Those who want to get an adrenaline rush and a quick income often turn to betting. However, in the world of sports betting, especially in the dynamic NBA basketball, victory is rare. Experienced players act according to a clear plan, not at random. Their every action is based on a thorough analysis of data. This is their strategy, not a simple risk. Their first step is to choose an honest and reliable partner among bookmakers. Professionals know that you can start playing after 1xBet login registration without any hassle or delays. After that, a person studies statistics to calculate the most profitable bets — those where the bookmaker has underestimated the potential of the event.
Key advanced metrics for the 2024–2025 season
Simply counting points per game is no longer enough. Analysts use in-depth measurements that reveal the true effectiveness of players, while ignoring the speed of the game itself.
| Metric | What it shows | Usage | 2024-2025 Season Leader |
| ORTG (Offensive Rating) | How effective the team is per 100 attacks | Helps with betting on the Total Over (TO) of a match | Oklahoma City Thunder (2024-2025 season champions) |
| DRTG (Defensive Rating) | How many points the team concedes per 100 attacks | Helps with betting on the Total Under (TU) of a match | Minnesota Timberwolves |
| Pace (Game tempo) | The average number of attacks per match | For evaluating the overall Total (TO/TU). The higher the pace, the more points | Atlanta Hawks |
| TS% (True Shooting %) | The player’s actual shooting accuracy (taking into account 2-point, 3-point, and free throws) | For evaluating the effectiveness of the attack and Prop bets | Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2024-2025 season MVP with TS%>60%) |
In particular, analysts strongly advise looking at ORTG (attack efficiency) and DRTG (defense quality), as these data are ideal for predicting the overall score.
Betting strategies based on statistical factors

Statistics become a weapon in the hands of the player when applied in the context of specific game conditions and the calendar.
Taking fatigue and the game calendar (“Back-to-Back”) into account
It is important to always check whether a team is playing its second game in a row, as fatigue directly affects the result:
- NBA teams play an average of about 14.9 back-to-back games (two games in two days) during the 2024-2025 season;
- historically, the second games in such series show a decrease in effectiveness, especially for older teams. This often leads to bookmakers overestimating the total and spread;
- Example 2025: When the Los Angeles Lakers (with the aging LeBron James) play their second game in a row, it is worth considering betting on the total being less than their individual total or a positive handicap on their opponent, as their efficiency typically drops by 1.5-3 points per 100 possessions.
Studying the schedule and factoring in fatigue is one of the easiest ways to find an edge over the line set by the bookmaker, especially in the middle of the regular season.
Comparing Against the Spread (ATS) Performance
Analyzing efficiency against the spread helps identify teams whose true strength is regularly underestimated or overestimated by the bookmaker:
- The ATS (Against the Spread) indicator reflects how often a team “covers” the handicap set by the bookmaker.
- a team with a high ATS percentage (for example, the Memphis Grizzlies in previous seasons often had an ATS of more than) often turns out to be an underestimated line;
- example 2025: if the New York Knicks (which, according to the data, is the third favorite of the 2025/2026 season with odds on the championship) has a low ATS percentage despite a high winning percentage, this may indicate that they often win but do not “crush” their opponents, which makes betting on their opponent’s plus handicap attractive.
Teams that regularly beat the spread signal that bookmakers are underestimating their strength or consistency, which creates excellent opportunities for handicap betting.
Using individual statistics for prop bets

Betting on individual player statistics requires a detailed study of how well a particular player performs against their upcoming opponent:
- Prop bets (bets on individual player statistics such as points, rebounds, assists) require in-depth analysis of matchups;
- you need to look at metrics such as Usage Rate (UR%) – the percentage of a player’s possessions that end in a shot, free throw, or turnover;
- example 2025: rebounding leader Domantas Sabonis (Sacramento Kings) averaged rebounds per game in the 2024-2025 season. If his team plays against an opponent with a low Defensive Rebounding % (percentage of rebounds in defense), such as the Utah Jazz, then a bet on “Sabonis Total Rebounds Over” has a high statistical chance of success.
By analyzing a player’s individual performance in a specific matchup against an opponent’s weakness, you can significantly improve the accuracy of your predictions in the most profitable betting segment.
Using statistics in live betting
Statistical analysis does not end before the start of the game. In live betting (during the game), statistics allow you to identify short-term trends and changes in dynamics.
Dynamics in the 4th quarter. Research shows that NBA games are decided in the 4th quarter (with a difference of less than 10 points). At this time, shooting accuracy drops due to fatigue, and the pace of the game slows down.
- Tip: in close games before the 4th quarter, it is often profitable to bet on Total Under for the quarter or Total Under for the game (Under).
Using True Shooting % in clutch situations. In the last 5 minutes of games with a difference of up to 5 points (clutch time), the teams that force their opponents to demonstrate a lower True Shooting % (TS%) win.
- Tip: if the favorite team is performing poorly in the clutch and the underdog is defending consistently, bet on the underdog’s positive handicap in Live mode while the odds are still high.
Betting on the NBA is not a lottery, but rather a matter of working with data. Before registering and placing a bet, a successful player conducts a thorough analysis of advanced metrics such as ORTG, DRTG, and Pace, compares them with fatigue and game schedule factors, and studies individual matchups for prop bets. Only the disciplined use of up-to-date statistics of the season can turn betting into a potential source of income, minimizing risks and maximizing profits.