Basketball Betting: Picks, Odds, & Tips
Online Basketball Betting
As one of the most popular sports in the US, basketball betting is set to explode as online sports betting spreads across the country.
Both the NBA and NCAA are ripe full of great betting opportunities if you have the right online basketball betting strategy.
To learn more about betting on basketball online and how to bet on basketball betting apps, explore this site.
NBA Online Betting
NBA betting odds gives you the chance to wager on your favorite NBA teams with both pre-match and live basketball betting options available at most sportsbooks.
In general NBA betting odds are very similar from sportsbook to sportsbook. Pre-match bets generally feature a wide range of NBA betting odds on markets such as NBA lines, handicaps, over/under, half time winner, and other prop bets.
Regular season, playoff games and even preseason games are all available for betting at the top betting sites with special bets on the All-star game, NBA Finals betting and NBA Draft odds available as well.
How to Bet on Basketball
Basketball, with its fast-paced action and adrenaline-pumping moments, attracts millions of fans around the world. For sports enthusiasts looking to add an extra layer of excitement to their viewing experience, online betting on basketball offers a thrilling opportunity. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of online basketball betting and provide you with the tools and knowledge necessary to make informed decisions and maximize your chances of success.
Understanding the Basics
Before diving into the intricacies of online basketball betting, it is essential to understand the basic concepts that govern this exciting pursuit. Betting on basketball involves predicting the outcome of a game or specific events within a game and placing wagers accordingly. From moneyline bets to point spreads and over/under totals, there are various types of bets available to cater to different preferences and strategies.
Research Is Key
Just like any other form of investment, successful basketball betting requires thorough research and analysis. Familiarize yourself with the teams, players, and trends in the league. Stay updated on injuries, lineup changes, and other factors that could influence the outcome of a game. By arming yourself with knowledge, you can make more informed decisions and increase your chances of winning.
Utilize Different Betting Strategies
One of the keys to successful basketball betting is to diversify your strategies and adapt to different situations. Whether you prefer betting on the point spread, player props, or live betting during the game, explore various options to find what works best for you. Consider factors such as home-court advantage, recent performance, and head-to-head matchups when formulating your approach.
Manage Your Bankroll Wisely
One of the most critical aspects of online basketball betting is effective bankroll management. Set a budget for your bets and stick to it, regardless of winning or losing streaks. Avoid chasing losses or wagering more than you can afford to lose. By maintaining discipline and managing your bankroll sensibly, you can ensure a sustainable and enjoyable betting experience.
Stay Informed and Adapt
The world of basketball is dynamic, with unexpected outcomes and surprises waiting to unfold. Stay informed about the latest developments in the league and be prepared to adapt your strategies as needed. Keep an eye on line movements, odds fluctuations, and market trends to capitalize on potential opportunities and stay ahead of the competition.
Register for Online Basketball Betting
To bet on basketball you will first have to register for a betting account at a sportsbook of your choice and fund your account.
After you have successfully funded your account you may use the following step by step guide to place a bet:
- Click on the odds of the basketball game you would like to wager on.
- The odds will pop-up on a betting slip on the side of your browser or app.
- Type in the amount you would like to wager into the bet amount field.
- Click on the ‘Place Bet’ button to complete the bet.
- In the case of parlay bets, you may click on all the games you would like to parlay and type in the wager account into the ‘Parlay’ or ‘Accumulator’ field.
Where to Bet on Basketball?
Basketball betting is available at all sports betting venues in the US, with both NBA lines and college basketball betting available on a daily basis.
In general, NBA betting odds are quite similar amongst most sports betting sites due to the standardization of odds.
Although some online platforms have been known to offer NBA odds and college odds than others.
The following is a list of four of the top online basketball betting sportsbooks currently available in the US for bettors:
bet365
FanDuel Sportsbook
BetRivers
BetMGM
Online Betting Picks For All Sports
Betting Terms
- Action: To place a bet or make a wager on a game.
Example: I’m in action; I have $500.00 on the Miami Heat to cover the point spread. - Analysis: In depth look at a specific game before making a wager.
Example: My analysison the Lakers versus Celtics is telling me the Lakers should win this game. - Bad Beat: A wager that is tough to forget because of how the game was lost.
Example: I really thought I was going to win my bet, but suffered a bad beat when the Dallas Mavericks made a half court shot at the end of the game. - Back Door Cover: A team that scores meaningless points after the game had all but been decided.
Example: After the Magic pulled their starters, the Kings got a back door cover, scoring the games final ten points. - Back-To-Back-To-Back: Three games in three consecutive nights.
Example: The 76ers are playing well, but it will be tough for them to win this game because it is the third game of a back-to-back-to-back. - Bettors Perspective: A Gamblers viewpoint and opinion on a game.
Example: The Raptors should easily win this game, but from a bettors perspective, the Nets will cover the point spread. - Buzzer Beater: A shot that is made right before time expires at the end of a half or game.
Example: He made a buzzer beater shot at the end of the game to win and cover. - Chalk: Referred to as the favorite.
Example: I am laying the chalk on this game. - Cigar Piece: A wager that was never in doubt.
Example: When the Bulls were leading by 20 at the end of the 1st quarter, I knew this game was a cigar piece. - Cold: A streak of losing wagers.
