When building an NBA parlay, mix and match wisely to improve your chances of success
Understanding betting lines is essential for NBA fans who enjoy building parlays. Parlays can bring in big payouts, but only if each individual pick, or “leg,” hits. That’s why reading the betting lines correctly is such a big deal. If you’re unsure what the numbers mean, you’re more likely to make poor decisions that could ruin the entire bet.
NBA betting lines usually fall into three main types: point spreads, moneylines, and totals (over/under). With the point spread, the sportsbook gives one team an advantage or disadvantage. If you see Los Lakers de Los Ángeles listed as -5.5, that means they need to win by at least six points for that leg of your parlay to cash. On the flip side, if Los Kings de Sacramento are +5.5, they can lose by five or win the game, and you still win that part of the bet.
Moneylines are simpler. You’re just picking which team wins the game outright. A favorite might be listed at -200, meaning you’d have to risk $200 to win $100. An underdog might be +180, which means betting $100 would win you $180. This is helpful when building parlays with one or two safe moneyline picks to balance out more risky legs.
Totals focus on the combined score of both teams. If the total is set at 225.5, you’re betting on whether the final score will be over or under that number. For parlay bettors, including totals can provide variety and better value, especially when you feel confident about how the game will flow.
Don’t just go for favorites or overs; look at trends, injuries, and matchups. And most importantly, understand what each number on the betting line means. That knowledge gives you a better shot at stringing together a winning ticket.
