Basketball Betting Guide: How to Bet on Point Spreads, Totals, and Money Lines in Basketball.

If you love basketball and want to make some money from your passion, you might want to try betting on the games. Betting on basketball can be fun and rewarding but requires some knowledge and skills. You need to understand the different types of bets available, how they work, and how to use them to your benefit. This article will teach you how to bet on point spreads, totals, and money lines in basketball, the most common and popular bets in this sport.

What are Point Spreads?

Point spreads are a way of making the games more competitive and interesting for the bettors. Point spreads are the number of points the favored team is expected to win by, and they are shown by a negative sign (-) next to their odds. The underdog team is the one that is expected to lose by that number of points, and they are shown by a positive sign (+) next to their odds.

For example, let’s say the Milwaukee Bucks are playing against the Orlando Magic, and the point spread is -8.5 for the Bucks. This means that the Bucks are favored to win by 8.5 points, and if you bet on them, they have to win by more than 8.5 points for you to win your bet. If they win by exactly 8 points or less or lose the game, you lose your bet. On the other hand, if you bet on the Magic, they have to either win the game or lose by less than 8.5 points for you to win your bet. You lose your bet if they lose by exactly 8.5 points or more.

The point spread is a way of giving an incentive to bet on both teams, as it makes the game more unpredictable and exciting. The point spread can change depending on various factors, such as injuries, suspensions, or public opinion. Therefore, checking the point spread before you place your bet is important, as it may differ from when you first saw it.

What are Totals?

Totals are a way of betting on the total number of points scored by both teams in a game. The sportsbook or casino sets the totals, usually a round number, such as 200 or 220. You can bet on whether the total number of points will be over or under that number.

For example, the total for a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets is 215. If you bet on the over, you are betting that the combined score of both teams will be more than 215 points. If you bet on the under, you are betting that the combined score of both teams will be less than 215 points.

The totals are a way of betting on both teams’ pace and style of play, as well as their offensive and defensive skills. Some teams tend to play faster and score more points, while others play slower and score less. The totals can also change depending on various factors, such as injuries, suspensions, or weather conditions. Therefore, checking the totals before you place your bet is important, as it may differ from when you first saw it.

What are Money Lines?

Money lines are a way of betting on a game’s outright winner without considering the point spread or the totals. The money line is a ratio of how much you have to bet to win a certain amount of money. The money line is shown by a negative sign (-) for the favored team and a positive sign (+) for the underdog team.

For example, the money line for a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Brooklyn Nets is -120 for the 76ers and +100 for the Nets. If you bet $120 on the 76ers, you will win $100 if they win the game. If they lose the game, you will lose $120. On the other hand, if you bet $100 on the Nets, you will win $100 if they win the game. If they lose the game, you will lose $100.

The money line is a way of betting on the confidence and probability of each team winning the game. The more favored a team is, the lower its money line will be, and vice versa. The money line can also change depending on various factors, such as injuries, suspensions, or public opinion. Therefore, checking the money line before you place your bet is important, as it may differ from when you first saw it.

Summary

Basketball betting can be fun and profitable using point spreads, totals, and money lines to your advantage. These are the most common and popular types of bets in basketball, and they can help you find value and opportunities in every game. However, before you bet, you should always research, compare the odds, and manage your money wisely. Remember, betting is a form of entertainment, not a way of making money. Bet responsibly and enjoy the game!