This NBA betting guide explains how to bet on season win totals. You’ll also learn what win total odds mean and how to place a NBA season win total bet. After that, place a NBA win total bet at one of our trusted sports betting sites, all of which are licensed and legal in their respective state or jurisdiction.
SportsBetting3.com regularly updates season win total odds throughout the weeks and months prior to the first games of the NBA season. Season win total bets must be placed before a team plays their first regular season game. Be sure to bookmark this page for future reference.
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Table of Contents
- What are NBA Win Totals?
- Win Total Example
- How to Bet
- NBA Win Total Odds
- NBA Standings
- When to Bet
- NBA Win Totals FAQs
What are NBA Win Totals?
A win total bet is placed on the line a sportsbook assigns indicating the number of games a team will win during the season. The sportsbook will offer odds for betting over or under the line. Season win total bets must be placed prior to the team’s first game. Like other season specials, the season win total is a part prop, part future hybrid. It functions like an over-under total bet, where you decide whether to bet over or under the sportsbook’s line.
Win Totals vs Futures
Knowledgeable sports bettors prefer season win totals to futures bets. Betting a win total offers more room for error compared to a futures bet on a team to win the NBA Championship or Eastern or Western conferences. While the futures bet depends on the result of a specific event, the win total requires much less precision. If you think a team will win more games than the sportsbook’s line, bet over. If you think a team will win fewer, bet under. How and when the team’s win tally goes over or under the win total line doesn’t matter.
Why Bet Win Totals
Most importantly, the win total offers bettors the ability to take either side of the win total line. This offers bettors more flexibility for placing a winning bet following the results of their NBA handicapping.
Even if you don’t bet season win totals, the total lines can offer you some insight into the how the sportsbook thinks the season will unfold. Since sportsbooks want to balance action on both sides of a line, the win total opening line is essentially a projection about the middle, or median, possible number of wins. Because the win totals contain half game increments, you must therefore decide whether to bet over or under the line.
Win total odds will change as bets are placed. Substantial action to one side of the line may cause the sportsbook to shift the line itself.
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How NBA Win Total Bets Win or Lose
Your win total bet wins if you select the correct outcome. If you bet over and a team wins more games than the sportsbook’s line, you win. If you bet under and a team wins fewer games than the sportsbook’s line, you win. On the other hand, if you bet under and a team wins more games than the sportsbook’s line, you lose. The bet functions like an over-under total bet.
What NBA Win Total Odds Mean
Each side of the win total line – over or under – will have moneyline odds at American sportsbooks.
The most likely, or favorite outcome, will have a minus value. The minus value indicates how much you risk to win $100. -120 odds on the over means you risk $120 to win $100.
The less likely, or underdog outcome, will have a plus value. +135 odds on the under means you risk $100 to win $135.
Occasionally, you’ll see a minus value equal to the odds for the opposite side, for example -110 for both the over and under. In either case you’d risk $110 to win $100.
Less commonly, there may be a minus value smaller than the odds for the opposite side, for example -110 for the under and -105 for the over. In this case you’d risk $110 to win $100 on the under and $105 to win $100 on the over.
Note that the over isn’t always the more expensive side, just as the under may not always be the less likely side. Betting action will determine the odds values while the season win total is open.
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How NBA Season Win Totals are Graded
The sportsbook will grade the NBA win total bet when the team’s record determines a result.
When the team has won more games than the total line, the over wins. The sportsbook will payout all over bettors. The over could pay the day the team wins more games than the win total line, or it might be as late as the last game of the season. This could happen if the team is within one game of going over heading into April with only a few games left.
Grading the under is different. The under could pay at the end of the season based on the team’s overall record. Or the under could pay when it would be impossible for the team to win enough games to go over the win total line.
For example, suppose a team has a 53.5 game win total line. The under pays if they win 53 or fewer games. After losing a late-March game, the team has a 43-29 record for 72 of its 82 games in the season. If the team wins all ten of its remaining games, it would finish with an 53-29 record. Since winning all remaining games wouldn’t be enough to go over the win total line, all under bets would win before the season ends.
When Do NBA Win Totals Come Out?
NBA win total lines and odds typically come out after the league announces the next regular season schedule. That means you can expect to see win total odds for the next regular season by late July to mid-August. Note that win totals for some teams may come out later than others depending on how their schedule and roster are finalized.
NBA Season Win Total Bet Example
The following 53.5 game o -130/u +110 season win total example is for the Boston Celtics.
| Win Total | Line & Odds |
|---|---|
Celtics
Season Win Total |
53.5 o -130
53.5 u +110
|
Sizing Up the Odds
The Celtics’ win total line is 53.5 games. Over 53.5 games has -130 odds. Under 53.5 games has +110 odds.
