Best Sportsbooks For NBA Betting

For those bettors looking for the best NBA bets for tonight, you’ve certainly come to the right place. Our in-house team of experts track the latest NBA betting trends, searching through the very best online bookmakers to ensure we give the best possible lines. As well as providing data and trends analysis, our team will give NBA betting advice, helping you win big this season. So, without further adieu, let’s cover the NBA best bets today!

NBA is beginning to rival NFL with its year-round betting opportunities. There’s the 82-game regular season and postseason, of course, but now the NBA Draft and free-agency period is a haven for prop betting too. If you want to cash in on all the NBA action, then you should strongly consider the five sportsbooks we’re about to name. These bookies are to the offshore gambling industry what the Lakers and Celtics are to NBA franchises — the best of the best. Allow us to explain:

     BetOnline Is The NBA’s Number-One Online Bookmaker

Where do we even start with BetOnline? The lucrative bonuses? The depth of its sportsbook menu? The ease of use of its site? The point is, BetOnline has a lot to offer to bettors of any kind, especially those with an appetite for the NBA.

Let’s begin with the actual sportsbook. It’s certainly not lacking in odds, for the NBA or any other sport for that matter. When it comes to its NBA selection, everything is on the table — spreads, moneylines, point totals, in-play, futures, props, and so much more. This extends to every NBA game imaginable, from the preseason to the NBA Finals.

BetOnline NBA Sports Betting

BetOnline also offers juicy bonuses to its players. The most lucrative, though, is the sign-up bonus that can fetch as much as $1000 in free play when maxed out. That’s not a small chump of change and you can certainly stretch it far over the course of an NBA season, which is not short on betting opportunities itself. Once the welcome bonus has been exhausted, there’s also a reload deal worth up to $250 in free play each time out.

This deep betting menu and bettor-friendly bonuses are wrapped inside a tightly-packed website. Some might say it’s a no-frills layout, but at the same time, it doesn’t need frills. Bettors just need a reliable and easy-to-use betting experience, which BetOnline delivers and then some. We could go on and on about BetOnline, but this is the gist of the popular bookmaker.

Why MyTopSportsbooks loves BetOnline for NBA betting:

  • Expansive sportsbook, especially in the NBA
  • Mutiple bonuses to choose from
  • Well-respected name in the industry
Bonus:
100% up to $1,000
Bet now

NBA In-Play Betting Is A Must At XBet

The days of betting NBA only during pregame and at halftime are dead and gone. In-play markets have taken the sport over and one of the sites leading this shift is XBet. This is a newer bookie (compared to others on this list at least) and this is probably a reason why its live betting experience is so fleshed out.

Xbet NBA Sports Betting

Above all, XBet’s in-play feature is fast — which is a necessity in a league where a 24-second shot clock exists. That translates into NBA Vegas betting lines updating almost in real-time and no lag on your side. If you place an in-play NBA wager, XBet will take it with little to no errors ever. This is absolutely critical when betting live and XBet nails it time and time again.

Why MyTopSportsbooks loves XBet for NBA betting:

  • Seamless in-play betting experience
  • Well-stocked sportsbook that stretches into NBA
  • Modernized website (both look and feel)
Bonus:
100% up to $500
Bet now

Bovada’s NBA Betting Menu Is Most Vast

Given the NBA’s global popularity, it’s pretty much available to bet on at every single sportsbook worth its salt. Though, few of those sportsbook’s will outdo Bovada in sheer number of bets offered for the league. More than anything else, Bovada “ups the ante” when it comes to props and futures. It’s this category of bets that can make NBA betting really worthwhile.

Props, in particular, are less “mature” markets than a game’s spread or over/under, for example. Therefore, it’s easier to find betting value here or mispriced wagers entirely. Many “sharp” bettors bank off props like these and the good thing is, BetOnline offers an abundance of them on most NBA games contested.

Bovada NBA Sports Betting

Why MyTopSportsbooks loves Bovada for NBA betting:

  • Massive prop betting market across all sports, but especially NBA
  • New betting lines posted quickly on-site
  • Clean and straightforward user experience
Bonus:
50% up to $1,000
Bet now

 

MyBookie’s Bonuses Go A Long Way Whilst Betting NBA

As we’ve mentioned, NBA betting opportunities are vast and consistent year-round. For some bettors with limited pockets, they’ll be faced with a tough decision — which NBA bets are most worth my money? But hey, it doesn’t have to be that way. Not if you leverage bonuses offered by MyBookie. This site showers its players in free play and you could be next to be rewarded riches.

Like the aforementioned BetOnline, MyBookie is also doling out as much as $1000 in free play to new sign-ups. But there’s also a $200 upfront cash bonus, which has zero rollover requirements (as opposed to the $1000 deal which has a 10X rollover). Both deals have different audiences, but it’s nice of MyBookie to offer options rather than an end-all, be-all choice.

MyBookie NBA Sports Betting

In the reload bonus category, MyBookie has BetOnline beat. That’s because MyBookie offers up to $500 on every re-up, which is double of BetOnline. And this is where MyBookie separates itself from the pack. The site has various promo options to choose from and each is liberal with its free-play amount. That’s a win-win in our book.

