Betting NBA games can be a fun and exciting way to make some extra money. But before you start risking your dollars, it’s essential to understand exactly what the different bet types mean.
In this article, we will explain each type of bet and how they work so that you can determine which ones are best for your wagering style.
Moneyline Bets
Moneyline bets, also known as straight-up bets, are among the most popular bet types in the NBA. With a moneyline wager, you simply choose the side you believe will win the game outright and place your wager on that team.
The amount of money you win is determined by how much the odds favor your chosen team; if the odds are 1:1 (+100), then you will win whatever amount you wagered. If there’s a minus in front of the number, you have to put down that much money to win $100 back. For example, if a team is favored by -230, you must put down $230 to win $100 back.
The opposite holds true with a plus number. If a team is +180 and they win, that means for every $100 you spend, you win $180 back.
Point Spread Bets
With point-spread bets, you are essentially betting on the margin of victory for either team. The “spread” is a number set by the bookmakers to even out the odds between two teams that may be mismatched in talent or form. When you make a point-spread bet, you must decide which team will win by more than the set spread. You lose your bet if your chosen team does not cover the number.
Point spreads can range anywhere from 1 to sometimes 20 points, typically based on books’ calculations of how much a particular team should be favored over another. For example, if the Oklahoma City Thunder is playing the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Oklahoma City Thunder odds are -4.5, they are the favorite and must win by five points or more for you to win your wager. If you like the Lakers at +4.5, you would win as long as they don’t lose the game by five points or more.
Totals (Over/Under) Bets
You are betting on whether the total combined score of both sides will be more than or less than a specified amount established by the bookies. This number is typically based on how many points each team is projected to score and can range from 175 to 250 points depending on the matchup. If you think that the combined score of both teams will exceed the set number, then you would want to play the over.
When wagering on totals, consider factors like player injuries, offensive and defensive rankings, points per game, and how well each team has been playing recently. For example, if one team has been playing particularly well lately and their star player is healthy, then they may have higher chances of scoring more points than expected; likewise, if one team is struggling and their star player is injured, then they may not be able to keep up with their opponents as well as usual.
Parlay Bets
Parlays are an attractive option for NBA bettors looking to multiply their winnings. With parlay bets, you link two or more moneyline, point-spread, or totals (over/under) bets together in the same wager. If all of your parlay picks win, your rewards will be much more than if you had placed each wager individually.
However, if even one of your picks fails to win, the entire parlay will fail, and you will lose your wager. One popular strategy with parlays is to combine two “sure thing” bets—like a heavily favored team at home against a team with a losing streak—with one long-shot wager that has higher potential rewards. This way, even if one of the safer picks fails to cover the spread or whatever criteria must be met for success, you still have a chance of winning something if your long shot comes through.
For example, say you take the Lakers at -4.5 against the Knicks at home and pick the Thunder at +7 against the Warriors on their home court. If both teams cover their respective spreads, then your parlay bet has paid off, and you can enjoy more significant returns than if you had placed those same picks as separate wagers.
Futures and Props Bets
With a futures wager, you are betting on an event that will take place in days, months, or years. An example of this would be betting on which team will win the NBA championship before the season even starts. This type of bet can offer great rewards but carries a lot of risk due to the uncertain nature of teams’ performances throughout the season.
Prop bets, also known as propositions, usually focus on the overall performance of a team or player. For instance, you could make a prop bet as to how many points Steph Curry will score in a given game or if they will achieve a triple-double. You can also play the over/under on a specific team’s first half or total game points.
Final Thoughts
No matter which type of bet you decide to make, it is important to do your homework before placing any wagers. Be sure to keep track of critical stats like recent form and trends, injuries, and head-to-head matchups between teams, as these can all impact your chances of making money with NBA betting.
Hi! I’m Bryan, and I’m a passionate & expert writer with more than five years of experience. I have written about various topics such as product descriptions, travel, cryptocurrencies, and online gaming in my writing journey. The latter is one of my favorites topics, and you can find some of my premium casino content at OUSC.