If you’re looking to find the best sportsbooks for NBA betting, you’ve come to the right place. Our team has spent hundreds of hours reviewing and analyzing betting sites and apps to find the top options currently available.
Whether you want to drop a few bucks down on a preseason matchup, the NBA Finals, or anything in between, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about betting on the NBA.
Best NBA Betting Sites
The sports betting industry has taken the nation by storm, and the competition among sportsbooks is getting more intense by the minute. With so many great NBA sites available, navigating through all of these options can be a little confusing. That’s where we come in.
We use a strict set of criteria they use to compare and analyze each site to ultimately single out the best operators. When evaluating an NBA sportsbook, we consider factors like intro bonuses, market selection, banking options, user interface, and quality of odds, among other things.
Out of the 20+ legal sportsbooks in the U.S. we’ve reviewed, the following 6 are the best we’ve found for betting on the NBA.
Best NBA Betting Sites:
1) FanDuel Sportsbook: Best Overall NBA Sportsbook
Best NBA betting features: Odds & betting depth
If you’re betting NBA, FanDuel needs to be in your lineup. They consistently hang some of the best odds, offer a smooth user experience, and roll out nonstop NBA promos from opening night through the Finals.
And when I say they’ve got top odds, that’s not just me talking—there’s data to back it up. After months of tracking lines across major books, I found that FanDuel (along with ESPN BET) consistently offers the best prices—especially on moneylines.
FanDuel’s NBA betting menu is as deep as it gets. One market I really like is the Futures Parlay Builder, which lets you stack different futures bets—like parlaying Clutch Player of the Year with Rookie of the Year.
For game-to-game action, they’ve got an elite selection of player props. They recently added milestone betting alongside standard over/unders, so you can take a player to drop 40+, knock down 5+ threes, and grab 12+ boards. Perfect for those nights when you just know someone’s about to catch fire
FanDuel keeps the NBA promos coming year-round, usually in the form of profit boosts—like a 30% boost on any NBA game. Once the playoffs roll around, they crank it up with live bet & get offers, no-sweat tokens, and more.
One add-on I recently spotted in FanDuel’s NBA betting section is e-basketball—computer-simulated NBA matchups that run at a rapid pace. Not really my thing, but if you’re into virtual betting, it might be worth a look.
As much as I rate FanDuel as the best book for NBA betting, they’re dropping the ball by not having a loyalty program. A rewards system would be huge for those of us firing off bets from preseason tip-off to the Finals.
FanDuel Sportsbook Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 94/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If You Win
- Best Features: Odds competitiveness, market variety
- Biggest Drawbacks: No sportsbook rewards program, not many daily odds boosts
- Number of Sports: 21+
- Payout Speed: Up to 5 business days (typically faster)
- Rewards Program: DFS & Casino only
2) Caesars Sportsbook: Best NBA Odds Boosts
Best NBA betting features: Odds boosts & futures bets
Caesars is one of the sportsbooks I keep in my NBA betting rotation because they offer strong incentives, competitive odds on straight bets, and some great futures markets.
When you’re line shopping—which you should be doing before every NBA bet—make sure to check Caesars. They consistently post some of the best odds on spreads, moneylines, and totals.
Caesars unloads a ton of odds boosts daily. When the season’s in full swing, they roll out 45+ a day, with 3-5 focused on the NBA. You’ll find everything from short plus-money plays around +200 to longer shots in the +900 range. One that jumped out at me recently was a boost on Wembanyama and Antetokounmpo both scoring over 29.5 points in a Spurs-Bucks matchup at +425. Given how stars love to go at each other, I didn’t hesitate to take it.
Their NBA futures market is another strong point. Along with standard plays, they offer season win total over/unders for every team, odds to make the playoffs, and my personal favorite—Championship Exacta, where you predict both Finals teams and the winner.
Caesars is also one of the first books to drop All-Star odds. Last year, they had Slam Dunk Contest winner lines up before anyone else. If you’ve got early reads on how All-Star Weekend might shake out, this is a great spot to grab some early value.
Where Caesars could step it up is team prop betting. The player prop selection is solid, but I’d like to see more alt lines on team totals and other team-based markets.
Caesars Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 93/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Bet $1, Get 2x Winnings on Next 10 Bets
- Best Features: Loyalty program, user-friendly UX
- Biggest Drawbacks: Slower payout speeds, sluggish customer service
- Number of Sports: 23+
- Payout Speed: Up to 72 hours
- Rewards Program: Caesars Rewards
3) BetMGM: Best NBA Promos
Best NBA betting features: promos & features
BetMGM is one of the best NBA sportsbooks because they offer valuable promos, creative game props, and some slick features that let you stay in control of your bets.
Let’s talk features because BetMGM has a couple that can actually impact how you manage your action—Partial Cash Out and Edit My Bet.