Why MyTopSportsbooks loves MyBookie for NBA betting:

  • Large variety of promos and contests
  • Solid casino that complements the sportsbook
  • Reliable site that hardly fails
Bonus:
50% up to $1,000
Bet now

Are you looking for sportsbooks like BetMGM, FanDuel or DraftKings? Or maybe you are looking for Caesars Sportsbook, PointsBet or Fox Bet? That would be totally understandable given the sheer volume of advertising on TV. But, and yes, there is a but: those brands are not available in the biggest US states like Texas, California and Florida. What to do? Don’t panic. The list of brands above includes brands that are available in all big US states. We have tested them all and have accounts with them. Read reviews and find your new favorite sportsbook today!

How to Bet on NBA Games

Getting started on NBA betting means finding the best NBA betting sites. In fact, if you want to make sure to get the best deals on all the markets, it is even a good idea to sign up at more than one. Having all the cards on the table will help you make the best NBA bets.

The NBA is the only other professional league that offers comparable betting options to NFL football. The high-scoring and sometimes lopsided nature of the game mean spread betting is a popular choice, along with all the multiple bet options that go along with that, like teasers.

While NBA basketball betting may not be as popular as football, the season runs for longer and features far more games to wager on. The strategies and information below will help you whether you’re looking at NBA preseason odds or making the best bets for the NBA finals.  So let’s examine all the ways you can bet on the hardcourt.

NBA Basketball Betting Against the Spread

The standard NBA spread looks like all the others: the home team will be on the bottom; the favorite will have a negative number, and the payout will be listed next to the spread (learn more about the basics of spread betting).

sample line basketball team and spread utah jazz golden state warriorsBasketball spreads don’t see as much line movement as their football counterparts because they’re not available for as long and because less money is bet on the NBA.

As with the NFL, NBA spreads account factor in a homecourt advantage, but as you’ll see, some teams are so dominant that they’re favored no matter where they go.

As a result, the spreads can get pretty sizable when it comes to the NBA – especially when good teams are playing at home. But betting big favorites also comes with big risk. Not only could you fall victim to the back-door cover, but NBA players are notorious for going half-speed in the regular season. That is, if they go at all.

The newest trend in the Association is resting superstars during the year, and sportsbooks are always on top of it. So, if you see a loaded team like the San Antonio Spurs going off as +8 underdogs, the bookies didn’t screw up; chances are the Spurs’ best players are resting that night. In the sport with the fewest players on the court/field at one time, staying on top of starting lineups is crucial when taking part in NBA online betting.

Spreads in the NBA will usually stay in the same range as NFL games: it’s rare to see a favorite of over 20 points, except in the NBA All Star Game, and only big mismatches will see double-digit spreads. For the most part, NBA spreads will be single digits in favor of the home team.

NBA Basketball Moneyline Bets

The moneyline is an option if you just want to try picking winners, but the return can be lacking in a league that is seeing more and more super-teams.

TeamSpreadMoneylineTotal
Utah Jazz+13 (-110)+1000O 204.5 (-110)
Golden State Warriors-13 (-110)-2000U 204.5 (-110)

If you haven’t viewed our section about reading and understanding odds, that line means it would take a bet of $2,000 to win just $100 if you bet on Golden State to win. Conversely, the payout on a Utah upset would be big: $1,000 on a $100 bet. That guide will help you with NBA odds too.

Hoping for underdogs to win every night isn’t a great NBA betting strategy, thanks to a few powerhouses like Golden State and Cleveland stomping their way through the league, particularly in the playoffs. The best way to get any value out of those teams on a nightly basis is by using multiple bets like parlays, round robins, or teasers.