Example: I have been socold in my last 10 games that I have only picked 1 winner. - Collect: After winning a wager you can cash in your ticket for the money you placed on the game.
Example: Before I make my next bet I need to collect from the game I won earlier. - Cover: Win the game by more points then you laid or lose by fewer points then you had taken.
Example: The Pacers won the game by 19 points and were only favored by 4, so it was an easy coverfor them. - Edge: Having favorable odds on a specific game.
Example: Betting that line at -5 really gave me the edge to win my bet. - Factor: Something or someone that will contribute to the end result
Example: Losing that player in the 1st quarter was the mainfactor the team lost. - Favorite: A team that is expected to win a game.
Example: Los Angeles is the favoriteagainst Sacramento. - Handicapper: To research and analyze games in order to predict the end results.
Example: He is a great handicapperbecause he wins 65% of his selections. - Hook: Referred to as a half of a point.
Example: I was laying 8.5 on the game and they only won by 8 – I lost by a hook. - Hot: A streak of winning wagers.
Example: I have been so hot lately, every game I place a bet on, I win. - Juice: The built in fee by the bookmakers when placing a bet.
Example: If it wasn’t for the juice I would have broke even with my 2 bets. - Lay: Betting a game on the favorite.
Example: I am going to lay the -8 on the Grizzles to win. - Line: The set number to determine what a team should in by.
Example: The lineon the Pacers to win is at -5 over the Bucks. - Line Move: When the odds on a game shift before the game goes off.
Example: The Kings were bet heavy at -5 about an hour ago, so there was a line move on that game and they are now -7. - Lob City: Nickname of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Example: The Clippers highlights are always on TV because they keep showing the Lob City style of dunks. - Lock: A sure fire winner before the game is played.
Example: I am betting on the Pacers because they are a lock to win the game. - Make A Play: To place a bet.
Example: I love the Warriors at +6; I am going to make a play before the line moves. - Matchup: A game between to specific teams.
Example: The matchup between the Rockets and Spurs is even. - Money Line: To bet on a game without using a point spread, but having to either lay or take more money depending on the side you bet on.
Example: I didn’t want to bet the Wizards at +6, I thought there was more value taking them on the money line at +180. - Money Management: To control and have a designed system when placing wagers.
Example: If it weren’t for proper money management I would have lost everything by now. - Odds: The mathematical number for a team to win.
Example: Theodds on the Celtics to win the Championship are 10 to 1. - Odds Maker: The person that sets the lines on games.
Example: Because New York is on a winning streak, the Odds-maker has inflated the line. - Off The Board: A line on a particular game is not available.
Example: The matchup between the Rockets and Jazz is off the board. - Public Betting: A novice gambler also known as a square that makes a wager with little analysis on a game.
Example: All the money bet on Orlando is from the Public Betting them at -2 points even though their main player is injured. - Point spread: A projected number of points by the Odds Maker in which the favorite is given to defeat the underdog.
Example: The point spread is -8 on the favorite tonight. - Power Ratings/Rankings: A formula that determines the strength of a team’s performance. The NJ Nets are a last place team in their division and in the
Example: power rankings that are 2nd to last in the entire league. - Prediction: A forecast of the final score or what team will win and cover.
Example: My prediction is the Hornets will win easily win this game. - Push: When the point spread falls exactly on the number resulting in not winning or not losing the bet.
Example: The Hawks were giving 6 and won the game 107-101, so my bet was a push. - Run-And-Gun: A team with a fast style of offensive play with very little defense.
Example: The Suns are a run-and-gun team; all they worry about is scoring. - Running up the score: A team that continues to score points even though the outcome has all but been decided.
Example: The Grizzles were running up the score, even though they were leading by 20 points with three minutes left in the game. - Sharp: An experienced bettor with more knowledge than the average gambler.
Example: He is really sharpwith his plays; no one else bet the Nets on the money line to win outright. - Slate: The games that are set on any given day.
Example: Today’s slate of games is all Eastern Conference teams playing Western Conference. - Stingy: Referred to a team that doesn’t give up a lot of points.
Example: Boston has a stingy defense they only give up 89 points per game. - Syndicate: A group of people who work jointly to gamble with a goal of winning money betting on games.
Example: There is a Syndicate out of Vegas that only bets on the totals in the NBA. - Totals (OVER/UNDER): The set number by the Odds Makers for bettors to wager by either going above or below the projected final score.
Example: I am going to make my play on the OVER the total of 187 as I think both teams are capable of scoring a lot points. - Trends: A continued process worth noting.
Example: When the Spurs are playing at home after a loss the trend is 10-0 in their last ten games that they will win. - Underdog: A team that is expected to lose a game.
Example: The Charlotte Bobcats are an underdogagainst the Chicago Bulls. - Value: A team that had favorable odds to win or cover a game.
Example: There is a lot of value with the Knicks as an underdog in this game. - Vigorish or Vig: A percentage (usually 10%) added when a gambler makes a bet.
Example: I had to lay $20.00 in vig ($220) to win $200 on the Hornets to win. - Wager: To risk money to win more money of a game.
Example: I am going to make a wager of $300 on the Suns to win this game tonight. - Wise Guy: An experienced bettor capable of moving the line.
Example: I heard after a wise guy made is bet, the line jumped 2 points.