Dee Friedman
If you like to bet on the NBA, you may want to use a sportsbook that offers a wide range of bet types. The nature of the game opens up opportunities that can be taken advantage of, assuming you have the ability to bet on them.
Let’s take a look at a couple.
(1) Quarter Line Bets
Some sportsbooks will allow you to bet on the score at various points in and for different stages of the game (i.e. after the first quarter, at half-time, in the second half).
If you’re going to make this type of bet, research teams’ substitution patterns.
Teams that leave their starters in longer before making lineup changes are usually a good bet on the first quarter line.
Also look at whether coaches mix and match or tend to play a first and second unit. Wagering against a second unit can give you an advantage (for obvious reasons), and you can learn when the second unit tends to be on the floor by looking at game play-by-play.
Take note of how teams substitute when they are playing back-to-back games, as well. While linemakers are aware of how difficult is to win the second contest, the difference can vary from team-to-team. Some squads use their substitutes more, making them vulnerable to losing early quarters. Other teams play their starters about the same amount, and that means they are worn out towards the end of the game.
(2) In-Game Betting
In-game betting is designed for the NBA. I couldn’t imagine using a sportsbook that doesn’t offer a heavy diet of in-game options for pro basketball.
It is extremely uncommon for an NBA game to be won wire-to-wire. Therefore, if you like the favorite, why not wait until they trail by a few points and get a better number. Conversely, if you like the underdog, at some point within the first few minutes, they are likely to trail. Take extra points when they come your way.
If you are an in-game handicapper, the information detailed above, about the relative strength of each team’s benches and how they are used, is particularly valuable. Having an idea which team is going to add to a lead or cut into a deficit when substitutions take place enables you to set up a middle.
If, ten minutes into a game, the margin is seven, and you are confident it will be 12 after bench players do their thing, lay the points, and when the number hits 12, you’ll have the option to bet the other side.
In sum, while the better team usually wins in the NBA, the games tend to have ebbs and flows; understanding how the game is likely to progress, and having an opportunity to take advantage of that knowledge, can increase your chances of coming out ahead.
(Photo credit: Philadelphia 76ers (flickr) [https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/legalcode].)
