Basketball Betting Guide

Basketball is a popular sport, and you can bet on it at many online sportsbooks, including sportsbet.io. However, if you are new to sports betting, basketball betting may seem complex. But in truth, staking money on the sport is straightforward. With leagues like the NBA and NCAA, you can enjoy a great experience betting on basketball and also stand a chance to win.

This comprehensive guide will discuss everything you should know about basketball betting and how it works. We will highlight some popular basketball competitions you can bet on and factors to consider to improve your chances of placing the right bet. Besides that, we will discuss some popular basketball betting markets and how to choose the best online gambling platforms for the sport. So for all that and more, keep reading. 

What is Basketball?

For those who aren’t familiar with basketball, let’s discuss how the sport is played. Basketball is a sport played on a court with a ball and two baskets. A typical basketball match involves two teams, and the objective is to legally throw the ball into your opponent’s basket to score points. For this to happen, players on each team pass the ball around to each other, perform dribbles, and so on.

However, some rules are involved in the game that you should note. For instance, points are awarded based on where you throw the ball into your opponent’s basket. If the throw is from within your opponent’s arc, your team gets two points, while if it’s from outside the arc, it’s worth three points. There are rules concerning fouls such as travelling and pushing. Some fouls may lead to free throws, which are worth one point each. To learn more about basketball, you can read comprehensive articles about the sport online and watch basketball games.

Basketball Betting Explained

Basketball betting is just as it sounds. It means that you are betting on basketball events. And the fun part is that there are lots of major and minor tournaments and competitions in sports, and they are available at top online sportsbooks like sportsbet.io.

But you may wonder— is basketball betting right for you? Well, if you are familiar with the sport, love predicting the outcomes, and want to stand a chance to win money, then you should consider betting on basketball. And if you are not, it’s not all bad. You can learn how sports work, watch popular basketball events like the NBA, and start betting like a pro in no time.

However, it is worth pointing out that there is an element of risk involved in basketball betting, as with other forms of gambling. So be cautious when wagering money on this sport, and only play with money you can afford to lose. 

Basketball Betting Odds

Odds matter a lot in all forms of sports betting, and it’s the same with basketball betting. Whether you want to bet on college basketball games, the NBA, or FIBA, you need to pay attention to the odds offered for the events. This is because the odds determine how much you stand a chance to win, and it is the perception of an online sports betting site of the probability of winning the bet.

To understand how betting odds work in basketball, consider this example. Say you bet $100 on an NBA game with odds of 2.0, then the potential return is $200 ($100 x 2.0). So from this example, it’s clear that the higher the odds, the greater the potential returns. This is why seasoned basketball punters often take their time to shop for the best odds before placing a bet.

But how do online sportsbooks determine the odds for their basketball events? Well, these gambling platforms have a team of experts that decide the odds to assign to each market based on the team’s statistics, news, and other details. This is why you may see the odds fluctuating hours before the start of a game as more details are obtained.

Basketball betting odds can be displayed as American, decimals, or fractions, depending on the sports betting site. However, regardless of how they are represented, odds work the same way. You can even use an online odds calculator to convert odds from one type to another and to determine your potential returns. If you want the best odds on basketball games, go to top sportsbooks like sportsbet.io.

Basketball Betting Markets

Before betting on basketball, you need to understand the different markets available for the sport. Betting markets are predictions on which you can wager. Play at a top online sportsbook with numerous markets to find markets that suit your preferred predictions. Nevertheless, some basketball betting markets are more popular than others, and we will explain a few below.

Moneylines

Considered one of the most popular markets for basketball betting, moneyline betting refers to staking money on who will win a match. For example, if Binghamton is playing Maine in an NCAA American East Conference match, you can bet on Binghamton to win, Maine to win, or the game to end in a tie. Many bettors go for moneyline betting when their favourite team is playing against an underdog.

Totals Under/Over

This is another market available for basketball betting. With totals under/over, you are wagering that the total number of a particular occurrence will be under or over a specific value. For instance, you can bet that the total number of points that will be scored by two teams in an NBA game will be over 155.5. In that case, both teams in the game must score a minimum of 156 points for your bet to win. At top online sportsbooks, you can also bet on the total number of fouls or booking points in a particular basketball event.

Point Spread or Handicaps

Many online sports betting sites offer point spread betting for their basketball games. A point spread is a negative or positive advantage a sportsbook gives to a team. You can think of it as awarding or deducting points from a team, even before starting the game. So suppose a betting site gives a team a +10 point spread in a FIBA match, and you bet on the team to win. Then your bet will win even if the team loses by nine points. This is because the points make it appear as if the team was already 10 points ahead even before the game started. For a negative point spread, the reverse is true. When betting on a team with a -5 point spread, the team must win by at least 6 points in order for the bet to win.

