{"id":19608,"date":"2024-01-02T10:57:41","date_gmt":"2024-01-02T08:57:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/?p=19608"},"modified":"2025-06-04T11:02:13","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T09:02:13","slug":"basketball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/en\/useful\/articles\/basketball\/","title":{"rendered":"Know the game: what smart fans need to know about Basketball"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"19608\" class=\"elementor elementor-19608\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5d7efb58 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5d7efb58\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32d40bf6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"32d40bf6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\"><nav aria-label=\"breadcrumbs\" class=\"rank-math-breadcrumb\"><p><\/p><\/nav><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e4750ba e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1e4750ba\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a047e75 ddddf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a047e75\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20c9d99a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"20c9d99a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Understand basketball\u2019s fast-paced tactics and scoring. Learn how to watch, enjoy, and start betting on the game with confidence.<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18b94166 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"18b94166\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13e8adb2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"13e8adb2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2240\" height=\"1260\" src=\"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Know-the-game-basketball.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-19610\" alt=\"Know the game: what smart fans need to know about basketball\" srcset=\"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Know-the-game-basketball.png 2240w, https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Know-the-game-basketball-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Know-the-game-basketball-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Know-the-game-basketball-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Know-the-game-basketball-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Know-the-game-basketball-2048x1152.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2240px) 100vw, 2240px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19d502c4 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"19d502c4\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-175f64b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"175f64b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h1>Know the game: what smart fans need to know about Basketball<\/h1><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basketball, like any game, contains a varied number of tactics so that one team wins the game &#8211; meaning both offensive and defensive tactics are designed to accomplish specific goals, and each player is responsible for performing individual actions.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basketball was invented by James Naismith, who used a peach basket as the original goal in the first game. This peach basket played a significant role in the early years of basketball, shaping the way the sport developed.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basketball is where two opposing teams seek to outscore each other by shooting the ball into the basket. A basket could be worth 1, 2, or 3 points. The rules of basketball have evolved since the early years, including changes in how baskets are scored and how the game is played. The team with more points than the other at the end of the time permitted wins the game.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basketball has four quarters consisting of 20 minutes each (after each quarter a short break is taken). The sport is played across multiple seasons at various levels, from amateur to professional leagues.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should the two teams score the same amount of points, there is an additional five-minute \u201covertime\u201d to determine who can score additional points. More \u201covertime\u201d can be played until finally, one team scores more points and wins the game.<\/span><\/p><h2>Introduction to basketball<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basketball is a dynamic and fast-paced sport played by two teams of five players each, competing to score the most points by shooting the ball through the opponent\u2019s hoop. Each game is played on a rectangular court, with teams working together to outscore their rivals before the final buzzer. The sport is celebrated for its high energy, quick transitions, and thrilling moments, making every match a must-watch event.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the professional level, the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nba.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Basketball Association (NBA)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> stands as the premier basketball league in the world. NBA games attract millions of fans, with the NBA Finals serving as the ultimate showdown to crown the season\u2019s champion. The excitement of the NBA Finals draws not only passionate viewers but also bettors who analyse NBA odds and place wagers on their favourite teams. Beyond the NBA, basketball thrives at the college level, where college basketball teams compete in intense matchups and tournaments, and at high schools across the country, nurturing the next generation of talent.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019re following the league, tracking the score, or placing a bet, understanding the basics of how the game is played and how points are scored is essential for any fan. With its blend of athleticism, strategy, and teamwork, basketball remains one of the most popular and engaging sports worldwide.<\/span><\/p><h2>History of basketball<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The story of basketball began in 1891, when James Naismith, a physical education instructor in Springfield, Massachusetts, invented a new sport to keep his students active indoors during the winter. Using a soccer ball and two peach baskets as goals, Naismith created the first game of basketball, which quickly captured the imagination of players and spectators alike. The simplicity and excitement of the game led to its rapid spread to colleges and high schools, with the first intercollegiate game played just a few years later in 1895.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As basketball\u2019s popularity soared, organisations like the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aausports.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncaa.