If you’re a fan of the NBA, you know how exciting the games can get. But if you’re looking to take your betting to the next level, it’s not just about relying on luck. Whether you’re new to betting or you’ve been at it for a while, having a solid strategy is key. In this article, we’ll walk through some useful tips and strategies to help you bet smarter and make the most out of your NBA experience. We’ll look at how a VSiN subscription can help you take your game to another level.
Know the different types of NBA bets available
Before we dive into strategy, let’s take a quick look at the most common types of NBA bets you’ll come across:
- Spread: This bet involves picking which team will cover the spread. The favorite has to win by a certain number of points, while the underdog can either win or lose by a margin smaller than the spread.
- Moneyline: Straightforward and simple — this bet is all about picking the winner of the game, no spread involved.
- Over/Under (Totals): You’re betting on whether the combined score of both teams will go Over or Under a set number.
- Prop bets: These are fun bets on specific events in the game, like how many points a player will score or how many 3s a team will make.
Do as much research as you can
When it comes to NBA betting, doing your homework is crucial. There are a lot of moving parts in a game — injuries, recent play and scheduling spots can all play a role in the outcome. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Check for injuries: A key injury can completely alter the flow of a game, so make sure you’re up-to-date on player statuses before placing your bets. The NBA releases injury reports regularly on their official website, and we also have a VSiN NBA Injury Report page that updates frequently.
- Look at team trends: Take note of how both teams have been playing recently. Are they on a hot streak or struggling? Trends can give you insight into how a game might unfold.
- Study the matchup: Teams all play differently. Some teams might have a solid defense that can shut down high-scoring offenses. Knowing how the teams match up can help you make a more informed bet.
- Be aware of a team’s recent schedule: One of the best things you can do when betting the NBA is fade (oppose) teams playing the second night of back-to-backs, or three games in four days. Even the best teams in basketball get tired, or just mentally exhausted.
Don’t overlook the value of betting underdogs
While everyone tends to flock to betting on the favorites, betting on the underdog can actually offer more value. Here’s why you might want to give the underdog a shot:
- Home underdogs: Home teams often have an edge, even if they’re not favored to win. That home-court advantage can be key. We have done some studies on the true impact of home-court advantage at VSiN.
- Injuries to favorites: If the favorite is dealing with injuries or playing on back-to-back nights, the underdog could step up and outperform expectations. Sometimes taking the points with the underdog and putting a little pizza money on the moneyline can pay off huge.
Use advanced stats to give yourself a massive edge
For those who enjoy diving into numbers, advanced stats can provide a deeper look at the game. We regularly reference adjusted offensive and defensive rating at the network. Those numbers show how well a team is scoring and defending per 100 possessions, adjusted for strength of schedule. They tell a lot more about a team’s ability than traditional statistics.
Dunks & Threes is a good, affordable resource for NBA bettors. However, free advanced statistics are regularly available at NBA.com, and the numbers come from the highly-respected Second Spectrum. The stats on the NBA’s website are great for betting player props. While looking at traditional assists per game and rebounds per game can be useful, the NBA offers numbers like potential assists and rebound chances. Those can give you a better understanding of a player’s role, or overall opportunities when it comes to reaching certain prop totals. If a player averages a lot of potential assists per game and isn’t quite racking up assists, they might be due for better luck and bigger games.
Cleaning The Glass is another valuable website for bettors. They offer their own efficiency numbers for teams, but they allow you to sort by date to see a specific sample you might be looking for. Also, you can see how efficient a team is when shooting mid-range shots, corner 3s and other things of that nature. You can also see how effective teams are in defending those shots. If used correctly, you can get a very detailed look at how a game might play out. Actual NBA teams use those numbers.
Become a VSiN subscriber and take advantage of our remarkable tools
- Watch/listen to our live VSiN programming: Check out our live shows on YouTube TV or download the VSiN Watch app. We’re also available on Roku TV and Fire TV. You can also listen to our shows with iHeartRadio, or in podcast form at Spotify. And we’re back on SiriusXM radio, so make sure you check us out on channel 158! Our talented hosts, analysts and guests regularly discuss how they’re betting on the NBA, whether that’s each night’s action or how they’re approaching the futures market.
- Use our NBA Prop Bet Analyzers: Our prop betting tool is a must for anybody looking for action on specific players. You get a look at how each player has done in regards to their points, rebounds, assists, 3-pointers and player combo props this season. So, whether you’re looking at Overs or Unders, you should have a good idea about how each player has done all year. There’s even a way to sort by ROI, so you can see how profitable it is to back any player that is playing on any given evening.
- Look at our exclusive VSiN Power Ratings: Our analytics guru Steve Makinen does an unbelievable job with all sports, but his NBA power ratings are excellent. Get a feel for how good each team really is, and see if his projected spreads and totals for each game match up with what the Vegas odds have on our matchup pages! Those matchup pages also have some very valuable betting trends!
- Check out our team betting summaries and referee betting summaries: We have a page that shows you how every team has performed with certain bets throughout the season. For hardcore bettors, you can also take a look at how each NBA referee can impact betting.
- Be on the lookout for all of our written NBA content: Not only does Makinen play a big hand in building out our excellent suite of tools, but he also writes a daily article highlighting some can’t-miss betting systems. We also regularly have daily NBA best bets and player props articles posted to our NBA page, as well as some features on big stories that shake up the Association.
Track your bets and make adjustments
To really improve your betting game, keep track of your wagers. Keeping a log of your bets will help you notice patterns and adjust your strategy moving forward:
- Identify what’s working: Maybe you’re hitting on Overs more often, or you find success betting on certain teams. Knowing what works helps you fine-tune your strategy.
- Learn from losses: Not every bet will be a win, and that’s part of the game. The key is to learn from your losses, refine your approach and keep improving.
Be smart about managing your bankroll
One of the most important parts of betting is managing your bankroll. Getting carried away and betting too much can quickly ruin your chances. Here’s how to stay in control:
- Set a betting budget: Decide how much you’re comfortable risking before you start betting, and stick to it. Betting more than you can afford to lose is a surefire way to get burned. If you catch yourself going down a bad path, there’s help out there and you shouldn’t hesitate to make the call.
- Bet smaller amounts: Many successful bettors bet a small percentage of their bankroll on each game — typically around 1-5%. This helps you ride out losing streaks without depleting your funds.
- Don’t chase losses: If you’re having a rough stretch, don’t try to make up for it with bigger bets. Stick to your plan and don’t let emotion guide your decisions.
Conclusion
Betting on the NBA can be both exciting and profitable if you approach it the right way. With some research, an understanding of different betting types, careful bankroll management and a data-driven approach, you can increase your chances of making smart bets. While there are no guarantees in betting, following these strategies can give you a better shot at success. Cashin’ tickets is what it’s all about.
