NBA Moneyline Odds Explained – Guide on How to Win Basketball Moneyline Bets

Betting on the NBA moneyline is one of the easiest and most straightforward ways to win massive payouts consistently. This bet type simply requires you to pick which team will win a basketball match without considering the number of points they may score or concede.

Let’s discover the plethora of opportunities that NBA moneyline betting offers. Here, we’ll discuss the different moneyline bets, how the odds work, and a few tips on how to win a moneyline bet. We’ll also provide answers to frequently asked questions about this bet market.

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What is an NBA Moneyline Bet?

An NBA moneyline bet is a basketball bet type that involves placing a wager on the team you think will win a game outright. Unlike point spread betting, it doesn’t matter the number of points of the winning team; all that is important is victory.

For instance, in a basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers. If you place a moneyline bet on the Los Angeles Lakers, and they come out on top, you win the wager. Whether victory was by one point or a landslide of 100 points, it doesn’t matter – all that counts is that they won.

In NBA moneyline betting, each basketball team is given a distinct numerical value, representing the odds of how likely they are to win. These NBA odds are marked with either a minus sign (-) — indicating favorites or a positive sign (+) — implying the underdogs.

Going forward, we’ll have a look at how these moneyline odds work in both regular NBA betting and live betting.

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How Do NBA Moneyline Odds Work?

An NBA moneyline wager is a bet on the team you think will win a match. The odds on each team carry either a plus or minus sign, indicating the favorites and the underdogs.

And the value of the NBA moneyline odds depicts how much of a favorite or a dark horse the competing teams are. Simply put, the higher the odds, the bigger the favorites or, the weaker the underdogs.

For example, a basketball team with -250 odds is a bigger favorite than another with -190 odds. Likewise, a side with +175 odds is a weaker underdog compared to another with +140 odds.

Now, the bigger a favorite team is, the less money you will get paid on a winning bet. On the flip side, the weaker an underdog is, the higher your payout on a winning wager. In essence, you will be paid based on how likely or unlikely the bookmaker sees an outcome playing out.

At times, sportsbooks may present moneyline odds in decimal format. To calculate your payout from a moneyline bet, simply multiply your stake by the decimal number.

NBA Moneyline Bet Example

Team Moneyline Odds
Chicago Bulls +380
Milwaukee Bucks -540

How are NBA Moneyline Bets Paid Out?

In the example above, the Chicago Bulls are up against the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA. The Chicago Bulls have a plus sign (+) beside their NBA moneyline odds, denoting they are underdogs in this game. Meanwhile, the Milwaukee Bucks carry a minus sign, showing they’re the favorites.

Now, let’s imagine two instances where you place a basketball moneyline wager of $100 on the NBA game above.

In the first scenario, you place a $100 bet on the Milwaukee Bucks. Since the odds are in their favor, you should expect a smaller gain for a winning bet. With – 540 odds, you will profit $18.52 if the Bucks emerge winners.

In the second scenario, you place a $100 bet on the Chicago Bulls. Here, you should expect to be paid more on a winning bet – since you’re putting your money on the underdogs. With +380 odds, you will receive a profit of $380 on a Bulls victory.

Here’s how we calculated the profits from the two scenarios above:

  • For favorites: Divide your bet amount by the positive value of the NBA moneyline odds and then multiply the result by 100.

Using the Milwaukee Bucks example, ($100/540) * 100 = (0.1852) * 100 = $18.52

  • For underdogs: First, divide your bet amount by 100. Then, multiply the result by the negative moneyline odds.

Using the Chicago Bulls example, ($100/100) * 380 = (1) * 380 = $380

It is important to note that this analysis calculates only the profit you will receive on a winning bet. Your total payout on a winning wager will also include your initial bet (Profit + Bet Amount). This means you will be paid $118.52 and $480 in the first and second scenarios, respectively.

Frequently Asked Questions about NBA Moneyline Bets

How often do moneyline favorites win in the NBA?

How does a sportsbook determine an NBA moneyline price?

What is a +200 moneyline in basketball?

Is it better to bet the spread or the moneyline in basketball?

What happens if the moneylines in an NBA game are equal?

Are NBA moneyline bets good bets?

How does a sportsbook earn money from NBA moneyline bets?

Why do NBA moneyline odds change?

What happens if the price changes after placing an NBA moneyline bet?

Can you put NBA moneyline bets in a parlay?

What does a minus moneyline mean in basketball?

Does moneyline include overtime in basketball?

What is a 3-way moneyline in the NBA?

How to Place an NBA Moneyline Bet

Now that you understand the concept of moneyline betting, placing a wager on this market should be relatively easy. For better understanding, we’ll show you how to place an NBA moneyline bet on BetOnline.

Below are eight guideline steps to follow:

  • Step 1:Visit the bookmaker’s website, for example our top choice BetOnline.

BetOnline Homepage

  • Step 2: When on BetOnline’s homepage, click ‘JOIN’ on your screen’s top-right corner to register an account.

BetOnline Sign Up

  • Step 3: Enter your details as requested and sign up.

BetOnline Login Page

  • Step 4: If you already have an account, select ‘LOG IN’ on the top-right corner of your screen. Then, fill in your email or account number and password  to sign in.

BetOnline Login

  • Step 5: After creating a new account or logging in to your existing account, click “DEPOSIT” on the top-right corner of your screen to deposit your bet amount on your account.

BetOnline Deposit Page

  • Step 6: Click on the ‘SPORTS’ icon on the top-left corner of your screen.

Sports Odds Page

  • Step 7: You will find the basketball category under the list of main sports. Here, select the ‘NBA’ option to proceed.

