NBA Betting Guide for Raptors Fans: Spreads, Totals and Player Props
By StakeReferralCode.ca Editorial Team · Updated
If you follow the Toronto Raptors, the three NBA markets you'll use most are the point spread (the winning margin, with a handicap), the total (combined points scored) and player props (an individual's points, rebounds, assists and so on). Basketball is high-scoring and lines are set in half points, so understanding how a spread "covers", how overtime counts and when a prop is voided matters more than having an opinion on the game. This guide explains each market with a worked example built around a Raptors game.
It's an explainer, not a tipsheet. There are no picks or predictions here, and no betting approach is guaranteed to win.
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NBA basics that shape the odds
- 30 teams and an 82-game regular season, followed by the play-in tournament and playoffs.
- Games are four 12-minute quarters. If it's tied, five-minute overtime periods are played until there's a winner.
- The Raptors are the NBA's only Canadian team, so every road trip crosses the border. Travel, rest and back-to-back games are things the market watches.
Does overtime count?
On most sportsbooks, full-game spreads, totals and moneylines include overtime in NBA betting. A game that goes to overtime can turn an under into an over in a few minutes. Quarter and half markets usually don't include overtime. As always, check the market rules.
The point spread
The point spread evens out a mismatch by giving the underdog a head start.
- Favourite −5.5: must win by 6 or more.
- Underdog +5.5: covers if it wins outright or loses by 5 or fewer.
Spreads with a half point (5.5) can't push. A whole-number spread (say −5) can: if the favourite wins by exactly 5, the bet is usually refunded. The moneyline is also available: you simply pick the winner. In basketball, heavy favourites often have very short moneyline prices, which is one reason many bettors use spreads instead.
Totals (over/under)
A total is a bet on the combined points scored by both teams. The book sets a number, and you bet over or under. NBA totals also come in team totals (one team's points only), first-half totals and quarter totals.
Pace (how many possessions a game has), injuries, rest and late lineup news all move totals. Overtime matters here too: an extra five minutes adds points to both teams.
Player props
Player props are bets on an individual's numbers in one game. Common ones include:
| Prop type | What you're betting on | Things to check |
|---|---|---|
| Points | Over/under a points line | Minutes expected, matchup |
| Rebounds | Over/under a rebounds line | Starting role, opponent size |
| Assists | Over/under an assists line | Who's handling the ball |
| Threes made | Over/under made three-pointers | Shooting volume |
| Combos (PRA) | Points + rebounds + assists | All three need to count |
| Double-double | Yes/no | 10+ in two categories |
When props are voided
Rules differ by sportsbook, but a common approach is that a player prop stands only if the player takes part in the game. If the player is ruled out before tip-off, the bet is often voided and refunded. If the player starts and then leaves injured, the bet usually stands. Read the prop rules before you bet, especially when injury news is uncertain.
Same-game parlays
Many books let you combine several props or markets from one game. Every leg must win, and the bookmaker's margin is applied to each leg, so the price can look generous while the true chances shrink fast. Our parlay betting guide explains the maths.
Worked example: a Raptors home game
Here's one game with illustrative numbers only, not real odds:
| Market | Selection | Decimal odds | Implied probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spread | Raptors +5.5 | 1.91 | 52.4% |
| Spread | Opponent −5.5 | 1.91 | 52.4% |
| Total | Over 224.5 | 1.91 | 52.4% |
| Total | Under 224.5 | 1.91 | 52.4% |
| Player prop | A Raptors starter over 18.5 points | 1.87 | 53.5% |
Now suppose the game finishes Opponent 112, Raptors 108 after overtime:
- Raptors +5.5 wins. They lost by 4, which is inside the 5.5-point cushion. A $20 bet returns $38.20.
- Under 224.5 wins. The combined score is 220, overtime included.
- The prop depends on the player's final points, overtime included. If they scored 19 or more, the over wins.
Notice that each side of the spread and total shows 52.4%. Two sides at 52.4% add up to about 104.7%. The extra above 100% is the bookmaker's margin, and it's why picking 50% of games correctly at these prices still loses money over time.
Practical habits for Raptors bettors
- Check the injury report. NBA lineups can change close to tip-off, and lines move with them.
- Note the schedule. Back-to-backs and long road trips can mean rest days for regulars.
- Separate fandom from betting. Betting on your team for fun is fine, but loyalty isn't an edge, and betting against them "as insurance" just adds margin.
- Size bets consistently. A long season can include long losing runs. A fixed stake per game, set in advance, helps. See our bankroll management guide.
FAQ
Does overtime count in NBA spread and total bets?
On most sportsbooks, yes, for full-game markets. Quarter and half markets usually exclude overtime. Check each market's rules.
What happens to a player prop if the player doesn't play?
Commonly, the bet is voided and refunded if the player doesn't take part. If the player starts and leaves early, it usually stands. Rules vary by book.
What's the difference between a spread and a moneyline?
The moneyline is simply who wins. The spread adds a handicap, so the favourite has to win by more than the line, and the underdog can lose by less than the line and still cover.
Is there a winning formula for player props?
No. Props are priced with a margin like any other market, and no method guarantees profit. Bet small and treat it as entertainment.
Conclusion
Spreads, totals and player props cover most of what Raptors fans will bet on through an NBA season. The details that matter are the half-point lines, how overtime is counted and when a prop is voided. Read the rules, convert odds into implied probability, and keep your stakes fixed. If you're outside Ontario and Alberta and want to open a Stake account, use the Claim button on this page and enter code SHIMA at sign-up.
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