Correct Score

Depending on your sportsbook, you may be able to bet on the correct score of a basketball event. This is just as it sounds. You are predicting the scoreline of the game before it is played. But as you may have guessed, predicting correct scores in basketball betting is not easy. However, if you get it correctly, the returns may be massive. When you play at the best online sports betting sites, you will be able to predict and bet on the correct score of each of the four quarters of the game, the half-time scores, and the full-time scores.

Parlays or Accumulators

A parlay is a basketball betting option that allows you to place small wagers for a chance to win big. This option lets you combine multiple events and markets to form a single betting slip. The odds of each event are multiplied together, and this can quickly grow bigger with several selections. However, there is a catch. If one of the events you bet on in a parlay loses, the whole thing loses. For this reason, you may want to be cautious with the number of events you are combining in your parlays. Nevertheless, some online sportsbooks offer insurance, where you get something back if one of the games loses.

Props Betting

Prop bets are quite different from the regular markets discussed so far, and they are becoming increasingly popular in basketball betting. With prop bets, you can wager on outcomes that are not dependent on the final score. Basketball prop bets in the NBA, NCAA, and FIBA can focus on a team’s or a player’s performance. For example, you can bet on the team to score the first 50 points in an NBA game or on a player to win Player of the Match.

Futures Betting in Basketball

Futures betting in basketball refers to wagering money on a basketball game that will be decided later in the future. The good thing about this betting option is that it usually has high odds, so you can stand a chance to win big. At the start of an NBA season, it is common for top online sportsbooks to release the odds of each team winning the NBA Finals. Another popular futures betting option is on the player to be named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. The odds for basketball futures are adjusted as the season progresses, so you should consider placing them early on.

NBA and Basketball Live Betting 

The best online sportsbooks, like sportsbet.io, offer basketball live betting. This is different from pre-match betting, where you have to stake money on a basketball game days, hours, or minutes before the game starts. With NBA live betting, you can bet on games that are already in play and take advantage of the fluctuating odds. However, note that some betting options may not be available throughout the games, and the odds tend to change periodically. Nevertheless, some sports bettors prefer basketball live betting because they can decide which outcome to bet on based on the current happenings in the game.

To complement basketball live betting, some online sports betting sites offer live streaming services. As a result, you can watch the games in real-time and follow your live bets. And for betting sites that do not offer live streaming, they offer live statistics and game trackers so you can keep track of the scores as they happen. 

How to Bet on Basketball

As mentioned earlier, basketball betting is fun and straightforward. You don’t need several years of training, and you can start betting on the NBA, NCAA, FIBA, and other basketball tournaments in minutes. Here are the processes involved in betting on basketball:

Choose a Basketball Betting Site

The first step to betting on basketball or any sport is to choose a sportsbook that offers it. However, the truth is that several sports betting sites feature basketball, but not all are a good choice for players. So make sure you select the best basketball betting site after researching different factors, including licensing and reputation.

Create an Account with the Site

Once you’ve decided on the basketball betting site you want to use, the next step is to create an account with the site. This usually involves clicking a “Sign Up” or “Register” button, and you will need to fill out a registration form. Among the common pieces of information required in most basketball sportsbooks’ registration forms are name, email address, date of birth, and telephone number.

Fund the Account

Once your basketball betting account is set up and activated, you have to fund it using one of the payment methods that the sportsbook accepts. Top online sportsbooks accept numerous payment options like credit/debit cards, e-wallets, cryptocurrencies, and prepaid cards. At this point, you may also want to claim the welcome bonus if it’s available. But make sure you read the bonus terms and conditions to know if it is a good choice.

Select Your Basketball Events and Odds

With money in your betting account, head over to the sports betting section of your sportsbook and select basketball from the list. You will then see a list of all the basketball events, leagues, and competitions you can bet on. Choose your preferred competitions and events, and select the market and odds that match your predictions.

Place Your Bets

When you select the basketball betting odds, they will fill your bet slip. Once you’ve made all your selections, choose the type of bet you want to place—singles, parlays, or systems. The last step is where you enter the amount you want to bet in the designated field and submit the slip. You’ll get a notification to let you know if the bet was placed successfully, and you can follow the bet in your bet history.

Choosing the Best Basketball Betting Sites

If you want to enjoy the best experience betting on basketball, then it is paramount that you choose a top online sports betting site like sportsbet.io. However, it can sometimes be tricky to know which sportsbook is a good choice, especially if you don’t know what factors to consider. So in this section, we will be highlighting some important factors that distinguish the best basketball betting sites from the rest.

Licensing and Safety

The licence of a basketball betting site determines if it operates legally. So before you create an account with a sportsbook, check its licensing details to know if it is legal to operate in your jurisdiction. Most operators provide their licensing information on their site’s footer or “About Us” page.