The over is the more likely, or favorite outcome. Over bettors risk $130 to win $100. If the Celtics finish with 54 or more wins, over bettors would win.
The under is the less likely, or underdog outcome. Under bettors risk $100 to win $110. If the Celtics finish with 53 or fewer wins, under bettors would win.
Less commonly, some teams will have an integer value line, like 44 games. The under wins if the team wins 43 or fewer games. The over wins if the team wins 45 or more games. The bet ties or pushes if the team wins exactly 44 games. In the event of a push, your wager will be refunded.
Betting 2 or More Teams
You may place bets on two or more teams. In fact, this is a good way to manage risk and potentially increase your profit.
Carefully shop win total lines, looking for those that don’t match your expectations for the upcoming season. Ideally, you’re looking for an unexpectedly high win total line with favorable under odds. Or conversely, a low win total line with favorable over odds.
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How to Bet NBA Win Totals
Time needed: 2 minutes
How to place a NBA Win Total Bet
- Review each team’s win total line and odds
Review each team’s win total line and odds for over and under. Odds will change as each team’s first game of the season approaches.
- Each outcome has moneyline odds
Each outcome will have moneyline odds at American sports betting sites. Minus values indicate how much you risk to win $100. Plus values indicate how much you win if you risk $100.
- Select over or under and place your bet
Decide whether the team’s season win total will be greater or less than the win total line. Bet over if you think the team will win more games. Bet under if you think the team will win fewer games.
- You may place win total bets on multiple teams
Feel free to bet on multiple teams if the win total line and odds are favorable.
- Your bet wins if you picked the correct outcome
Your bet wins if you picked the correct outcome. If you bet the over and the team wins more games than the win total line, you win. If you bet the under and the team wins fewer games than the win total line, you win.
NBA Win Total Odds
 BetMGMBet |
|
|---|---|
Hawks
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Celtics
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Nets
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Hornets
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
| BetMGM | |
Bulls
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Cavaliers
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Mavericks
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Nuggets
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
| BetMGM | |
Pistons
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Warriors
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Rockets
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Pacers
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
| BetMGM | |
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Clippers
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Lakers
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Grizzlies
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
| BetMGM | |
Heat
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Bucks
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Timberwolves
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Pelicans
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
| BetMGM | |
Knicks
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Thunder
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Magic
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Sixers
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
| BetMGM | |
Suns
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Blazers
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Kings
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Spurs
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
| BetMGM | |
Raptors
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Jazz
2023-24 Season Win Total | |
Wizards
2023-24 Season Win Total |
We also have helpful previews featuring win total odds and write-ups for each NBA conference. Learn how to bet Eastern Conference win totals and Western Conference win totals, and see which teams are top contenders for the upcoming season:
