When it comes to sports betting, the NBA and NFL are always top choices, drawing in a large number of bettors and dominating the charts. These two leagues consistently attract a lot of attention and bring in a significant amount of wagers.

The undeniable popularity of both sports draws in a large number of bettors who participate in both. However, some bettors may show a preference for one sport over the other. Despite some similarities in betting on both sports, it is crucial to recognize that there are also notable differences.

With the legalization of sports betting in Illinois, new bettors are considering which of the two main options is best for them. We will give you all the details you need. To start, let’s look at some of their commonalities.

Similarities between NBA vs. NFL betting

When analyzing NBA and NFL betting, you will notice that the main types of bets offered are the same. These include Moneyline, point spread, and totals. Further betting options can be explored by clicking on the game.

The betting options work in a similar way for both sports, allowing gamblers to use similar handicapping principles in their research. However, there are also distinct differences to consider when placing bets on each sport, which we will discuss shortly.

Key differences between NBA vs. NFL betting

One key difference is the amount of games played in each sport. NFL teams play 16 games per week during the regular season, while NBA teams play 82 games in a typical season, often with multiple games in a week.

NFL games are known for generating a large amount of betting volume due to their status as major events. In contrast, betting volume in the NBA is predominantly focused on high-profile matchups, with less interest in other games. Additionally, the NFL is known for its greater parity compared to the NBA.

How do NBA team schedules work?

There are 30 teams in the NBA split into two conferences (Eastern and Western) and six divisions. Each team plays an 82-game schedule, facing off against division rivals, conference opponents, and teams from the other conference for a balanced competition.

The NBA season typically kicks off in November and concludes in April, followed by the playoffs where the top eight teams from each conference compete.

The playoffs follow a series format, where winning teams advance to the next round. The top two teams from each conference reach the conference finals, with the winners earning a spot in the seven-game NBA Finals. High-profile games during the regular season draw the most attention, and playoff games also see heavy betting action.

In a league setting, there is usually a hierarchy with top-ranked competitors, teams competing for playoff spots, and underdogs at the bottom. While the top teams are expected to dominate against the underdogs, there are often surprising results in these matchups.

How do NFL team schedules work?

The NFL is comprised of 32 teams, which are divided into two conferences: the American Football Conference and the National Football Conference. Each conference is further divided into four divisions, with four teams in each division.

The NFL regular season usually kicks off in early September and runs through late December or early January. It spans 17 weeks, with each team playing 16 games. The schedule includes a mix of division, conference, and interconference matchups, with each team receiving a bye week during the season.

In every conference, the top seven teams earn a spot in the playoffs. The team with the best seed in each conference receives a bye to the divisional round, while the other teams face off in the “Wild Card Weekend.”

The NFL playoffs feature single-elimination games where the top two teams from each conference compete in the conference championship games. The winners of these games advance to the Super Bowl, the biggest event of the year in sports betting.

The NFL initially showcases a high level of parity, as evidenced by the popular phrase “any given Sunday” acknowledging the possibility of upsets. Nevertheless, as the season unfolds, a hierarchy naturally emerges with certain teams rising above the rest, while others fall behind in the race for a playoff spot. This annual cycle results in a clear division between dominant teams, playoff contenders, and those struggling at the bottom of the standings.

Online betting rules for the NBA vs. the NFL

Each online sportsbook in Illinois has its own set of house rules for different sports, with some variations from industry standards. Here is a general overview:

• After the game commences, bets are considered live. In the event of a delay or postponement, bets may still be active as long as the contest is expected to conclude within a reasonable timeframe, such as within 24 hours.
• Bets were resolved with the use of official league data found in publications, which included final scores and statistics for proposition and in-play betting.
• Any total or spread bets that land on the designated number will result in a “push”, resulting in a refund of the bets.
• If a game or season is canceled, all bets will be considered invalid and refunded.

While there are many different scenarios to consider, it is crucial to understand the rules of the games you are playing in order to navigate any unforeseen or unusual situations that may arise. These situations may be handled differently depending on the specific context.

