Guide to the NBA live betting

The art of betting has seen many success stories, with bettors finding and capitalizing on bookmakers' line inaccuracies prior to a match. But, alas, the era of besting bookmakers through such means has come to an end. Just like any method that begins to generate significant profits, it soon has lost its efficiency. Bookmakers are no amateurs, they are equipped with state-of-the-art computational analysis systems that are capable of precisely predicting the likelihood of all potential outcomes of a sporting event well in advance. Additionally, after years of observation and tens of thousands of games played, bookmakers have honed their predictions to near-ideal conditions for earning significant profits. The task of attempting to gain an advantage over the bookmaker before the start of a match, especially in the fast-paced and constantly news-filled world of NBA, is an extremely challenging feat. By placing bets immediately after the lines open, you run the risk of missing crucial information, such as a key player receiving an injury right before a game, for example. This scenario occurs far too frequently. The real work begins a few hours before the game, when the lineups are announced, referees are assigned, and updates on the players' conditions after recent workloads become available. However, even with this information, finding the correct approach to betting on the NBA is not always possible. To compete with bookmakers in betting on the world's premier basketball league, both those who enjoy the occasional wager on NBA tournaments and the ones who choose gambling as their breadwinning activity, must look towards trends and basketball live betting patterns and strategies. So, without further ado, let’s start.

What is live betting in basketball?

Live betting allows you to place a wager even after an event has already begun. This feature exists not only for those wagerers who missed the chance to place their pre-game bets; Live betting is a strategy chosen by many basketball bettors who prefer to observe the game's flow before placing their wager. The odds offered by sportsbooks are subject to frequent adjustments as the game progresses. The timing of a live bet is critical. There are many sportsbooks who update their live odds after every point scored or shot missed. To fully understand the potential of live betting, it's advisable to follow a sportsbook's live odds through their app or by personally monitoring their odds boards. This will give you a glimpse into how rapidly the odds can shift.

Both pre-game and live betting feature largely comparable options. The most widely used wagers, both before and during a game, encompass moneylines, point spreads, and over/under totals. Furthermore, there may be enticing team proposition bets available during live events. For instance, some bookmakers offer wagers such as the margin of victory.

Piece of advice: bet during timeouts

In the fast-paced world of basketball live betting, the temptation to quickly place a wager can be strong. But, it's essential to pause and wait for a timeout to make a well-informed decision. Evaluate important elements such as foul-ridden players, unused timeouts, and current game patterns during the break. By taking a moment to reflect and assess the key factors, you can make a smarter, calculated bet. After all, betting on basketball requires strategy and a level-headed approach.

The best approaches when betting on basketball

In dynamic sports, like basketball, comebacks are not uncommon. Bookmakers take this into account when setting live odds. For example, even if a favorite team falls behind by double digits, their live lines may still reflect their chances of winning.

When betting live on NBA games, it's essential to consider the variables that can impact the game's outcome. 

So here are the two main approaches when it comes to the live ATS betting:

1. Don't make the mistake of thinking that a team with a large advantage will inevitably win. Rapid changes in a team's lead can occur due to differences in player substitution patterns, with some teams opting to give their key players a break sooner. However, when these star players return to the court, they have the potential to quickly turn the tide in their team's favor.
2. When making live bets in the NBA, don't forget to take a team's schedule into account. If a team is behind late in the game but has another game the next day, they may not be as aggressive in trying to make a comeback due to the quick turnaround. On the other hand, the leading team may "take their foot off the gas" and rest their stars, opening the door for a comeback by the trailing team and a potential "backdoor cover."

When making live bets in the NBA, remember to weigh these factors and not assume that a big lead guarantees a big win.

When making live bets on over/unders, there are also two key points to keep in mind. 

1. Firstly, second halves often show higher scoring than the first half as trailing teams may foul to extend the game and increase possessions, and leading teams may ease up on defence to avoid fouling. However, this dynamic is more likely to occur when the game is close towards the end. If the live total seems higher than expected because of the potential for late scoring, but one team has a significant lead, it is advisable to place your bet on the under.
2. It's important to keep pre-game odds in mind when making live bets, especially on totals. Never make a live bet without knowing the game's numbers before the start, as this information gives you a reference point for understanding the basis of the new odds set by the oddsmakers. It's often true that a game's outcome falls close to the original odds, so, if the opening over/under for a game is 220 and you see a live total significantly lower, consider placing a live bet on the over, regardless of the game's early outcome.

Start your journey as a basketball bettor

Feeling ready to start your journey as a wagerer in the world of basketball live betting? With our tips and strategies, you have all you need to succeed. Start by practising your skills with simulated bets on a night of NBA games. As you gain confidence, you can transition to real betting and start placing your bets on Dexsport, which is easy to use even for those who are new in the gambling industry, and offers the best odds and the lowest fees!