If you’re new to the NBA betting scene, you’re probably after some pointers to set you in the direction. We’ve got all the need-to-know information to help you get started, from what to look out for when picking a winner to the best mobile NBA betting sites. Whether you fancy yourself as an old school moneyline bettor or like the thought of backing the point spread, our beginner’s guide is sure to give you an assist that’s right on the money.
NBA Betting Basics
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the world’s premier basketball competition. The league is made up of two conference —Eastern and Western—both of which feature 15 teams. The regular season runs from October to April, during which each team plays 82 games, so there are thousands of betting opportunities throughout the year. There’s at least one NBA game on most days and as many as 15 games can tip-off on the same day, which is music to the ears of frequent NBA bettors.
Once the regular season is concluded, the NBA Playoffs kick off in April, which is when the fun really starts. The top eight teams from each conference battle it out play-offs to determine the conference champions. The Eastern and Western winners then face off in the NBA Finals, which determines the NBA league champion and is the season’s showpiece event.
NBA Betting Options
Just like with soccer and football betting, if your NBA knowledge isn’t up to scratch you’re probably going to struggle when it comes to picking a winner. While the Golden State Warriors have dominated in recent years, the quality throughout the league means an upset is never off the cards – The Toronto Raptors claimed the NBA title just last year. Of course, you could always get lucky and win on a hunch, but the smart NBA bets are placed by the punter who’s done their research.
Taking a statistical approach is definitely your best chance of placing a well-informed wager at NBA betting sites. You can use NBA betting odds and league standings as your starting point, but checking out recent form, home advantage, injuries and head-to-head records should give you a nudge in the right direction. Statistics like points per game and point differential can also be a big help and give you a better understanding of a team’s chances.
NBA betting tips can also be helpful, but the best thing you can do is build up your own knowledge by following the sport closely and watching games. The more you know, the better your chances of landing a winning bet on NBA games!
NBA Betting Markets
You’ll be glad to know that our top sports betting sites offer comprehensive coverage of a wide range of markets. Here’s a look at just a few of the exciting NBA bets you can place at online bookmakers.
Outright betting
Outright betting, sometimes known as future betting, is a wager on the outcome of an entire league or tournament.
NBA Champion – This is a bet on which team you think will be crowned the NBA league champion.
Conference winner – Here you’re backing the winner of the Eastern or Western Conference. This isn’t the team to finish first in the conference, but instead the team to represent their conference in the NBA finals.
Division winner – Both NBA conferences are split into three divisions, and you can take a punt on which team will top the table at the end of the season.
MVP – Fancy LeBron James, Kevin Durant or Steph Curry to dominate the league? If so, you may want to bet on them being given The Most Valuable Player award.
Rookie of the year – Each season sees a new crop of talented rookies join the league. With transcendent talents such as Zion Williamson and Ja Morant battling it out for the award this season, you could find some good value in a shrewd rookie of the year bet.
Match betting
Match betting is where you bet on a particular NBA game, and there’s plenty of interesting markets to choose from at the best NBA betting sites.
Moneyline – This is the classic NBA bet- all you need to do is predict the outcome of the match.
Handicaps – A handicap bet is a bet on a team to win and maintain a points disadvantage or overcome a disadvantage. For example, a team with -4 handicap will need to win by 5 points. Handicap bets are also known as point spread betting.
Over/under – Here you’re wagering on the total points scored in a match to be over or under a certain number.
Player props – A proposition bet is a bet on an event which doesn’t directly affect the result of a game. For example, you can bet on points scored or the number of assists achieved by a particular player.
Live NBA Betting – Basketball is the definition of an end-to-end sport, which can make in-play live NBA betting online truly thrilling. It can also provide great value, but keep in mind that live NBA odds can change in an instant.
NBA Betting Bonuses
Sports betting welcome bonuses are a great way to get started at a new basketball betting site and enjoy a free bet on NBA games. Some sportsbooks offer matched deposits, which give you a bonus worth a certain percentage of your first deposit. Of course, you can also claim free bets at a whole of host of top sports betting sites, perfect for a punt on your favourite NBA team.
Once you’ve signed up, you’ll also have the chance to claim the various regular promotions at online bookmakers. These include more free NBA bets, as well as handy bonuses like cashback offers and enhanced NBA odds, so there’s plenty of freebies on offer.
Bet on NBA Using Your Mobile
Do you want to bet on NBA games on the train to work, or maybe during your lunch break? Wherever you fancy trying your luck, mobile NBA betting sites have got you covered. All the best bookmakers have mobile-friendly sites that you can access through a mobile web browser, so you can sign up, deposit and place your NBA bets at any time. You’ll have access to the same range of betting markets, bonuses and banking options as the desktop site. This means that whether you’re looking to bet on live NBA games or bet at sites that accept PayPal, there’s a whole host of options to choose from.
You can also download mobile betting apps to your Android or iPhone for an enhanced mobile basketball betting experience. Mobile apps can make online NBA betting faster and easier because they store data on your device rather than relying on servers which can have longer loading times. You can also enable push notifications on your NBA betting app so that you’re kept in the know on the latest bonuses.
Bet on the NBA
Now you’re all clued up, you’re probably ready to head to the bookmakers and bet on NBA games. Look no further than our recommended NBA betting sites for the top bonuses and best NBA odds. Compare betting sites with our carefully selected list, and then sign up to start betting on the NBA today!
