US viewership for the 2022 NBA finals increased 22 percent year-over-year, averaging 12.4 million viewers. Impressively, the six NBA finals game broadcasts on ABC now rank as the six most-watched programs on television for June 2022.
This growth in popularity can, in part, be traced to the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that granted each state the power to decide whether to legalize sports gambling at the state level. Betting on sports, and in particular, the NBA, has since increased rapidly, with gambling revenue hitting an industry record of $13.6 billion in the second quarter of 2021.
More and more people are now discovering the excitement of having skin in the game when it comes to watching basketball. The wide variety of exciting betting options available, including NBA lines, means there’s something out there for everyone to enjoy.
Betting Strategies
To increase your chances of success when it comes to betting, it’s a good idea to learn some basic betting strategies. These will teach you how to place your bets based on the value they possess and not on a hunch.
Bet Early
One of the best ways to gain an edge on the oddsmakers is to bet as soon as the markets open. With NBA betting proving so popular, any value within the market will be picked off by experienced bettors and syndicates. Therefore, betting early allows you to benefit from potential mistakes on the oddsmakers opening lines before they are corrected.
Over Under/Total Points
This involves predicting the number of points scored by both teams combined and whether or not that total will go ‘over’ or ‘under,’ the number specified by the oddsmakers. The key to success here is to study the total points scored in previous encounters between the two teams, as well as their recent points totals. Work out a mean average over the last 5 games, and this figure will give you a better understanding of the value of the bet.
Moneyline Betting
Moneyline provides bettors with multiple betting strategies, but here we’re going to highlight the underdog moneyline strategy. All you need to do is find matchups where the contest is expected to be close and put your money on the underdog. This way, the odds will always be in your favor, and you’ll win more money when the bet is successful.
Contrarian Betting
Taking the contrarian position on a game means going against popular opinion. This tactic is used by several famous gamers who swear by it and have the riches to back it up. Some of the best NBA betting sites, such as DraftKings, allow users to see what other bettors are wagering on, potentially providing opportunities to find value bets that no one else has discovered.
Live Betting
This is one of the most popular forms of NBA betting, as it allows sports fans to place a bet while the game is still being played. In-game odds frequently change, reacting to the on-court action, and bettors can use these ever-changing odds to their advantage.
Sportsbooks odds can only react once the information is fed into their computers, giving bettors a chance to benefit from reacting quicker. However, it’s important not to get carried away and limit your bets during commercial breaks and stoppages in the game.
Tips for live betting:
- Bet during commercial breaks or stoppages
- Capitalize on pricing mistakes due to oddsmakers out of date information
- Live bet injuries
- Capitalize on volatility
Research
It’s important to do your research before placing a bet, as it helps you find value in a bet. There are websites, podcasts, TV shows, radio shows, basketball apps, and more out there, making it easier than ever before to stay up to date with all the latest news. NBA picks from expert analysts provide valuable insights for bettors, helping them make informed decisions when placing wagers on games and can increase their chances of success and potentially lead to sizable gains.
Injury News and Team Line-ups
Stay in the loop with injury news and rumors. Star players are missing offer an opportunity for upsets. Will the coach be resting players?
Form
A team may hold a winning record, but dig deeper, and you may discover they’ve lost the last few games, and their confidence may be suffering.
Home Court Advantage
Don’t underestimate the value of the home-court advantage, especially for underdog teams. There’s nothing like a partisan crowd roaring their team to victory against the odds.
Team Schedule
The NBA involves a lot of travel, and as the season goes on, that lethargy can grow and start to affect results. Check out a team’s schedule to see which one has the fresher players. Don’t forget that teams playing lots of games in quick succession may rest star players in the final game of a weekly schedule.
Manage Your Bankroll
Betting on the NBA adds to the excitement of games, but the season is long, so it’s important to manage your bankroll accordingly. First of all, set a bankroll you can afford to lose and stick to it. Then look for the most profitable games for the betting strategies you have chosen.
