Sports betting has become one of the biggest markets in the digital entertainment world. And then within the sports world, basketball has reigned as champion for quite some time. Remember when Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordon dunked in the 90s? Since then, basketball has been massive. So, it’s a bit of a match made in heaven when you merge sports betting with basketball, wouldn’t you agree? Well, yes. But only if you know what you’re doing. You have to be aware of the rules and regulations around sports betting so that you place informed bets.
Just like any other sport, basketball has its own set of rules. Sports betting also has its own set of rules and you need to be aware of both if you want to engage in a safe and secure way. It’s more than just about the jargon; you also need to be aware of what is actually happening on the court. It doesn’t help to bet if you aren’t informed of Tatum’s last performance or Edward’s last 3-pointer. It sounds intimidating to start with but if you’re a beginner, you have come to the right place, as you’re about to learn a lot more about this.
The Language of Margins with the Point Spread
Yes, a scary term if you’re just stating. A point spread, what on earth could that mean? The goal of the spread is to create a balanced betting field by giving one team a virtual disadvantage and the other a virtual boost. That’s about it. You will usually see something like:
- Lakers -6.5
- Knicks +6.5
This is a point spread between two teams. If you bet on the Lakers at -6.5, you are betting that they will win by 7 or more points. If you choose the Knicks at +6.5, you are betting that they will either win outright or lose by 6 or fewer.
Sound confusing? Don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it in no time. When you start, try to bet using bonuses or promo codes, as you’ll likely make rookie errors and you don’t want these to be real money mistakes. Try to use the Fanatics casino promo code, which allows you to engage in betting and gives you free codes to do so, meaning nothing comes from your pocket. Excellent for beginners.
Betting on Pace and Scoring with ‘Totals’
Another common term in basketball betting is the total, also called the over/under. Instead of picking a winner, you are predicting whether the combined score of both teams will go over or under the number set by the sportsbook.
For example:
- Total: 224.5 (Over/Under)
If you think both teams will run the floor, shoot often and push the pace, you might lean over. If you expect tough defense, slower possessions and low-percentage shooting, you might lean under. Learning to read these situations is a big part of basketball betting and can be less stressful than betting on winners and losers.
Focusing on Individual and Team Moments
Prop bets are where basketball betting gets fun, because now you are betting on smaller pieces of the action instead of the final score. A prop, short for “proposition bet”, can apply to teams or individual players.
Some common prop terms include:
- Player Points: Predicting how many points a player will score
- Assists or Rebounds: Betting on a player’s stat line
- 3-Pointers Made: Guessing how hot someone is from behind the arc
- Double-Double / Triple-Double: Betting that a player will hit certain stat milestones in multiple categories
Player props are hugely popular in basketball because the sport is driven by star talent. One athlete can change a game, like LeBron James, so many bettors enjoy focusing on individual performances instead of full-team outcomes, as it feels a little easier to guess.
The Simplest Jargon of All is the Moneyline
The moneyline is the easiest basketball betting term to understand. You are simply betting on which team will win the game. No spreads. No scoring predictions. Just the winner.
The odds will look something like Heat -150 and Bulls +130. A minus symbol means the team is favored, while a plus symbol means the team is the underdog. Once you learn that basic rule, moneyline betting becomes one of the most straightforward markets to explore.
ATS, Pace and Other Acronyms You Will See Everywhere
Basketball betting also comes with fast-talk acronyms that show up in stats, previews and expert analysis. Some of the most common include:
- ATS (Against the Spread): A team’s record specifically for spread betting
- SU (Straight Up): A team’s actual win-loss record
- Pace: How fast a team plays in terms of possessions per game
- FG% / 3P%: Shooting percentages that help predict scoring potential
Reading these terms will help you understand matchups on a deeper level. For example, a fast-paced team may be a better fit for an over bet, while a team with a strong ATS record might give you more confidence on spreads.
Keep Your Head in the Game
Yes, basketball jargon sounds tricky to start with but over time, you will get the hang of it. You just need to make sure you always do your research first. It doesn’t help to know all the jargon out there if you don’t know what’s happening in the NBA. Get your basketball facts straight before placing bets.
