NBA Betting Spreads – Learn to Bet on NBA Spreads & Claim up to $1,000 in Bonuses

Ross Bennellick profile picture
Sports Editor Fact Checked by Nick Raffoul

Designed to keep games competitive when there are heavy betting favorites/ underdogs, NBA betting spreads are America’s most popular basketball game line, driving hopeful gamblers to market to wager on games they otherwise might not.

Spread betting can appear difficult to newcomers to sportsbook gambling and especially when betting on the NBA, as there are so many options available. However, once you understand a few key points that we will explain in this article, you will see it’s actually pretty straightforward.

BetOnline Sports logo

50% up to $1000 Welcome Bonus

5 Stars Claim Now
Everygame Sports logo

100% up to $500 Welcome Bonus

5 Stars Claim Now
BetNow Sports logo

100% up to $1000 Welcome Bonus

5 Stars Claim Now
Bovada Sports logo

Get a Welcome Bonus of up to $750

5 Stars Claim Now
Sportsbetting AG Sports logo

50% First Time Deposit Match Up To $1000

4.5 Stars Claim Now
Lucky Block logo

200% Bonus up to $10,000 + 50 Free Spins

5 Stars Claim Now
Jazz Sports logo

50% Sports Welcome Bonus Up To $1000

4 Stars Claim Now
BetUS Sports logo

125% Sign Up Bonus Up To $2,500

5 Stars Claim Now
MyBookie Sports logo

50% Welcome Deposit Bonus up to $1000

5 Stars Claim Now
Mega Dice Offer logo

200% Bonus up to 1BTC + 50 Free Spins

5 Stars Claim Now
BUSR Sports logo

150% Deposit Bonus up to $2500

4.5 Stars Claim Now
XBet Sports logo

50% Welcome Deposit Bonus Up To $500 + $10 Casino Chip

5 Stars Claim Now
In This Guide

NBA Spread Betting Sites Reviewed

Below, we’ve offered up our picks for the top 5 best NBA spread betting sites. It might be that the site in question has the deepest spread betting markets, or the best odds, or is available in most states. But for one reason or another, these are our favorite five when it comes to betting on the spread.

1. BetOnline – Top Site with a Multitude of NBA Spread Betting Markets

NBA BetOnline Review Texas

This sportsbook probably provides more optionality than any other when it comes to NBA spread betting. It’s possible to wager on the spread for the game, half, and quarter. During the playoffs, BetOnline also broadcast spread betting odds on the prop market. So, it was possible to wager on the spread for players head to head, for example.

BetOnline has great offers during the year, but it might be a good idea to see what they put out during the NBA playoffs. Apart from that they do have an exceptional welcome offer for new players, so if you haven’t already taken part of that, we can wholeheartedly recommend it.

When it comes to basket, BetOnline is one of the more solid options you can get, and is one of the very best sportsbooks around when it comes to this game line.

What we like:

  • Plenty of optionality on spread betting markets, including game, half, quarter, and even prop bets (player vs. player) during playoffs
  • Sportsbook contains easily accessible information on teams vs. the spread – very useful!
  • Early to broadcast spread betting odds

What we don’t:

  • Available in fewer states than some of the offshore competition

 

2. Bovada – Deep NBA Spread Betting Markets

NBA Betting Spreads - Learn to Bet on NBA Spreads & Claim up to $1,000 in Bonuses

An NBA betting app that makes sure to provide its customers with deep markets and plenty of optionality on the spread, Bovada is one of the leading players when it comes to spread betting on the NBA and has top-quality live betting which is perfect for basketball games.

As well as having some of the best odds on NBA spreads on the final score, Bovada offers up a host of alternate spreads. You can bet on the quarter or half spreads. These can be excellent options when implementing a winning NBA betting strategy as you will see further down the page.

The Bovada bonus codes are generally well worth keeping tabs on too since there’s no better way of wagering on an NBA spread than by using the house’s money.

