The NBA spread is the most popular betting option among basketball fans. This guide breaks down what an NBA point spread entails. We will explain who sets the point spread, why it moves and how it is paid out.
You will also discover our top tips to help you succeed when betting on the NBA spread. We will highlight the best sites for betting against the spread, and highlight some exciting bonuses you can claim today. Read on for a thorough grounding in NBA spread betting.
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What is an NBA Spread Bet?
This type of bet requires you to predict which team will cover a point spread set by the sportsbooks. They start out by analyzing the respective strengths of each team, factoring in home advantage, injuries and so on. The oddsmakers will determine a favorite and an underdog.
The favorite is given a points handicap, which creates the NBA spread. You simply need to predict which team will then prevail. For example, if Brooklyn is the 2.5-point favorite against Washington, you could bet on the Nets -2.5, meaning they would need to win by 3 or more points. Alternatively, you could bet on the Wizards +2.5, which would pay off if they won or lost by 1 or 2 points.
Occasionally, the teams will be evenly matched. In that case there will not be an NBA spread. That is known as a pick’em. However, there is an NBA spread in the vast majority of games.
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How do NBA Spread Odds Work?
The purpose of an NBA spread is to allow the sportsbook to offer similar odds on either team covering it. The spread essentially levels out the playing field. Most sportsbooks offer odds of -110 on either team covering the spread. That is a standard juice NBA point spread, with a house edge of 4.77%.
NBA Las Vegas spread bets typically have those odds, as do spreads at online sportsbooks. You may alternatively find -105 on one team and -115 on the other, or -112 / -108. They are also standard juice lines. Occasionally a sportsbook will offer reduced juice odds on an NBA spread. That means it would need to be better than -110 on either side, such as -105 / -105 or -108 / -108.
NBA Spread Bet Example
This is an NBA spread bet example from Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals. The Dubs were the 3.5-point favorites. If you bet on Golden State -3.5, they had to win by 4-plus points. If you bet on Boston +3.5, they could have won or lost by up to 3 points. In the end, the Celtics won by 12, easily covering that NBA spread.
| Team | Point Spread |
| Golden State Warriors -3.5 | -110 |
| Boston Celtics +3.5 | -110 |
How are NBA Spread Bets Paid Out?
The odds on most NBA spread bets will begin with a minus. It tells you the amount you need to wager to win a $100 profit. If you had bet $110 on Boston +3.5, you would have earned a $100 profit. If you had bet $10, you would have earned a $9.09 profit.
Occasionally, the odds may begin with a plus. That may be the case if you go for an alternate line. For instance, you might have found +110 on Boston +1.5 for that game. The plus symbol tells you the profit available from a $100 bet.
If you bet $100 at odds of +110, you would earn a $100 profit. A $10 bet at +110 would net you $11. You always get your risk amount back on a winning wager, so your total return would be $21.
Frequently Asked Questions about NBA Spread Bets
How does a sportsbook earn money from NBA spread bets?
What if the price changes after placing a NBA spread bet?
How does a sportsbook determine an NBA spread price?
Why do NBA spread odds change?
What does the spread mean in NBA betting?
Are NBA spread bets good bets?
What does a negative spread mean in NBA betting?
What does a +3 spread mean NBA betting?
Can you put NBA spread bets in parlays?
What is the alternate spread in NBA?
What does a +1.5 spread mean in NBA betting?
How does NBA spread betting work?
How to Place an NBA Spread Bet
You can place an NBA spread bet in just a few minutes if you follow the simple steps we have provided below:
Step 1: Create a Sports Betting Account
Click here to register with BetOnline, the best online sportsbook for NBA spread betting. It has a very simple sign-up form, which requests just a few personal and contact details. Click the green “JOIN” button, fill it in and click to complete the registration.
Step 2: Fund Your Account
Click on the green “DEPOSIT” option at the top right of the page. Select one of the methods. Type in a deposit amount, provide your details and complete the transaction.
