NBA Playoff Betting

When it comes to betting the NBA playoffs many handicappers forget that once the playoffs begin it is a totally new season. This means that many of the methods and handicapping factors used during the regular season are much less important during the playoffs. It also means that NBA betting takes on a whole new level of interest as the public now starts to get involved.

When we look at NBA playoff betting there are some definite differences we need to consider compared to regular season NBA betting. The first major difference is that games are played in a series, either best of 5 or best of 7. This immediately presents us with an additional betting option, and that is the series bet. If you are a regular bettor in any sport you recognize the opportunity and the excitement of making a series bet. Instead of having to bet each game individually you can bet on a team to win the series and have action in every game. This type of bet also presents you with opportunities down the road for hedging if your team happens to be leading the series.

The next major difference when it comes to NBA playoff betting versus regular season NBA betting, is the fact that teams have to play desperate when down in a series. Bettors for many years have used this fact to develop what is commonly referred to as the zigzag theory. It is fairly simple in that you take the team coming off a loss in the next game. The theory holds that the team coming off a loss will play better in the next game with more desperation and also factors in the public over reacting to just one game. The zigzag theory worked fairly well when it first was followed many years ago, but in recent years the oddsmakers have adjusted to this theory and the advantages to following it have been greatly diminished.

When betting the NBA playoffs you also have to be aware that the public is now starting to get more involved. All of the games are on television and that means increased public interest. It also means increased public betting, particularly on the favorites. If you are going to lay points in the NBA playoffs you better have an awfully good reason for doing so. The linemaker will over adjust on the favorites in the playoffs because they know public support will push the line higher. This applies in the regular season as well, but is far more prevalent during the post season. One of the main handicapping factors during the regular season that many players use is the travel/fatigue factor. It is of no use during the playoffs since the teams are playing each other.

In a sense the NBA playoff season is an entity all its own. It has to be treated differently than the regular season. Throw out your normal thought process that you used during the regular season and treat it as a new season. That will be your first step in the right direction.