Best NBA Betting Sites For 2024
Unlock the secrets of NBA betting mastery with our expert guide. Learn how to bet on NBA basketball like a pro!
The Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic meet in the run-up to Christmas.
Learn About NBA Betting
NBA (National Basketball Association) basketball has transformed from a niche American sport to a global phenomenon, capturing the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. Its surge in popularity has transcended borders, even gaining traction in the UK since the 1990s, fuelled by the success of iconic figures like Michael Jordan. This overseas expansion has led to NBA games being held in London since 2011, further solidifying its international appeal.
As the NBA's influence spreads, so does the interest in betting on the sport, with enthusiasts eager to place wagers as the players hit the courts. With numerous bookmakers now offering NBA betting options, selecting the ideal platform for punters can be daunting. In the following paragraphs, we'll delve into how to wager on NBA basketball, highlight the best betting sites for NBA action, and offer tips to elevate your basketball betting game.
How to Bet on the NBA
If you're new to NBA betting, or if you've dabbled before but still seek clarity, we're here to guide you through it all.
Begin by selecting your preferred betting site from our recommended list tailored for users. By using the provided links, you'll access the latest welcome bonuses, enhancing the value of your initial NBA wagers.
After signing up, navigate to the A-Z of sports and locate 'Basketball' or 'NBA' to explore available markets. Enter your stake, confirm your selection, and you're ready to go.
Beyond the basics of navigation, there are additional insights to grasp when betting on the NBA through sites, which we'll detail below.
Our Top 3 NBA Betting Bookmakers
We've compiled a list of the top five bookmakers for NBA basketball betting, each providing a stellar platform with features like live NBA betting, enticing welcome bonuses, and exclusive promotions tailored for basketball enthusiasts. These sites are the go-to destinations for wagering on NBA games, offering a seamless and exciting betting experience for fans of the sport.
Key Features
- Support:
- Licenses: UK, Malta, Italy, Denmark, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, Mexico, South Africa, Portugal, Ireland, Poland, France, Argentina, USA
Betway is the UK bookmaker that now offers its competitive odds and regular price boosts across the globe.
As with most US/North American sports, Betway offers 1000s of markets weekly on the biggest NBA games.
You can filter Daily Basketball Games from all Total Points markets.
Plus, Betway has a dedicated ‘Live Now’ tab displaying all current NBA basketball betting markets.
What we love about Betway is the weekly free bets.
You can join the Parlay Club to receive $10 in free bets every time you wager $25 or more.
Your parlays must contain 3+ selections but all sports (including NBA) are covered.
The Betway welcome bonus for sports bettors is one of the biggest we have found.
You receive up to $200 as a free bet when you deposit and place a qualifying wager.
However, the free bet is only awarded if your first wager loses.
Pros
Cons
Ad• 18+• New customers• Max free bet €100• Free bet available on losing settlement of qualifying bet• 50 bonus spins creditted on placement of qualifying bet• Offer valid for 7 days from account creation• Full terms and conditions apply
Key Features
- Support:
- Licenses: IOM
10bet is our #1 sportsbook pick for retention bonuses and bet boosts.
The Promotions page is bursting with sports betting offers, including reloads and multibet bonuses.
You can claim up to 100% as a boost on winning parlays.
The top match bonus is for winning coupons containing 31+ legs.
It’s a perfect way to follow up the 100% deposit match bonus available to new 10bet sign-ups.
In addition, you can get a reload bonus worth 30% up to $500 to use on sports or casino games.
We’re also big fans of the Multi-bet Shield. You receive free bets 5 times a week on losing parlays.
The range of game markets for NBA at 10bet is generous, with around 80–90 props and team specials available.
10bet doesn’t go big on Price Boosts or enhanced odds, so you’ll need to make full use of those free bets if you’re gambling on NBA.
Pros
Cons
#ad · 18+ · New customers only · Min $10 deposit · Code: STAR · 100% bonus up to $1,000 · Use on Sports, Casino, Live Casino · 15 days to meet rollover · 10x rollover on sports · 40x rollover on casino · Max winnings 10x bonus · Excluded games apply · Single bet counts for wagering · Only settled bets count · Void/Cash-out bets excluded
Key Features
- Support:
- Licenses: Curaçao
1Win is one of the newer global brands that seamlessly covers NBA betting with 1000s of virtual sports markets.
