Betway offers sports betting for NBA, WNBA, and NCAAB games. Our players can place bets prior to tip-off, or even make the games more exciting with our live betting features.
Here are some of the major basketball markets available at Betway:
This is the simplest bet to make: you pick the winner of the game. If the team (or player) you bet on wins, you win your bet.
Money Line 3-way (excluding OT)
This type of bet includes a market for the teams to draw (tie). If both teams have the same score at the end of regulation (excluding overtime), and you bet on one of the teams to win, your bet will count as a loss.
EXAMPLE: For example, a game between the Cavs and Timberwolves ends regulation at 98-98, with the Cavs winning in overtime 115-112. The winning wager here would be the draw, since regulation ended with a tie score.
This kind of bet creates a more even matchup between two teams (or players) by applying a handicap to the final scores. Much like Money Line bets, this type of bet is on the final score of the game, but either team’s score has a certain number of points (the Spread) added or taken away based on an estimated difference in scores.
A team only covers the Spread if their final score beats their opponent’s final score with the handicap added. Most Spreads have a .5 at the end to prevent ties (pushes).
EXAMPLE: You place a bet on Cavs -5.5. For that to be a winning ticket, the Cavs would need to win the game by more than 5.5 points. So, if the game ended in a 101-98 Cavs victory, your bet would not win, as the Cavs only won by 3 points. This means they didn’t "cover the Spread."
This bet is based on the total number of combined points scored by both teams. A number is chosen based on a likely combined point total, and then you bet on if the final point total will be higher (Over) or lower (Under) than that set number. Most Total odds are set at around -110.
EXAMPLE: A Total of Over/Under 202.5 is set for a game between the Raptors and Mavericks. If the game ended in a 102-100 Raptors victory, the Under would win since the two teams combined for 202 points, which is fewer than 202.5.
Proposition bets (also known as Props)
This type of wager is one that is made on the occurrence of a certain event within the game, regardless of the game’s final outcome.
These bets are often player-focused but have some team options as well.
Common Prop bets for Basketball include:
- Points
- Rebounds
- Assists
- First player/team to score
- Points per quarter/half
Basketball Betting tips:
Do your homework!
Common things to check are prior matchups, injuries, and hot streaks. Unlike most other major sports, basketball players can be subbed in or out of the lineup all the way up to tip-off! Social media and other large sites like ESPN are great tools to use to stay up to date.
Keep an eye on the team's schedules.
NBA teams play 82 games in a season. This means there are times when a team may have 4-5 straight games away from home. This is exhausting for the players and something to keep in mind, especially if they are at the end of long road trip.
Alternatively, a team with 3 straight home games is going to be the most composed and comfortable version of itself.
Read your bets closely.
You want to make sure you know exactly what you are betting on.
EXAMPLE: In a game where the Cavs defeat the Warriors in overtime, a Money Line bet on the Cavs would be a winning ticket. If that same game outcome occurs but you selected the Cavs to win on the Win/Draw/Win market, it would be a losing ticket since the market doesn't include OT.