What we like:

  • Deep markets for NBA spreads
  • $750 Welcome Bonus to newcomers
  • Well-presented website and NBA betting app that’s easy to use and navigate
  • Easy to place parlay bets

What we don’t:

  • No live streaming of NBA games in the USA

 

3. Everygame – Amazing Deals on NBA Spreads throughout the Year

Best Betting Bonuses - Everygame

Another top sportsbook that takes its NBA spread betting seriously: sportsbook users will find it’s simple to wager on the spread for the game, half, and quarter. Alternate spread betting options are also available, and the odds tend to be competitive to boot.

Everygame also provides its patrons with easy access to player/team stats, helping users to execute their spread betting strategies with ease and in a time-efficient manner – you don’t need to keep bouncing around to other sites to scope the analytics.

It’s also worth keeping an eye out for Everygame’s campaigns and promotions, in which bettors are able to find a lot of fun throughout the season.

What we like:

  • NBA spread betting odds are highly competitive
  • Alternate NBA spread betting markets open all season
  • Great campaigns during the year
  • Top welcome bonus

What we don’t:

  • Not as accessible across the country as offshore site

 

4. MyBookie – Great NBA Spread Betting Odds

MyBookie NBA Spread Betting Odds

A sportsbook long revered for providing among the very best NBA spread betting odds available, MyBookie is well worth a look.

The NBA spread betting site and its accompanying app contain spreads for all NBA regular season and playoff games, as well as NCAA and WNBA. On top of the variety of leagues available, there is also tons of optionality regarding the spreads: MyBookie features alternative spreads, spreads on the quarter/half, etc., providing bettors with more opportunity to place the kinds of wagers they truly believe will payout.

Available practically nationwide due to being based offshore, MyBookie also contains plenty of NBA spread betting tips and strategy guides, including free picks and weekly newsletters, et al.

What we like:

  • The site is easily accessible in most states
  • MyBookie features alternate spreads and spread betting options for quarter and half
  • The sportsbook features spread betting guides, containing useful tips and info on spread betting
  • NBA Spread betting odds are among the best around

What we don’t:

  • Can be slow to broadcast NBA spread betting odds
  • Spread betting odds for games that have already played out tend to remain on-site for 24hrs – you can’t bet on them, but it’s confusing nonetheless

 

5. BetNow – Wager on NBA Spreads Using Crypto

BetNow - best sports betting

With a Curacao license and just over 5 years of experience, BetNow easily makes it as one of the most trustworthy NBA spreads betting sites available to US bettors. With a decent selection of BetNow promo codes getting released regularly, the bookie surely doesn’t skimp on boosting customer bankrolls. The bonus section has a little something for just about every type of bettor.

BetNow features a top-notch mobile betting site, allowing you to access its full range of NBA markets on the move with a few finger swipes. Many US bettors prefer to create a web app and use the mobile website instead of the desktop platform.

While several payment methods are available, Bitcoin is an easy winner. It has the highest deposit and withdrawal limits and quickest transaction time frames. Other popular crypto banking methods like Tether and Ethereum aren’t available yet but we’ll likely see them soon as BetNow expands its cashier section.

BetNow has a decent customer support system going on, but the only challenge is you have to sign up to get the finer details on pretty much everything. You can contact the support team 24/7 via phone, live chat, and email.

What we like:

  • Several promotions
  • Innovative VIP program
  • Nifty mobile website
  • Decent odds

What we don’t:

  • Comprehensive support requires sign-up

 

6. BetUS – Enjoy NBA Spread Betting in Most American States

NBA Betting Spreads - Learn to Bet on NBA Spreads & Claim up to $1,000 in Bonuses

An NBA spread betting app that prides itself on deep spread market optionality, BetUS is well worth your consideration.

It’s a sportsbook that allows its patrons to wager on NBA futures, game days, and live scenarios, with the spread market becoming more detailed and varied as the cream of the NBA crop reaches the playoffs and beyond. BetUS features the regular spread, plus alternates and variations for player battles, etc. and it tends to offer good value across all major NBA betting lines, too.