Basketball Selection

This is another vital factor to consider when choosing a basketball sports betting site. Check the basketball selection to see if the sportsbook you want to sign up with covers a wide range of competitions, tournaments, and events. Top bookies cover major and minor basketball events, so you can bet on basketball competitions you are good at predicting.

Odds and Markets

As mentioned earlier, odds matter a lot in basketball betting. So ensure any sportsbook you will choose offers highly competitive odds to give you a chance to win. Likewise, factor in the markets available for basketball. Make sure they fit the type of bets you like to place. The best basketball betting sites offer regular, props and special markets for their events.

Banking Options

The banking options that a sportsbook supports will determine how you can add money to your betting account and withdraw winnings from it. So as part of the factors to consider when choosing the best basketball betting site, check that the numerous easy-to-use and fast banking options are accepted. Also, pay attention to the transaction processing time, the limits, and the fees.

Bonuses and Promotions

Sports betting bonuses help boost players’ bankrolls. As a result, you can place more bets on basketball events without having to risk too much of your money. When choosing a basketball betting site, ensure the operator offers incredible bonuses, as this can help make your gambling experience better. Some of the common basketball betting bonuses that the best sportsbooks offer are welcome bonuses, free bets, risk-free bets, match bonuses, and loyalty rewards. When checking the available bonus, also consider the applicable terms and conditions, such as the rollover requirements, max winnings, validity period, and so on. 

Basketball Betting Tips and Strategies

Betting on basketball can be fun and rewarding. However, there is also the risk of losing money, which is why you need to adopt some strategies to improve your chances of winning bets. In this section, we will explain some basketball betting tips and strategies.

Shop for the Best Lines

Since odds play a huge role in determining how much you stand a chance to win, you should shop for the best odds for each basketball game before placing bets. With top online sportsbooks like sportsbet.io, you can enjoy highly competitive odds. You can also create an account with multiple top online sportsbooks to compare the odds and go with the best one for the bet you want to place.

Consider the Team’s Current Form

The current form of a basketball team can give you an insight into what to expect in their next game. If a team is on a 10-game winning streak, there is a high chance that it will want to keep the streak going. In such a case, most pro players will consider the team on a winning streak to be the favourite against a team on a losing streak.

Consider the Stats

Similarly, consider the statistics of an NBA basketball game before you bet on it. Check the head-to-head statistics of the two teams in the matchup to see who has the better history. But don’t just stop there. You also need to factor in each team’s strengths and weaknesses. For instance, suppose an NCAA team is known to concede a lot of points and is playing against another team that has a good record for scoring more points. In that case, you may be better off considering the totals under or over the market since there is a chance that the total points will be high.

Injuries, Fatigue, and Team News

The injury of a star player on a basketball team can affect the team’s performance. For example, say Kevin Durant is injured and won’t be playing in a Brooklyn Nets game. This can affect the team’s performance negatively, considering that he is their favourite power forward. Similarly, fatigue caused by travelling from one game to another, especially interconference games, can affect a team’s performance. So consider this when placing a basketball bet.

Follow the Line Movement

One strategy that some pro players use is to follow the line movement. The odds of a basketball game tend to change as more news is available to sportsbooks. So if you see the line moving up for a basketball team previously considered the favourites, check the team’s news and its opponents. In some cases, lines can move because many players are betting on a particular outcome. But depending on your analysis, you may choose to follow the trend or bet against the line movement.

Conclusion

We’ve discussed all the essential things you should know about basketball betting and how it works. Remember, there are numerous basketball competitions, tournaments, and leagues available at the best online sportsbooks. However, before you begin betting, make sure you are familiar with the competition and teams. Also, ensure you play at a top basketball sportsbook after carefully considering factors like licences, bonuses, and payment methods.

To improve your chances of winning, make sure you carefully analyse a basketball game before placing bets. If you follow all the tips and information provided in this guide, you should be able to start betting on basketball with ease.

FAQ

Can I win money betting on basketball?

Yes. You can win money when you bet real money on basketball and your prediction ends up winning.

What are some popular basketball competitions I can bet on?

There are numerous basketball competitions and tournaments you can bet on at top sportsbooks. Popular ones are the NBA, March Madness, NCAA, FIBA Basketball World Cup, and EuroLeague Final Four.

Can I claim bonuses for basketball betting?

Yes. The best online sportsbooks offer bonuses for basketball betting. These include welcome bonuses, reload offers, free bets, risk-free bets, and loyalty rewards.

How do I choose the best basketball betting sites?

To choose the best basketball betting sites, you need to consider factors like licensing, security, bonuses, payment methods, and mobile compatibility.