How to Bet on NBA Games 2023 – NBA Betting Guide

The NBA is one of the most popular sporting competitions in the US. However, despite billions being wagered on basketball every season, plenty of US bettors don’t know how to bet on NBA games. This article is here to help that.

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to NBA betting. Firstly, you need to find the right NBA betting site to sign up to, which is why we have given you our top options below. We will also take you through some of our useful NBA betting tips and more. So, check out the rest of the guide to brush up on your NBA betting skills.

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Best Sportsbooks to Bet on NBA Games

Here is our list of the best NBA betting sites, put together by our team of experts aimed at sports bettors. From the best sportsbook bonuses to an extensive array of betting options, these NBA betting platforms get plenty right.

1. BetOnline – The Best NBA sportsbook
2. Everygame – Plethora of NBA betting markets
3. BetNow – Superb list of sporting events
4. Bovada – Seamless live streams and betting options
5. Sportsbetting.ag – Rich selection of prop bets for NBA games
6. Lucky Block – Comprehensive list of payment options
7. Jazz – Swift and hassle free payouts
8. BetUS – Comes with BetUS TV for live streams
9. MyBookie – Engaging promotions and offers
10. Mega Dice – Beginner friendly user interface
11. BUSR – Responsive customer support team
12. XBet – Best loyalty program

NBA Betting Site Comparison

Here is a table that we have put together to show you what the bonus looks like in comparison to one another with the best NBA betting sites, as well as what the minimum and maximum deposit and withdrawal limits are.

Explaining NBA Lines & Markets

NBA betting wouldn’t be all that much fun if you were only betting on what team will win in each game. Sure, that’s a nice staple bet, but you’ll want to mix and match your markets after a while. Thankfully, the NBA betting platforms in this guide do give you plenty of options, and most NBA games will include popular basketball betting lines like these:

Moneyline Betting

A moneyline bet is a simple bet on which team will win the game. The odds reflect the relative strength of the teams.

Example: Los Angeles Lakers (-150) vs. Boston Celtics (+130) If you bet $150 on the Lakers and they win, you would profit $100. If you bet $100 on the Celtics and they win, you would profit $130.

Point Spread Betting

NBA spread betting involves betting on whether a team will win by a certain margin (cover the spread) or not. NBA point spreads are meant to even out the odds between mismatched teams.

Example: Golden State Warriors -5.5 (-110) vs. New York Knicks +5.5 (-110) If you bet on the Warriors, they need to win by 6 points or more for your bet to win. If you bet on the Knicks, they need to lose by 5 points or fewer or win the game outright.

Over/Under (Total) Betting

This involves betting on whether the total combined points scored by both teams will be over or under a certain number.

Example: Miami Heat vs. Houston Rockets – Over 215.5 (-110) / Under 215.5 (-110) If the total points scored in the game are 216 or more, the Over bet wins. If the total is 215 or fewer, the Under bet wins.

Parlay Betting

Parlays involve combining multiple bets on NBA teams into a single wager. All bets in the parlay must win for the bettor to profit.

Example: Parlay bet on Lakers (-150), Warriors -5.5 (-110), and Over 215.5 (-110) All three bets must win for the parlay to pay out, but the potential payout is higher due to the combined odds.

Player Prop Bets

These bets focus on individual player performances, such as points, rebounds, assists, or other stats.

Example: LeBron James Over 25.5 Points (-120) / Under 25.5 Points (-120) If LeBron scores 26 or more points, the Over bet wins. If he scores 25 or fewer, the Under bet wins.

Team Prop Bets

Similar to player props, but focusing on team-level statistics and outcomes in an NBA game.

Example: Miami Heat to Score First 10 Points (-110) / Opposing Team to Score First 10 Points (-110) You’re betting on which team will reach 10 points first.

Futures Betting

These are long-term bets on events that will happen later in the season, like the NBA Championship winner, NBA Coach of the Year or the MVP. NBA Futures betting markets are open before the start of the season and close well before the end of the season.