The offshore sportsbook is accessible practically nationwide and also provides patrons with access to all the vital, up-to-date stats and metrics you’d need to analyze before making a wager on the spread – it’s very user-friendly in that sense. Plus, the BetUS bonus codes can be lucrative too, which is always appreciated.

What we like:

  • Spread markets for every NBA game, plus WNBA, NCAAB, Under-19 Championships
  • Parlay betting feature works with NBA spread betting
  • $2,500 Risk-Free bet for new users
  • Stats and metrics available to view on-site to help bettors execute spread betting strategy
  • NBA spread Picks are available for free on the app & website

What we don’t:

  • Not as quick to market with NBA spread betting odds as some of the competition

 

Discover Our Top Betting Guides

Offshore Betting
On the lookout for the best Offshore Betting Site? We have you covered, our guide compares the best gambling sites, providing top-tier bonus codes & more.
Offshore Betting
Cash Out Betting
Join us as we look at the best Cash Out Betting Sites in the USA, providing useful tips, in-depth explanations and bonus codes.
Cash Out Betting
New Sportsbooks
Don't miss out on the best New Sportsbooks in the USA 2023. Our guide covers everything you need to know, the latest features, bonus codes, & so much more.
New Sportsbooks
High Limit Betting
Our guide covers the best High Limit sportsbooks. Favoring those with the highest deposit limits, the largest welcome bonuses, and the best limits per wage.
High Limit Betting
Sportsbooks
Discover more about the world of Sportsbook betting sites, reviewing the top 10 sites, where sports betting is legal, different types of bets, and much more.
Sportsbooks
Betting Apps
Do you prefer betting on your mobile? Explore betting on the go with our list of top-rated betting apps, featuring comparisons, top bonus codes, and more.
Betting Apps
eSports Betting
In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about esports betting, from where it’s legal to what games are popular, to the top eSports betting sites.
eSports Betting
Best Sportsbooks on Reddit
The Best Sportsbooks on Reddit - See which betting sites Reddit users rated as being the best. Join Today for $1,000 Bonuses and Free Bets!
Sportsbooks on Reddit

NBA Spread Betting Explained

NBA Betting Spreads - Learn to Bet on NBA Spreads & Claim up to $1,000 in Bonuses

The point spread challenges bettors to wager on how many points team X will win or lose by. For example, if the NBA spread is Houston Rockets (+5.5) vs. Los Angeles Lakers (-5.5), the Rockets need to win the game or lose by less than 6 points for your bet to payout. If you wagered on the Lakers in the same game, L.A. would need to win by 6 clear points for your bet to payout.

In a nutshell, this is a point spread betting NBA games explained – it’s just a way of evening the playing ‘court’ slightly.

There are, however, countless variations of the spread, particularly when concerning a league like the NBA, which so readily lends itself to the fast-paced world of NBA live betting on the spread. Let’s look at how to bet on NBA spreads.

NBA Spread Betting on the Quarter

Following the same principle as spread betting on the game, here bettors are challenged to predict the point differential at the end of a specific quarter. Generally, the differential is lower than it is at the end of the game since less time has elapsed, so expect to see spreads at +3.5/-3.5, etc. Other than that, it’s the exact same concept as detailed earlier.

NBA Spread Betting on the Half

This is the same as the others (game and quarter), only this time, a bettor is wagering on the point differential at the half.

Alternate NBA Spread Betting Markets:

The premier NBA spread betting sites, such as Bovada, DraftKings, and BetUS also enable bettors to select a spread option that they feel is most likely, as opposed to just the one option gifted to them by the oddsmakers.

Some sportsbooks may offer alternate spreads before a match starts but many sites like BetUS and Bovada will only offer them once live-in-play betting begins.

