NBA spreads, moneylines, and totals will attract a lot of action when online sportsbooks arrive in California. So will NBA player props where some of the most popular types of wagers are often featured.
What exactly are NBA player props and how can you bet on them? If you watch the NBA or have played Fantasy Basketball in the past, you can use the player performance and game stat knowledge you’ve gained to bet NBA props like a pro.
Betting NBA player props in California
There are no California NBA betting sites as yet. When they arrive, you can rest assured player props will be offered, and for those who like betting props it will be worth their while to look for an online sportsbook with a good selection of props at competitive odds.
You’ll also want to make sure the props are easy to find, and the sportsbook’s layout is easy to navigate. Below are some mobile betting apps that are very likely headed to California that consistently offer some of the best NBA player props.
DraftKings Sportsbook CA
You won’t find a larger selection of NBA player props, such as betting on the Warriors and Stephen Curry, than the one on DraftKings Sportsbook. The list includes:
- Points
- Rebounds
- Assists
- Blocks
- Steals
- Turnovers
- 3-pointers made
You’ll usually see these props available for every player in every single NBA game. You’ll also be able to bet on double-double, triple-double, and other stat combination markets.
DK also makes NBA player props easy to find by listing them under the traditional game lines for every game.
FanDuel Sportsbook CA
FanDuel Sportsbook also features a complete array of NBA player props including standard markets across the board:
- Player Points
- Player Rebounds
- Player Assists
- Player Threes
- Player Combos
It also features alternate lines, allowing you to manipulate the odds on certain player props making your bets either easier to win or with bigger potential payouts.
If there’s a Lakers game to bet on (or any other team) where you want to combine bets, all these props can also be included in same-game parlays on FanDuel.
Caesars Sportsbook CA
Caesars Sportsbook lists all kinds of NBA player props, including double-double and triple-double markets. There are standard Total Points, Total Rebounds, and Total Assists bets. Plus, you’ll also find combo markets, and the opportunity to increase your potential payout with regular odds boosts on popular NBA props.
Caesars Sportsbook is also easy to use, and the props are easy to find.
Popular prop bets for NBA players
Point totals represent the most popular NBA props and you can bet against point-total lines for every player in every game at most online sportsbooks, which may give you more ways to customize your bet or a parlay compared to betting on NBA spreads.
Player point lines are quite often set based on season averages, giving you the opportunity to take advantage of what you know about individual matchups on a nightly basis. Bet the over when you think a player will have a big scoring night and the under when the matchup isn’t exactly a favorable one.
The same can also be said for NBA player props combo markets like the total points, assists, and rebound bets. These bets are a lot like adding a player to your fantasy team and you can take advantage of your matchup knowledge again, betting whether a player is in for a stat-stuffing kind of night or a relatively quiet one.
Which season-long NBA player props attract the most action?
Outside of NBA player game props, you can bet on season-long props and awards. Options include bets on:
- MVP
- Rookie of the Year
- Most Improved Player
- Defensive Player of the Year
- Sixth Man of the Year
- Coach of the Year
- Regular Season Points, Assists, or Rebounds leader
The odds in these markets change regularly throughout the season. That means, for true contenders, the earlier you can get a bet down, the better the NBA player props odds will be.
NBA player prop bets worth avoiding
Some NBA player props are harder to predict than others, and should probably be avoided. First basket props are likely first on that list, as all the research in the world will still leave you guessing the outcome of this kind of bet.
Unless a matchup is really telling, steals and block lines are often hard to predict as well. These stats are simply too volatile to bet on with any real confidence.
NBA Finals and offseason player props
During the NBA Finals, you have the chance to bet on exclusive NBA Finals props like the NBA Finals MVP. Plus, in the offseason, you can still bet in certain NBA prop markets, including:
- NBA Draft
- NBA Free Agency
- Coaching Vacancies
NBA draft props
The NBA draft is such a huge offseason event it makes sense there are several betting markets surrounding it. But since inside information may be available, not every state allows Draft betting. It remains to be seen if California sportsbooks will. If the state agrees, you’ll be able to bet on the following:
- First pick
- Top five
- Top 10
- First round
- Draft position
- Draft order (top three, top five)
- College Conference totals
- School totals
Rules for NBA props at legal CA sportsbooks
Each sportsbook has its own rules concerning player props and they are publicly posted. For example, FanDuel Sportsbook’s terms and conditions clearly state that props are only valid if the player in question plays at some point in the game. Otherwise, all bets on the prop are voided and the wager amount returned.
Other sportsbooks might allow for postgame stat changes, void bets if an injury occurs, or count overtime stats while others do not. Read the fine print on your bets, understand the different rules, and nothing will come as a surprise to you when betting on NBA player props.