NBA Betting Strategies To Help You Handicap The Odds

The annual NBA Games not only attracts basketball fans from all around the world but also gives sports bettors plenty of opportunities to make impressive profits.

Point spread betting, also known as betting line or handicap - betting, evens out the betting odds between two teams playing in a game. This type of betting is the most popular in basketball betting markets.

Below we will outline the best betting tactics to help you handicap the odds for the upcoming NBA season.

You can also find more tips for betting on the NBA here.

Focus On Matchups And Team Pace

Matchups are an essential factor to consider when it comes to having an effective strategy in NBA handicapping.

Pay attention to the teams' playing pace. Is it a fast-paced team, or do they play in a slow-down style?

Look for Underdogs that are comfortable in playing at a slower-paced, half-court setting against an opposing team that prefers to push the pace, or a one that struggles to play in a half-court set.

You can easily measure pace by checking the possessions per game.

Comparing different teams by looking at offensive and defensive points per possession is a great way to do this.

Although a faster-paced team will score more points than a slower team, you can determine which team is more efficient at offending and defending by adjusting for pace with points per possession.

When it comes to NBA betting, focusing on matchups and their pace will aid in your betting strategy.

Look Out For Situational Trends

Just as you might not work as efficiently when you are fatigued, the same goes for NBA basketball.

Fatigued teams usually won't perform as well as well-rested teams.

The best way to do this is by looking at the team's schedule.

Are they playing back-to-back games that would make them more tired?

Have they been travelling, or is it a home team?

Does the team have home-court advantage, or are they playing several games on the road?

It's worth asking yourself these questions to determine whether the team you are betting on (or against) is likely to perform at their usual standard or if they are being overvalued.

NBA teams will never play three games in a row without rest, but they could, for example, be playing four games in five nights which could lead the team to be tired.

Looking out for situational trends, especially when a team is playing back-to-back games on the road, is a trending strategy in basketball betting.

Pay Attention To Statistical Data

With widely available statistical data to work with during the NBA Game, professional bettors use this to their advantage.

Two important statistical categories are field goal percentage, and scoring margin. You can determine which teams perform the best by looking at these numbers.

Also take a look at the teams' three-point shooting and free-throw shooting percentages, as these variables can differ significantly in the short-term which could be misleading.

Pay attention to both of these stats when handicapping in your next game.

Consider The Team's Current Form

Don't bet blindly. In team sports such as basketball, every player is carefully chosen and equally important to the team's success.

One missing star player could cost many points in the betting lines. Or, a player with a subtle injury could significantly affect the team's overall offensive production.

Staying up to date on injury reports and current form is essential in any type of sports betting, but especially for successful NBA bettors.

Since injury news doesn't usually get released until minutes before the start of a game, the best strategy is to place your bet at the last minute - as close to the tip-off as you can.

Doing this might sound like an inconvenience, but it could work in your favour and save you from potentially losing a lot of money!

The Bottom Line

Sports betting is unpredictable, but tracking your bets will help you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, and determine what is working, and what isn't.

This will not only save you from throwing away your money but help you become a successful bettor in the long run!

Analyse team matchups, check their pace and current form, look out for situational trends, and use statistical data to your advantage.

Whether you're a newbie to betting the NBA, or you're just looking to improve your current tactics, follow the betting tips and strategies in this guide to handicap the odds and make your NBA bets count.

Don't forget to have fun, and enjoy the game while you're at it!