The following NBA betting trends are a collection of analytical data, betting systems and strength ratings featured on VSiN and qualified for the NBA games of Friday, October 31, 2025. This report is meant to emulate the process that Steve Makinen and other members of the VSiN Analytics team undergo when handicapping each day’s NBA board.

 

AJ’s Angles

These are the top NBA betting trends and systems for today’s games, handpicked by VSiN Analyst AJ Makinen. 

* NEW ORLEANS is on a big 13-5 SU and 16-2 ATS run in the series versus LAC
Trend Match (PLAY): NEW ORLEANS (+10.5 at LAC) 

* In WC Northwest divisional games, home underdogs are on a 12-13 SU and 19-6 ATS (76%) run since early November 2024.
System Match (PLAY): PORTLAND (+4.5 vs DEN) 

NBA Streak Betting System #10: Teams having lost their last four games or more have been a solid wager when they are a capable offensive team, as those scoring 114 PPG or more are on an 85-90 SU but 100-73-3 ATS (57.8%) surge.
System Matches (PLAY ALL): TORONTO (+6.5 at CLE), PHOENIX (-2.5 vs UTA)

Schedule Situations Crucial for NBA Handicapping

The following is an expanded version of the article published in this year’s VSiN NBA Betting Guide, detailing scheduling situations in which teams have shown definitive patterns over the last few seasons. Typically, there are reasons that teams perform at varying levels based on their schedules, whether that be from the amount of rest they’ve gotten before a game, how fatigued they are from a string of games, or how they deal with injuries/workloads based on the schedule pressures. 

* NBA teams playing on road in One Day Rest scenario are 189-238 SU but 244-175-8 ATS vs. teams in 2 Days Rest games over the last four Seasons
* NBA teams playing at home in 2 Days Rest scenario were 54-36 SU but 35-53-2 ATS vs. teams in One Day Rest games since start of last season
Trends Match (PLAY): BOSTON (+1.5 at PHI) 

* ATLANTA is 15-31 SU and 12-34 ATS playing its 3rd Straight Road game since Apr 2021
Trend Match (FADE): ATLANTA (-2.5 at IND) 

* ATLANTA is 118-86 Over the total playing in the One Day Rest scenario since Nov 2021
Trend Match (PLAY OVER): ATL-IND (o/u at 231.5) 

* NBA teams playing on road in One Day Rest scenario are 189-238 SU but 244-175-8 ATS vs. teams in 2 Days Rest games over the last four seasons
* LA CLIPPERS is 22-16 SU and 10-28 ATS playing at home in the 2 Days Rest scenario since May 2021
Trends Match (PLAY): NEW ORLEANS (+10.5 at LAC) 

* UTAH is 88-55 Over the total playing in One Day Rest games since November 2022
Trend Match (PLAY OVER): UTA-PHX (o/u at 237.5)

NBA Team Strength Systems

The following handicapping information details betting systems for teams based on various team strength indicators or line scenarios. Unless noted, these are from the last five NBA seasons. 

NBA Team Strength Betting System #2:
In games between two teams with 40% or less winning percentages, and lines of 4.5 or less either way, road teams are on a 116-79 SU and 118-74-3 ATS (61.5%) surge.
System Match (PLAY): ATLANTA (-2.5 at IND) 

NBA Team Strength Betting System #7:
Double-digit NBA games have produced some definitive results on totals over the last five seasons, depending on what type of matchup it was. In divisional games featuring double-digit lines, Under the total has gone 114-93 (55.1%). In non-conference games, Over the total was 227-178 (56%). And finally, in non-divisional conference games, Over the total was 295-227 (56.5%).
System Match (PLAY OVER): NOP-LAC (spread at -10.5, total at 222.5)

The following handicapping information details betting systems for divisional games.

Eastern Atlantic Division Betting System #1:
In Eastern Atlantic divisional games, single-digit favorites have gone 83-31 SU and 70-51-3 ATS (57.9%) since the start of the 2022-23 season.
System Match (PLAY): PHILADELPHIA (-1.5 vs BOS) 

Western Northwest Division Betting System #1:
In Western Northwest divisional games, home underdogs are on a 12-13 SU and 19-6 ATS (76%) run since early-November 2024.
System Match (PLAY): PORTLAND (+4.5 vs DEN)

NBA Extreme Stats Next Game Systems

These systems search for extreme statistical performances in NBA games and detail the results of the follow-up game for the teams. These systems are from the last five seasons unless noted. 