NBA Betting Spread: Over-Time

Occasionally, when a game is tied, overtime is necessary to get a winner. It’s possible to spread bet solely on the point differential during overtime on most of the best NBA spread betting apps. But, it is worth mentioning that should you have wagered on a game spread, overtime is added, giving you a second chance to hit the spread.

Fanduel and MyBookie are solid examples of sportsbooks that have this option available as part of their NBA spread betting platter.

Latest NBA News

76ers Joel Embiid (right knee sprain) questionable for Game 5 vs Celtics

Many Believe Joel Embiid Will Seek Trade

The saga of the Philadelphia 76ers continues to add more drama. With James Harden recently admonishing Daryl Morey, many peers around the league believe it is only a matter of time before MVP, Joel Embiid, asks for a trade. Embiid recently took the 76ers out of his Twitter bio, but eventually back-pedaled saying it was […]

Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden to NBA investigators Daryl Morey told me I would be traded after opting in

76ers star James Harden to NBA investigators: ‘Daryl Morey told me I would be traded after opting in’

Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden told NBA investigators that Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said to him that he would be traded after opting in for the 2023-24 season. Trade talks are nonexistent, per sources. On Saturday, the league launched an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the 10-time All-Star bashing Morey […]

Oklahoma City Thunder waive former Houston Rockets forward Usman Garuba

Thunder waive former Rockets forward Usman Garuba

The Oklahoma City Thunder are waiving forward Usman Garuba, according to sources. Garuba, 21, was selected 23rd overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2021 NBA Draft. “I’ll prove everyone wrong. Mark my words,” he said after being cut. As a native of Madrid, Spain, he played for Real Madrid Baloncesto of the Liga ACB […]

Lonzo Ball on Chicago Bulls management I feel like they made the perfect team around me

Lonzo Ball on Bulls management: ‘I feel like they made the perfect team around me’

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball was asked by Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young about how he felt concerning the Bulls roster ahead of the 2023-24 season on Young’s “From the Point” YouTube podcast. Young: “How do you feel about the team y’all had this season? Y’all have a squad. How do you feel about it?” […]

NBA Facebook Employee Blasts League I worked 14-hour shifts without breaks at times social media

NBA Facebook Employee Blasts League: ‘I worked 14-hour shifts without breaks at times’

A disgruntled NBA Facebook employee posted one last message on the social media site on Monday, blasting the league for its low salaries after taxes and ridiculous long hours, before resigning. The post is now deleted. “How do I log out of this? Haven’t worked here in weeks. Anyway, the NBA overextends its social media […]

Former Los Angeles Clippers star Lou Williams NBA Sixth Man Award should be named after Crawford, Ginobili if not me

Former Clippers star Lou Williams: ‘NBA Sixth Man Award should be named after Crawford, Ginobili if not me’

Former Los Angeles Clippers star Lou Williams won NBA Sixth Man of the Year three times (2015, 2018, 2019) in his 17-year playing career, and the retired 6-foot-1 guard believes the award should be named after him. If not himself, Williams was thinking Jamal Crawford or NBA Hall of Famer Manu Ginobili. Of course, Crawford […]

WNBA Star Sabrina Ionescu Has Custom Shoes Stolen At New York Liberty-Las Vegas Aces Game

WNBA Star Sabrina Ionescu Has Custom Shoes Stolen At Liberty-Aces Game

WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu contacted the Las Vegas Police Department after she noticed her custom “Sabrina 1s” shoes were missing at Michelob ULTRA Arena, where the New York Liberty lost 88-75 to the Las Vegas Aces on Thursday night. However, the sneakers were missing prior to tip-off. Ionescu debuted her signature Oregon Ducks sneakers on […]

Oklahoma City Thunder re-sign guard Lindy Waters III to a two-way contract

Thunder re-sign guard Lindy Waters III to a two-way contract

The Oklahoma City Thunder have re-signed guard Lindy Waters III to a two-way contract. In June, Waters declined his $1.93 million player option for the 2023-24 season. His option is part of the two-year, $6.29 million rest-of-season contract he signed with OKC in February. Waters, 26, went undrafted out of Oklahoma State University in 2020. […]