Other Types of NBA Bets

Game total betting for basketball is no different than any other sport. Because of the high-scoring nature of the NBA, the variance between game total lines can be huge. A pair of defensive teams could have a total of just 165, while on the same night, a pair of run-and-gun teams could be up against a total of 245.
We’ve covered all the details of how to lay a multi-team bet. For the NBA specifically, teasers allow bettors to adjust spreads by 4, 4.5, or 5 points. Not only do the point totals differ from football, but basketball teasers offer slightly better payouts than the NFL as well. A two-team, four-point teaser is even odds for the NBA, while a two-team, six-point teaser is -110 in the NFL. The maximum number of teams you are allowed to include in a teaser will vary by sportsbook, but it’s rare that the number is greater than 10. NBA and NFL parlays are also markedly similar. For instance, just like in football, you can’t include a moneyline pick and a pick against the spread for the same game in the same NBA parlay.
If you choose one of the bigger sportsbooks or even an average-sized one, you will find an abundance of props associated with each game, like totals for how many points or assists a player will get. Because the NBA is such an individual-driven league, many bettors view these types of props as safer bets, and often see them as a more worthwhile play than the spread. But you shouldn’t write off spread betting just because back-door covers can make it a frustrating experience; you can avoid some of that frustration thanks to props that feature alternate spreads and first/second half lines. While teams tend to rest starters when they’re up big in the fourth quarter – often allowing a well-beaten opponent to make the score more respectable – few teams take their foot off the gas in the first half. (Although you should note how a coach staggers the first-half minutes for his stars. Most do so in a similar manner from game to game.) The NBA offers some unique props for other events during the year that few other sports can claim. For example, you can bet on who will win the NBA’s Draft Lottery, who will be selected first in the draft, and who will win the annual Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend. The options for betting on the NBA are seemingly endless.
Because the NBA is so top-heavy in terms of contending teams, the championship futures market can sometimes lack the same appeal of other, more unpredictable leagues. There are only a few teams with a realistic shot, and while the long odds on every other team look attractive, they’re still not good value if the teams don’t stand a realistic chance. Take the Eastern Conference futures. Since the 2011 season, LeBron James’ team (either the Heat or Cavaliers) has been the odds-on favorites to win the conference. (“Odds-on” means they’re viewed as having better than even odds to win. Any team that is -101 or better would be an odds-on favorite.) While his teams have won the conference seven-straight times, waiting an entire six-month season and playoffs to win less-than-even money isn’t really in the spirit of futures betting. Luckily, they do offer plenty of long-term bets with wide-open NBA basketball odds, including the league’s MVP and Rookie of the Year award. These are the futures bets worth playing these days in the top-heavy NBA.

 

NBA Betting Strategies and Tips

NBA Betting Sportsbook

Having a few good NBA betting tips up your sleeve can mean the difference between going bust and going home a winner. Nothing can replace the keen sense one gets from years and years of watching and loving basketball, but some studying and paying attention to the right details can go a long way. Plus, even for basketball experts, learning some of these sports bettings tips from the NBA will help you make the best NBA bets.

Here are two key NBA gambling tips and strategies.

 

Keep an Eye on Fatigue

It can be easy to imagine teams as static things. Like if a team is better one day, then they will come out on top the next. However, you are making a bet on the NBA game tonight, not the one from last week. And making the best NBA bets tonight could mean understanding which team is more worn out. Sometimes the fatigue is not factored into NBA odds, given you a strategic advantage.

So, how to tell? One thing is to check the schedule. You’re looking for two things:

  • Have they had close or intense matchups recently?
  • Have they been traveling a lot?

If you think a team may be fatigued, that does not mean they will lose, but they are likely to be overestimated. This is a good time to look at the spread, where margins matter most. This lesson even applies to NBA preseason odds, even though it can be less gruelling.

 

Triple Check the Lineup

Some teams rely heavily on talent concentrated in just one or two people. Even the most well-distributed teams have imbalances. If someone besides their big five is staring, check out carefully how the backup compares. Of course, they may be a big step down in terms of quality, but the team may be able to compensate by rearranging strategy. What happened last time with this starting lineup?

 

Watch out for Sentimental Bias

Sentimental bias is when we make bets based on our feelings, rather than by examining the fundamentals. According to an article in Applied Economics, casual bettors are especially susceptible to sentimental bias. This can be either because they are betting on their favorite team or betting according to the way the wind blows. Watch out for the hype, whether it is personal or collective.

Live Betting and the NBA

Basketball is a high-speed sport that lends itself well to live betting. The score can go up every few seconds, and the shot clock ensures that will happen.

Plus, each basketball game comes with lots of different bets that you can make in the game. With the game being so fast, it is important to have an NBA betting site that updates their odds quickly. We have recommended sites and NBA betting apps on this page.

Here are some live bets you make during an NBA game:

  • Outright winner
  • Halftime winner
  • Score races between players
  • Spreads
  • Odd or even game totals

Given the extra excitement of the live betting, it may be best to steer clear of your favorite. Just to keep a cool head. That being said, there are lots of reasons to get into live betting on the NBA:

  • Extra excitement
  • Make NBA bets today
  • Variety of NBA basketball odds on each betting line

 

Expand your knowledge on how to wager on basketball games by exploring the information available here.

 

How to bet on NBA Games in 2022

Best NBA Betting, February 2024

  • Boston Celtics are favored to win the 2024 NBA Championship at +300 odds at BetOnline.
  • Milwaukee Bucks have +425 odds to win the title at Bovada.
  • Denver Nuggets are contenders at +425 odds to clinch the championship at XBet.
  • Phoenix Suns have +1200 odds to lift the trophy at BetUS.
  • Golden State Warriors are longshots with +5000 odds at BetOnline.
  • Miami Heat have +4000 odds to win it all at Bovada.
  • Los Angeles Clippers are sleepers with +700 odds at XBet.
  • Philadelphia 76ers are +1200 to be crowned champions at BetUS.
  • Boston Celtics are +125 favorites to win the Eastern Conference at BetOnline.
  • Milwaukee Bucks have +210 odds to win the East at Bovada.

Betting on NBA Basketball Games FAQ

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Luke Chadwick

Luke Chadwik is an experience writer with a focus on European football, but has always had a keen passion for sport and follows all major leagues across the world. When Luke isn't writing about sports, he's focused on his passion for road biking or spending time with his twin daughters.