- Eastern Conference Win Totals – Regular season win totals for every Eastern Conference team. Learn how to bet win totals.
- Western Conference Win Totals – Regular season win totals for every Western Conference team. Learn how to bet win totals.
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NBA Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct | GB | Home | Away | Div | Conf | PPG | Op. PPG | Diff | Strk | L10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| * - Boston Celtics | 64 | 18 | 0.780 | 0.0 | 37-4 | 27-14 | 15-2 | 41-11 | 120.6 | 109.2 | +11.4 | W2 | 7-3 |
| x - Denver Nuggets | 57 | 25 | 0.695 | +7.0 | 33-8 | 24-17 | 10-6 | 33-19 | 114.9 | 109.6 | +5.3 | W1 | 6-4 |
| z - Oklahoma City Thunder | 57 | 25 | 0.695 | +7.0 | 33-8 | 24-17 | 12-4 | 36-16 | 120.1 | 112.7 | +7.4 | W5 | 7-3 |
| x - Minnesota Timberwolves | 56 | 26 | 0.683 | +8.0 | 30-11 | 26-15 | 12-4 | 37-15 | 113.0 | 106.5 | +6.5 | L1 | 6-4 |
| y - Los Angeles Clippers | 51 | 31 | 0.622 | +13.0 | 25-16 | 26-15 | 9-7 | 30-22 | 115.6 | 112.3 | +3.3 | L3 | 6-4 |
| y - Dallas Mavericks | 50 | 32 | 0.610 | +14.0 | 25-16 | 25-16 | 11-5 | 31-21 | 117.9 | 115.6 | +2.3 | L2 | 7-3 |
| x - New York Knicks | 50 | 32 | 0.610 | +14.0 | 27-14 | 23-18 | 12-5 | 35-17 | 112.8 | 108.2 | +4.6 | W5 | 6-4 |
| y - Milwaukee Bucks | 49 | 33 | 0.598 | +15.0 | 31-11 | 18-22 | 10-7 | 34-18 | 119.0 | 116.4 | +2.6 | L2 | 3-7 |
| xp - New Orleans Pelicans | 49 | 33 | 0.598 | +15.0 | 21-19 | 28-14 | 9-7 | 30-22 | 115.1 | 110.7 | +4.4 | L1 | 5-5 |
| x - Phoenix Suns | 49 | 33 | 0.598 | +15.0 | 25-16 | 24-17 | 9-9 | 29-23 | 116.2 | 113.2 | +3.0 | W3 | 7-3 |
| x - Cleveland Cavaliers | 48 | 34 | 0.585 | +16.0 | 26-15 | 22-19 | 11-5 | 31-21 | 112.6 | 110.2 | +2.4 | L1 | 4-6 |
| x - Indiana Pacers | 47 | 35 | 0.573 | +17.0 | 26-15 | 21-20 | 11-6 | 32-20 | 123.3 | 120.2 | +3.1 | W1 | 7-3 |
| xp - Los Angeles Lakers | 47 | 35 | 0.573 | +17.0 | 28-14 | 19-21 | 7-10 | 27-25 | 118.0 | 117.4 | +0.6 | W2 | 7-3 |
| y - Orlando Magic | 47 | 35 | 0.573 | +17.0 | 29-12 | 18-23 | 9-7 | 32-20 | 110.5 | 108.5 | +2.0 | W1 | 5-5 |
| xp - Philadelphia 76ers | 47 | 35 | 0.573 | +17.0 | 25-16 | 22-19 | 8-8 | 31-21 | 114.6 | 111.5 | +3.1 | W8 | 8-2 |
| pb - Golden State Warriors | 46 | 36 | 0.561 | +18.0 | 21-20 | 25-16 | 7-9 | 26-26 | 117.8 | 115.2 | +2.6 | W1 | 8-2 |
| xp - Miami Heat | 46 | 36 | 0.561 | +18.0 | 22-19 | 24-17 | 13-3 | 32-20 | 110.1 | 108.4 | +1.7 | W2 | 7-3 |
| pb - Sacramento Kings | 46 | 36 | 0.561 | +18.0 | 24-17 | 22-19 | 10-7 | 30-22 | 116.6 | 114.8 | +1.8 | W1 | 4-6 |
| e - Houston Rockets | 41 | 41 | 0.500 | +23.0 | 27-14 | 14-27 | 9-7 | 28-24 | 114.3 | 113.2 | +1.1 | W2 | 4-6 |
| pb - Chicago Bulls | 39 | 43 | 0.476 | +25.0 | 20-21 | 19-22 | 7-9 | 22-29 | 112.3 | 113.7 | -1.4 | L1 | 5-5 |
| pb - Atlanta Hawks | 36 | 46 | 0.439 | +28.0 | 21-20 | 15-26 | 8-8 | 22-30 | 118.3 | 120.5 | -2.2 | L6 | 3-7 |
| e - Brooklyn Nets | 32 | 50 | 0.390 | +32.0 | 20-21 | 12-29 | 5-11 | 24-28 | 110.4 | 113.3 | -2.9 | L2 | 5-5 |
| e - Utah Jazz | 31 | 51 | 0.378 | +33.0 | 21-20 | 10-31 | 5-11 | 16-36 | 115.7 | 120.5 | -4.8 | L1 | 2-8 |
| e - Memphis Grizzlies | 27 | 55 | 0.329 | +37.0 | 9-32 | 18-23 | 8-8 | 14-37 | 105.8 | 112.8 | -7.0 | L5 | 3-7 |
| e - Toronto Raptors | 25 | 57 | 0.305 | +39.0 | 14-27 | 11-30 | 1-15 | 18-34 | 112.4 | 118.8 | -6.4 | L4 | 2-8 |
| e - San Antonio Spurs | 22 | 60 | 0.268 | +42.0 | 12-29 | 10-31 | 3-13 | 14-37 | 112.1 | 118.6 | -6.5 | W2 | 6-4 |
| e - Charlotte Hornets | 21 | 61 | 0.256 | +43.0 | 11-30 | 10-31 | 6-10 | 14-38 | 106.6 | 116.8 | -10.2 | W1 | 3-7 |
| e - Portland Trail Blazers | 21 | 61 | 0.256 | +43.0 | 11-30 | 10-31 | 1-15 | 8-44 | 106.4 | 115.4 | -9.0 | L5 | 2-8 |
| e - Washington Wizards | 15 | 67 | 0.183 | +49.0 | 7-34 | 8-33 | 4-12 | 11-41 | 113.7 | 123.0 | -9.3 | L6 | 1-9 |
| e - Detroit Pistons | 14 | 68 | 0.171 | +50.0 | 7-33 | 7-35 | 2-14 | 10-41 | 109.9 | 119.0 | -9.1 | L1 | 2-8 |
When to Bet NBA Win Totals
It’s important to time your win total bet properly, just like placing a NBA futures bet. If you bet over in August, and then realize a star player will be out for the season in October, there’s a good chance you’ll lose your wager. Similarly, if you bet under in August, and later discover a team will win more games than expected because their opponents have suffered injuries, it’s likely the under was a bad call.