Not only can you bet pre-game on all NBA clashes, but 1win also provides betting on virtual basketball.
We found over 130 basketball games a day to bet on.
For individual NBA games, there are 240+ props markets, including handicaps and quarters.
You can also bet on futures markets months before the regular NBA season starts.
1win also provides an external stats site with full H2H and form data for all sides.
It has the feel of a SportRadar data site, with full details on individual games also available.
1win offers a 500% deposit bonus for all new sign-ups.
Luckily, the sign-up promotion is available for both sports and casino players.
You receive a deposit match up to $100 to use on eligible markets.
Some in-play betting markets are permitted when clearing the bonus funds.
Pros
Cons
18+• 200% on the 1st deposit amount •150% on the 2nd deposit amount •100% on the 3rd deposit amount •50% on the 4th deposit amount• Max bonus of $530• Only new customers• Wagering rules apply
A Quick Overview on the NBA Structure
For those unaccustomed to the NBA, its structure might initially seem complex. The league consists of 30 teams, organised into divisions. These teams compete in an extensive 82-game season, striving to secure one of the top eight positions in their conference to advance to the playoffs. During the regular season, teams face various opponents, including four matchups against their division rivals, four against six other conference teams, three against the remaining conference teams, and a few games against teams from the opposing conference.
As for the playoffs, they commence after the regular season concludes. The top eight teams from each conference enter a knockout tournament, seeded based on their regular season performance. Teams face off in a series of best-of-seven matchups, with the winner advancing to the next round until a conference champion is determined. The champions from each conference then compete in the NBA Finals to vie for the coveted championship title.
Top Teams in the NBA
In the realm of American sports leagues, the NBA boasts a captivating history brimming with iconic teams since its establishment in 1946. Among these, the Boston Celtics stand out as trailblazers, led by luminaries like Bob Cousy and Bill Russell. Their remarkable feat of clinching eight consecutive NBA championships from 1959 to 1966 remains unmatched, etching their legacy in basketball lore.
Transitioning to the turn of the millennium, the Los Angeles Lakers emerged as formidable contenders. Building upon earlier successes in the 1950s and 1980s, the Lakers commanded the court, securing five championships within a decade from 2000 to 2010. Their dominance symbolized an era of excellence, captivating the attention of NBA enthusiasts and bettors alike.
Yet, for many aficionados, the pinnacle of NBA greatness resonates with the Chicago Bulls of the late 1980s. Spearheaded by the legendary Michael Jordan, the Bulls etched their name in history, clinching six NBA championships during their reign from 1991 to 1993 and then from 1996 to 1998.
In the modern NBA landscape, the Golden State Warriors have emerged as a dominant force, captivating audiences worldwide with their electrifying style of play. Spearheaded by the remarkable talent of Stephen Curry and his formidable teammates, the Warriors have solidified their status as a modern-day dynasty, clinching four NBA championships within the past nine seasons. Their combination of sharpshooting prowess, cohesive teamwork, and relentless determination has reshaped the league's competitive landscape, leaving an indelible mark on basketball history.
Moreover, the recent NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, have made history of their own, securing their first-ever title triumph. Led by the towering presence of Serbian sensation Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets showcased resilience and skill throughout their championship campaign, thrilling fans with their remarkable journey to the pinnacle of NBA success.
As bettors navigate the rich tapestry of NBA history, these storied teams serve as a testament to the league's enduring legacy and offer valuable insights for strategic wagering in the ever-evolving landscape of NBA betting.
The Most Successful Teams of the NBA
| The Most Successful Teams of the NBA | |
| Team | Number of NBA Championships |
| Los Angeles Lakers | 17 |
| Boston Celtics | 17 |
| Golden State Warriors | 7 |
| Chicago Bulls | 6 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 5 |
NBA Betting Markets
Exploring a NBA betting platform but feeling uncertain about placing your first bet? With numerous markets available, each offering compelling value, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Here's a breakdown of three popular NBA betting markets to help you get started:
Points Spread: Also known as the 'line', this market involves predicting the margin of victory for a team. Whether you choose the favourite or the underdog, the key is for the selected team to win by a certain number of points to secure a winning bet.
Player Markets: Also known as ‘Players Props’, these are smaller markets focusing on individual player performance. From points and assists to rebounds, steals, turnovers, and triple doubles, there's a plethora of options to analyse and bet on. This particular market is explained in more depth later in this article.
