Betting on the NBA is such an exhilarating experience right from the moment you first get into it, but your success is highly dependent on how you approach it – so it’s worth doing it well. At first, differentiating between the different types of NBA bets and reading the odds might seem a bit foreign, but we all need to start somewhere. Over time, as you gain experience, you’ll learn the do’s and don’ts and eventually find your way in the world of betting on the NBA. Before you get there, following basic betting tips on the NBA is your best bet for making a successful wager.
Learn the game
The first thing we’d encourage you to do is learn the game inside and out. The NBA is fast-paced and action-packed, and if you don’t know what's going on, you might find it difficult to place informed bets. Start by learning the rules. Here are some of the basic rules that you need to know:
Only five players are on the court at a time
One team needs to score more points than the other to win
Teams have limited time to play the ball before they need to shoot (24 seconds for NBA and WNBA and 30 seconds for NCAA).
Players need to dribble consistently and pass when they come to a stop
Once a team scores, the other team has 5 seconds to inbound the ball
Defenders cannot interfere with a shot on a downward trajectory
The defenders are allowed to block or steal the ball
Defenders need to leave the basket area after 3 seconds
Each team is allowed a certain number of fouls
Illegal contact with another player is considered an offence and results in a foul
Violating the game's administrative rules triggers a technical foul
These are only a few of the rules you need to know. From there, we suggest familiarising yourself with a team's playing style and tactics, too. Having a good understanding of the game provides you with a firm foundation from which you can read the game and make good betting decisions.
Bet early
A great way to get ahead in the NBA betting market is to bet early. Betting early helps you catch the line mistakes made by bookmakers before they’re adjusted closer to tip-off. As a result, you may get better odds during the game. As more information comes in, the lines might get tougher to beat. Betting early helps you avoid this altogether. Remember, when it comes to sports betting, you’re not just competing against other bettors but also the bookmaker. So, you need to be wise about how and when you place your bets.
Keep up-to-date with injury reports
Injuries matter a lot in the NBA! If a key player in a team is injured, it can have a significant impact on that team's ability to perform at consistent standards. Fortunately, with the NBA being so well supported, team injuries will be on the local sports news or online extremely fast, so you’ll always have access to this information.
Checking reports and press conferences is also a place to get the scoop on upcoming game plans. Coaches will often drop easter eggs regarding their upcoming matches. While you can’t base your whole betting strategy on this, having an idea where the team is going can be helpful. A good way to get all the latest NBA tips is to check out sites like Ladbrokes.
Look for back-to-backs
The NBA tries to avoid setting up teams to have back-to-back games, but sometimes, it’s impossible, and certain teams are forced to play a back-to-back game. This presents an opportunity for you. When teams play back-to-back games, they’re generally tired and might slack on their performance a bit. You can take advantage of this by betting on the greater odds. While this may not happen too often, taking advantage of it when it does could be quite lucrative for you. But again, it’s a gamble, so be sure to check other stats before making a decision.
Pay attention to the totals
When you’re betting on totals, pace and the number of possessions in a game play a big role in the outcomes. Teams that play at faster paces generally have a higher score ratio, even if their offensive ratings aren’t high. Consider the teams playing and how long they travelled to get to where they’re playing. You want to try to determine what the pace of the game will be and which team will most likely control this pace. Likewise, check how efficient their offence and defence is as well before you bet on totals.
Live betting
Live betting allows you to get involved in the game's action. As the games go on, the odds change based on what’s happening in the game. An essential player could get hurt in the first 5 minutes, which could change the game's trajectory. As a punter, you need to be able to spot these changes and make bets based on them. This is called live betting, allowing you to bet as the game is in progress. To use your time effectively, try to place live bets during commercials so you don’t miss any details. Also, remember to keep an eye on team rotations. This can also have an impact on the odds.
Final Thoughts
Remember the golden rule of betting: don’t spend money you don’t have or aren’t willing to lose. While betting is a calculated endeavour, it’s still largely based on chance. Meaning there’s a chance you could win or lose. You need to go in with this in mind so that betting becomes a hobby that you enjoy and not a reliance.
