NBA Basketball Betting: Good Teams to Bet the "Under" On

Article courtesy of Alex Smart, an award-winning professional basketball handicapper featured on Touthouse.com. If you are betting on NBA basketball season, be sure to buy Alex Smart’s Expert NBA Picks.

1. Charlotte Bobcats (4-12-1 O/U)

The Bobcats have been a bettor’s dream this season when placing an online wager on the under of the sports betting line total. And that’s despite it being just 2-2 in the past four games.

NBA handicappers need not worry, though; the two recent overs were against poor defensive teams and one of those NBA betting games went into overtime. The extended absence of shooting guard and leading scorer Jason Richardson certainly contributed to Charlotte’s offensive struggles, but even his return shouldn’t change this strong betting trend.

The Bobcats simply aren’t an efficient offensive team, averaging a league-worst 89.3 points per game and not receiving nearly the production from players such as Matt Carroll and Emeka Okafor it needs to start putting up big numbers. Combine that with allowing the third-least amount of points per game, and that’s a recipe for under sports wagers to cash all season long.

2. Philadelphia 76ers (4-10-2 O/U)

NBA wagering professionals couldn’t have predicted that the Sixers would be on this list before the season began. Not when they were able to acquire Elton Brand and keep Andre Iguodala, and not with the expected progression of Thaddeus Young.

But Philadelphia’s offense has been out of whack more often than not, and as a result is one of the worst offensive teams in the league. Four of Philadelphia’s past six games have gone under, with the other two pushing.

3. San Antonio Spurs (6-10 O/U)

When you’re consistently one of the best defensive teams in the league, there’s a good chance that most of your games are going to land under the betting line. When you’re one of the best defensive teams in the league and you’re without two of your three best players, there’s a great chance.

The Spurs rank 26th in the league in points per game, and have been without the services of All-Stars Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili for the majority of the season. While both players have recently returned, San Antonio’s style of play and an expected period of adjustment to the new rotation should keep the basketball betting under train rolling.

4. New Orleans Hornets (6-9 O/U)

Probably the most surprising team to find its way on this list, New Orleans has yet to click offensively. Chris Paul has been terrific, but his teammates haven’t been nearly as consistent—Tyson Chandler, in particular. He’s seen his scoring average drop by three points, and is currently shooting under 60 percent.

If he finished at his current clip, it’d be the first time it’d be under 60 since he’s donned the New Orleans uniform. The Hornets’ defense has been very good, though. The "total" has landed under the NBA line seven times in their past 10 games, but just 3-3 in the past six.

5. Chicago Bulls (7-9-1)

When Luol Deng’s averaging less than 13 points per game and shooting under 40 percent from the floor, you’re bound to have some problems on the offensive end.

Luckily for the Bulls, rookie Derrick Rose has been even better than advertised, scoring and making his teammates better. But with injuries to Larry Hughes and Kirk Hinrich, and a serious lack of production from their young big men, the under should remain a solid basketball pick.