Basketball is an interesting game, and both the NBA and the Euro League attract fans worldwide. Placing bets on such games is always fun and adds extra zest to the game, especially if you are watching as a neutral participant.
Predicting basketball scores offers better returns if you get it right. However, it is not as easy as it may look on paper. The key is always to do your research, listen to pundits, and trust your instincts. Here are the top tips that will help you elevate your basketball score prediction game.
Get Comfortable with the Numbers
Nowadays, numbers and stats have become a huge part of sports. Understanding basketball stats can push you closer to becoming a master at predicting scores. The first thing you must look at is the regular season performance.
Take a deep dive into a team’s win and loss records and look at how they perform at home and away games. A high win percentage on home turf is a sign the team does well at home but struggles in away games.
Consider the Game Context
Are there any management changes? A new manager’s aura can lead to better team performance. Also, consider the rest advantage. A team playing back-to-back away games may have less time to rest and recover, which can give an edge to the home side.
Home advantage also has some psychological benefits that can spur the team into great performances. Something else that will help you in predicting basketball scores is reading and listening to what the pundits say.
Most pundits are former players who understand the game better. Their predictions and pre-match analysis can help you when predicting the scores.
Player Stats and Playing Style
Pay special attention to the team’s star players. The stars often lead their team in blocks, points, assists, and rebounds. Look for the latest team news on The Sports Prophets website regarding suspensions and injuries. A team missing a star player could be a sign that they will struggle massively on game day.
Next, analyze the team’s play style. Are they more defensive or attack-minded? Defensive teams may score fewer points but will protect the paint well to prevent the opponent from scoring. More offensive teams will try to out-score their opponents but often ship more points.
Use Predictive Models
Prediction tools are becoming quite popular. These tools use the latest data to analyze games and provide predictions and insights into the game. We recommend using these tools to garner more insight into the game.
The accuracy will depend on the data quality and other factors. Don’t take the predictions from AI models as 100% correct.
Final Thoughts
Take your time and analyze past predictions to identify areas that need improvement. Sometimes, your predictions can come correct out of pure luck, so don’t ignore your intuition.
Also, consider joining fan forums. There, you will find other fans who can help you predict the game’s scores. You can discuss various factors that might affect the game, which will help you when predicting basketball scores.
Photo by Simon Ray on Unsplash
