Updated Wed Sep 16 10:32 PM EDT

How to read the NBA Injury Report

One of the most important factors in sports betting and handicapping revolves around injuries and understanding how to read the NBA Injury Report is a key tool. The NBA has 30 teams and each club can have a maximum of 12 active players listed before each game. Since five players are on the court at all times, there are seven reserves on the bench.

The VegasInsider.com NBA Injury Report is listed in alphabetical order by Team Name and Mascot.

Ex. Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, etc…

Since some teams are fortunate to be healthier than others, not every club is always listed on the NBA Injury Report. Within the teams, Players are listed by first and last names before their Position. The most common positions in the NBA are center, guard and forward but you’ll see individuals listed as a combination or more specifics within those three common categories.

Ex. Point Guard, Guard-Forward, Forward-Center

The Date section tells the bettor when the individual became inactive due to injuries.

The NBA Injury Reports are always changing on a daily and weekly basis throughout the season, especially with the new ‘load management’ style that many teams have followed. It’s rare to see NBA players participate in a full 82-game season these days especially when you calculate the travel and back-to-back games for some. The goal for most teams is to earn a playoff berth and keep your main players intact and healthy for that deep run.

The VI NBA Injury Report provides plenty of information on each player in the Comments and they provide great insight on what happened to the individual. Along with the injuries, the report covers league suspensions. The majority of those are focused on NBA players that either used substances or drugs not allowed by the league.

The Expected Return is when the individual is projected to return to his NBA team and get back on the hardwood. Players placed on the Injured Reserve or better known as IR will have their date of return at the very end of the season (June), meaning they won’t be playing at all.

How do NBA Injury Reports affect betting?

The NBA Injury Reports often deal with long-term injuries but the short-term news certainly are more important for the day-to-day bettors. Staying on top of starters in the NBA Injury Reports can certainly help bettors get an edge on their bookmakers. Wagering on a team when an All-Star caliber player is removed from a lineup certainly won’t help your chances to win and if multiple All-Stars or starters come down with injuries, you could be looking at a losing wager. Depending on the talent level of the particular NBA All-Star, you can see oddsmakers adjust a point-spread by three to four points especially if its a contender for the MVP. Staying healthy for the marathon of the NBA season is crucial for all 30 teams.

Using all the injury information available on VegasInsider, you can become a smarter NBA bettor. If sports gambling is legal in your state, check out our online sportsbook directory to find the best and most secure places to make NBA bets, as well as exclusive sportsbook offers.