Example: Betting on Los Angeles Lakers to Win the NBA Championship (+300) If the Lakers win the championship, you would profit $300 for every $100 wagered.

Live Betting (In-Play Betting)

NBA live betting is the process of betting on games while they’re in progress, with odds changing based on the current score and situation.

Example: Betting on the team you believe will win during halftime, with adjusted odds based on the first-half performance.

How to Read NBA Odds

NBA betting odds are actually not all that difficult to understand, especially if you are using American moneyline odds. There is a simple way to understand them whether you are using straight moneyline bets or looking to take advantage of point spreads, and here’s how:

Moneyline Betting

Matchup: Los Angeles Lakers (-150) vs. Boston Celtics (+130)

• The minus sign (-) indicates the favorite (Lakers), and the number after it represents how much you need to bet to win $100.
• The plus sign (+) indicates the underdog (Celtics), and the number after it represents how much you would win if you bet $100.

In this case:

• Betting $150 on the Lakers would yield a profit of $100 if they win.
• Betting $100 on the Celtics would yield a profit of $130 if they win.

Point Spread Betting

Matchup: Golden State Warriors -5.5 (-110) vs. New York Knicks +5.5 (-110)

• The number (-5.5) after the team’s name indicates the spread. The favorite must win by more than that many points to “cover the spread,” while the underdog must either win outright or lose by fewer points than the spread.
• The odds (-110) indicate how much you need to bet to win $100.

In this case:

• If you bet on the Warriors (-5.5), they must win by six or more points for your bet to win. You would need to bet $110 to win $100.
• If you bet on the Knicks (+5.5), they must either win the game or lose by 5 points or fewer for your bet to win. You would need to bet $110 to win $100.

Over/Under (Total) Betting

Matchup: Miami Heat vs. Houston Rockets – Over 215.5 (-110) / Under 215.5 (-110)

• The number (215.5) is the total combined points scored by both NBA teams.
• The odds (-110) indicate how much you need to bet to win $100.

In this case:

• If you bet on the Over (215.5), the total points scored by both teams must be 216 or more for your bet to win. You would need to bet $110 to win $100.
• If you bet on the Under (215.5), the total points scored must be 215 or fewer for your bet to win. You would need to bet $110 to win $100.

How the NBA Season Works

The NBA schedule has 3 distinct stages throughout the year, with the regular season giving you the most games to bet on. While there may be more games to bet on, the odds and markets can shift quite notably towards the latter stages of the playoffs and then, ultimately the final. Whether that be with the odds being tighter or the markets being fewer.

Regular Season

The NBA season is divided into three phases: the regular season, the playoffs, and the finals. The regular season spans from October to April and consists of each of the 30 teams playing a predetermined number of games against one another, both within their own conference and across conferences. This phase serves to determine team rankings and playoff eligibility based on win-loss records and statistical performance. You’ll have a number of games to bet on here, so you can really mix and match with your markets.

Playoffs

Following the regular season, the playoffs commence in mid-April and typically run through June. The playoffs are a knockout-style tournament involving the top eight NBA teams from each conference, competing in a series of best-of-seven series. As teams advance through the rounds, the intensity and competition escalate, ultimately leading to the conference finals. The playoffs have fewer games, and as the teams are more evenly matched, the odds won’t be quite as wide as you might find between typical underdogs and favorites.

Finals

The pinnacle of the NBA season is reached with the NBA Finals, typically held in June. This series showcases the Eastern Conference champion against the Western Conference champion, competing for the prestigious Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy. The team that secures four wins out of a possible seven is crowned the NBA champion, concluding the season with a culmination of skill, teamwork, and determination on basketball’s grandest stage. The betting opportunities in the final may shift as one team takes the lead in the best of 7 series, but they will still be far closer than regular season games, which means that you may need to be a little more shrewd with your bets.

