How to Predict the Winner of a Basketball Game

Basketball is a 5-on-5 team sport, however, when attempting to predict the winner of a specific game, the deciding factor might just rest on the shoulders of one or two players. Like so many other sports, basketball tracks its game's statistics very closely. It calculates everything from player's points per game to a team's overall shooting percentage, and those who can use this information wisely can make informed and accurate predictions as to which team will be victorious.

Instructions

    • 1

      Analyze the individual players on each team to determine who has the best lineup. Looking up the player's average points, rebounds, assists and turnovers per game, as well as his three-point, free throw and field goal percentages, can allow you to clearly see who has the best team on paper. In addition, the overall team statistics, such as average total points for and against, will show which team has the better offense and defense.

    • 2

      Consider where the game will be played. There is a clear home-court advantage in sports, and the team that is playing on its own floor will generally have the upper hand. However, it is not as simple as simply picking the home team. Look up each team's home and away record to see any glaring trends in how they play vs. where they are playing. If a team rarely loses at home, then it might not be wise to pick against them. Although, the converse is also true; if a team has a better road record than the team it is facing's home record, then the home-court advantage may not factor in as much as it normally does.

    • 3

      Research any other variables that could play a factor in the outcome. Is there a match-up problem where a player is significantly better than the player who will guard him? Does one team have a winning streak that suggests they are playing great right now? Understanding where these advantages and disadvantages lie is a very important factor when predicting a winner. However, there is no sure thing. Just because a team is better on paper does not mean they will automatically win. Don't forget your gut when making a basketball prediction.