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Expert Basketball Betting Tips – NBA, EuroLeague & More

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Over/Under Points Betting 

Total points betting, also known as over/under betting, is popular because you don’t need to pick a winner; simply bet on the total number of points you think will be scored in a basketball match. 
The sportsbook sets the totals line, which is often in the region of 218.5. You can then bet on over or under this number of points being scored. For instance, if the Bulls beat the Celtics 112 to 108, an over bet would win, as 220 points were scored. 

Example: Chicago Bulls v Boston Celtics, over 218.5 points to be scored. 
Tip: It stands to reason that the league’s top-scoring teams are good options for totals bets, particularly when they meet teams with weak defensive line-ups. One of our best basketball bet tips is to consider pace-of-play stats, as teams that play and score quickly are more likely to post high scores.

Spread (Handicap Betting)

Thanks to the high-scoring nature of basketball matches, spread betting is a great option. Rather than backing a team to win, a handicap bet lets you:

  • Bet on a team to win by a specific number of points.
  • Back a team not to lose by a specific number of points. 

The spread is often 5.5 points in basketball. This means that if you bet on a team at -5.5, they must win the match by at least six. However, if you back a team at +5.5, you will win your bet if they win, or lose the game by five points or fewer. 

Example: The Toronto Raptors (-5.5) to beat the Brooklyn Nets.  
Tip: When a fixture places a heavy favourite against a clear underdog, a point spread wager offers better value than a straight-up winner bet. However, always check for injuries and suspensions before placing a handicap bet. Also, look at a team’s recent schedule and form to ensure they’re not burned out.

Player Props 

Player props let you put basketball betting tips to great use, particularly if you study form, performances, and stats. You can bet on things like the top rebounder or points scorer in a match, or back a player to score the most three-pointers. 
You can bring multiple player props into a parlay wager or separate them. Remember, if you include props in a parlay, all your selections must come in for your bet to succeed. If one leg lets you down, you will lose the entire wager. 

Example: Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors to score over 27.5 points in a match against the LA Clippers. 
Tip: Research is key if you’re planning player prop bets. Check when a top-scoring point guard is coming up against a shaky defence. Also, study a player’s career stats, including top scorers and patterns. For instance, Curry is a great guy to pick for over betting, thanks to his 62-point career-high game, and he boasts a 24.7 PPG average in his career.

Quarter/Half Betting 

Quarter and half betting on basketball lets you break any fixture down for greater value and more in-depth options. For instance, rather than betting on the total number of three-pointers in a match, you can bet on the three-pointers in the first half. 
Totals betting is also fun in each quarter. You can back one team to win the first half and another to win the second half. 

Example: Denver Nuggets to score under 108.5 points in the first half against the New York Knicks. 
Tip: NBA teams often start well on home court, making quarter one ideal for over betting. Also, teams with a high pace (possessions per game) are a good option for over bets in each quarter, so use stats to boost your winning chances when breaking the fixture down into individual quarters.

Basketball Leagues Covered 

At 96.com, we offer basketball betting tips for all major leagues and events, from the NBA to the EuroLeague. For instance, our coverage includes: 

  • US NBA: We provide tips throughout the NBA campaign as teams compete in regular-season matches, playoffs, and the NBA Finals. We offer markets and tips for all NBA matches until the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy is awarded. 
  • 🇪🇺 EuroLeague: The EuroLeague is the biggest basketball tournament on the European continent, featuring elite teams like Real Madrid and Olympiacos. It showcases tactical play, passionate fans, and high-level talent across a rigorous, travel-heavy season format.
  • US NCAA: College basketball is highly entertaining, particularly during the March Madness series, where betting offers and markets abound. Back the Bruins, Wildcats, and Hoosiers as future NBA stars compete for recognition. 

Liga ACB, BBL, LNB, LBA: We also provide tips and betting options for all major European basketball leagues, including those in Italy, Germany, Spain, and France.

Frequently Ask Questions

Are your basketball tips free?

Our basketball betting tips are 100% free. You can bookmark this page and refer to it before you bet on any basketball fixture. Don’t forget to check our game-week tips at the top of this page.

Do you provide betting tips for the EuroLeague and the NCAA?

Our basketball bet tips extend beyond the NBA. Our experts provide insight and tips for the NCAA, EuroLeague, and major domestic European basketball leagues.

How accurate are your betting tips?

There’s no such thing as a sure-fire basketball bet, so don’t think our tips will guarantee a profit. However, our tipsters aim for value and sustainability, and we offer insights that regular punters don’t recognise.

Do I need a 96.com account to follow the tips?

No, you can follow our tips without signing up. However, to place basketball bets, you must register at 96.com, which you can do freely and easily in seconds.