In sports betting, understanding point spreads is essential for anyone looking to engage in wagering on the NBA, NFL, or any other professional sport especially now that it’s legal in the United States. Point spreads determine the outcome of bets and can significantly impact the odds offered by the  gateway drug of sportsbooks.

Let’s take a look at what point spreads are,  the  mechanics of NBA point spreads, explore how they function in betting, the benefits of point spreads, how they affect scores and odds, and some real examples.

What Are Point Spreads?

Point spreads, commonly referred to as “the spread,” are a method used by oddsmakers to level the playing field in sports betting. Unlike traditional moneyline bets, where bettors simply wager on which team will win the game, point spreads introduce a handicap to balance the odds between two opposing teams.

In NBA betting, the point spread assigns a numerical value to each team, indicating the projected margin of victory or defeat. The favored team is assigned a negative point spread, while the underdog receives a positive point spread. 

Examples of Point Spread Betting

Let’s consider a couple examples to illustrate how point spread betting works in an NBA matchup. Suppose the Miami Heat are playing against the Boston Celtics, with the following point spreads:

• Miami Heat (-3.5)
• Boston Celtics (+3.5)

If you bet on the Miami Heat to win, they must win the game by more than 3.5 points for your bet to be successful. Conversely, if you wager on the Boston Celtics, they can either win the game outright or lose by less than 3.5 points for your bet to win. I know there’s no 0.5 point line, basically the half point means the team has to surpass the whole number.  Let’s look at an example using a couple Pacific Division former heavyweights:

• Los Angeles Lakers (-6.5)
• Golden State Warriors (+6.5)

In this example, the Lakers are the favorites by 6.5 points despite the negative connotation with a minus sign. In point spreads, the favorites are designated by the negative sign (-). So the Lakers are expected to defeat the Golden State Warriors by at least 6.5 points. On the other side, the Warriors are the underdogs in this matchup, denoted by the positive sign (+), and are given a 6.5-point advantage.

How Point Spreads Impact Betting

Point spreads serve two primary purposes in NBA betting:

• Balancing the Odds: Point spreads aim to attract equal betting action on both sides of a wager, regardless of the teams’ perceived strengths. By assigning a handicap to each team, sportsbooks encourage betting on both the favorite and the underdog, thereby mitigating the risk of lopsided wagering.
• Adjusting Payouts: Point spreads influence the payouts offered to bettors. Since the spread introduces a handicap, the odds associated with each team’s victory are adjusted accordingly. As a result, betting on the underdog becomes more appealing, as it offers a higher potential payout due to the added point spread.

Point spreads are fundamental to NBA betting and offer a dynamic approach to handicapping matchups and influencing betting odds. Understanding how point spreads operate empowers bettors to make informed decisions and navigate the intricacies of sports wagering effectively. Whether you’re backing the favorites or seeking value in underdog bets, point spreads play a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of NBA betting markets.