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> played crucial roles in standardising the rules and promoting the sport across the United States. The NCAA Tournament, famously known as March Madness, has become a highlight of the college basketball season, drawing massive audiences and intense competition among colleges across the USA.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Internationally, the sport is governed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), which oversees global competitions and ensures consistent rules for international basketball. Today, basketball is played in nearly every country, with tournaments and leagues at every level, from high schools to the NCAA and beyond. The game\u2019s rich history, from its origins with peach baskets to its current global phenomenon, continues to inspire players and fans around the world.<\/span><\/p><h2>Basketball team positions<\/h2><p><b>Point guard<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; responsible for leading the team\u2019s offensive plays, dribbling the ball out of defence and across the court, passing the ball to a player to shoot at the basket. Typically, point guards are smaller, yet faster players on the court with exceptional ball-handling skills.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Shooting guard<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; shooting guards generally are a little slower and a bit. Their goal is to take far-distance shots to score 3-pointers.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Small forward<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; the teams most versatile player, small forwards assist in scoring in collecting rebounds. They are also typically taller than both point and shooting guards.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Power forward<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; is usually one of the most influential players who play inside the 3-point line, receiving rebounds and score in the opposing team\u2019s basket.<\/span><\/p><p><b>Centre<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; is usually the tallest player on the team, often among the tallest players in professional basketball. Centres serve as key defensive players, scoring close to the basket, blocking shots defensively and grabbing rebounds. Centres are the player who begins the game with the tip-off.<\/span><\/p><h2>Player skills<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Success in basketball requires a unique blend of athleticism, technical skill, and mental acuity. Basketball players must master a range of skills, including dribbling, passing, shooting, and defending, all while maintaining speed, agility, and endurance throughout the game. Each position on the court calls for a specific skill set: for example, the point guard is often the team\u2019s primary ball handler, using quick moves and behind-the-back passes to navigate defences and set up plays.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scoring is a central focus, with shooting guards specialising in jump shots and long-range attempts from beyond the three-point line. Defensive players, meanwhile, excel at man-to-man defence, using anticipation and quick footwork to guard their opponents and protect the basket. Teams have built their reputations on strong defensive play and the ability to capitalise on both taller players for rebounding and shot-blocking, and quicker, more agile players for fast breaks and perimeter defence.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While height can be a significant advantage\u2014especially for rebounding and scoring near the basket\u2014even shorter players can make a big impact with their speed, court vision, and creativity. The diversity of skills and playing styles among individual players is what makes every basketball game unpredictable and exciting, whether you\u2019re watching the pros, college stars, or the next generation of talent.<\/span><\/p><h2>Basketball offensive team tactics<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A good offence must be resilient enough to react to changes in defensive strategy. Each player must ensure there is a certain amount of spacing between them, yet be careful to avoid defensive traps. The offensive team is responsible for creating scoring opportunities through coordinated movement and passing.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Early offences respond quickly to circumstances as they occur. Once a player from one team receives the ball, they attempt to move it up the court. The players without the ball respond by widening their presence around the court, creating lanes for where the player with the ball can move or pass to. Movement down the court should be rapid and fast, looking to score a basket at every opportunity.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When the defence is spread out across the court, it makes it tricky for a zone defence to arrange as the team drive to the hoop. Further man-to-man defence strategies can then be employed, allowing the team\u2019s best players to break down the defence on an individual level.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether one team\u2019s offensive strategies do not get close to the basket, they can help the attacking team get into better positions, allowing them to set up further attacks.<\/span><\/p><h2>Basketball defence tactics<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Defensively, a team has several options to deploy in basketball. The goal of the defence is simple: disrupt and break up the offensive plays in any way.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the modern game, to have a successful basketball defence, there are three ways which teams can employ:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cause the attacking player to miss their shot, creating an opportunity for the defence to collect the rebound and begin an attack. The defending team typically has the advantage in securing defensive rebounds after a missed shot, allowing them to gain possession and control of the game.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Disrupt the attacking team\u2019s offensive play in a way that results in a ball turnover, thereby allowing the defence to transition into an attacking play.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stalling the offensive play to the point where they are unable to pass the ball for 5 seconds or cannot take a valid shot within the shot clock period.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Furthermore, each defensive strategy can be categorised three ways, each with their own pros and cons to consider:<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Zone Defence<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zonal defence is where each player is responsible for defensively covering a &#8216;zone.&#8217; For example, in the standard 2-3 zone, two players are positioned at the top of the key, guarding against any attacking player who ventures into their area.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Concurrently, the team&#8217;s remaining three players will position themselves along the baseline, guarding against the opposing team&#8217;s attacking plays.