How a spread works
If the Lakers are -6.5 against the Spurs, the Lakers must win by 7 or more to cover. The Spurs +6.5 covers if they win or lose by 6 or fewer. The .5 'hook' guarantees no push — someone always wins the bet.
Reading the line
A spread of -6.5 (-110) means you risk $110 to win $100. That -110 is the juice (vig) — the sportsbook's cut. Lines move when sharp money or heavy public action lands on one side; FanRivo shows you the public split so you can see where the crowd is going.
Covering vs winning
A team can win the game and lose the bet — and vice versa. The Celtics could win by 4 as a 7-point favorite and you'd lose the spread. That gap between game result and spread result is what separates casual fans from sharps.
When to take the spread
Take the spread on heavy favorites where the moneyline pays nothing, or on underdogs in matchups you think will be closer than the line suggests. Late-season NBA games with big rest advantages are classic spread spots.