The 2025 NBA preseason kicked off on 2nd October. The preseason features 30 teams. They will play 65 games over a couple of weeks in October, just before the regular season starts on 21st October.
This year, the NBA is hosting exhibition matches in Melbourne, Abu Dhabi, Macau, and Puerto Rico as part of the “NBA Global Games.”
The preseason is a chance for coaches to test new lineups and give rookies and bench players some time on the court. These games don’t affect playoff seeding or official records, but they remain a must-watch for fans as they provide early insights into player form and team dynamics.
NBA preseason betting differs from the regular season because star players often sit out, and rotations are fluid. This means the games can swing in any direction, irrespective of how strong a team may be. Moreover, regular-season betting is based on consistency and proven stats. On the other hand, teams that tend to perform well in preseason are usually those with strong depth beyond their star players. The results can be unexpected, so keep a close eye on the NBA preseason odds.
How NBA Preseason Works
Every year, the NBA preseason kicks off in early October and runs for about two to three weeks before the regular season begins. Each of the 30 teams plays around four to six exhibition games, and the schedule often includes international matchups. In 2025, for example, the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks will open in Abu Dhabi, while the New Orleans Pelicans will face NBL clubs Melbourne United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix. This year’s international teams include Hapoel Jerusalem B.C., Melbourne United, and Guangzhou Loong-Lions.
Rotations during these games are very different from what fans see in the regular season. So, you may see star players like Luka Dončić or Stephen Curry playing only a handful of minutes or sitting out entirely. Instead, you’ll see several newcomers being tested.
It can look chaotic, but it presents several opportunities for NBA preseason betting. Teams with deep rosters might perform well as they are not dependent on a few stars. Meanwhile, teams with new coaches or new rosters might take these games more seriously to establish their footing. Observers can note which teams consistently push for wins during preseason, as this may hint at how new lineups and coaching approaches are shaping up.
Key Factors in NBA Preseason Betting
Look at the NBA preseason odds carefully to analyse which team brings the best value. You should also do additional research, like checking the lineup, rotations, travel fatigue, injuries, and head-to-head records. Here’s how these factors can impact your bet.
Player Availability and Rotations
The single biggest factor in preseason betting is player availability. Coaches almost always limit minutes for veterans, especially those with heavy regular-season appearances. For instance, LeBron James has rarely played more than 15 minutes in a preseason game over the last few years. Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant also tend to get a few minutes or sit out entirely.
Preseason is about rookies. In 2023, Oklahoma City used the preseason to give newcomer Chet Holmgren extended minutes. The power forward became the focal point of several games. This can swing the NBA preseason betting odds. If you follow the NBA news closely, you’ll be able to predict which younger players will shine in the spotlight.
Motivation Levels
Motivation varies widely from team to team. Some franchises use preseason strictly as practice, with little concern for results. For example, the Milwaukee Bucks under Mike Budenholzer often treated preseason like scrimmages, resting starters and experimenting with younger players. On the other hand, teams with several new players treat the preseason more seriously as they work to build confidence and establish chemistry.
Take the Golden State Warriors, for example. They finished an undefeated 6-0 last preseason. Over the past decade, they have been consistently one of the stronger preseason teams and have carried the streak to the regular season. Conversely, the Cleveland Cavaliers had a tough time in the preseason last year but went on to reach the top of the Eastern Conference in the regular season.
Travel and Scheduling
Another overlooked factor is travel. Many preseason games are played internationally or at neutral venues, which can cause travel fatigue. In 2025, the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks will play two games in Abu Dhabi, while the New Orleans Pelicans head to Australia to face Melbourne United and the South East Melbourne Phoenix. These trips mean long flights and time zone changes, which can disrupt the players’ form.
Scheduling also affects the match outcome. If a team has back-to-back preseason games or short rest days, they may not field their stars on the court. For example, if the Lakers play the Warriors one night and then travel to face the Suns after two days, it’s unlikely LeBron will log time in both contests. Keep this factor in mind when considering the NBA preseason betting odds.
Injuries and Load Management
Injuries play a big role in NBA preseason betting. Star players might push through minor injuries in the regular season. However, it is safer to rest an injury during the preseason. For example, the Miami Heat kept Jimmy Butler sidelined for several preseason games in 2024 as a precautionary rest. Similarly, the Denver Nuggets limited Jamal Murray’s minutes as he worked on his fitness after a knee surgery. These decisions affect betting markets.
Load management affects how teams utilize their roster. For example, veterans may be rarely used in back-to-back matches, even if they’re healthy. So, make sure to check the latest odds after the roster has been announced.
NBA Preseason Betting Markets
Here are some of the common preseason betting markets explained for informational purposes.
Moneyline Betting
This is the simplest wager, where bettors have to predict which team will win outright. This market can get tricky for preseasons as you must take into account the final roster, injuries, and teams’ motivation. For example, in the 2024 preseason, the 2023 defending champions Denver Nuggets, finished at the bottom of the table even though they were heavily favored. This kind of scenario happens often because of changes in the team roster. Always check if star players are included in the roster before placing your bets.
Spread Betting
Point spreads are designed to balance mismatches and can show how bookmakers estimate the strength difference between two teams. For example, if a team is favoured by 7 points, the other team must win by a seven-point difference to overcome the bet. Select the spread wisely to give an outright advantage to your team. If you want to give them a strong chance at winning, award them a high spread. This means the other team will have to work hard to overcome a big difference in points.
Totals (Over/Under)
In this bet, punters have to predict whether the combined score will be over or under the number posted by the bookmaker. For example, in the 2024 preseason, the Orlando Magic vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers match ended 102–97, bringing their final combined total to 199. The bookmaker’s betting line was at Over/Under 215. With a final total of 199, under 215 bets would win, and over 215 bets would lose.
Note that preseason scoring tends to be lower because teams experiment with lineups. So, be careful when selecting the odds in this market.
Differences Between Preseason and Regular Season Betting
The preseason betting markets behave differently compared to the regular season. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
- Liquidity: Regular-season NBA games attract a huge interest and betting action. In contrast, preseason markets are much thinner, and the betting action is light. This can create volatility in the odds. For example, a team announces a lineup of bench players on match day. You might see the odds swinging dramatically. In the regular season, lineups are more predictable, so swings are unlikely.
- Limits on wagers: In the regular season, you might be able to bet thousands on a marquee matchup like Lakers vs. Celtics. In preseason, however, you may find betting limits capped at a few hundred pounds or less. This is done because preseason results can be hard to predict. Capping safeguards new bettors from the swings.
- Different Statistics: Never take the preseason statistics at face value because they don’t give the true picture of a team’s ability. For example, rookies get a lot of time on the court, and you may see them bagging 25 points in the preseason. However, it would be incorrect to assume that they are a breakout star. The regular season has tight defenses and MVPs leading the attack, where the rookies may not perform well. Similarly, if a top team loses most of its preseason games, it doesn’t mean it’ll start the year slow.
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