What “Away (+14.5)” in Basketball Sports Betting Means
In basketball point spread betting, the “+14.5” means the away team is the underdog and is given a 14.5-point advantage before the game starts.
So when you bet Away (+14.5), you are betting that the away team will:
- Win the game outright, OR
- Lose by fewer than 15 points.
If they lose by 15 or more points, your bet loses.
Example Scenario
Match:
Golden State Warriors (Home) vs Chicago Bulls (Away)
Point Spread:
Chicago Bulls +14.5
Outcome 1:
Final Score: Warriors 120 – Bulls 110
- Margin: 10 points
Your bet wins, because the Bulls lost by less than 15 points.
Outcome 2:
Final Score: Warriors 118 – Bulls 104
- Margin: 14 points
Your bet still wins, because they lost by 14 points (below +14.5).
Outcome 3:
Final Score: Warriors 125 – Bulls 108
- Margin: 17 points
Your bet loses, because the Bulls lost by more than 14.5 points.
Betting Tips for Away (+14.5)
- Look for Consistent Underdogs:
Teams like the Detroit Pistons or Charlotte Hornets often get large spreads (+14.5) against elite teams. Check if they’ve been keeping games relatively close recently. - Check the Home Team’s Defense and Motivation:
If the favorite (home team) has a tough schedule or is resting star players, they might not win by a huge margin. That makes +14.5 more valuable. - Garbage Time Factor:
In NBA games, a big favorite may rest starters late, allowing the underdog to score easy points and “cover the spread.” That often benefits a +14.5 bet. - Backdoor Cover Awareness:
Even if the away team is down by 20 at one point, late scoring runs can help them cover the spread — this happens a lot in high-paced games. - Check Recent ATS (Against The Spread) Records:
A team that often “covers” large spreads (even when losing) shows strong betting value.
Example Betting Insight
If the Boston Celtics are at home against the Washington Wizards (+14.5):
- Boston might dominate, but if Washington tends to score well in the 4th quarter or Boston’s bench lets up late, Washington +14.5 could still cash.
- Historically, teams with strong offense but weak defense tend to cover large spreads more often than teams with low offensive output.
Summary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Away (+14.5) | Away team starts with a +14.5 point advantage |
| Win Condition | Away team wins outright OR loses by ≤ 14 points |
| Lose Condition | Away team loses by ≥ 15 points |
| Type | Spread/Handicap Bet |
Would you like me to show how Away (+14.5) odds convert into actual payout examples (like at +1.90 or -110 odds)? That can help you see how much you’d win from certain bets.