NBA
What is a Negative Spread in Basketball and Why Does it Matter?
Basketball is so much fun to bet on, but if you want to have the best possible experience the next time you visit the top online sports betting sites, then you need to know about the ‘negative spread’. If you’ve never heard of negative spread in basketball, have no fear! We’re here to tell you everything you need to know, including what a negative spread is and why it’s important.
Basketball players
Understanding Negative Spreads
To fully understand the negative spread and what it means for your betting style, let’s break it down a little.
Definition of negative spread in basketball
A point spread, or just ‘the spread’, is the margin of victory that a bookmaker assigns to a match between two teams.
The favourite will be given a point deficit, while the underdog will be given points in their favour. For example, if you have the Boston Celtics going up against the Detroit Pistons, the Celtics will be a clear favourite. This means that the sportsbook will assign them negative points, while the Pistons will get positive points.
Let's say that the bookmaker gives the Celtics -10 and the Pistons +10 points. This means that in order for the Celtics to win, they must do so by a clear 11-point lead.
Therefore, the negative spread refers to the amount of points that the favourite team in any match receives from the sportsbook.
Implications for basketball betting odds
The negative spread in basketball adds excitement and more opportunities to make profitable bets.
Usually, the favourite would have shorter odds in something like a moneyline bet, as statistical and historical data would predict them to win. However, once a negative spread has been added, it gives the underdog a much better chance of tying with, or even beating, the favourite.
This opens up a world of opportunities for betting against the spread, or in some circumstances, even betting on the underdog.
Why Negative Spreads Matter
As mentioned, negative spread can have a great impact on your betting opportunities. But why exactly does negative spread matter? Let's take a look.
Impact on betting outcomes
Using spread betting, you open the door to lots of other betting outcomes. When you bet on a team with a negative spread, it's not enough for that team to just win the match. They must also win by the margin greater than the spread set out by the bookies. So, if the favourite wins but doesn't cover the spread, the bet is lost.
Value betting opportunities
Negative spread play a part in creating value bets. Because the bookmaker is the one who decides the spread, it is not always entirely accurate. Therefore, if you think that the favourite is undervalued and capable of covering the spread, you may want to bet on them.
On the flip side, if you think the underdog is capable of closing the spread, then you might decide to bet that way instead.
Considerations for bettors
As with any type of betting strategy, there are no guaranteed wins with negative spread bets. You must still evaluate each team on its own merits, as well as take the spread into consideration, before you bet.
Betting Strategies for Negative Spreads
As with all betting strategies, there are some tips that can help you use negative spread effectively the next time you bet.
Money management
Managing your bankroll is probably the most important thing you can do when betting on any sport, including basketball. By managing your funds correctly you can avoid overspending and or forming unhealthy gambling habits.
We recommend you utilise the safer gambling tools found at all great sports betting sites. Things like profit and loss limit settings can help you manage your finances and ensure that you never spend more than you can afford to lose.
Live betting considerations
In-play betting adds another level of excitement to the negative spread, as you can make bets in real time as you watch a basketball match live.
While you cannot change your existing bets, you can add new ones, which means that you can make another bet that goes against your original one if you see any shifts in gameplay.
This is also a great way to hedge your bets, as you can bet on both the positive and negative spreads and end up with a winning bet regardless of the outcome. However, be aware that this will increase risk and the potential for overspending.
For more tips on sports betting strategies, make sure you always visit us here at SportsBoom.com. We keep you in the know with our latest news, reviews and guides.
With 10 years of experience in content writing, Alyx has produced countess guides, reviews and articles covering a wide range of topics in the iGaming industry. She loves anything to do with online casinos, as well as UK and international sports betting.