135 points in a win is a team score to watch for
Teams that won their last game while scoring 135 or more points are on a 255-138 SU but 182-203-8 ATS (47.3%) skid in the follow-up contest when favored.
System Match (FADE): PHILADELPHIA (-1.5 vs BOS) 

Back-to-back scoring outbursts could be the beginning of a trend
NBA teams coming off back-to-back wins in which they scored 130+ points in each outing have gone 80-55 SU & 71-62-2 ATS (53.4%) in the follow-up contest since 2018, including 25-17 ATS (59.5%) as underdogs.
System Match (PLAY): PHILADELPHIA (-1.5 vs BOS) 

Favorites flush low-scoring totals quickly
NBA teams that come off a game in which they scored 90 points or fewer have responded well when favored in the next outing, going 154-56 SU and 125-83-2 ATS (60.1%) in their last 210 tries.
System Match (PLAY): LA CLIPPERS (-10.5 vs NOP) 

Close wins haven’t provided for momentum going forward
NBA teams that won as favorites by a close margin (1-3 points) have gone 281-148 SU but just 181-235-13 ATS (43.5%) in the next contest when favored again.
System Match (FADE): MEMPHIS (-1.5 vs LAL) 

Early-season large wins lead to Unders
NBA teams that won their previous game by 25+ points have gone Under the total at a 27-11-1 (71.1%) rate in games 2-5 of the season in the last 39 tries.
System Match (PLAY UNDER): DEN-POR (o/u at 238.5)

Unusual shooting performance systems
NBA teams off a game in which they were granted 35 or more free throw attempts trended Under the total the next game, 332-281 (54.2%) since 2021.
System Matches (PLAY UNDER ALL): BOS-PHI (o/u at 234.5), UTA-PHX (o/u at 237.5) 

NBA teams that have made 50% or more of their 3PT field goal attempts in a contest have responded the next time out by going just 300-318 SU and 277-333-8 ATS (45.4%) in the next game over the last five seasons.
System Match (FADE): TORONTO (+6.5 at CLE) 

NBA road teams coming off a game in which they made 20+ 3-point shots have gone just 169-188 SU and 159-188-10 ATS (45.8%) in that next contest over the last seven seasons.
System Matches (FADE ALL): TORONTO (+6.5 at CLE), BOSTON (+1.5 at PHI) 

Unusual defensive performances
NBA teams that have allowed 20 or more 3PT field goals in a game have rebounded well when favored the next time out, going 202-76 SU and 147-128-3 ATS (53.5%) over the last five seasons.
System Match (PLAY): CLEVELAND (-6.5 vs TOR) 

NBA road underdogs that had a -20 or worse rebounding differential in their previous game have gone 20-72 SU and 39-53 ATS (42.4%) in their last 92 tries.
System Match (FADE): TORONTO (+6.5 at CLE)

NBA Streak Systems

The following handicapping information details betting systems for teams on winning or losing streaks of at least four games in the NBA.

NBA Streak Betting System #7:
Teams who have lost at least their last four games and are facing an opponent on 2+ Days Rest have had their games go Over the total at a 119-85-2 (58.3%) rate since the start of the 2020-21 season.
System Match (PLAY OVER): NOP-LAC (o/u at 222.5) 

NBA Streak Betting System #10:
Teams having lost their last four games or more have been a solid wager when they are a capable offensive team, as those scoring 114 PPG or more are on an 85-90 SU but 100-73-3 ATS (57.8%) surge.
System Matches (PLAY ALL): TORONTO (+6.5 at CLE), PHOENIX (-2.5 vs UTA) 

Strategies Using NBA DraftKings Betting Splits Data

One of the most touted features on the VSiN.com website, and a feature that we believe to be a fantastic resource for bettors, is the betting splits pages. These are the pages that we have built utilizing the data that DraftKings so graciously provides to us, detailing the breakdowns of the money & ticket splits for point spreads, money lines, and totals. 

In an article published on the VSiN.com website on opening day, Steve Makinen outlined 14 different systematic strategies for successfully using the DK Betting Splits Data that were developed in the last three seasons. Here are the systems and qualifying plays for today’s games as of 11:30 a.m. ET. These can and will change, so continue to track and qualify the systems up until tip-off for best usage. 

