There are many different ways to look at how to bet on NBA games, but we thought it would be a good idea to narrow it down to some basic tips you can use to get started. There is also the possibility that you don’t have the time or inclination to research your own games to bet on, in which case we have both free NBA predictions and also NBA expert picks from the best NBA handicappers in the world.
Line Shopping – If you have had any experience betting in the past you know the importance of getting a good line on a game. This is why we advocate having several different sportsbooks to choose from so that you have your pick of NBA lines and odds. Many times a mere half point can be the difference between a winning and losing bet, so give yourself options!
Don’t Put Faith in Trends – Tons of websites and even TV networks like to reference trends in their previews for games. That is all well and good for a history lesson, but these trends should mostly be ignored when you are trying to decide who to bet on. Just because (this is made up, by the way) the Celtics have won 10 in a row on the road after losing by double digits to a division opponent, that doesn’t mean the trend will hold. These trends don’t really tell you anything, they are manufactured after the fact and aren’t logical reasons to wager on team. There are some trends that you can use as a small factor for NBA gambling, but they should play a very small part.
Scheduling is Important – Watch for teams that have long road trips, are playing three games over a four-day stretch, or are coming off of an overtime or big emotional win over a rival. Basketball is an exhausting sport, even for elite athletes. This can cause even good teams to come out flat and shoot poorly, which you can use to your advantage. This is particularly true of top tier teams against the spread. Most people look at a match up and think right away, “That’s an easy win for that team, even on the road”. Don’t fall into this trap, while it may seem like one team is much better than another, there are many other factors that should be considered and scheduling is a big one.
Check the Injury Reports – Anyone can tell you that the Bulls weren’t as good without Michael Joran on the court. That’s not what we are talking about here. You need to look for roll players, specifically those with weak backups. These kinds of injuries and really impact a team, particularly against the spread.
These four tips are pretty basic, but they should give you a pretty decent idea of how you can get started with NBA handicapping. Our expert cappers use much more in-depth analysis to each game, but you’ve got to start somewhere, right?