NBA Odds Page

  • Step 8: You will find a chart of NBA matches and their odds. Click on the basketball moneyline odds you would like to bet on.
  • Step 9: A prompt will appear, enabling you to input the amount you want to stake.
  • Step 10: Type in your wager amount and select ‘PLACE BET’.

Advantages of NBA Moneyline Bets

Before exploring the NBA moneyline bet market, you should know its advantages and opportunities. They include:

1. Simplicity

To make an excellent betting choice, you need to, at least, understand how the bet type and its features work. When a bet is too complex, you are more likely to make a mistake or incorrectly evaluate your decisions.

Both professional and amateur bettors favor NBA moneyline because of how straightforward it is. All you need to do is pick a side you think is better positioned for victory in a basketball game – regardless of the margin, as in points spread bet.

2. Ease of Finding Value

Since you don’t have to deal with any complexity, finding value is relatively easier with moneyline bets. Now, this doesn’t mean finding value in any bet is exactly plain-sailing, but you can assess value without having to deal with layers of intricacy in this market.

3. Bigger Payouts

Putting your money on a basketball team in a moneyline bet is much more lucrative than a point spread bet. You can be confident that a basketball team will cover the spread in a game and perhaps, win the game outright. Instead of going for a point spread bet, a moneyline wager is an ideal and more lucrative option to consider.

Let’s assume the point spread and moneyline of the Los Angeles Lakers in a game are at +5.5 points and +200 odds, respectively, and you have a prediction that the Lakers will overcome the spread and win the game. Going for a point spread bet, with a $200 stake, will only yield $181.21, while a moneyline wager will fetch you a whopping $400 profit.

4. Suitable for Beginners

It is easy for beginners to get overwhelmed by a lot of information and bet choices in the betting world. If you are new to sports betting, moneyline betting is an excellent way to get started, as it is easy to understand. You can even use free bets to help you take some bigger risks as a newcomer.

Our Top Tips on How to Win an NBA Moneyline Bet

As a bettor looking to be profitable, it is essential you have an effective strategy you always stick to. Here, we’ll highlight top tips for building your moneyline strategy, including:

1. Look for the Best Odds

Choosing the sportsbook with the most lucrative odds is a secret to getting the best NBA moneyline bets payout. It is a great idea and not against the law to have betting accounts with the best offshore sportsbooks.

2. Avoid Big Favorites

Avoiding big-name favorites is one of the important things to do when placing an NBA moneyline bet. Their best value often comes at a higher risk. For instance, wagering on the Sixers at -400 simply means staking four times your potential profit. Instead, look out for teams with more value that the bookmakers are not paying attention to.

3. Monitor NBA Team News

As with any other sport, players’ fitness is integral to a team’s success. Hence, if you want to place the best NBA moneyline bets every week, ensure you have up-to-date information on each team you are wagering on – to know if they are at their best or not.

4. Check game-day records

Most times, one can predict a basketball team’s performance in a game based on their form in previous matches. So, try looking out for some trends in the team’s performance before betting on the NBA moneyline market today. Use NBA betting apps to always stay connected for the latest updates.

5. React to odds changes and line movements

As mentioned earlier, a sportsbook would alter the moneyline if there is action on one side more than the other. So, if you find an NBA moneyline bet you want to play, and you are anticipating an odds change in your favor, it might be ideal to wait for the alteration before wagering in order to seal a potentially more lucrative win.

The Sports Daily’s NBA Moneyline Picks

You may be wondering about the rationale behind our expert picks. It’s detailed research. We use statistics and broad research to determine our picks and mold our strategy.

Indeed, it can be challenging to make NBA moneyline picks. However, with adequate research tools and the right model, we are able to get the best results. Our approach is to start with the bulky information and statistics and then work our way down to the little details.

When analyzing an upcoming NBA game, our betting experts look at each team’s form and position in the competition. They also consider the implication of the game’s result on each team and the significance of the match.

Furthermore, before deciding on our NBA moneyline picks, we check each team’s statistics, from the defense to the attack. Matchday trends, head-to-head records, player injuries, and home advantage are also reviewed.

To learn more about how we make our NBA picks and other sports betting decisions, you can check The Sports Daily’s basketball picks page.

How Do NBA Moneyline Bets Work with Live Betting?

NBA live betting is a betting model that involves wagering on a sporting event that is in progress. Ordinarily, most bets are placed before the game starts, but live betting enables you to wager on a game even after it has begun.

Expectedly, in-game betting odds fluctuate throughout the four quarters of a basketball game. Although the sportsbooks set a close action prior to a jump ball, they continue to update the moneyline odds throughout the game, according to the actions in the match.

Now, let’s look at how live betting works with the NBA moneyline in today’s market.

  • As soon as the basketball game starts, bookmakers begin to adjust the closing moneyline odds based on the happenings in the game.
  • The in-game odds always reflect what is going on in a game and are often altered after a major event.
  • You can place a new moneyline wager if you discover odds with value.
  • However, keep in mind that you must lock in your new bet before the next major action occurs, as it will alter the lines – and it may not be in your favor.
  • As with regular betting odds, live odds may vary from one sportsbook to another. Hence, ensure you look for the best possible odds before throwing your weight behind a wager.
  • In NBA moneyline live betting, you are likely to get more value when you back an underperforming side to make a comeback because their in-game odds will increase.

The Best Sportsbooks for NBA Moneyline Odds

You need to shop for the most promising odds from sportsbooks in order to get the best NBA moneyline bets and profits. Here, we’ve curated a list of the best basketball betting sites for you to explore, and they include:

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