It’s best to monitor the lines from September to October, placing a bet in mid to late October just before the regular season begins. The one exception would be an early bad line that you can jump on for an easy profit. Otherwise, don’t jump in without gathering as much information as possible first. Consider the following before placing a win total bet:
- Do I have good data to backup the bet I’m making? – Your handicapping should support the side of the line you take. Review the team’s recent performances, standings, and stats. Check on the health of key players. Note any coaching changes.
- What does the team’s schedule look like? – Besides the health of a team, their schedule is probably the most important factor influencing their prospective win total. Try to predict the outcome of each game, putting the result into one of three categories. One, a sure win; two, a sure loss; and three a toss-up. Count up the winners and see how close you get to the total. If you’re short a couple games, dig into the toss-ups to see which might go your way.
- Are key players healthy and will they remain in good health? – Though you can’t predict a player’s health far into the season, try to assess how they’re doing from the very first game. Monitor team news and injury reports heading into the first game. If any of the starting five are injured prior to the first game, you’ll need to reassess your win total bet.
Moderate Your Risk
First, consider placing small bets on multiple teams. Pick no more than 2-3 teams with win total lines that offer a good return on investment.
Second, choose bet amounts equal to your certainty about a particular outcome. If you’re confident, bet more. If you’re not confident, bet less. Though season win totals are less risky than futures bets, there are a number of ways they can go wrong. Don’t overextend yourself before the NBA season begins. There will always be opportunities to place winning bets in the future.
NBA Win Total FAQs
A win total bet is placed on the line a sportsbook assigns indicating the number of games a team will win during the season. Bet over or under the sportsbook’s line. Season win total bets must be placed prior to the team’s first game of the season.
Minus values indicate how much you risk to win $100. The side with a minus value is considered the favorite, or more likely outcome. Plus values indicate how much you win if you risk $100. The side with a plus value is considered the underdog, or less likely outcome. Occasionally, both sides will have minus values, for example -110 for the over and -110 for the under. Risk $110 to win $100 in either case.
Your win total bet wins if you select the correct outcome. If you bet over and the team wins more games than the sportsbook’s line, you win. If you bet under and the team wins fewer games than the sportsbook’s line, you win. On the other hand, if you bet under and a team wins more games than the sportsbook’s line, you lose.
It’s important to time your win total bet properly. If you bet over in August, and then realize a star player will be out for season in October, there’s a good chance you’ll lose your wager. Similarly, if you bet under in August, and later discover a team will win more games than expected because their opponents have suffered injuries, it’s likely the under was a bad call.
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NBA Betting Resources
- NBA Betting Guide – Learn how to bet on the NBA with point spreads, totals, moneylines, and exotic bets like parlays, teasers, prop bets and futures.
- NBA Betting Sites – Hoops there it is! Dive into our list of highly recommended NBA betting sites just in time for the next big game.
- NBA Odds – Latest odds for upcoming NBA matchups, including team NBA finals, conference, and division futures.
- NBA Prop Bets – Learn how to bet NBA props. We also have prop betting lines and odds for upcoming NBA matchups.
- NBA Underdogs – Review underdogs point spread and moneyline betting opportunities for upcoming NBA matchups.
- NBA Futures Odds – Review odds for popular NBA futures events, including the NBA Championship, Eastern and Western conference winners, division winners, regular season MVP award, and other player awards.
- NBA Win Total Odds – Review regular season win total lines and odds for each team. Remember to place you bet before each team’s first game of the regular season.
- Undefeated NBA Teams – See which teams are still undefeated in the current regular season.
- NBA Championship Betting – We explain the best bets for the NBA finals, plus you can see the latest NBA Finals futures.
- Eastern Conference Win Totals – Season win totals for every NBA Eastern Conference team.
- Western Conference Win Totals – Win totals for every Western Conference NBA team.
- Halftime Middling – Learn how to make a bet a halftime that can’t lose. We explain how halftime middling can work for NBA and college basketball games.
- Five-Game Rolling Average – Use a team’s five game rolling average stats to sharpen up your handicap analyses and making winning NBA bets.
- NBA Team Betting Odds – Latest odds for each NBA team, including upcoming matchups, futures, and season specials.