What’s the biggest factor you trust most when breaking down games?

Curious how everyone here approaches games.

When you’re looking at a matchup, what matters most to you before deciding if a side or total makes sense?

I’m trying to understand how different bettors think about this

The last two minutes of game 

@Fuse

 Uhm appreciate you for replying thanks ?? 

Schedule

Scheduling takes into account motivation, which is huge with these babies. They can be emotionally predictable in which games they'll get up for and which they'll not care. It's not their fault, they're a product of the system. I can hardly watch an NBA game with all the chest thumping, acting a fool on a simple made 3pt shot during the game, it's embarrassing. That being said, scheduling and motivation are pretty important imo. Take for example when Lakers where in the Cup and hosted Spurs. A win and they'd face OKC. A loss and they'd get essentially the next 10 days off. They took the L and have had a cake sched since. Another example is Wolves were playing a matinee game at Atlanta then had 3 days off in Miami over New Year's Eve. They mailed it in at Atl, hopped a mid-afternoon flight to South Beach and there you have it. Look for those spots.

@Staceyh20

 Has a team won or did they cover their last game.

Is it a revenge game, are they running hot or cold, is the star coming back- i generally avoid or fade the first game back, schedule , is their too much buzz from one team or the line is disrespectful.

Also, some teams are good as fans, some are better as dogs.

..more than this but I worked in Big time hs, college bball and 5 years in the nba

those baddies in the crowd 

Power ratings are the biggest factor for sure. Luckily, the nba has all the stats you need right on their web site. In seconds, you can look up the net ratings for each team. That'll give you a basic idea what the line should be. It's a good starting point.

@Staceyh20

 Spots as Straight said is a big key

@Staceyh20

 That sir, is a question which requires a multitude of answers.

I make in excess of 1500 O/U bets (I made 5 this evening) each year, primarily college basketball and NBA as well as some foreign and WNBA games. My strategies vary slightly, depending upon each league, country and men's vs women's games. In my opinion, it requires fighting a war on a multitude of fronts, with what I call a scatter gun approach. By that I mean, betting a multitude of games each day, not simply one game...... and absolutely, no parlays.

Now......

Don't "fight" the odds makers, they're giving you free information..... use it.

Bet live only.....

Don't make pre game total game O/U bets....

Avoid betting Unders....

Avoid betting  live games on low scoring teams....

Don't bet out of proportion to your bankroll.....

Don't make premature live bets..... wait until the second half until you've had sufficient time to evaluate the play of both teams prior to placing any Over bets.

Those are some of my recommendations, but not necessarily all of them. The more games you observe and bet on, the more successful you'll be. There's no substitute for experience.

Hope that helps.....

That the guys in the court have a capable aptitude unlike Eason on Houston. Fucking moron with a useless 3. Hope he slips in the shower.