NBA events offer various betting lines, including traditional markets like the moneyline, spread, and totals. You can also find player props, futures, single bets, multi-bets, parlay bets, handicaps, and more. Here's an overview of the popular bets on NBA betting apps, complete with examples:
Moneyline
The moneyline is one of the three classic betting lines you'll find across all sports, including basketball. It involves backing the winner of the match, which is the aim of the sport. Every basketball game has a favourite and an underdog, but sometimes the teams are evenly matched. bookmakers offer lower odds for the favourite because they're more likely to win, while the underdogs are heavily backed. Here's an example of the Toronto Raptors vs Chicago Bulls Play-in game:
Toronto Raptors (-250) | Chicago Bulls (+205) |
In this example, you can win $100 if you bet $250 on Toronto Raptors to win, and they win. If you bet on Chicago Bulls (underdogs), you only need $100 to win $205 if the Bulls win. The Raptors are the favourites according to the bookmaker.
Spread
The spread (point spread) is another classic betting line involving wagering on the score variation between the teams. You can bet on team A to score at least a specific number of points more than the opponent. Spread bets also come with against-the-spread (ATS) bets, which back the underdog not losing by more than a specific number of points. Here's an example:
Toronto Raptors -6 (-105) | Chicago Bulls +6 (-115) |
In this example, you can win $100 if you bet $105 on Toronto Raptors to score 6 or more points than the Bulls. If you bet against the spread, you need $115 to win $100, and the Bulls must not lose by more than five points. The 2023 Play-in games ended Raptors (105), Bulls (109), so those who bet against the spread won.
Totals (Over/Under)
The total bet (or over/under) involves betting on the combined points or outcomes. You can bet on a game to result in more or less than a specific number of points. Here's an example:
Raptors vs Bulls | Over 212.5 (-110) |
Under 212.5 (-110) |
If the game ends in more than 212.5 points, as it did in the 105-109 score (total of 214 points), you win the over bet. You need $110 to win $100. The under bet would win if the game had less than 212.5 points, like in a 100-109 score.
Other Bet Types
The best NBA betting apps offer many other bet types, including props, futures, parlays, and handicaps. Props involve betting on minor in-game outcomes, like how many rebounds a player will score in a match. Futures are bets of future results, like the NBA finals betting lines or who wins MVP of the season. Parlays involve different markets from the same or different events, while handicaps start with a predetermined advantage/disadvantage for the teams.