NBA

NBA Betting Strategy

Utilizing an NBA betting strategy that focuses on staying in the game the entire season and into the playoffs is essential to good bankroll health. Whether you’re a serious sports bettor or someone who wagers off-and-on, you want to ensure that you give yourself the best chance to win in a consistent manner, ably dealing with those weeks when you can’t seem to hit one bet and making the most of those weeks where just about every one of your picks is a winner. Your best bet, no matter what your wagering pattern might be, is to utilize your betting units in a manner that will build your bankroll over time. Don’t be a one and done sports bettor.The NBA Season 

During a typical NBA regular season teams play a total of 1,230 games. Each of the league’s 30 teams plays 82 games in a season that starts in mid-October and ends in early April. There’s then a hefty postseason, that includes a play-in tournament that consists of 8 teams, then three rounds comprised of 14 seven-game series, and finally, the seven-game championship series. The potential total number of games in the playoffs comes to 117. That means betting opportunities abound. 

NBA Betting Strategy – Don’t Run and Gun

Our NBA betting strategy is based primarily on wagering on the three standard bets, occasionally playing a two or three team parlay, and taking advantage of attractive pleasers. At least 90 percent of your wagers should be spreads, moneylines, or totals with the other five percent made up of parlays and pleasers. As we suggest with the NFL, do not bet on NBA preseason games. Use that time to research the league and teams. You may want to practice handicapping some preseason contests, writing down how much you would bet, and seeing what the results would have been. 

The NBA season is long, and it offers many great betting opportunities during the NFL and college football seasons and after they are finished. If you’re considering adding a sport to your betting catalogue, the NBA is an excellent choice. In terms of betting, wager no more than 15-20% of your bankroll in any given week. Break your bankroll into a minimum of 50 units. This being the case, you’d wager no more than 10 units per week and no more than three units on any one game. When starting out stay away from parlays and pleasers. Once you build your bankroll by 25 units or more, play one parlay or pleaser per week. If you go on a losing streak, go back to making straight bets only. Following this plan will allow you to build on your profits, reduce your losses, and make the most of the entire NBA season and playoffs. 

NBA Betting Tips 

Our 10 NBA betting strategy insights should be used in connection with solid research and analysis:

• Look for teams that are good at home and on the road. Monitor them throughout the season. They can be consistent winners.

• An upset is most likely to occur when a top team is near the end of a long road trip and they are showing some wear-and-tear.

• A team coming off a huge blowout of an opponent is likely to be less effective in their next game.

• Top offenses win games. However, some of the best offenses also give up a lot of points. 

• Top defenses win games. They make good moneyline bets.

• Utilize each team’s PF/PA to help determine spread and total bets.

• Look for teams that dominate Intradivision and/or interdivision games. Of the 82 games played, a total of 52 are played against those opponents with 16 at the intradivision level and 36 interdivision contests. 

• Look for disparity in stats such as shooting percentage, rebounding, assists, and points allowed. 

• Is there an edge others might be missing? Perhaps an injured player who’s still active, a sudden illness that’s taken a player out of the game, or a controversy that’s spread from the locker room onto the court.

• Home court is a big factor in basketball.

The Week 

Our NBA betting strategy notes that about 50 games are played per week. That means players have a truckload of betting opportunities for the seven-month regular season. Then there’s the playoffs, which offer even more lines. Betting on the NBA can be overwhelming. A good way to start is to focus on one conference. Each conference is comprised of three divisions with five teams in each division. NBA teams play a majority of their games within their conference. Thus, first focus on games within the conference, and then expand to the other conference. 

In terms of wagering, if you’re only betting on the NBA, a maximum average of two to three games a day (15-20 per week) makes sense. However, if you find this overwhelming or untenable, then certainly wager on fewer contests. 

Other Bets

As we previously noted, once you’ve expanded your bankroll by at least 50 percent, you should consider wagering on a parlay or two and a pleaser. The reason to not do this immediately is that straight bets give you the best chance of building your bankroll. Once you have a bit of a pad, you can take some additional chances. To prepare for this next step, you should practice handicapping for parlays and pleasers and engage in mock betting where you write down the specifics of your bets and check your accuracy. As your bankroll expands, you can take more risks. However, don’t bet the farm. Be reasonable. 

The Don’ts 

Please consider our suggestions below, as they’re designed to help you be a wiser sports bettor:

• Don’t analyze in a general manner. Be specific or your bets will suffer.

• Don’t blindly bet the favorite.

• Although major matchups can be good bets, they can also be overpriced. Don’t forget to look for value.

• It’s unusual for teams in the NBA to sweep opponents during the season. Don’t bet on past results. 

• Don’t ever discount teams that have three major starters.

• Don’t try to make up for losses with one huge bet or a parlay.

• Don’t get lazy. Before betting make sure you analyze player matchups.

• Don’t forget the positive impact of a solid bench especially the sixth player. 

• Don’t try to bet every game or most of them. You’re better off finding a few quality games with favorable odds to wager on.

• If betting on other sports, don’t stretch yourself thin. You can always gear up for the NBA after football is over. By then, you’ll have a good sense of each team’s strengths and weaknesses. 

NBA Betting Strategy – Final Thoughts

The NBA is a highly competitive league that features run-and-gun teams as well as those clubs that are focused on defense. Our NBA betting strategy encourages you to keep it simple. Carefully handicap games, find deals and value, and start with straight bets. Once you’ve found your balance and have expanded your bankroll, you can mix up your bets with parlays and pleasers. However, don’t abandon the foundation of your success, the standard trio of spreads, moneylines, and over/unders.

 Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

Central Division

Southeast Division

Western Conference

Northwest Division

Pacific Division

Southwest Division

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