To summarize the findings from the full 2024-25 season, the sample contained 1321 games, and for the most part, majority handle bettors were much more successful than majority number of bets groups on point spreads and totals, while both struggled on money lines. The full season performance by the majority handle on totals last year in the NBA was better than any other sport I have covered. In fact, these were the results:

–  Majority handle on point spreads: 660-614 ATS (51.8%), -15.4 units – ROI: -1.2%
–  Majority number of bets on point spreads: 618-645 ATS (48.9%), -91.5 units – ROI: -7.2%
–  Majority handle on money lines: 842-458 (64.8%). -123.18 units – ROI: -9.5%
–  Majority number of bets on money lines: 886-421 (67.8%). -137.95 units – ROI: -10.6%
–  Majority handle on totals: 708-594 (54.4%). +54.6 units – ROI: +4.2%
–  Majority number of bets on totals: 670-621 (51.9%), -13.1 units – ROI: -1% 

DK NBA Betting Splits system #1: When 63% or more of the handle was on the side of a home team playing as a 4-point favorite or less (or as an underdog) on ATS wager, this “super” majority group has gone 170-136 ATS (55.6%) over the last three seasons, good for +20.4 units of profit and an ROI of 6.7%. This is a fairly profitable system that the public seems to get right consistently.  If you see nearly 2/3 of the handle backing a host in an expected competitive NBA game this season, it’s a solid bet to follow it.
System Match (PLAY): INDIANA 

DK NBA Betting Splits system #2: When 59% or more of the handle has been on the road side of an ATS wager, this “super” majority group has gone 748-665 ATS (52.9%) over the last three seasons. This has produced a profit of +16.5 units and an ROI of 1.2%. This has been a very consistent system since I first found it, and for its simplicity, fairly successful. Remember, handle is the total amount of money on a game. When a good portion of the overall money is on a road team in the NBA, it wins more often than not.
System Matches (PLAY ALL): BOSTON, NEW YORK, DENVER

DK NBA Betting Splits system #3: It is a somewhat rare situation, when there was a majority handle backing a home underdog in the NBA over the last three seasons, that group produced a 94-70 ATS record (57.3%).  This has netted +17 units and an ROI of 10.4%. As a general rule, most bettors tend to bet favorites. This lot of 164 games was only about 4.0% of the total sample size.
System Match (PLAY): INDIANA 

DK NBA Betting Splits system #4: In another somewhat rare situation, when there was a majority handle backing the team with fewer wins on the season in the NBA over the last 2+ seasons, that group produced a 352-298 ATS record (54.2%), good for +24.2 units of profit and an ROI of 3.7%. This lot of 650 games was only around 20% of the total sample size.
System Matches (PLAY ALL): INDIANA, BOSTON, NEW YORK 

DK NBA Betting Splits system #7: The number 63% or higher has been a key super-majority number in non-divisional conference games over the last 2+ seasons, with handle groups of that size boasting a 494-413 ATS record, good for 54.5%. This is over a 3% improvement on the overall majority figures and has netted +39.7 units of profit and an ROI of 4.4%.
System Matches (PLAY ALL): INDIANA, NEW YORK, LA CLIPPERS 

DK NBA Betting Splits system #8: Naturally, with super majority handles doing well on non-conference & non-divisional conference games as compared to the overall, the area where these groups would figure to struggle would be in divisional games. The super-majority number is a little higher, however, 67% in fact. When this super-majority number has backed a team in divisional games over the last three seasons, they are just 137-153 ATS, good for 47.2%. This is over a 4% drop off compared to the overall majority figures and has resulted in -31.3 units of loss and an ROI of -10.8%.
System Matches (FADE ALL): BOSTON, DENVER 

DK NBA Betting Splits system #9: There has been a massive disparity of success levels for majority groups on handle when they back the home or road team on money line wagers. On home teams, these majorities have gone 1252-561 over the last three seasons but for -220.99 units and an ROI of -12.2%. On road teams, these majorities have gone 943-612 but for just -6.38 units and a ROI of -0.4%. This 11.8% disparity warrants fading ML majorities on home teams and at least considering ML majorities when they opt for road teams until something definitively changes.
System Matches (FADE ALL): INDIANA ML, CLEVELAND ML, PHOENIX ML, LA CLIPPERS ML 

DK NBA Betting Splits system #11: One of the best, simplest, and most frequent angles I have been able to uncover is when a majority of handle bettors were backing the Under in an NBA game. It is generally believed that most NBA bettors prefer taking Overs. When any majority number has favored the Under option over the last three seasons, the results have been strong, with Under the total on these games going 434-351, good for 55.3%, +47.9 units, and a ROI of +6.1% since January ’23.
System Match (PLAY UNDER): NOP-LAC 

Today’s NBA Strength Ratings

The following are taken from today’s MAKINEN DAILY RATINGS page under the NBA tab on VSiN.com. Listed by team, current line, and difference between rating and current line (in parentheses). 

