The National Basketball Association (NBA) is still one of the most well-liked leagues among sports bettors, including NBA Totals. However, data shows that the vast majority of NBA-related action at sportsbooks occurs on the spread for individual games. Betting on the “over/under,” also known as the “entire line,” is an integral aspect of NBA betting, and if you don’t incorporate NBA Totals into your overall plan, you’re leaving money on the table.
Know each team’s scoring potential and defensive averages before placing a bet on the total points scored or allowed in a basketball game.
This holds no matter which end of the court you examine. Some NBA teams are noted for their high-scoring averages, while others are notorious for allowing high-scoring totals on a nightly basis.
The Los Angeles Clippers averaged 107.9 points per game during the 2013–14 regular season, which ranked first in the NBA. However, they allowed 101.0 points per game to their opponents, which ranked second. The total went OVER in 44 of their 82 games, or about 54% of the time, despite the fact that oddsmakers would have adjusted total lines in light of these facts.
Those who had bet the UNDER on the Chicago Bulls were even more shocked by the final scores. The total failed to go OVER in 48 of 82 games (59 percent of the time), despite the team leading the NBA in the fewest points allowed (91.8) and ranking last in scoring (93.7 PPG). The majority of Bull’s games went UNDER the total even after the oddsmakers cut the line for those games.
Current performance is much more informative than scoring averages throughout a season when trying to predict future outcomes. An accurate picture can be painted with season-scoring averages. Sometimes, even the weakest club in the league will outscore their season average and play far better defense than they have. Despite the fact that betting patterns tend to change over the season, a winning streak on the total line that lasts for several games can be achieved by paying close attention to a team’s current playing form, as well as utilizing NBA betting sites. Betting on the total is an excellent way to do this.
Betting on the total line requires taking into account more than just the points scored and allowed. The first two metrics measure a team’s offensive and defensive efficiency by calculating the number of points scored and surrendered per 100 possessions. These numbers complement the technique that estimates a team’s average number of controls per game as a proxy for its overall speed. A team’s offensive efficiency and pace together are good predictor of how many points they might score depending on how effective their opponent’s defense is.
When determining NBA totals, many factors are taken into account beyond just a team’s health, fatigue, and motivation. The extent of injuries to a group can significantly impact a coach’s game plan. When a team’s top scorer is out, the head coach often tries to make up for the shortfall by switching up the defense. A low score could be preserved in this way. He could do something completely different and fill the spot with individuals off the bench who can help turn the tide of the game.
Fatigue can be a problem for athletes who have to travel for long periods or play multiple games in a short period. As the regular season progresses into the second half, keep in mind that some teams may choose to lose on purpose by letting their defense down. High-scoring approaches may emerge from a mismatched matchup.
The final piece of advice for NBA totals handicapping is to create an in-depth profile of each team, taking into account all of the previously mentioned factors for both home and away games. The scoring difference between home and away games for some NBA teams may be as dramatic as night and day; thus, the venue makes a big difference.
