NBA Predictions, Picks And Tips
Advice on making accurate NBA predictions, finding picks for today's matches and betting tips
By James McMath
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is by far the most popular basketball association in the world, producing the most iconic franchises and players in the history of the sport.
If you’re eager to start betting on the NBA, then we hope this guide gives you the confidence you need to get underway.
This guide will reveal our best NBA betting tips, along with the markets you can bet on, and the mistakes you must avoid making.
Without further ado, let’s jump right into it.
How To Bet On The NBA
The NBA is split into two conferences - the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Both consist of 15 teams organised into three divisions.
The winners of the two conferences meet in the famous NBA Finals - played between May and June.
To make the most out of your NBA betting journey, you must remember to:
Watch The Games
It may sound overly simplistic, but you’ll never become an NBA betting expert without watching the games.
Luckily for you, the enormous popularity of the NBA means that the games are often broadcasted on major TV networks, complete with analysis and breakdowns.
Before you even consider betting on NBA basketball, it’s vital that you dedicate time to watching the games, learning the systems, and polishing up your knowledge on the rules.
There are also several basketball-focused punditry shows where you’ll learn more about certain players and teams. For a holistic introduction to basketball, be sure to watch these as well.
Follow Team News
Injuries and absences can radically upset the balance of an NBA game and turn a favourite into an underdog. Every NBA team, whether it’s the Golden State Warriors or the Boston Celtics, has weaknesses and the absence of even a few key players can make the prospect of facing them a lot less formidable. It's also advisable to stay up to date with expert advice and consider following their basketball betting tips.
Look For Marginal Advantages
Any advantage, no matter how big or small, is welcomed in NBA betting due to its competitiveness and popularity.
One way of seeking an advantage is to simply look at the location of the games. It may sound pedantic, but the sheer size of the USA means that teams have to travel far and wide to play their games.
Some NBA teams play on consecutive nights - meaning, combined with the travel, they can be plagued by fatigue and wear-and-tear. In fact, statistics tell us that home-court advantage is very much a real thing, as the average NBA team has won a whopping 61% of their games at home.
If you’re struggling to pick between two teams, then it’s well-worth going with the home side.
Don’t Overdo It
The NBA season is long and arduous, running from October to April, with the finals being played in either late May or early June.
It’s important to take the occasional hiatus from NBA betting, as you can easily overwork yourself and start betting out of stress rather than enjoyment. For maximum results, focus on quality of bets over quantity.
If you feel you’re starting to make panic-bets, then aim to enjoy parts of the NBA season purely as a fan rather than a punter.
NBA Markets To Bet On
One of the first things you must consider before making your NBA predictions is its betting markets. No matter what your experience level is, there’ll be an appropriate betting market for you somewhere.
Let’s explore the different betting markets you’re likely to come across and what they entail.
NBA Moneyline Bets
By far the most popular form of NBA bets is the moneyline, where the punter decides who’ll win a game.
You’ll often find NBA odds written in the American style, with either plus or minus signs in front of them. If this seems confusing, all you need to remember is that they denote how much you’ll need to spend to win $100.
For example, if you see Golden State Warriors odds displayed as +250, it means a $100 bet on them will land $250 in return, making them the underdog.
A minus sign, however, such as Cleveland Cavaliers odds being -300, then it means they are the underdogs, and a $300 bet will be required to win $100, making them the favourite.
NBA Over/Under Betting
Over/under betting is popular in the NBA for good reason. Not only are they easy to understand, but they’re also a great way to make the betting experience more enjoyable.
Over/under bets are often called ‘totals’, and they involve a punter deciding whether a team or player will score over or under an amount determined by the bookmaker.
NBA Futures Bets
A much more advanced market, futures betting entails predicting what’ll happen in the upcoming season, like who’ll reach the NBA Finals.
Futures bets are only available during the off-season. If you’re successful, then you can be on the receiving end of some very generous odds.
NBA Prop Bets
A great way to test your knowledge of individual NBA players is to utlise prop bets. This betting market will allow you to place wagers on different areas of the game, such as the players’ performances.
If you have a specific player in mind, then you can bet on how many overall points they score along with how many assists they’ll make. Prop bets are best reserved for experienced NBA bettors, but if you know your stuff, they’re well worth a go.
NBA Predictions Summary
The NBA is one of the most famous sports divisions in the world, with billions of viewers across the world.
Betting on NBA basketball involves a fair amount of research, skill, and understanding, but you certainly don’t have to be an expert to start wagering on the games.
Once you’ve decided on a team, your next step will be figuring out the betting markets you’re going to use, and you should consider your experience level before you venture into the more advanced markets.
We hope that this guide has made the prospect of NBA betting a little less daunting. Now that you know the basics, you can start making some bets.
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