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So you want to bet on the NBA. You aren’t alone. The sport has risen in popularity over the years and has overtaken MLB as the country’s second-most popular league, only trailing the NFL.
As is the case with any sport, betting on the NBA isn’t easy. On top of all the moving parts and variables, you won’t find a league that has more last-second additions to the injury report. These factors, and more, make betting on basketball especially complicated.
Fortunately, there are some strategies that you can employ to give yourself a better chance of cashing in. Use the tips listed below and embrace the process – you’ll find success in no time.
Look for Rest Advantages
One of the first things to look for when you’re preparing to place a bet is whether or not any of the teams playing that night are on the second night of a back-to-back. Fatigue plays a major role in overall performance in the NBA, and that’s only exacerbated by the modern game’s increased pace of play.
If a team is playing for the second night in a row, it’s worth checking the injury report, too. Injury-prone stars may be held out of one of the two games to limit the damage, so you could be getting a vastly different version of the team on a nightly basis. The 76ers are a much different beast when Joel Embiid is on the floor compared to when he’s resting on the bench.
If one team has a rest advantage, it’s usually a good idea to bet on them to win the game (or cover, depending on what you’re looking to bet). For totals, it can go either way. Some teams are much worse on defense when playing on short rest, while others allow fewer points because they deliberately slow the pace.
Always Check the Stats
While it’s usually a safe bet to back the team that has a rest advantage, it’s worth checking the stats before doing so. Some teams play their best basketball on back-to-backs and will punish opposing teams (and bettors) for taking them lightly.
Take this year’s San Antonio Spurs, for example. As of February 10, they’re 7-3 when playing on zero days of rest and 7-6 after two rest days. As one of the league’s best defensive teams, this doesn’t come as a huge surprise. Still, their ability to lock-in and shrug off fatigue is something that can’t be overlooked.
Consider Betting Trends
Trends can be a useful tool to utilize when you’re torn between two options. A team’s win-loss record is easy to identify, but what about their performance against the spread? How about how often they go over or under their projected scoring totals?
OddsTrader’s NBA standings page has those records and more. It can help you identify potential mismatches that aren’t visible upon first glance. For example, the Cleveland Cavaliers have one of the NBA’s best win-loss records but rank inside the bottom five against the spread. A matchup with the Utah Jazz might look like a blowout on paper – until you realize that the Jazz have one of the league’s best ATS marks.
There’s endless information out there. Use it to your advantage.
Keep Sample Sizes in Mind
Trends can be an important part of your decision-making process, but it’s important to consider sample size when basing your picks around them. The longer the NBA season goes on, the better picture we’ll have of how a team truly performs.
Therefore, a team’s record against the spread one month into the season might not be an accurate representation of their true ability.
At the same time, trends can only go so far, and upsets happen all the time. While they can absolutely be helpful, it’s important that you don’t rely too heavily on one individual factor. Find multiple reasons why a team is worth a bet.
Don’t Venture Outside Your Comfort Zone
It can be tempting to jump from one NBA market to the next, especially if a certain line looks appealing. Unless you have experience in that area, though, it may be best to hold off – or at least limit your wager size.
NBA betting markets are designed to look simple to win. It’s easy to talk yourself into betting on small spreads or low numbers on player props. But if you’re strictly in this to make money, it’s best to avoid trying something new.
Check With an Expert for Help
If you are looking to try a new market – maybe you want to switch from spreads to props, for example – it may be worth checking in with the experts for advice first. OddsTrader has top-rated NBA picks and player props available each day of the season, giving you an opportunity to access essential knowledge and tips.
Choose the Best Sportsbook
If you’re an experienced bettor, you know that sportsbooks don’t offer the same odds on every bet. And while those subtle differences don’t make much of an impact in the short-term, they absolutely add up over the weeks, months and years that you spend betting.
The best sportsbook isn’t one sportsbook. It’s multiple. The book that offers the most favorable price on a bet one day will have the worst odds for a different market. Knowing these differences and capitalizing on these opportunities is key to long-term success.
Our NBA odds grid does the hard work for you, displaying live betting lines for every game each day of the season.
Reduced Juice is Your Friend
One perk of using offshore sportsbooks is that many of them offer reduced juice, or more favorable betting odds, on NBA games. Sites like Heritage Sports and BetAnything are known to price standard -110 bets closer to -108 or -105, giving you more of an edge than you would have at a regulated sportsbook.
Check out our list of the best international sportsbooks to get started. The extra spending power is well worth making the switch.