In the NBA and NFL, it is intriguing to observe how prop bets are handled. When a player is ready to play, all bets on them are considered active. But what happens if the player is injured or unable to participate? These are just a few of the questions that can be answered by consulting the house rules.

Comparing odds for the NBA vs. the NFL

All NBA and NFL games on the schedule will be available for betting at legal and regulated sportsbooks in Illinois. Each type of bet will come with odds, which function in a similar way for both sports, with the main distinction being the timing of their availability.

NBA games are a regular occurrence throughout the season, with teams playing multiple times a week. The number of games each day varies, with some days featuring many games and others just a few. However, there are always opportunities to bet on basketball games regularly.

NBA betting lines are typically released the morning of the game or sometimes the night before. These numbers can change as more bets come in, and the fluctuations can continue up until the game starts.

The NFL’s scheduling format is one-of-a-kind. Each team plays only one game per week, with designated broadcast times for each matchup. The weekly lineup starts with Thursday Night Football, moves on to Sunday games, and wraps up with Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football.

Competition odds are usually published well in advance of the events, with some operators even releasing projected lines over a week before. In the case of NFL games, betting lines for most matchups are typically available by the end of Sunday, with the remaining lines being revealed shortly after.

The time between games allows for more opportunities for lines to adjust and for handicappers to analyze. With a large amount of betting on each NFL game, it is common to see significant changes in the odds from when they are first released to when the game starts.

If the lines for either sport are released later than usual, it means that the oddsmakers are waiting for important information, such as the injury status of a key player.

Keep in mind that different books may have varying odds. It’s important to compare prices between different sportsbooks, such as DraftKings and FanDuel, before making your bets to make sure you’re getting the most favorable deal.

NBA vs. NFL betting on moneylines, spreads and totals

The main betting options for the NBA and NFL are the same, including moneyline, point spread, and totals bets. When browsing through IL online sportsbooks, you will find odds for these three types of bets.

Moneyline

The moneyline bet is easy to understand and a great option for beginners in betting. To place a moneyline bet, you just have to choose the team you think will win the game. For example, in the NBA, the line may look like this:

Orlando Magic +120

Chicago Bulls -150

The same principle can be seen in the NFL. Teams that are favorites have negative odds, while underdogs have positive numbers. For instance, let’s look at a game featuring the Chicago Bears as another illustration.

Denver Broncos +130

Chicago Bears -160

In moneyline bets, a large difference between the two numbers indicates a strong favorite, while a smaller difference suggests that the sportsbook views the game as more evenly matched.

Point spread

Bookmakers establish a spread bet for the match, which represents the anticipated margin of victory that should be taken into account when placing bets. For example, an NBA spread may be displayed as follows:

Philadelphia 76ers +2.5 (-110)

Boston Celtics -2.5 (-110)

In the NFL, spreads work by giving you the choice to pick the favorite with fewer points or the underdog with additional points. Here’s an example:

Green Bay Packers +1.5 (-110)

Indianapolis Colts -1.5 (-110)

To win the bet, your chosen team must outperform the spread. Using the NFL as an example, the Packers can cover the spread with a one-point lead or a win, while the Colts need to win by at least two points to cover the spread.

Totals

This wager, known as an over/under, involves predicting the total number of points scored in the game. Oddsmakers provide bettors with a designated reference number. For example, in the NBA, it may look like this:

O 209.5 (-110)

U 209.5 (-110)

In the fast-paced world of the NBA, it’s not uncommon to see teams scoring in the triple digits. On the other hand, in the NFL, the over/under for total points scored usually falls in the double digits. Let’s illustrate this with an example:

• 49.5 Over (-110) 49.5 Under (-110)

If you bet on the over, you are predicting a score of 50 points or higher. On the other hand, if you bet on the under, you are anticipating a score of 49 points or lower.

Prop betting for the NBA vs. the NFL

Prop betting is a widely enjoyed form of wagering in sports that offers a variety of betting options for individual games. These bets can range from predictions on the overall game or team performance to specific statistical achievements of individual players.

