Ball pythons don't normally bask because they are nocturnal. They don't use the sun like how a lizard would. They get warmth from residual ground heat and ambient heat.
But in captivity, as long as your temperature gradient is within standard, its fine to use a heat lamp. However, heat lamps usually make maintaining humidity a pain as it dries out the air.
Its just whatever works for you and your snake. Most people do use belly heat only. But sometimes supplemental heat from a lamp is needed to reach ideal temps.
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