Portland Trail Blazers sign G League guard Ashton Hagans to a one-year deal

Trail Blazers sign G League guard Ashton Hagans to a one-year deal

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed G League guard Ashton Hagans to a one-year deal, according to sources. Hagans, 24, went undrafted in 2020 out of the University of Kentucky. The 6-foot-3 guard signed a two-way contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves ahead of his rookie 2020-21 season. However, after two NBA appearances off the bench, […]

Where to Locate NBA Betting Spread Free Predictions 

NBA Betting Spreads - Learn to Bet on NBA Spreads & Claim up to $1,000 in Bonuses

With wagering on the NBA now common practice across the country, there’s really no need to be coughing up your hard-earned dollars to get your NBA Picks from oddsmaking specialists. There is all manner of sportsbooks, sports broadcasters, fan forums, etc. on the internet from which you can get your NBA betting spread free predictions and all the analytics you can shake a stick at.

Free NBA Picks are available on ESPN, which works in tandem with William Hill’s NBA betting odds. FOXBET is another trusted provider of free picks, not to mention some of the sites listed on the page, such as BetUS, MyBookie, and Bovada, which all contain great, expert advice on NBA gambling markets from the spread to the NBA Draft.

Sportsbooks are launching an assault for your trust as they expand out into new American states and, as such, transparency and the help provided by these sportsbooks in the forms of picks, blogs, vlogs, and the like has never been higher. A few of our favorite sites to frequent for spread betting tips and useful stats are as follows:

  • DK Nation (Draftkings tips and forums, etc)
  • BetUS (Free NBA Picks)
  • MyBookie (Free NBA Picks)
  • ESPN.com (chocked full of basketball stats)
  • NBA.com (all the stats and all the latest news coming out of the NBA)
  • IG Tipping Pages
  • NBA Twitter Picks

And we’ll have to shamelessly plug ourselves here, too:

  • Basketball Insiders (we aren’t directly affiliated with any major sportsbook in particular, so the advice we do give is generally what our team of gambling pros plans to bet on)

Explore Our Expert-Written Sports Betting Guides

NBA
A comprehensive guide to betting on the NBA at the best betting sites in the US, featuring detailed reviews of the sportsbooks, lines, and odds.
NBA Betting
UFC
Everything you need to know about betting on the world's most popular MMA organization, the UFC. Discover the best UFC sportsbooks and learn about the markets.
UFC Betting
MLB
Whether it's the run line or parlay betting on the World Series, our MLB betting guide details everything you need to know about baseball betting in the US.
MLB Betting
NHL
Skate over to the top hockey sportsbooks and claim huge bonuses when you register. Read up on puck line betting and other popular NHL betting markets.
NHL Betting
Horse Racing
Unsure how to wager a trifecta at Preakness Stakes, or a quinella at Belmont? Our detailed horse racing betting guides will reveal all.
Horse Racing Betting
NFL
A complete guide to betting on America's Game. Learn how NFL odds and markets work, read our reviews of the top NFL sportsbooks and prepare to beat the spread.
NFL Betting
NCAAB
From the NBA Draft to March Madness and everything in between, our NCAAB betting guide sets out the key components to betting on college basketball.
NCAAB Betting
Esports
Discover the best esports betting sites for the world's most popular games: CS:GO, FIFA, CoD, WoW, and more. Use promo codes to claim rewards when you sign up.
Esports Betting
Tennis
Our team of betting experts presents a comprehensive overview of tennis betting markets, odds, key dates, and the best tennis sportsbooks in the USA.
Tennis Betting
Golf
Hoping to bet on The Masters, Ryder Cup, or US Open this year? Read our comprehensive golf betting guides first to increase your chances of success.
Golf Betting
Politics
Plenty of sportsbooks now offer politics betting markets. Learn how to profit during the elections and claim lucrative sign-up bonuses when you register.
Politics Betting
Boxing
Learn how to profit from the sweet science by reading our detailed boxing betting guide. Swing the odds back in your favor with reload bonuses and free bets.
Boxing Betting
Darts
Want to know the best darts betting sites? Check our guide for the top darts sportsbooks, the most popular darts markets & best bonuses.
Darts Betting

