NBA Playoffs Betting Tips to Keep In Mind for the Postseason

It’s hard to believe, but after six grueling months of regular-season action, we’ve finally arrived at the NBA Playoffs.

With the playoffs starting this week, the betting public is getting ready to make their playoff bets. When making playoff bets, there are a few things that you need to consider prior to making your wagers.

It pays to do a little research prior to placing your wager. Here are a few things that we always look at before making our final NBA Playoffs Bets.

Postseason Betting Tips for NBA Playoffs

How will the Officials Affect the Game?

The old adage says that referees don’t win or lose a game, but in some cases, they can play a large part in who wins or loses. Every official has a reputation. If you do enough research, you can find the tendencies of many of the officials in the NBA.

Some officials call the game very closely, while others let the games get much more physical, especially in the playoffs. It’s worth taking a look at the officiating crew for each game prior to making a bet, especially a large one.

Many officials love playing to the home crowd. They don’t want people yelling and screaming at them, and they know that if they get the crowd on their side, it will be better for them.

However, that’s not always the case. For example, Scott Foster is one of the most well-known officials in the NBA. Unfortunately, he’s known more for bad things than for good. Unlike many officials who tend to side with the home crowd, Foster is infamous for favoring the visiting team.

This is just something to consider prior to placing a wager.

Home/Road Splits

We know that in the playoffs, home-court advantage can be a huge factor in deciding the game. When you get the home crowd behind you, it makes things difficult for the visitor.

However, that isn’t always the case. For example, the Philadelphia 76ers actually had a better road record than the home record this season.

Yes, we know that home court can be big, but it’s just another thing to consider prior to placing your bets.

Who’s the Most Well-Rested?

When teams have to play a full series and have a very little break in between the start of the next series, it can play a part in how that team plays.

Teams that finish their series quickly and have a nice break to rest up tend to have the advantage over the teams that have had to play six or seven games in their series.

When getting ready to bet on a series, it’s worth taking a look at how well the higher seed did in the first round. If the top seed swept the #8 seed while the #4 vs. #5 series went the full seven games, we would take the top seed in Game 1 every time.

Not only will the higher seed have home-court advantage, but they will also be better rested.

Playing Time!

During the regular season, teams tend to go a little deeper into their bench than they do during the playoffs. Some teams have built a good bench and will continue to play up to 10 guys, but some teams don’t have that luxury.

Teams that have a deeper bench are always better suited for the playoff grind. If a team is consistently only playing seven or eight players go up against one that can go ten deep, we like the team playing 10’s chances.

If a team played their starters a ton of minutes throughout the regular season, they may be worn out for the playoffs, so this is something to consider as well.