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Person-to-Person Defence<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also known as &#8216;man&#8217; defence, this defence aims to match a specific defender to one particular attacking player. (Known as man-to-man marking in football).<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each player marks their assigned player throughout the game because the matches are made against a similar player in terms of ability and size.<\/span><\/p><h3><b>Hybrid Defence<\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This defensive tactic incorporates elements of the other two defensive tactics simultaneously. A classic example of this tactic is where four players will take up assigned spots on the floor to guard a specific zone (zonal defence) with the other remaining team player guarding one offensive player from the opposing team at all times.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This defensive tactic is employed when one player on the opposing team is particularly exceptional at offence compared to their teammates.<\/span><\/p><h2>Basketball terms and principal player actions<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like any game, there are specific jargon and terms you\u2019ll need to learn to understand better the match being played. Here is a selection of the most common:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Air Ball &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> When the ball has failed to make contact with either the net, rim or backboard once a shot has been taken.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Assist &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Similar to football, when the player who assisted in a goal-scoring opportunity. The same with basketball, when an attacking player passes the ball to another and who immediately scores a basket.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Backboard &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The rectangular piece of glass behind the basket is known as the backboard. The inner, coloured square, above the basket rim, is placed there to aid attacking players to judge their shots.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Basket Interference &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A violation that occurs when a player touches the ball while it is on or above the rim, or during its downward flight toward the basket. If committed by an offensive player, the basket is canceled; if by a defender, possession is awarded to the offense.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Behind the Back Pass &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> An advanced passing technique where the player passes the ball behind their back to a teammate. This move can be effective for surprise but is considered risky and requires skill.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Block &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A defensive action when a defending player stops a shot occurring from an attacking player.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Boxing Out &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Is where defensive players use their body position to block offensive players from obtaining the ball after a rebound shot.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Double Team &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Where two defensive players are guarding one and the same player on the opposing team.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Downward Flight &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Refers to the trajectory of the ball as it is descending toward the basket, particularly relevant in goaltending and basket interference violations.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Fast Break &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A fast break is when after a defensive stop, the defence quickly turns to offence and the player concerned creates a quick break by passing to another teammate down the court, where there are either none or a few defenders in the way.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Field Goal &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Any basket scored during regular play, excluding free throws. Field goals are worth two or three points depending on the distance from which the shot is taken.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Foul &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Like most sports, a foul is where a player has broken the game rules. In basketball, when a foul is committed in the act of shooting, then the player fouled is permitted to take free throws from the foul line. Baskets not made whilst being fouled will add up to the number of free throws that a made shot would have likely scored. Meaning a 3-pointer would be given an additional free throw, getting 4 points instead.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Foul Line &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The line where free throws are taken from.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Jump Shot &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A shooting technique where the player jumps and releases the ball at the top of the jump. Jumping provides elevation and power, allowing the shooter to score over defenders and from greater distances.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Jumping &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The act of elevating off the ground, crucial for executing shots like the jump shot, slam dunk, or layup, and for gaining an advantage over defenders.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rebound &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> When a shot is made but missed, and the ball bounces back into play &#8211; this is known as a rebound. A player who collects the ball first is given credit for the rebound.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rules Violations &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Infractions of the game&#8217;s rules, such as fouls, traveling, and technical fouls. These violations can result in penalties, free throws, or turnovers depending on the type and frequency.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Travelling &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Players are only permitted to take two steps while in possession of a held ball, any more they will be in violation of the rules.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Turnover &#8211;<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Turnover is where the attacking team for some, reason, loses the ball to the defence.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><h2>How to bet on basketball: know the game<\/h2><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With this guide to basketball, you should have enough to get started watching and betting on your first basketball match. There is more to basketball than in this article, but if you master these basics you\u2019ll be able to follow this tactical and fast court game.