Tips & Strategies for Betting on NBA

There are a number of basketball betting tips and strategies to consider when wagering on the NBA, which we’ll discuss in this section. If you are looking at a more detailed read, our list of the best NBA betting strategies might be helpful.

Research Teams and Players

Stay updated on team rosters, player injuries, recent performance, and head-to-head matchups before placing an NBA bet. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of teams and individual players will give you valuable insights.

Analyze Statistics

Look beyond just the win-loss record. Dive into advanced statistics such as points per possession, offensive and defensive efficiency, rebounding, turnovers, and more. The NBA website is a valuable resource for stats which can help you identify trends and make informed decisions.

Home and Away Performance

Consider a team’s performance at home versus on the road. Some teams perform significantly better or worse in their home arena due to factors like crowd support and familiarity with the court.

Injuries and Rest

Injuries can greatly impact a team’s performance, so stay updated on injury reports before placing bets. Also, be aware of teams on a heavy schedule or in back-to-back games, as fatigue can affect their performance.

Follow Line Movement

Pay attention to how the betting lines move. Sudden shifts in lines can indicate new information or heavy betting on one side. Understanding line movement can help you make timely decisions.

Manage Your Bankroll

Set a budget for your NBA betting activities and stick to it. Avoid chasing losses by increasing your bets to recoup losses quickly, as this can lead to more significant losses.

Understand Different Bets

Learn about the various types of bets in NBA betting, such as point spread, Moneyline, and over/under totals. Each type of bet has its own strategy and risk-reward profile.

Shop for the Best Odds

Different sportsbooks may offer slightly different odds for the same game. Shopping around for the best odds can maximize your potential profits over time.

Consider Live Betting

Live betting allows you to place bets during the game, taking advantage of changing dynamics and momentum shifts. However, live betting requires quick decision-making and a good understanding of the game.

Follow a Staking Plan

Use a consistent and well-defined staking strategy. Many experienced bettors recommend risking only a small percentage (typically 1-5%) of your total bankroll on a single bet.

Keep Records

Maintain a detailed record of your bets, including the types of bets, the teams, the odds, the outcomes, and the reasoning behind your decisions. This helps you track your performance and identify areas for improvement.

NBA Betting Bonuses

When you sign up on the best NBA betting sites, you will find that a lot of them give you a chance to claim a welcome bonus or a promotion. These promotions and bonuses don’t always look the same, and they can often give you different benefits to work with. Here are some of the more prevalent bonuses that you can find with these sites and how they usually work.

Welcome Bonus

A staple among NBA betting sites, the Welcome Bonus is designed to entice new users to join their platform. Upon signing up and making an initial deposit, bettors are often treated to a percentage-based match on their deposit amount. This added bonus instantly boosts your betting funds, allowing you to explore various NBA markets and potentially enhance your betting experience from the outset.

Free Bet Bonus

The Free Bet Bonus offers an intriguing proposition for NBA enthusiasts. Here, you are provided with a predetermined amount of money to wager, usually upon meeting specific criteria such as making a qualifying bet or deposit. This bonus enables you to place bets without risking your own funds, offering a unique opportunity to explore different NBA bets and strategies with a safety net in place.

Reload Bonuses

For those who’ve already established accounts with NBA betting sites, Reload Bonuses provide an extra incentive to keep the action going. Whenever users make subsequent deposits to their accounts, these bonuses offer a percentage-based boost to the deposit amount. This not only encourages continued play but also allows you to extend your betting pursuits and potentially capitalize on new NBA opportunities. Some of the best crypto betting sites offer exclusive crypto bonuses for reloads via crypto payment methods.

Risk-Free Bets

Risk-Free Bets introduce an intriguing layer of security to NBA betting. With this bonus, users are encouraged to place their first bet, and if the bet loses, the site refunds the bet amount in the form of bonus funds. This bonus acts as a safety net for initial bets, providing some assurance to bettors as they navigate the dynamic world of NBA wagering.

