There are plenty of ways to go about NBA betting, most people tend to go the traditional route with the point spread, money line, or over/under on the total amount of points scored. These are all good ways to bet on the games because they tend to be the safest, but there are other ways that people bet on basketball and still win big. One of the ways to bet on basketball successfully is by using momentum swings, but before we go into that, you have to understand how to make cash and what it is all about. In basketball, teams go on runs, and whichever team can maximize their run while limiting the other team’s run, usually wins the game.
This is the philosophy people that use momentum betting live by, and it has been very successful for them. If you want a deeper breakdown, review our momentum betting strategy guide.
NBA Live Betting
When it comes to momentum betting, you can’t use the standard methods of wagering, because there is no way of telling which teams will go on a run or when the momentum will shift before a game. This is why live betting is the way to go. With live betting, you have the luxury of being able to place bets while watching the game, which gives you an advantage since you are able to see how both teams are performing through the online sportsbook.
A lot of people that are new to momentum betting make the simple mistake of thinking that the team that is shooting well is the team that is on a run, and bet accordingly. This is only partially true, the fact that they are scoring a lot of points definitely helps, but you also have to look at the situation to figure out if it is sustainable or not. Monitoring NBA injury reports can also help determine whether a run is sustainable.
When it comes to runs, most of the time, the real reason the team is shooting well is the fact that they stepped up their defensive intensity. If a team can slow down their opponents on the defensive end, it opens up more scoring opportunities for the team, which leads to runs.
Now, when you have established that a team is on a run, it is up to you to decide if the run can be sustained or not, and bet accordingly. If you’re new to this strategy, start with our NBA betting beginner guide.
NBA Quarters Betting
With momentum swings betting, you have a few options available to you. You can wager on the game with in play betting.
You can also make halftime bets or quarter bets, including markets like NBA first half betting and NBA second half betting.>
As previously mentioned, the ability to watch the game live allows you to make more accurate bets, making you more money in the process.
Quarter bets allow you to place bets on the outcome of a specific quarter, and these markets are available during the regular season, the NBA Playoffs, and futures tied to the NBA Championship.
↑ TopNBA Halftime Betting
Halftime bets are also popular with professional bettors, but there are limitations to it. If one team dominated the first half, the chances of them doing the same in the second half aren’t very good, because the other team is likely going to adjust their game plan and try to make a game of it in the second half. This is why most sports bettors will tell you it is smart to bet against the team that has the momentum, especially going into the half, because the run isn’t going to last the whole game, and you can expect the team on the receiving end of the run to mount a run of their own at some point.
For more structured strategy breakdowns, visit the full sports betting guide for advanced concepts and system-based approaches.
MyBookie: Bet On Anything. Anywhere. Anytime.
About the Author
D.S. Williamson
Since 2008, D.S. Williamson has written about sports and sports handicapping. His philosophy is value-based, meaning stats and other handicapping factors are only worth something in comparison to wagering odds. He believes money management and making value-based wagers is the single more important factor that distinguishes successful sports bettors from non-successful sports bettors.
Get your Expert Tips, Insights and Strategies in our Sports Betting Guide
- March Madness Picks & NIT Picks: Critical College Basketball Betting Factors
- GetBets Explained: How Sportsbook Odds, Lines, and Betting Markets Work
- NBA Point Spread Betting Explained: How Spreads Work in NBA Betting
- RTP vs House Edge: What Casino Players Need to Understand
- How to Bet Esports: Critical Betting Factors & BLAST Open Spring 2026 Picks
Sportsbook & Casino | Online Sports Betting Odds
^ Top




