The 2022-23 NBA season is nearly here! We have been treated to some preseason matches and the official action is mere weeks away. This season is set to be dramatic, with virtually all the major superstars being fighting fit and ready to duke it out.
As the excitement mounts, fans can turn their attention to NBA odds and try to make a little extra cash while watching their favorite teams. If you are interested in sports betting and want to improve your technique, we have listed five important betting tips below!
Choose your sportsbook wisely
It’s important that you choose a reputable sportsbook that has a gambling license. This ensures you will not be scammed and that your NBA betting funds are in safe hands. Aside from a gambling license, look at the sports they cover and make sure that they have a brilliant coverage of all NBA games. Not only that, but they should provide a large variety of individual bets on each match.
Do your research and use analytical data
The NBA has perhaps one of the most advanced and readily available set of statistics in professional sports. Indeed, coaches base their entire game, including playing minutes, on advanced metrics to best utilize their players talents – who can forget James Harden’s Houston Rockets and their ridiculous 3-point numbers?
As a fan, you have access to these stats too and you should use them to your advantage when placing bets! It is a wise idea to look at data like the recent form of players, the recent team records, and current division and conference standings. You can glean so much info from statistics that can help you pick the right team or the right player for your bets.
Take into consideration current team and player form
While advanced statistics and analytical data are vital for NBA betting, you must also look at the current form and what is actually happening in the league. The NBA league can be volatile – as we have seen with the 2021-22 season, injuries can decimate teams and completely change the outcome of matches and conference rankings.
Before placing bets, look at the teams and players involved. Is there any team in excellent form that is currently on a winning streak? Perhaps a player is on a hot streak and has had a string of high-efficiency 30-point games? Factors like this can make statistics misleading. Therefore, the more general NBA knowledge you have and the more news you digest, the more informed your bets will be.
Look at the different available bet types
Sportsbooks offer a brilliant array of different betting options for NBA games. Also, there are some platforms that offer NBA futures betting. For example, you could bet on who you think will win the scoring title in the 2022-23 season, even before it starts. You could take a punt on these futures bets, but there are too many unknowns, such as injuries and trades, to make these regularly profitable.
Instead, look at the individual game bets – these are where you can make your money. Examples include total points scored (combined for both teams for the entire game), player total points, quarter and half scores and spread bets. Spread bets, in particular, can be lucrative. Here, you are betting on one of the teams winning by a certain point margin. For example, you could bet on the spread that the Bulls will beat the Mavericks by a margin of +10.
Don’t let your emotions cloud your judgement
Lastly, one of the worst things you can do when betting on NBA games is to bet with your heart instead of your head. Emotional betting is never a good idea and in most instances, it leads to poor decision-making and a loss of funds!
Sure, you’re a faithful Orlando Magic fan and you have supported them from the Penny and Shaq years to this day! However, realistically, is their relatively young and inexperienced core going to beat a fully fit Golden State Warriors team if Steph, Klay and Draymond are in good form? No. So don’t bet on them! We know it can feel like a betrayal, but betting on your favorite team or Lebron James simply because he’s ageless doesn’t always yield great results!
You should by now have some great ideas to bolster your NBA betting and help you make wise picks. The preseason is in full swing and it won’t be long before you can head to your favorite sportsbook and hopefully make some extra cash!
