The NBA is one of the most popular sports leagues in the world, and many bettors enjoy wagering on the games. One of the most common wagers for basketball is the point spread, which is the number of points a team is expected to win or lose by. The point spread is usually represented as a plus-or-minus number, such as +1.5, meaning that the favored team is expected to win by at least two points. In this article, we’ll discuss what +1.5 spread means in the NBA and how it impacts betting.
What is a Point Spread?
Before we can understand what +1.5 spread means in the NBA, it’s important to understand what a point spread is. A point spread is a number of points that the sportsbook sets to level the playing field between two teams. It is used to make the game more interesting to bet on and to make it easier for the sportsbook to set the odds.
For example, if the Golden State Warriors are playing the Los Angeles Lakers, the sportsbook may set the point spread at +1.5 for the Warriors. This means that the Warriors are the favorites to win the game and are expected to win by at least two points. If the Lakers are the underdogs, then the point spread may be set at -1.5, meaning that the Lakers are expected to lose by at least two points.
How +1.5 Spread Impacts Betting
Now that we understand what a point spread is, it’s important to understand how +1.5 spread impacts betting in the NBA. When the point spread is +1.5, it means that the favored team must win by more than two points for the bettor to win the wager. If the favored team only wins by one point, then the bettor will lose the bet. Similarly, if the favored team loses the game, then the bettor will also lose the bet.
On the other hand, if the point spread is -1.5, then the underdogs must lose by less than two points for the bettor to win the wager. If the underdogs lose by three or more points, then the bettor will lose the bet.
Advantages and Disadvantages of +1.5 Spread
When betting on the NBA, the +1.5 spread can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. On the one hand, the +1.5 spread gives the bettor more of a cushion to work with, as it is much easier for the favored team to win by two points than it is for them to win by three or more. This makes it easier for the bettor to win their wager.
On the other hand, the +1.5 spread can be a disadvantage as well. Since the favored team must win by two points for the bettor to win the wager, the sportsbook can set the odds in such a way that the bettor has less of a chance of winning. This is why it’s important for bettors to be mindful of the point spread when placing wagers on the NBA.
Conclusion
In conclusion, +1.5 spread means that the favored team must win by at least two points for the bettor to win the wager. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage for the bettor, as it gives them more of a cushion to work with but also makes it easier for the sportsbook to set the odds in their favor. As such, it’s important for bettors to be aware of the point spread when placing wagers on the NBA.