NBA Odds, Betting Lines, and Spreads 

Betting on the moneyline, point spread, and total in NBA basketball can be thrilling pursuit for bettors who went to get even more of their basketball viewing experience. Futures betting on NBA Championship odds has also become increasingly popular in NBA betting, especially in recent seasons with trades and free agency changing the landscape of the league. Read on to learn how to read NBA odds and discover how NBA odds work.

How do NBA odds work?

TwinSpires Sports uses the American odds system. The price of the wager is graded based on a scale of $100. Payouts for a wager will scale up and down according to the amount risked.

The minus sign (-) indicates how much a player has to wager in order to win $100. For instance, a $100 wager on -165 NBA odds would win $60.61 (total return of $160.61). A $165 wager on -165 NBA odds would win $100.

The plus sign (+) indicates how much a player would win if they wagered $100. A $100 wager on +130 odds would win $130 (total return of $230). A $50 wager on +130 odds would win $65 (total return of $115).

How to read NBA odds 

When looking at NBA betting odds at TwinSpires Sports, you will see the names of the two teams playing, the spread, the moneyline, and the total. We will explain each of these distinct NBA betting types in greater detail below. You will also see a number to the far right of the NBA odds. This number indicates the number of prop bets available for this particular game.

Tips on how to win NBA odds 

Winning NBA bets requires skill and savvy. Bettors need to stay up to date on the latest news and NBA injury updates and have an in-depth understanding of league-wide trends, contrasting styles of play, and key matchups.

Sound like too much work? You’re in luck! The TwinSpires Edge's NBA experts have done your homework for you. Check out our NBA on TNT picks every Thursday and our Friday 5-Team Parlays every Friday morning.  

NBA Moneyline

The moneyline is a wager on the straight-up winner of the game. In most cases, there will be a favorite and an underdog listed for each game. Placing a bet on the favorite will offer a lower payout, while placing a bet on an underdog will offer a premium payout, should they win. The NBA moneyline is typically based on the bet required to win $100 if betting on the favorite vs. the potential win for a bet of $100 placed on the underdog.

NBA Point Spread

The point spread is the number of points taken from the favorite, or assigned to the underdog, to give both sides an even chance of winning the wager. For instance, if the Los Angeles Clippers are -7 favorites against the Phoenix Suns, they will need to win their game by eight points or more to “cover” the spread. Conversely, the Suns need to either win or lose by six points or less to cover.

NBA Total or Over/Under

An NBA Over/Under bet involves choosing whether you think there will be more total points scored by both teams, or less total scores, than the figure listed on the published line. The average NBA betting total in 2019 was 221, but totals can vary depending upon injuries, key matchups, and past history.

NBA Futures

A futures wager is a bet on the outcome of a particular event in the distant future. The NBA betting futures market revolves heavily around which team will win the NBA Championship, as well as which players will win annual awards such as the MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Sixth Man of the Year.

To view and play the futures markets, select the NBA at TwinSpires Sports and then select FUTURES at the top of the sportsbook next to GAME ODDS.

Futures can be parlayed by adding multiple selections to the bet slip and selecting MULTI BET. You will then be shown the revised odds for your parlay and the return based on the amount wagered.

Where to Bet on NBA Games

Residents of Indiana, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania can enjoy legal NBA betting at TwinSpires Sports You'll find a wide selection of NBA betting odds, NBA betting lines and NBA Championship odds to wager on throughout the NBA season and beyond! And don't forget to visit The TwinSpires Edge regularly for the best NBA betting advice from our NBA Roundtable and our dedicated team of experts.