Popular In-Play Markets for NBA
One of the biggest ways in which online betting has changed the landscape of sports betting is through in-play wagering. With in-play betting, bettors can wager on NBA games that are already in progress, with odds that have been shifted to account for what has happened on the floor thus far. These betting markets, in particular, are popular when in-play betting on the National Basketball Association.
Live Spread Betting
Live betting against the spread requires bettors to pick which team will have more points after an updated point spread is applied to the score. The point spread is updated throughout the game to reflect updated projections based on the current time and score of a game. This gives bettors a chance to get a better number against the spread than they could have before the game started.
One of the best opportunities for live betting against the spread comes when one team goes on a scoring run. Scoring runs in the NBA are common, and teams often give them up and go on runs of their own in the same game. With live betting against the spread, bettors can often bet against the team that just went on a scoring run, anticipating that they will give a ramp-up to even things out over time.
Live Totals Betting
Totals are another popular way to get involved with live betting. In-play totals require bettors to pick whether the total combined score of both teams will be over or under the number set by the bookmaker. The totals are adjusted throughout the game in the in-play markets, with oddsmakers using the data from the game itself to decide if the total should be moved up or down throughout.
Live totals in the NBA are interesting because so many teams can get points at will in today’s league. When starters are in the game in the first and third quarters, live totals tend to increase as the best players for each team are on the floor at the same time. Conversely, totals may drop at the start of the second and fourth quarters, when the game is filled largely with reserve players who aren’t as talented.
Live Moneyline Betting
Live moneyline betting is a great way to react to what has happened in a game to that point. The live moneyline market asks bettors to predict who will win the game. Moneyline odds are updated throughout the game based on how each team is performing and the adjusted win probability based on what has happened on the court to that point.
The key to in-play betting on the moneyline is to not overreact to what is happening on the court. A team may storm out to a 10-point lead, moving the moneyline odds for the game in their direction. But basketball is played over 48 minutes, and a quick burst doesn’t always decide the winner. Bettors should always think big picture before jumping into this market, as no lead is safe in the NBA.