How To Read NBA Betting Odds

NBA odds are usually shown in American format. This helps bettors quickly see potential profits and how likely an outcome is. Odds can either have a plus (+) or minus (-) sign for favorites and underdogs. Here’s how to read NBA odds:

• Negative NBA Betting Odds (-): These show how much you must bet to get $100. Negative odds mean the team is favored. If the Boston Celtics have an opening line of -150, you must bet $150 to win $100 in profit if they win the game.
• Positive NBA Betting Odds (+): These show how much profit you’ll win from a $100 bet. Positive odds mean the team is the underdog. If the Miami Heat have odds of +200, betting $100 will win you a profit of $200 if they win.

Understanding how to read these odds helps you make informed decisions when placing NBA bets.

Popular NBA Betting Markets

The NBA offers a wide range of options throughout the entire basketball season. These betting options cater to numerous preferences and strategies, from simple bets predicting game winners to more detailed options involving individual players or long-term outcomes. Here’s an overview of the common types of NBA bets:

Moneylines

NBA moneyline bets allow fans to wager on a basketball team to win a game outright without considering the margin of victory. With NBA moneylines, the odds reflect the perceived strength of each team, with favorites displayed as negative odds and underdogs shown as positive odds.

For example, the moneyline odds for a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns look like this:

• Los Angeles Lakers: -150
• Phoenix Suns: +130

With this type of bet, a $150 wager on the Lakers would return $250 if they win. A $100 bet on the Suns would return $230 if they win.

Point Spreads

Point spreads involve wagering on whether a team will win or lose by a specific margin set by the sportsbook. With NBA spreads, the favored team must win by more than the spread, while the underdog must lose by fewer points than the spread or win outright.

For example, the point spread odds for a matchup between the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks might look like this:

• Milwaukee Bucks: -4.5 (-110)
• New York Knicks: +4.5 (-110)

In this example NBA spread, betting on the Bucks requires them to win the game by five or more points for your selection to win. If you bet $110 on Milwaukee and they win by at least five points, they would cover the spread. If you bet $110 on the Knicks, you would win if New York either wins outright or loses by four points or less.

Point Totals (Over/Unders)

NBA point totals involve predicting whether the combined score of the two teams in the same game will be higher (over) or lower (under) than the total number set by the sportsbook.

For example, the over/under odds for a game between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat might look like this:

• Over 220.5: (-110)
• Under 220.5: (-110)

If you bet $110 on the over and the Celtics and Heat combine to score 221 points or more during the NBA Playoffs, your bet wins and you receive $210. If you bet $110 on the under and the teams score 220 points or fewer, your bet pays out, returning the same $210 payout.

Prop Bets

Prop bets allow you to wager on specific events within an NBA game rather than just the final outcome or total points scored. Prop bets can involve individual player performances, team milestones or particular occurrences during an NBA game.

The various NBA prop bets are divided into three categories:

• NBA Game Props: Bets related to team or game-wide events, such as which team will score first.
• NBA Team Props: These props are focused on team-specific outcomes, such as the total number of points scored by one team.
• NBA Player Props: Include various bets on individual player stats, like their number of points, rebounds or assists.

For example, a prop might be whether Stephen Curry will make more than 4.5 three-pointers in a game. If Curry hits five or more three-pointers during the same game, an initial stake of $120 would pay out $220.

Futures & NBA Finals

NBA futures markets involves wagering on significant events and outcomes that will be resolved over the course of the regular season or at the conclusion of the season, rather than on the immediate results of a game. Basketball futures allow sports fans to make predictions about the league’s overarching trends, team dynamics and individual player performances.

Futures are attractive due to the potential for larger payouts, as NBA futures odds can change significantly throughout the season. The main areas of focus for futures include:

• NBA Championship Winner: This is the quintessential NBA futures option, where wagerers pick the team they believe will win the NBA Finals. The NBA Championship odds are updated throughout the entire season to reflect shifts in team performances, injuries and other factors that might affect a team’s NBA Finals odds.
• Conference Champions: Sports fans can also place futures bets on the NBA team to win the Eastern or Western Conference. These options offer a way to capitalize on a team’s success even if they don’t win the NBA Finals.
• Division Winners: Bettors can gamble on teams to finish the regular season at the top of their respective divisions. Odds reflect the strength of each team within its division.
• Individual Awards: NBA futures bets can also target individual achievements, such as who will be named the Most Valuable Player (MVP), Rookie of the Year or Defensive Player of the Year.