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basketball is a high-scoring, momentum-driven sport where individual brilliance meets structured team play. Understanding how possessions, fouls, and scoring work allows you to follow the game with clarity\u2014and make more informed betting decisions. Betting on basketball shares many similarities with betting on other sports, as markets like point spreads and moneyline bets are common across different competitions.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Popular basketball betting markets include:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Match winner (moneyline)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Bet on which team will win.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Point spread<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 A handicap market where favourites must win by a margin.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Total points (over\/under)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Wager on the combined score of both teams.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Player props<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Bet on individual performances like points, assists, or rebounds.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Quarter\/half betting<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Focus on specific periods within the game.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wagering on basketball includes a variety of bets, such as moneyline bets, spread bets, and over\/under bets. Understanding these different types of bets and the associated odds is key to maximising your potential winnings.<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/en\/speculation\/sports-betting\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smart bettors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> consider:<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Team form<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Recent performances and win streaks influence outcomes.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Injuries and lineups<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 The absence of a key player can significantly shift the odds.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Pace of play<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Fast-paced teams often lead to higher scores and overs.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Head-to-head history<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Some teams consistently outperform others.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Home-court advantage<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 Especially influential in leagues like the NBA and EuroLeague.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When developing betting strategies, remember that bettors can win money by placing successful bets on teams that have won their games, especially when backing underdogs or predicting straight-up winners.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basketball odds can move quickly due to late injury updates or betting volume. Reading and comparing odds helps identify value before placing a wager.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re new to basketball betting, consider using<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/en\/useful\/articles\/best-betting-tipsters\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">betting tipsters<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> who specialise in the sport. Experienced bettors may benefit from<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/en\/useful\/articles\/best-arbitrage-software-betting-platforms\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arbitrage software<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to find the best prices across sportsbooks.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From major international tournaments to domestic leagues around the world, basketball offers dynamic action\u2014and smart opportunities to bet. NBA betting odds are available year round, covering the pre-season, regular season, playoffs, and off-season events like the draft and free agency. You can also wager on championship outcomes, such as which team will win the NBA Finals or other league championships.<\/span><\/p><h1><br \/><br \/><\/h1>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-adf47ca e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"adf47ca\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Understand basketball\u2019s fast-paced tactics and scoring. Learn how to watch, enjoy, and start betting on the game with confidence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":19610,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19608","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"acf":[],"blog_post_layout_featured_media_urls":{"thumbnail":["https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Know-the-game-basketball-150x150.png",150,150,true],"full":["https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Know-the-game-basketball.png",2240,1260,false]},"categories_names":{"21":{"name":"Articles","link":"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/en\/category\/useful\/articles\/"}},"tags_names":[],"comments_number":"0","rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Know-the-game-basketball.png",2240,1260,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Know-the-game-basketball.png",2240,1260,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Know-the-game-basketball.png",2240,1260,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Know-the-game-basketball-150x150.png",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Know-the-game-basketball-300x169.png",300,169,true],"large":["https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Know-the-game-basketball-1024x576.png",800,450,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Know-the-game-basketball-1536x864.png",1536,864,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Know-the-game-basketball-2048x1152.png",2048,1152,true]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"David Bailey","author_link":"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/en\/author\/davidbailey\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/en\/category\/useful\/articles\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Articles<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Understand basketball\u2019s fast-paced tactics and scoring. Learn how to watch, enjoy, and start betting on the game with confidence.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19608","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19608"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19608\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/19610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19608"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19608"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/moneyhub.ee\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19608"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}