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It wasn’t that many years ago first-half betting in the NBA was just an afterthought by the top-rated sportsbooks. How they decided on a line or a total was as simplistic as this:
Game Side – Boston -6
First Half Line – Boston -3.5
Totals were determined this way:
Game Total – 220
First Half Total – 110.5
As sharp bettors began figuring this out, two halves of a game can be completely different. (Not that oddsmakers didn’t know that, they were just more interested in making halftime numbers for those wagering on the second half.)
However, in the world we live in, there is more information than many of us can digest and the level of sophistication about betting on NBA first halves has risen dramatically. No longer are elements just divided by two. Now we can find out almost anywhere who are the best and worst pro basketball squads for any aspect of first-half wagering.
The oddsmakers have the same or better information and they set the numbers accordingly. Yet, just like any sportsbook line, it is possible to beat, that’s why looking for unique situations can give you a potential edge. Let’s look at a few of them.
Follow Teams Schedules
The team’s schedule can significantly impact NBA first-half betting. Consider whether a team has time to rest or is feeling fatigued. Check if they’re on a road trip or in the midst of a long home stand. Teams on road trips or those playing back-to-back games might take time to find their rhythm at the start of their next contest.
A team returning from a lengthy road trip could be overly comfortable at home and start slow in their first game back. This is not designed to bet blindly, but rather, fitting a specific trait.
Maybe a club is on a five-game road trip and in the first three, they started slow each time but came back to win twice. The head coach might implore his club to have greater focus in the next outing and if they are catching points, that might be an ideal betting spot.
Find Different Situations to Profit From
As with all aspects of sports betting, various components can affect teams differently. Always take the time to review a team’s past performances. Certain pro basketball teams may excel during the first half of back-to-back games, carrying momentum from the previous night or maintaining a steady rhythm. However, they might falter in the second half due to fatigue, which wouldn’t impact your first-half wager.
On the flip side, teams coming off an extended break might struggle despite what seems like a favorable situation. They may need time to find their collective rhythm, creating an opportunity to bet against them in the first half.
First Half Playoff Bets are a Must Before the Finals
Betting teams playing in five or seven-game series will often flummox basketball bettors. There are natural swings from game to game and let’s be honest, there are no soft numbers with so few games for linemakers to focus on.
That’s where first-half betting can help deliver an edge from game to game. Say a home favorite loses the series opener by 15 points. The oddsmaker will shade the home team by possibly two points or more for Game 2. And they might even add those two points in the first half line depending on the skill difference between the two combatants.
Nevertheless, generally, if it’s two points for the game, the number will land one to 1.5 points higher for the opening two quarters which is one basket from a highly motivated club. The added will to win can cover many first-half wagers in revenge mode if the teams are even remotely close talent-wise.