Some of the top picks in that final category are props that belong to it. Let’s take a look at what you might see, starting with the NBA:

• Who will score more points in the game: LeBron James or Kawhi Leonard?
• Will Anthony Davis score more or less than 30.5 points and rebounds combined?
• Will Zach LaVine be the top scorer for the Bulls, or will it be another player?

Most NFL and NBA games will offer a wide variety of prop bet options for you to choose from. Some examples of NFL prop bets include:

• Do you think there will be a defensive or special teams touchdown in the game? Answer with yes or no.
• Which team, the Bears or the Rams, will have more sacks in the game?
• Will Aaron Rodgers pass for more or less than 284.5 total passing yards?

Props are great options to explore for any sport. While the most attention is typically on the biggest NBA and NFL games, there is also substantial interest in props for all scheduled matches.

Live betting on the NBA vs. the NFL

Live betting, also known as in-game betting, enables you to wager on events as they happen in real-time. This fast-paced market is supported by apps from top operators that are specifically designed to keep up with the action and provide a seamless experience.

Both sports provide betting options for factors like game circumstances and player performances. Additionally, updated betting odds for popular wager types and lines for quarters and halves will be accessible.

The main difference in live betting is the pace of the game. In the NFL, there is ample time to bet on the outcome of the next drive, while in the NBA, possessions happen quickly, making it more advantageous to focus on game segments or player statistics.

NBA vs. NFL futures market

If predicting future outcomes is your passion, the futures market is tailor-made for you. This market enables you to wager on outcomes that will only be decided at a later date.

The NBA and NFL are highly popular in the futures market, with a focus on predicting the winners of the Super Bowl and NBA Finals. Both leagues offer a variety of betting options, including:

• Teams that are likely to qualify for the playoffs or fall short.
• Conference and division winners.
• Regular-season win totals.
• Players who are recognized with awards such as MVP, Rookie of the Year, and others.
• Statistical leaders – Highest scorer in NBA, Top rusher in NFL, etc.

Futures function the same on both ends, necessitating a long-term bet. Despite being released during the offseason, the markets are active throughout the year. As a result, the numbers may change, but you can always consider alternative choices.

Please be aware that your funds will not be available until the bet is settled. Although the NFL typically attracts more attention than the NBA in terms of futures, both sports generate a considerable amount of interest.

Handicapping differences for the NBA vs. the NFL

One important distinction to note is the frequency of games played. NFL teams compete on a weekly basis, whereas NBA teams often have multiple games in a given week. The extended breaks between NFL games provide bettors with more time for analysis and handicapping.

Moreover, playing games less frequently enhances the likelihood of predictable outcomes. On the contrary, when teams compete multiple times in a week, it introduces more variability and external factors that can impact the game’s quality.

From a bird’s eye view, the fundamentals of handicapping hold equal importance in both sports. It is essential to carefully examine the matchups, analyze recent performances, and assess the outcomes using various betting metrics in both sports.

Because they are entirely different games, it is expected that certain aspects may not carry the same importance across both. For example, the outcome and stats of an NBA game can be heavily impacted by the presence of a few key star players.

While star players can certainly make a significant impact on NFL games, the overall outcome is heavily reliant on the team’s collective performance. It’s important to note that weather conditions can also play a role in NFL games, unlike in NBA games where weather is not a factor.

One benefit is that the skills used in handicapping can be transferred to other areas. If you excel in one field, you can probably adapt to another. But make sure to research any new sport before diving in completely.

What to remember about NBA vs. NFL betting

The NBA and NFL are the top choices for sports betting, with online sportsbooks offering odds for every game that attract a significant amount of betting activity.

NBA teams play multiple games each week during their regular season, whereas NFL teams play 16 games over the course of 17 weeks, with one bye week included.

When comparing the two sports, there are many basic principles that can be applied, but it is important to also consider specific factors unique to each sport. While it is common for individuals to focus on one sport, many bettors find success by wagering on both sports.