A plus-sign indicates an underdog and the number is by how many points. Just remember that a minus-sign indicates a favorite and the number you see next to the minus-sign is how many points that team is favored by. The favorite can’t just win the game, but must do so by 14 points and the underdog can lose by 13 and a bet on them would still win. But if the better team is -13.5 and the opponent is +13.5, now there is something to think about. If, for example, the best team in the NBA was facing one of the worst, the decision on who will win is a no-brainer.

The point-spread is brought in to bridge that gap. But not all teams that face each other are the same in terms of quality. In point-spread NBA betting, both sides of a bet pay the same.

If Portland won by exactly 5, the bet would be a “push” and all bettors would receive their bet amount back. If you bet on Golden State at +5, a winning bet on them would result from them either winning the game outright or if they lose by a number under 5. If you bet on the Blazers at -5, they must win the game by at least 6 for the bet to be a winner. In other words, the Trail Blazers are 5-point favorites, with the Warriors being 5-point underdogs. You see Golden State is playing Portland, with the Warriors at +5 and the Trail Blazers at -5. One team is a favorite by that number of points, while the other team is an underdog by that same number of points. A point-spread is a number given to both teams in a game. The Point-Spread: A good starting point is the point-spread, an element that rules all standard NBA betting. They neither require good math or an advanced understanding of betting. There are simply a few different numerical representations you need to know. Spending a little time with the concepts will have you up to speed before you know it. While winning money on NBA wagering is supremely difficult, understanding the odds are really a cinch.

Basketball point spread betting