NBA futures offer an engaging way to participate in betting beyond the scope of single games. By making predictions about the season’s major outcomes, bettors can find value in the long-term developments in the NBA.

Parlays

Parlays involve combining multiple bets into a single wager to get more money compared to placing bets separately. All options included in the parlay must hit for you to be able to cash out. Even one losing leg will cause the entire parlay to lose. There are both multi-game parlays and same-game parlays available.

For example, you create a three-team NBA parlay at your preferred online sports betting site:

• Denver Nuggets Moneyline (-200)
• Golden State Warriors -5.5 (-110)
• Celtics vs. Heat Over 215.5 (-110)

If all three outcomes of this multi-game parlay are correct, a $100 wager could return around $500 in profit. However, if even one selection fails, you lose the full $100 bet. Parlays offer bigger payouts but carry greater risk.

Live Betting Odds

Live betting allows you to place wagers on NBA games while the action unfolds in real time. Odds update continuously based on how the game progresses, offering sports bettors ongoing opportunities to react to momentum shifts, injuries or scoring runs.

Examples of live NBA betting options include:

• Next team to score
• Live point spreads and totals
• Player performance props (e.g., total points scored)

For instance, if the Los Angeles Clippers fall behind the Sacramento Kings early, their live moneyline odds might shift from -120 to +150. A $100 bet placed on the Clippers at these adjusted odds would pay out $250 if they make a comeback.

NBA Betting Tips & Strategies

Successful NBA betting requires more than luck; it demands research and discipline. These tips can help you maximize your chances of success at your preferred sports betting site:

• Track NBA Line Movement: Monitor how the NBA odds shift leading up to a game. Sharp movements in the NBA betting line often indicate where experienced bettors are placing their money.
• Monitor Injury Reports: Check player injury updates regularly, as these can significantly impact team performance and betting odds. Late scratches or returns from injury can shift game dynamics.
• Get the Best Odds: Compare NBA odds across multiple online sportsbooks with our NBA odds page to ensure you’re getting the best odds possible. Popular options include Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook.
• Consider Using Our NBA Picks: We provide NBA picks designed to help you identify valuable opportunities and improve your chances of success. Leveraging these sports picks can save you time year-round.

With these tips, you can approach games with greater confidence and improve your chances of successful NBA betting at sportsbooks.

Conclusion

By staying informed about team dynamics, player performances and other key factors, bettors can improve their ability to make informed decisions and identify valuable NBA betting opportunities at their preferred online sportsbooks.

NBA Odds: Frequently Asked Questions

Is basketball hard to bet on?

Basketball betting can be challenging due to variables like player injuries, team dynamics and unpredictable game outcomes. Knowledge of the sport, teams and consistent analysis can improve your chances of success.

How do you read basketball odds?

To read basketball odds, look for a positive or negative number next to each team’s name. A negative number indicates the favorite and shows how much you need to bet to get $100. A positive number indicates the underdog, showing how much you get if you bet $100.

How accurate are NBA odds?

NBA odds are assigned by expert oddsmakers, reflecting a variety of factors, including team performance, statistical data and scheduling. Historical data shows that the over/under betting lines are particularly precise, with the over winning 49.7% and the under hitting 50.3% since 2003.

What is the easiest bet on the NBA?

The “easiest” bet in the NBA is subjective, but many consider betting on the moneyline for a strong favorite to be the simplest as it involves picking the outright winner of the game. However, while the likelihood of winning may be higher, the potential payout is usually lower for heavy favorites.

Are NBA teasers worth it?

NBA teasers can be worth it for experienced bettors who understand how to adjust point spreads to their advantage. However, these bets often involve multiple games and require all selections to hit. They are generally less popular than NFL teasers due to the higher-scoring nature of basketball games.

Can I bet on the NBA Draft?

Yes, major sportsbooks like Caesars, DraftKings and FanDuel Sportsbook offer betting odds on the NBA Draft. Bets can include the first overall pick, player draft positions or how many players from certain colleges will be selected. Check with your preferred sportsbooks for available NBA Draft betting markets.