Betting on the NBA continues to draw in new and experienced fans as the latest seasons bring new challenges. The last season saw fans betting 3.7 times more than the average bettor in the United States, with the average NBA bettor being around 25 to 34. For the 2024-25 NBA season, one of the most heated categories continues to be the MVP.
While most of the season saw Nikola Jokic as a frontrunner, the most updated odds have seen a possible in the works with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, often referred to simply as SGA, at the top with odds of -145. There’s no doubt the odds will change during the season, ultimately deciding whether fans will see a new MVP emerge or create a groundbreaking run for Jokic.
The regular season will see a variety of mini-tournaments showcasing the league’s best players. One of the most hyped among these is the much-anticipated NBA All-Star Game tournament, which is seeing drastic changes in the new season. The new format will see three teams of NBA All-Stars and the winning team of the yearly Rising Stars challenge. The All-Star teams will be drafted by league legends Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith.
The new mini-tournament composition aims to shake up the scene for fans who bet on the matches. Thus, it’s an exciting time for newbies and seasoned participants that make up the thriving NBA betting culture. Crypto betting platform Thunderpick is at the forefront of the current NBA betting landscape. The popular platform features robust predictions and analysis based on featured and upcoming matches. Patrons can sift through the betting odds and lines for pre-match and live in-play betting markets. Live Mode has also made a resurgence as bettors use in-play events to round out handicaps and totals over time.
The NBA All-Star mini-tournament kicks off in February and will likely set the tone for the rest of the events that will shape player and team performance in the coming season.
Though not always the case, statistics from previous seasons show that NBA Champions are more likely to have a regular season MVP on their roster when taking the chip. In recent memory, this has been consistent with Nikola Jokic’s performance. He took the title MVP in three of the last four seasons, with the most recent seeing the Denver Nuggets take the franchise’s first NBA Championship. Jokic is also in the top four in the league in terms of points, rebounds, and assists.
That said, consistency has meant these been a significantly shift toward the favorite, SGA. With his lead, the Oklahoma City Thunder has boasted an impressive 15-game winning streak that experts are expecting will see continued follow-through. As of January, the team currently holds the second-best record in the NBA, in part due to its impressive defensive strategy shown throughout their recent matches. SGA’s role as team leader is undeniable, as he has the highest point, assist, steal, and block ratio on the team.
Another factor to consider when betting is which currency to bet in. Cryptocurrency continues to see an upward tick, with Bitcoin (BTC) seeing a 150% rally in 2024. Prices have surpassed the $100,000 mark again and will make it a most promising betting stake, with the risk being solely on the bettor's analysis of odds on the market. Take the recent massive loss taken by rap star and sports crypto enthusiast Drake in the NBA Finals for the previous season, which saw him fumbling half a million dollars by placing his bet on the Dallas Mavericks, who ultimately lost to the Boston Celtics.
Even though the league bets are primarily based on performance on the court, the reality is that the NBA is also heavily reliant on storylines for its season's highs and lows. This creates fan engagement and inevitably trickles down to player dynamics and opportunities. It’s worth watching these narratives pushed to develop a more insightful approach to your betting.
Fans are now seeing major storylines for the Celtics and Thunder, lending more credence to the likes of Jaylen Brown and Jokic. More popularly, we also see Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum trailing behind SGA in the MVP odds. Not to be discounted, experts have also been putting major bets on Luka Doncic. Of course, his December injury will likely damper this possibility as he hits the sidelines to recover.
Player injuries and intense matches are considerable elements in the coming season, as evidenced by the Sixers' crushing loss against the Sacramento Kings without their star players. Center Joel Embiid was out due to a left foot sprain, which continues to deter him from participating in upcoming matches this January. In his absence and the potential injury of other teammates, the Sixers struggled to hit a rhythm that could pull them out of the crunch.
For bettors, these considerations should factor into final wagers. After all, playtime and performance are key to seeing truly magnificent results and the potential to hit new heights within the highly competitive league.