Outright Winner: Simplify your betting approach by wagering on the overall winner of a match or championship. This straightforward bet appeals to many bettors due to its simplicity and broad applicability.
Common Betting Types for NBA
Understanding various betting types prevalent in NBA betting is crucial. Here's a brief overview of some common terms:
Single: A straightforward bet on the outcome of a single match or competition. For example, a straightforward bet of the Chicago Bulls to beat the Boston Celtics.
Over/Under: Predicting whether an event will surpass or fall short of the bookmaker's predicted outcome, such as the total points scored. For example, over 125 points scored by the Chicago Bulls against the Boston Celtics.
Accumulator: Also known as an 'acca', this collective bet requires all selected outcomes to be correct for the bet to win. For instance, placing a bet on the Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics and LA Lakers all to win their respective NBA fixture all in one bet. Henceforth, all three teams would have to win for your bet to be successful.
Handicap Betting (Spread): Betting on whether the actual outcome will exceed or fall below the predicted score set by UK-based NBA betting platforms. For example, if the Chicago Bulls were favourites to beat the LA Lakers, the bookmaker might give the LA Lakers a 20-point advantage. Therefore, if you then place a handicap bet on the Chicago Bulls to win, but they only win the game by a 15-point margin, you will lose your bet due to the handicap that had been applied. Effectively, in the eyes of the bookmaker, the Chicago Bulls lost the game by a five-point margin.
Prop Betting: A proposition or prop bet can be described as a side bet as the outcome of these bets are not determined by the outcome of any particular game, but rather throughout a whole season. Many of these bets concentrate on the players, such as betting on individual award winners, or statistics leaders such as most rebounds in an NBA season. Other NBA prop bets focus on the overall team such as most wins in a season, or who will eventually lift the NBA crown.
Player Prop Betting: This type of bet is a prediction made on a singular players performance, rather than the team. There are many player prop bets that came be made such as betting on most points scored, most assists or most rebounds. For example, you may place a bet on Steph Curry for the Golden State Warrior to score more than 30 points, and achieve more than 10 assists in a singular game against the Sacramento Kings.
By familiarising yourself with these betting markets and types, you can make informed decisions and enhance your NBA betting experience.
Delving into Player Markets Further
When venturing into NBA Player Markets, or ‘player props’ betting, the array of options available is extensive, providing ample opportunities for bettors to explore various aspects of player performance.
From predicting the number of points a player will score to estimating their rebounds, assists, steals, and three-pointers made, the possibilities are vast. Additionally, combinations such as rebounds and assists or points, rebounds, and assists further diversify the betting landscape, allowing individuals to tailor their wagers to specific player strengths and game dynamics. Below are some essential NBA player props markets, along with a demonstration of how they function:
Points: This involves predicting the number of points a player will score in each game. For instance, one might speculate whether Steph Curry will surpass or fall short of 26.5 points against the Miami Heat.
Rebounds: Bettors can forecast the number of rebounds a player will secure in a particular game. For example, one might wager on whether Rudy Gobert will exceed or meet 6.5 rebounds against the Chicago Bulls.
Assists: This market entails predicting the number of assists a player will contribute in a specific game. For instance, bettors might consider whether Chris Paul will achieve over or under 2.5 assists against the Dallas Mavericks.
Rebounds and Assists Combined: Here, the focus is on forecasting the combined total of rebounds and assists a player will attain in a given game. For instance, one might speculate on whether Domantas Sabonis will exceed or meet 8.5 combined rebounds and assists against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Points, Rebounds, and Assists Combined: This market integrates points scored, total rebounds, and assists. For example, bettors might evaluate whether Anthony Davis will exceed or meet 31.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists against the Boston Celtics.
Steals: Bettors can predict the number of steals a player will make in a specific game. For instance, one might analyse whether Donovan Mitchell will achieve over or under 1.5 steals against the Orlando Magic.
Three-Pointers Made: This market involves forecasting the number of three-pointers a player will successfully make in each game. For instance, bettors might speculate on whether Luka Doncic will achieve over or under 2.5 three-pointers made against the Indiana Pacers.
By understanding and leveraging these diverse player props markets, bettors can enhance their NBA betting experience and explore various avenues for strategic wagering.
