Prop Bet wagering on the NBA: a how to guide to bet pro basketball

The NBA is one of the most lucrative markets for sports betting, if done correctly. There are many types of bets in basketball, and one of the most popular is prop betting. 

How does NBA prop bet looks like?

NBA player prop bets are based on an individual player’s statistical performance during a particular game. Typically, this will include one or more of the main player stats categories in points, rebounds, and assists. Most of these NBA player prop bets are in a total, or over/under, type of wager format.

Most sports betting sites in the USA will have a selection of player props for each game where you can often wager on points, assists, and rebounds individually with individual lines set for each player and each stat.

You can also wager on a player’s total performance with an over/under line set for a player’s total combined points, assists, and rebounds.

Specific examples further on.

Select sports books in certain games will also offer odds on a player to score a double-double or triple-double, though this isn’t as widely available, usually reserved for the bigger names in the NBA.

Some betting apps, such as Pointsbet or William Hill, also offer custom NBA prop bets, where you can select a player, points, rebounds and assists. They will build odds based on what you have chosen; however, this feature is only available on certain sites. It is very popular as you gain a greater sense of control as to what you are betting on.

Here are some examples of set prop bets in the NBA

Houston’s James Harden at a 6.5 line for rebounds at +101 over and -128 under in his most recent game (Game 5 in the Rockets’ series with the Lakers.) This type of odds will come in the majority of the time, if you bet smart and do research into the player. 

LeBron James at 8.5 line for assists, with +107 under and -138 over. This is the general consensus for the 3-time NBA Championship winner. 

Milwaukee Bucks’ Greek Freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo ,in his most recent game vs the Miami Heat, had a 1.5 line for three-pointers, with a -189 under and a +138 over. The Freak isn’t known for his three-point powers, which is why the pay-out is larger. 

Lakers’ Anthony Davis also has some good odds to look out for, his assist and three pointer values are +138 and +154 respectively, in the general consensus. Odds like these can be risky, but in the postseason we have seen stranger things happen over the years than AD getting more than 1.5 assists! 

Types of prop bets in NBA

• You can bet on more long-term player achievements
• Individual awards like the coveted NBA MVP
• Most Improved Player
• Defensive Player of the Year
• 6th Man of the Year
• and even NBA Coach of the Year

These bets are among the best NBA player prop bets for you to look out for. 

These are of course a lot harder to predict, but offer much more significant payouts than the standard prop bets. Especially if you bet on it early. Some favorites for next season MVP are LeBron James, Luka Doncic and the current holder since 2019 Giannis Antetokounmpo. Definitely keep an eye out for them. 

To summarise, NBA player prop betting is a quite simple way to bet. Even if you don’t watch the player week in week out, you can study the stats and look at the general consensus. 

You can take risks with higher money lines or play it safe with easy odds. It is a very popular type of bet for good reason, it is very interesting, often pays out well and is fairly simple to get to grips with. You can find out lots of information and stats about players, to inform your decisions and insure that you bet on the right players to win big.  

Always remember to shop around as well with the different books. Some can give you better odds on a certain prop bet, and most will have bet boosts each day on various prop bets pertaining to a particular NBA game. Sometimes, you can find odds that are 100 points better with those boosts, which over the course of a season can add up to big money.