Cashback Bonuses

Cashback Bonuses present a unique proposition for NBA bettors seeking additional insurance. With this type of bonus, a percentage of a your net losses over a specific period is returned to your account as bonus funds. This effectively provides a form of cashback, offering consolation for bets that didn’t go as planned and allowing you to extend your playing time.

Live Streaming & Betting

Live betting and live streaming are a big part of the best NBA betting platforms. Live betting is a uniform feature across all of these platforms, but it should be noted that live streaming services are not always found and should be considered to be an added bonus. A welcome one at that. Here is how these features work with these sites.

Live Betting

Live betting, also known as in-play betting, is a dynamic and interactive feature offered by NBA betting sites that allow members to place wagers on ongoing basketball games in real time. Unlike traditional pre-game betting, live betting enables users to make bets on various aspects of the game as it unfolds, such as predicting the outcome of the next quarter, the next scorer, the total number of points scored in a specific period, or even whether a particular player will make the next shot.

The best live betting feature that we have seen in our list of NBA sportsbooks is found with BetOnline. The live-betting section here runs incredibly smoothly, offers you tons of live markets to choose from, and has some seriously competitive odds as well.

Live Streaming

Live streaming with NBA betting sites refers to the real-time broadcast of NBA basketball games directly on the betting platform, allowing members to watch the games as they happen while also placing bets on various aspects of the game simultaneously. This feature provides an immersive and convenient experience, enabling bettors to follow the action in real-time, make informed betting decisions based on their observations, and engage more deeply with the game and their wagers, all within a single integrated platform.

As far as live streaming goes, we would go with BetUS. BetUS TV is the name of the feature, and it covers just about every NBA game throughout the season, including the vital playoff games. You can watch how your bets play out all on one easy-to-use betting platform in BetUS.

Betting On NBA Apps

Whether you are using an iOS device or an Android device, you may be wondering if you can use the best NBA betting sites in our list with your mobile device. The answer is yes.

Android

If you are using an Android device, you can easily navigate to all of the mobile betting sites in the above list. Just make sure you keep your software up to date, as this can affect the quality of features like live betting and live streaming. Other than that, you can bet on the NBA, on the go, with your Android devices. In fact, we found that BUSR was one of the smoothest options for Android users.

iOS

iOS users aren’t left behind either. While there are no official apps to download with the sites we have reviewed, iOS users can simply use their Safari browser to access all of the mobile versions of these platforms. They run just as smoothly as they do with Android devices, so no one is getting left behind. Also, go with BetOnline first if you are using an iOS device.

How to Sign Up to an NBA Betting Site

If you want to sign up to one of the best NBA betting sites, the whole process shouldn’t take you longer than a few minutes at most. Here is how you can sign up on a top rated offshore betting site like BetOnline today.

Step 1: Visit the BetOnline Website

Head over to the BetOnline platform and hit the join button in the top right-hand corner of the homepage.

Step 2: Fill in your Info

Once you have done that, you will be taken to the next page, where you will need to fill in some basic info like your name, surname, email address, and a few other minor details. You will also need to set up a password while also completing the verification of email by clicking on the link that BetOnline will send to your mail once you complete the signup process.

Step 3: Make a Deposit

Then you will need to add some funds to your account, which you can do by heading to the banking page. Choose a deposit method that you prefer from the long list of options, select how much you would like to deposit, and finish off the transaction. It should show up instantly in your account.

Step 4: Start your NBA Betting Adventure

You are now ready to go with your NBA betting journey. You can surf their sportsbook and pick and choose from all of the NBA events that happen every week. Try to plan your bets and select markets that you think will most likely be successful. Remember, there is no such thing as too much homework when it comes to placing your bets.

NBA Betting FAQs

You can learn a lot more about NBA betting simply by checking out what some of your fellow gamblers have been asking. We have answered some of the most frequently asked questions below so that you have an idea of how NBA betting works and where some of the best places are to place your NBA bets.