NBA Spread Betting Strategy 

NBA Betting Spreads - Learn to Bet on NBA Spreads & Claim up to $1,000 in Bonuses

1. NBA Betting Strategy Spread vs Moneyline

Betting on the spread is a beginner’s strategy all of its own. Wagering on the winner/loser via the moneyline is all well and good. But what you’ll tend to find is unfavorable odds for the favorite, which causes many of us to back the underdog. The spread is designed to keep things interesting. You’ll likely find better odds on, say, the Milwaukee Bucks to win with a spread of 7.5 (-100) than you do just on an outright Bucks win on the moneyline (-250, for example).

2. Betting Against the Mid-Late Season Stuffing

When the season really hots up and the cream separates itself from the chaff, oddsmakers start to lose their minds a little. Big far-reaching NBA betting spreads start to appear on basketball betting apps: LeBron and the Lakers to stuff Houston with a spread of -18.5 (and the like).

The simple fact is, these types of maulings aren’t seen all that regularly in the game of basketball and it’s usually better to bet against the spread in these situations.

3. Ride the Wave of Momentum

Momentum is a real thing in sport and not just basketball either. That team on a five-game winning streak is likely to continue the hot form. Keep an eye on teams that are consistently winning and losing and back them to the hills. There was a study performed some eight years ago that showed the probability of the team continuing its streak was something like 65%.

Most of the best NBA spread betting sites and apps will also show you how many times a team has covered its spread – the same rules apply: If a team is covering its spread 60-70+% of the time, jump on board and ride the wave. FanDuel is a great example of a sportsbook that actually displays how teams are fairing against the spread and a good choice for anyone wishing to perfect the strategy

4. The Martingale NBA Spread Betting System

This is a risky system to employ on NBA spreads but there are pro bettors out there who swear by it. The Martingale system is a simple NBA betting strategy that involves doubling down on your bet each time you lose. In order for it to be effective, you will need a large bankroll and the bravery of a lion – things can get out of and very quickly: 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 – the numbers go up quickly.

This is not a system for everyone. But, if you’re willing to do your research and you truly believe you know the game of basketball inside out, it is possible to have success when implementing the Martingale System when NBA spread betting.

5. Bet against a 3 in 4 Team

Another simple strategy for point spread NBA betting is to wager against a team winning three out of four games in quick succession. The idea is straightforward: a team that has played three games back to back to back is likely to be tired, and defense tends to suffer before offense in such cases, as players save their best efforts for the flashy offense. By this logic, it’s wise to bet against a team covering the NBA spread when such a situation arises.

6. NBA Spread Betting Against the Public

This is one of the most popular methods for winning big when placing NBA bets at online sportsbooks (and also when day trading where it’s known as ‘taking the contrarian position’). Simply check out what the general public is doing and try NBA betting against the spread; ie. do the exact opposite of what everybody else is doing. The idea is that there’s a reason why sportsbooks are in business, and it’s not because they want us to win…

 

NBA Team Standings & Stats

Best NBA Spread Betting Site Overall
BetOnline Sports logo

50% up to $1000 Welcome Bonus

5 Stars Claim Now

NBA Betting Spread FAQs

Explain what spread, moneyline, and total points mean in NBA betting:

What does +7 mean in point spread?

What is a spread on betting NBA?

What is a spread in NBA betting?

Mad about sport - NFL, NBA, UFC, WWE, EPL, CL, F1... whatever. If it's on, I'm watching it, reporting on it, and dishing out savvy betting tips. Just blew $300 on a Zach Wilson Legacy card - kid better be the new Mahomes or my wife might end my life. True story.