Image credit: NBA.com
NBA Betting Strategies and Tips
Discovering effective NBA betting strategies is pivotal for maximising your success in the realm of basketball wagering. Presented here are our top four NBA betting tips to keep in mind while exploring the finest betting opportunities available.
- 1
Track Bets based on the NBA team:
Furthermore, tracking NBA teams facilitates the identification of trends and patterns, empowering bettors to anticipate future outcomes with greater accuracy. For instance, recognising a team's strong performance during road games may prompt a bettor to wager on them when playing away from home. Conversely, teams grappling with injuries or load management issues may warrant cautious betting until their situation improves.
Ultimately, tracking NBA teams empowers sports bettors to navigate the competitive landscape of sports betting, elevating their potential for long-term success and profitability. It may also help to bet on teams that you have a special fondness for or consider yourself a ‘supporter’ as your knowledge of this specific NBA team should be much stronger.
- 2
Hedge your Bets:
Even when bettors perceive a strong likelihood of winning the initial bet, hedging serves as a precautionary measure to ensure a profit, albeit not as substantial as the primary wager. This additional bet acts as insurance in the event of the original bet's loss.
Hedging holds promise in NBA betting, encompassing various wager types like point spread and money line bets. By hedging, bettors can minimise potential losses and guarantee a profit, irrespective of the bet type.
Success in NBA betting hinges on adeptly utilising different bet types and strategies. While hedging serves as a valuable risk management tool, its efficacy is maximised when integrated with complementary NBA betting strategies, ensuring an optimised approach to profitability.
- 3
Don’t Always Back the Favourites:
For instance, envision a matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers, with the Lakers favoured to win by 6.5 points. However, if the Lakers' star player LeBron James is side-lined due to injury, the odds could shift in favour of the Trail Blazers. Betting on the underdog Trail Blazers in such a scenario might prove profitable. If they win outright or lose by 6 points or less, a bettor could earn a £190 pay-out on a £100 bet with +6.5 odds. Conversely, a Lakers victory by 7 points or more would result in a winning wager.
Moreover, betting on underdogs can be advantageous, particularly during playoffs characterised by frequent upsets. The 2021 NBA playoffs witnessed the Phoenix Suns, initially viewed as significant underdogs, progressing to the NBA Finals. This underscores how betting against favourites can yield lucrative outcomes.
In essence, successful NBA betting hinges on comprehensive evaluation of factors like injuries, matchups, and team performance, coupled with thorough analysis of betting odds and point spreads. By making informed decisions, bettors can optimise their potential pay-outs and navigate the intricacies of NBA wagering with confidence.
- 4
Pick Matchups based on Potential Value:
Thorough research and data analysis play pivotal roles in making informed betting decisions and enhancing your chances of success. Utilising expert tips and strategies, such as evaluating teams' current form, load management, head-to-head records, and past performances against similar opponents, can provide valuable insights for identifying potential value in NBA sports betting.
Maintaining discipline with your bankroll is equally crucial when selecting games based on potential or expected value. It's essential to refrain from wagering more than you can afford to lose and avoid chasing losses. Adhering to a well-defined betting strategy and exercising prudence with your bankroll management will significantly increase your odds of profiting in NBA sports betting.
NBA Betting Odds Explained
When delving into NBA betting, one crucial factor to weigh is the odds offered by different sites. Maximising your potential winnings is paramount, and opting for a platform with higher odds can significantly impact your profitability.
For players, it's essential to consider the type of odds presented. While fractional odds are commonplace, they may differ from the US odds format. For example, fractional odds of 1/3 would translate to -333.3 in US odds. If this disparity is perplexing, prioritising NBA betting sites in that utilise fractional odds may be beneficial.
To illustrate how betting odds operate, consider the scenario where the Chicago Bulls are priced at 1/2 to triumph over the Golden State Warriors. In this instance, for every £2 wagered on the Bulls, you stand to win £1. Thus, if you were to stake £10 on this bet, you will receive a total return of £15 if the Bulls emerge victorious. This exemplifies how understanding odds can inform your betting decisions and potential returns in NBA wagering.
In essence, scouring for NBA betting sites in the boasting competitive odds is paramount. Platforms like LeoVegas, 10Bet, 888Sport, and Fitzdares consistently offer favourable odds, providing punters with enhanced opportunities for lucrative returns.
By selecting a site with superior odds, bettors can optimise their NBA betting experience and potentially amplify their winnings.