[eidolon]

I don't really see the point of why people talk about buying points in basketball. I think that there is too many points scored in a game, to justify buying down half a point (juice is too high).
I do buy half points to get off of number like 3 and 7 in football, I'm wondering if this thought though process carried over to basketball.

Any thoughts about why people would by points in basketball?

[suicidekings]

I don't really see the point of why people talk about buying points in basketball. I think that there is too many points scored in a game, to justify buying down half a point (juice is too high).
I do buy half points to get off of number like 3 and 7 in football, I'm wondering if this thought though process carried over to basketball.

Any thoughts about why people would by points in basketball?

Today I placed one of my largest wagers of the playoffs on the Under 192.5 in the Cavs/Magic game. Final total = 193. I considered buying points prior to placing the wager, but decided against it, making the result particularly frustrating. So in this case, buying points would have been very worthwhile.

That being said, you have to take into consideration how sharp you think the line is for the game. In some cases, it's probably not worth it, but there are definitely situtations in which it's something to consider.

[UntilTheNDofTimE]

there are a lot of points but you also have to consider that lines makers no what there doing regardless of the sport. take a look at the totals throughout this magic series, 3 of the 6 games landed between 3.5 points of the game line.

[LT Profits]

Never ever buy points in Basketball totals. Sure, it made a differenece tonight, but that does not happen enough to make up for the higher odds in the long run.

You also should never buy points off of spreads in hoops EXCPEPT for the few shops that allow you to buy 3 points at -170, as this situation is +EV at certain spread ranges.

[BigCap]

Lineshopping was the simple answer here. If you can give up 3 cents for 0.5 NBA total point, do it. The break-even is about 5.5 cents.

Assuming you bet under 192.5 @ -107, you would have been better off with under 193 @ -110 which was also available. Even better, if you could get bodog under 194 @ -115.

Today I placed one of my largest wagers of the playoffs on the Under 192.5 in the Cavs/Magic game. Final total = 193. I considered buying points prior to placing the wager, but decided against it, making the result particularly frustrating. So in this case, buying points would have been very worthwhile.

That being said, you have to take into consideration how sharp you think the line is for the game. In some cases, it's probably not worth it, but there are definitely situtations in which it's something to consider.

[The General]

Buying a 1/2 or Full point to get onto a 7 (Relevant to possession's needed) is something I will do. I don't have any data to support if it has helped, but a lesson I have learned on forum over years. It's not about the number as much as the possessions needed and a time to stop fouling at game end.

[Ganchrow]

Buying a 1/2 or Full point to get onto a 7 (Relevant to possession's needed) is something I will do. I don't have any data to support if it has helped, but a lesson I have learned on forum over years. It's not about the number as much as the possessions needed and a time to stop fouling at game end.

See http://www.sportsbookreview.com/forum/handicappe...ber-7-nba.html and http://www.sportsbookreview.com/forum/players-ta...value-2-a.html.

[LT Profits]

Lineshopping was the simple answer here. If you can give up 3 cents for 0.5 NBA total point, do it. The break-even is about 5.5 cents.

Assuming you bet under 192.5 @ -107, you would have been better off with under 193 @ -110 which was also available. Even better, if you could get bodog under 194 @ -115.

Correct, lineshopping is always the best answer and should always be the first thing you do, but it is not the point of this thread.

My answer was based on the assumption that buying half a point costs 10 cents and that there was not a better line available anywhere else.

[Dark Horse]

In football I understand buying the 1/2 pt off the 7.

In basketball, if the angle is not strong enough for the full game, focus on the 1Q or 1H instead of buying points. The full game spread is often reached at the end of either of those. And there won't be any intentional fouling to spoil the day.

[BigCap]

I guess there is a misconception that you need to buy a 0.5 point at the same book that offers the base bet. This is not true.

Correct, lineshopping is always the best answer and should always be the first thing you do, but it is not the point of this thread.

My answer was based on the assumption that buying half a point costs 10 cents and that there was not a better line available anywhere else.