Step 3: Claim a Sign-Up Bonus
Use the BetOnline code “INSIDERS” to receive a sign-up bonus worth up to $1,000. You will also receive some free bet tokens.
Step 4: Find a Game to Bet On
Click the “SPORTS” option on the menu at the top of the page and select basketball from the “MAIN SPORTS” list. Then choose “NBA” and “NBA Basketball Games” to see a list of available games.
Step 5: Place Your Wager
Click on one of the betting options to add it to your betslip. Type in a bet amount and click to place the bet. If it wins, you will be paid out after the game.
Advantages of NBA Spread Bets
You can unlock several advantages by placing NBA spread bets:
- You can earn a much greater profit when betting on a favorite to cover the spread as opposed to the moneyline.
- An NBA spread bet on an underdog is a lot less risky than betting on that team straight-up, as your bet can succeed even if the team loses.
- Most NBA picks focus on the point spread, so you can find lots of valuable advice and insight for this bet type.
- The best sportsbooks provide a variety of alternate NBA spread options – known as buying or selling points – which gives you flexibility.
- Rival sportsbooks offer different lines and odds on an NBA spread, so you can unlock value by hunting out the best terms.
Our Top Tips How to Win an NBA Spread Bet
The five tips laid out below are designed to help you succeed with an NBA spread bet:
1. Check Each Team’s ATS Record
You can see how frequently each team has covered throughout the season by checking out its NBA against the spread record. Cappers often break it down further, analyzing a team’s NBA against the spread record at home or on the road, or its NBA against the spread against a specific team or when coming off a loss.
2. Conduct Extensive Research
Make sure you do your homework before betting on an NBA point spread today. You can assess the comparative strengths of the teams, pore over the stats and try to anticipate how the game will end. That will allow you to decide if the sportsbooks have given a particular team too much respect.
3. Check out Expert Picks
As previously mentioned, most NBA picks focus on the spread, so you can find a wealth of advice to help you make your wagering decisions. The Sports Daily provides ATS picks for the biggest NBA games, so check in each week for free picks.
4. Seek the Best Lines
Finding the best line can make the difference between a profit and a push or loss. For example, Sportsbook A might have the 76ers as the 5.5-point favorites against the Pistons, whereas Sportsbook B might have the 76ers as the 6-point favorites. If you bet at Sportsbook A and the Sixers won by 6 points, you would earn a profit, whereas you would not profit if you used Sportsbook B.
5. Find Arbitrage Opportunities
The only way to guarantee success is to cover both sides of the bet and profit regardless of who covers. This is occasionally possible if you exploit the discrepancies in the lines and odds provided by rival sportsbooks, which is known as arbitrage.
The Sports Daily’s NBA Spread Picks
We use a combination of advanced statistical analysis and expert intuition to make NBA picks against the spread. Our professional handicappers watch NBA action religiously, and they obsess over team news and tactical analysis. They also harness data-driven insights to steer their NBA point spread predictions.
You will benefit from regular NBA spread picks if you visit The Sports Daily throughout the season. We will highlight the best line that was available at the time we published the picks. You can also compare the odds and lines and the sportsbooks you have registered with to ensure you get the most attractive terms available.
How do NBA Spread Bets Work with Live Betting?
Most sportsbooks allow you to bet in-play on the NBA point spread after the game starts. It will move to reflect the score and the momentum of each team, and you can continue to bet on it until near the end of the game. For example, if one team is the 3.5-point pre-game favorite and it is losing by 5 points after 10 minutes, it might become the 1.5-point favorite or perhaps the 1.5-point underdog.
The Best Sportsbooks for NBA Spread Odds
Our reviewers have uncovered the top 10 sportsbooks for NBA spread bets. These elite sports betting sites offer sharp lines, they pay out promptly and they provide great promos. These are the best NBA betting sites available to all American bettors right now:
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Check Our College Basketball Betting 2023 Guides
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