 points for a point spread bet on the Lakers to be a winning bet.

On the other hand, the Warriors are the underdog, and they are given a handicap of +5.5 points. This means that they can lose the game by up to 5 points and still have a winning point spread bet on the Warriors.

The odds for the point spread bet are displayed in parentheses next to the handicap. In this example, the odds are -110 for the Lakers and +110 for the Warriors. This means that you would need to bet $110 on the Lakers to win $100, and you would win $110 on a $100 bet on the Warriors.

If you believe that the Lakers will win the game by at least 6 points, you would bet on the Lakers to cover the point spread.

If you think that the Warriors will either win the game outright or lose by 5 points or fewer, you would bet on the Warriors to cover the point spread.

The potential payout for each bet is based on the odds, so if you bet $110 on the Lakers and they cover the point spread, you would receive a payout of $210 ($110 initial stake plus $100 in winnings). If you bet $100 on the Warriors and they cover the point spread, you would receive a payout of $210 ($100 initial stake plus $110 in winnings).

Betting on Over/Unders in NBA

The over/under bet, also known as the total bet, involves betting on the total number of points scored by both teams in the game. The sportsbook sets a total, and you bet on whether the actual total will be over or under that number. The odds for the over/under bet are based on the total and the relative strength of the two teams.

For example, let’s say the Lakers are playing the Warriors, and the over/under is set at 220 points, with the following odds:

• Over 220 (-110)
• Under 220 (-110)

In this scenario, you would bet on whether the total number of points scored by both teams will be over or under 220 points. If you believe that the total will be over 220 points, you would bet on the over.

If you envision the total will be under 220 points, you would bet on the under. The odds for both options are -110, which means you would need to bet $110 to win $100.

If the final score of the game is Lakers 110, Warriors 105, the total number of points scored would be 215, which is under the total of 220. In this scenario, a bet on the under would be a winning bet, and you would receive a payout of $190.91 ($110 initial stake plus $80.91 in winnings).

On the other hand, if the game wraps up with a score indicating Lakers 120, and Warriors 110, the total number of points scored would be 230, which is over the total of 220. In this scenario, a bet on the over would be a winning bet, and you would receive a payout of $190.91 ($110 initial stake plus $80.91 in winnings).

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LeBron James gets a standing ovation as he checks in for the Lakers 👏

It's only the second time he's EVER come off the bench in his NBA career. pic.twitter.com/wiUFIGVbXA

— ESPN (@espn) March 26, 2023

Tips for Betting on NBA

Now that you understand the different types of NBA bets, here are 8 NBA betting tips to help you make informed betting decisions:

1. Do your research: Before placing a bet, research the teams and players involved in the game, as well as any injuries or other factors that could affect the outcome.
2. Shop for the best odds: Different sports betting apps may offer different odds for the same game, so it’s important to shop around to find the best odds. This can help you maximize your potential winnings.
3. Manage your bankroll: It’s important to set a budget for your NBA betting and to stick to it. This can help you avoid betting more than you can afford to lose.
4. Consider the home court advantage: Home teams tend to have an advantage in the NBA, so keep this in mind when making your bets.
5. Look for value: Instead of simply betting on the favorite, look for opportunities to find value in underdogs or other less obvious bets.
6. Use analytics and statistics: Advanced analytics and statistics can provide valuable insights into team and player performance, which can help you make more informed betting decisions.
7. Stay up-to-date on news and events: Keep up-to-date on news and events related to the NBA, such as player trades or injuries, as these can impact the outcome of games and affect your betting decisions.

Betting on NBA games can be an exciting and potentially profitable way to enjoy the sport. Whether you prefer betting on the moneyline, point spread, or over/under, it’s important to do your research, shop for the best odds, and manage your bankroll. By following these tips and making informed betting decisions, you can increase your chances of success and maximize your potential winnings.

Remember to always gamble responsibly and within your means. Good luck with your NBA betting endeavors! See more of our sports betting guides.

How to Bet on NBA FAQ