Everything you need to know about betting on Basketball

Basketball offers more betting options than almost any other sport. The variety of both player and team statistics means that betting on basketball offers bettors a variety of wagering opportunities. From points spreads to player prop bets, this page will discuss the different types of wagers, leagues and online betting sites that make basketball betting one of the biggest betting markets in the world.

Latest Basketball matches with betting odds

Basketball Betting Markets

Much like other sports, Basketball has a variety of betting markets, the most common of which are the moneyline, spread and total points markets. Basketball betting odds vary in each betting market, with the odds usually being similar with the spread and total points markets. Let’s take a look at these three popular markets for betting on basketball. 

What is a Basketball Moneyline?

Betting on basketball moneylines means that you are simply wagering on who you think will win the game. With a basketball moneyline bet, the bettor is only concerned with the final outcome of the game regardless of the margin of victory. Basketball betting lines for the moneyline usually offer much higher potential payouts when betting on the underdog, however there are some cases, usually with college basketball where online sportsbooks do not offer moneyline bets as the difference between the two team’s skill level is too great. 

What is a Basketball Spread Bet?

A basketball point spread is the number of points that a team is expected to win or lose by. The point spread is set by oddsmakers and is designed to make the game more evenly matched. The point spread is a popular way to bet on basketball games because it gives bettors a chance to win even if their team doesn’t win the game outright, all they have to do is keep the score close. Basketball spread betting allows the bettor to wager on the performance of either team in relation to their opponent. 

The favorite in a basketball spread bet will be displayed with a negative number, for example -3.5. If you were to bet on a team -3.5, the team would need to win by 4 or more points in order for your wager to be a winner. If the team wins by three points or less, or loses outright your bet would be a loser. 

The underdog in a basketball spread bet will be displayed with a positive number, for example +3.5. If you were to bet on a team +3.5, the team would need to lose by 3 points or less, or win the game in order for your bet to win. If the team were to lose by 4 points or more, your bet would be a loser. 

What is a Basketball Total Points Bet? 

Betting on basketball total points is a way to wager on basketball without caring who the winner or loser of the game is. When betting on total points, the bettor is only concerned with the final score and not who wins or loses. Sportsbooks create an “over/under” line for each game which represents the total number of points they think each team will score. This over/under line will vary for each game and reflects the perceived strengths and weaknesses of the two teams. One reason that basketball total points betting is so popular is that it has the ability to make uncompetitive games interesting. The potential payout of basketball total points bets is usually around 2 to 1 and is generally similar to the odds offered for the game’s spread bets. 

What are other popular basketball betting markets?

In addition to the betting markets mentioned above, Basketball offers an array of player and team prop bets, which allow you to bet on the individual performance of a player or the team regardless of the final outcome. Player prop bets allow you to wager on how many points, rebounds, assists, blocks, steals and or three pointers a player will have in a game. Additionally, there are betting markets for the results for each quarter as well as the first half. 

How are Basketball Betting Lines Created?

Basketball betting lines are created by oddsmakers who consider a variety of factors, including:

Team strength: Oddsmakers will look at each team’s recent performance, as well as their overall strength, when setting the point spread, over/under and moneyline. For example, a team that has been winning consistently will be favored to win by a larger margin than a team that has been losing.

Home-court advantage: Teams typically play better at home than they do on the road. As a result, oddsmakers will usually give the home team a few points in the point spread.

Injuries: Injuries to key players can have a significant impact on a team’s performance. Oddsmakers will take into account any injuries when setting the lines for the point spread, and total points.

Public betting: Oddsmakers will also consider how the public is betting on the game. If a large number of people are betting on one team, oddsmakers may adjust the lines or points spread to try to balance the action.

Once oddsmakers have considered all of these factors, they will set lines that they believe are fair and will attract equal betting on both sides.

What Sportsbooks Offer the Best Odds, Lines and Spreads

There are a number of sportsbooks that offer competitive basketball betting lines, point spreads, and odds. Below you’ll find some of our favorite basketball online betting sites.

• FanDuel Sportsbook
• DraftKings Sportsbook
• BetMGM Sportsbook
• Caesars Sportsbook
• PointsBet Sportsbook
• BetRivers Sportsbook
• Bet365 Sportsbook

These sportsbooks all have a reputation for offering competitive odds and lines, and they all offer a wide variety of betting options. They also all have user-friendly interfaces that make it easy to place bets.

In addition to offering competitive odds and lines, these sportsbooks also offer a variety of betting welcome bonuses and promotions. These bonuses can be used to boost your bankroll and give you more money to bet with.

What is Shopping Odds?

Odds shopping is the practice of comparing odds offered by different sportsbooks before placing a bet. This is done in order to find the best possible odds for the bet you want to make.

For example, if you want to bet on the Chicago Bulls to win their next game, you might check the odds offered by several different sportsbooks. One sportsbook might offer odds of -115, while another might offer odds of -110. By shopping around, you can find the sportsbook that is offering the best odds for your bet.

Where to find the best expert basketball picks. 

New to betting on basketball and looking to get an edge on the sportsbooks? Real GM has just what you’re looking for. From the NBA and NCAA to basketball leagues around the globe, we’ve got daily expert picks with all today’s Best Bets. Check out who our basketball experts are picking today by clicking here.

Basketball Betting FAQ