If you are betting on basketball, particularly NBA games, for the first time online, the first thing you will notice is the sheer extent of the markets offered. Typically, a game will have 100s of different markets, and if you use SGPs (see below), the number of possible betting combinations could technically be in the millions.
Of course, the most common market that people look for is the moneyline, i.e., the winner of a game. Yet, it is not always the most recommended option, and experienced bettors tend to go further to find bets that match stats-based research. While everyone will have different tactics and preferences, we can lay out some of the more popular NBA bets that you’ll find online, while also providing a breakdown of how and why they are used:
The Spread
A lot of experienced bettors see beating the spread as an art form. If you weren’t aware, the spread is a theoretical handicap. So, for example, you might see a market like the LA Lakers -9.5 against the New York Knicks +9.5. If you back the Lakers, they would need to win by 10 points or more. If you chose the Knicks, then you’ll win if they win, but you can also afford for them to lose the game by up to 9 points. It might all seem a bit haphazard, but it’s deeply rooted in statistics. You are basically looking for either a dominant favorite to do the business or an underdog to overperform.
MVP Betting
A very intriguing betting market, as it is more about sentiment than what happens in the games. A good example is the NBA regular season MVP market, which you can see here for the current season. You are basically betting on the best performing player across a league season, or in a particular game, like the Super Bowl, or series, such as the NBA Finals. It does not always go to the definitive best player in that sport, so you can have a bit of fun with it. As we say, it’s about sentiment.
Player Props
Player props bets are basically any bet on a player’s performance that does not directly correspond to the result of the game. For instance, you might back a basketball player to score over 30 points in a game or to get over 10 rebounds. More so than any market, you’ll want to do your statistical research for this one.
Over/Under Total Points
Distinct from player props, this one is about betting on the total points in the game. Typically, NBA markets will have over/under points totals set at around 210-250 points. It varies by matchup. For example, if it is two free-scoring teams, the sportsbooks will set the bar high, perhaps as high as 250, whereas it will be much lower when an ultra-defensive team is involved. It is anecdotal, but some bettors enjoy backing the ‘overs’ totals in this market because there’s no stress after it’s reached. And they can sit back and enjoy the entertainment without worrying about who wins.
Same-Game Parlays
If you’ve seen the excellent Uncut Gems movie, you’ll know what an SGP (same-game parlay) is. The elaborate bet that frames the climax of the movie is placed on Game 7 of the 2012 Eastern Conference Semifinals. An SGP combines several events in a single game. So, it would be something like the Celtics to win, over 220.5 total points in the game, and Jayson Tatum to score over 25.5 points. Bettors can make them much more elaborate than that, but it is best to keep them simple. Bear in mind that all legs have to be successful for the bet to win.
