Understanding NBA Props: A Comprehensive Guide

Hey there! NBA prop betting has blown up in popularity recently. You might find yourself watching a game, waiting for a player to sink a crucial three-pointer or grab a key rebound, adding a lot more excitement to the action. It's no longer just a game when you've got skin in the game.

If you're looking to go beyond the basics of betting on who will win or lose, prop betting is perfect for you. The world of NBA proposition bets (or prop bets, as they're commonly known) lets you wager on a multitude of events that happen within a game, such as three-point shots, points scored, steals, blocks, and much more.

Let's dive deeper into NBA props!

What are NBA Prop Bets?

NBA prop bets are wagers on a series of different events taking place within an NBA game. They're an exciting way to get more involved in the game and bet on specific actions from a player or team.

It's important to note that prop bets aren't connected to the winner or loser of a game. So they have no connection to your more standard point spread, moneyline, or totals (over/under) bets on the NBA.

There are three main types of prop bets: team props, game props, and player props.

NBA Player Props

The basketball props market, especially for player props, is booming. These bets allow you to wager on various aspects of a player's performance during an NBA game. You're essentially predicting how you think an individual player will perform in terms of their in-game stats. Most NBA player prop bets involve predicting whether a player hits over or under an offensive or defensive statistic or will be involved in a specific event or not.

Just like regular basketball betting, the odds for player prop bets reflect the likelihood of the event occurring. So, for player props, the shorter the odds, the more likely the event is to happen. LeBron, for example, will always have shorter odds than some of the lesser-known players in the league.

Remember that an essential rule specific to the NBA: a player must play in the game for the bet to be graded. If something prevents the player from playing right before the game, your bet will be settled as a push, and you'll get your money back. However, be sure to double-check the terms and conditions of your chosen sportsbook.

Here are some popular combinations of player prop wagers in the NBA:

Combined Points Scored & Stats Props

There are numerous variations and combinations of points scored props available, such as rebound and point combos. You can bet on the number of rebounds and combined points a player has in a single game.

For example, with Nikola Jokic, you might bet on the combined total of points, rebounds, and assists (e.g. +/- 49.5). If Jokic scores 40 points, grabs 5 rebounds, and records 5 assists (for a total of 50 points), you'd win the bet if it's labeled as an over bet.

Points Scored Props

These are the most popular type of NBA prop bets, as they're straightforward. You're just wagering on whether you think a player will score above or below a set number of points. Sportsbooks provide various points totals–over 25, 30, 35–and assign odds next to each player to hit that target.

Double-Doubles & Triple-Doubles

Player props also offer the option of whether you think a player will record a double-double (a scenario where a player registers 10 or more in two categories of steals, assists, points, rebounds, and blocked shots). You also have the chance to bet on a player to record a triple-double, which means 10 or more in three of the listed categories. This is a yes/no bet with the odds reflecting the probability of a player achieving this or not.

Three-Pointer Props

Three-pointer props focus solely on how many three-point shots a player will make or miss during a game. With these props, you're wagering on the number of three-pointers a player makes, not the points they score from them. You'll typically only see the bigger-name players listed for these props.

Defensive Props

Focusing on defense, these bets allow you to wager on the number of blocks or steals a player makes during a game. Sportsbooks might also offer props for these statistics combined, with the same rules applying for offensive combined props mentioned earlier.

NBA prop betting has gained prominence, offering a new level of entertainment for sports fans during games as they can bet on specific events, such as three-point shots, points scored, steals, blocks, and assists.
To delve further into the world of betting, consider exploration of the NBA proposition bets (prop bets), which are wagers on a variety of events occurring within an NBA game, including basketball, sports-betting, and sportsbook.
Among several types of prop bets, one category, player props, specifically allows you to wager on individual player performance statistics, such as assists, points scored, steals, and blocks, in the NBA.
When engaging in NBA player prop betting, it's necessary to understand the requirements at your chosen sportsbook, ensuring a player must play in the game for the bet to be graded and settling as a push if a player is unable to play before the game.
In the NBA prop betting arena, popular player prop wagers include combined points scored & stats, points scored, double-doubles, triple-doubles, three-pointer, and defensive props, providing an exciting, interactive experience for fans alongside traditional betting on winners or losers.