Today’s Top 3 UNDERPRICED UNDERDOGS according to the Makinen POWER RATINGS projections:
Ratings Matches: 1. LA LAKERS +1.5 (+1.6)
2. BOSTON +1.5 (+0.9)
3. CHICAGO +5.5 (+0.4) 

Today’s Top 3 UNDERPRICED FAVORITES according to the Makinen POWER RATINGS projections:
Ratings Matches: 1. DENVER -4.5 (+1.8)
2. CLEVELAND -6.5 (+0.9)
3. PHOENIX -2.5 (+0.1) 

Today’s Top 3 UNDERPRICED UNDERDOGS according to the Makinen EFFECTIVE STRENGTH RATINGS projections:
Ratings Matches: 1. CHICAGO +5.5 (+1.9)
2. NEW ORLEANS +10.5 (+1.5)
3. INDIANA +2.5 (+0.6) 

Today’s Top 3 UNDERPRICED FAVORITES according to the Makinen EFFECTIVE STRENGTH RATINGS projections:
Ratings Matches: 1. MEMPHIS -1.5 (+3.2)
2. CLEVELAND -6.5 (+3.0)
3. PHILADELPHIA -1.5 (+2.4) 

Today’s Top 3 BIGGEST TOTAL PROJECTIONS FAVORING OVER according to the Makinen EFFECTIVE STRENGTH RATINGS projections:
Ratings Matches: 1. ATL-IND OVER 231.5 (+1.6)
2. NYK-CHI OVER 233.5 (+1.0)
3. BOS-PHI OVER 234.5 (+0.5) 

Today’s Top 3 BIGGEST TOTAL PROJECTIONS FAVORING UNDER according to the Makinen EFFECTIVE STRENGTH RATINGS projections:
Ratings Matches: 1. DEN-POR UNDER 238.5 (-1.1)
2. NOP-LAC UNDER 222.5 (-1.0)
3. TOR-CLE UNDER 239.5 (-0.9) 

Today’s Top 3 UNDERPRICED UNDERDOGS according to the Makinen BETTORS RATINGS projections:
Ratings Matches: 1. LA LAKERS +1.5 (+2.1)
2. BOSTON +1.5 (+1.1)
3. INDIANA +2.5 (+0.9) 

Today’s Top 3 UNDERPRICED FAVORITES according to the Makinen BETTORS RATINGS projections:
Ratings Matches: 1. DENVER -4.5 (+1.4)
2(tie). CLEVELAND -6.5 (+0.3)
PHOENIX -2.5 (+0.3) 

Today’s TOTAL PROJECTION FAVORING OVER according to the Makinen BETTORS RATINGS projections:
Ratings Match: NYK-CHI OVER 233.5 (+2.3)

Today’s Top 3 BIGGEST TOTAL PROJECTIONS FAVORING UNDER according to the Makinen BETTORS RATINGS projections:
Ratings Matches: 1. DEN-POR UNDER 238.5 (-3.9)
2. NOP-LAC UNDER 222.5 (-2.3)
3. TOR-CLE UNDER 239.5 (-1.9)

Here are the top head-to-head series NBA betting trends in play for all of today’s games: 

(509) ATLANTA (2-3) at (510) INDIANA (0-4)
* Over the total is on an extended 15-3 run in the ATL-IND series
Trend Match (PLAY OVER): ATL-IND (o/u at 231.5) 

(511) BOSTON (2-3) at (512) PHILADELPHIA (4-0)
* Over the total has converted in five straight meetings between divisional foes Boston and Philadelphia
Trend Match (PLAY OVER): BOS-PHI (o/u at 234.5) 

(513) TORONTO (1-4) at (514) CLEVELAND (3-2)
* Favorites are on a 13-1 SU and 11-3 ATS run in the TOR-CLE set
Trend Match (PLAY): CLEVELAND (-6.5 vs TOR) 

(515) NEW YORK (2-2) at (516) CHICAGO (4-0)
* Underdogs are 7-4 SU and 9-2 ATS in the last 11 of the Knicks-Bulls series
Trend Match (PLAY): CHICAGO (+5.5 vs NYK) 

(517) LA LAKERS (3-2) at (518) MEMPHIS (3-2)
* Over the total is 7-1 in the last eight of the LAL-MEM series
Trend Match (PLAY OVER): LAL-MEM (o/u at 238.5) 

(519) DENVER (3-1) at (520) PORTLAND (3-2)
* Over the total is 10-2 in the last 12 of the divisional series between the Nuggets and Trail Blazers at Portland
Trend Match (PLAY OVER): DEN-POR (o/u at 238.5)

(521) UTAH (2-2) at (522) PHOENIX (1-4)
* Over the total is 8-1 in the last nine UTA-PHX matchups
Trend Match (PLAY OVER): UTA-PHX (o/u at 237.5) 

(523) NEW ORLEANS (0-4) at (524) LA CLIPPERS (2-2)
* NEW ORLEANS is on a historic 13-5 SU and 16-2 ATS run in the series versus LAC
Trend Match (PLAY): NEW ORLEANS (+10.5 at LAC)

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