With Partial Cash Out, you don’t have to ride a full parlay to the finish line. Say you’ve got $10 on the Lakers and Celtics, with a $40 payout in play. The Lakers handle their business, but the Celtics are down bad in the third quarter. If a cash-out option pops up, you can take some profit off the table while letting the rest ride—a nice safety net when a game starts looking sketchy.
Edit My Bet gives you flexibility in a different way. Using the same example, if the Lakers win but you’re second-guessing the Celtics, you can swap them out for another team, adjust your stake, or drop them entirely—all without voiding your bet.
BetMGM is also one of the few books that does more than just the usual profit boosts and parlay boosts for NBA promos. They recently ran a no-sweat promo called “Grab The Rebound on Your Bet”—if your first basket scorer pick didn’t score first but got the second bucket, you got your money back.
Their NBA betting menu is loaded, and I’m a big fan of their game props—winning margin, odd/even final score, game to go to OT, total points in regulation, team total points, and more.
That said, I’d like to see them offer more betting data. Right now, they only provide head-to-head stats and the last 5 games, which isn’t much to work with. Adding betting trends—like the ones BetRivers and DraftKings offer—would be a huge help for bettors who don’t want to spend hours researching but also don’t want just to throw darts.
BetMGM Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 84/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Up to $1,500 in bonus bets
- Best Features: Edit My Bet, NFL rewards
- Biggest Drawbacks: Quickly limits sharps, UX can be a bit buggy
- Number of Sports: 19+
- Payout Speed: Up to 24 hours
- Rewards Program: MGM Rewards
4) Fanatics: Best for Live NBA Betting
Best NBA betting features: live betting & Fan Cash
I was high on PointsBet before Fanatics took over, and since the switch, their NBA betting setup has only gotten better. The app is lightning-fast, the odds are sharp, and they might just have the best live betting platform out there. Toss in a great loyalty program, and there’s plenty to like.
Fanatics is my go-to book for betting after tip-off. Their live betting menu has everything you need—strong odds, a deep variety of in-game markets, and live streaming to keep up in real time. But what really sets them apart is their Lightning Bets, their take on micro-betting. You can bet on quick-hit moments, like whether two or more threes will drop in the next minute or if both teams will score in the first 60 seconds.
Before placing a bet, it’s worth checking out their stat sheet. It’s not super in-depth—everything there can be found on NBA.com—but it’s a quick way to skim injury reports, team three-point percentages, and assist numbers without leaving the app.
Every NBA bet at Fanatics earns you FanCash, which works like a cashback system. A cut of your wagers comes back as FanCash, which you can redeem for bonus bets or team merch in their apparel shop. You’ll see exactly how much you earn at the bottom of your bet slip.
I also like how fast and fluid the app is. Swiping between different NBA markets is seamless, and visually, it’s one of the better-looking sportsbooks out there.
That said, they need to step up their NBA promos. Right now, you’ll be lucky to see one promo for NBA bets during the regular season, which feels light compared to the competition. Also, they need a desktop platform—some of us still like betting on a bigger screen.
Fanatics Sportsbook Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 81/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: 10 x $100 Bet Match
- Best Features: Valuable sign-up bonus, competitive prop odds
- Biggest Drawbacks: Confusing interface, no desktop site, quick to limit winners
- Number of Sports: 15
- Payout Speed: Up to 3 business days
- Rewards Program: FanCash Rewards
5) BetRivers: Best NBA Game Props
Best NBA betting features: teaser odds & game props
BetRivers is on my shortlist for NBA betting because they bring some unique advantages—great teaser odds, fast payouts, creative specials, and a solid analytics hub that I use for pre-bet prep.
Teasing NBA bets at BetRivers is super convenient thanks to their line-adjusting slider. You can move the spread or total up or down, and the app automatically calculates odds based on each leg’s value. More often than not, their teased lines beat the odds you’d get for the same adjustment at other books.
Cashouts are quick, too. Every time I’ve withdrawn NBA winnings, the money has hit my account in a day or two, even though they claim it takes up to five. They underpromise and overdeliver, which is rare in this space.
I also like BetRivers specials—they look like exotic bets, but there’s value if you know what you’re doing. A couple of fun ones I’ve seen include top scorer of the game and game-firsts. For example, you can bet on the home team’s first bucket being a three-pointer, which usually pays better than a standard first field goal prop. A great bet when you’re wagering on teams that live and die by the three (think peak Golden State).
BetRivers doesn’t flood the board with NBA promos, but they do have some unique ways to keep bettors engaged—like Prop Packs. If you place a $10+ Same Game Parlay (SGP), you get up to three Prop Pack cards. Each card features a player and a scoring threshold (20+, 30+, 40+, 50+ points)—if they clear it, you win. The higher the threshold, the bigger the payout, with gold-tier cards offering up to $10,000 in bonus credits.
Even when I’m not betting at BetRivers, I always check their stats section. They break down patterns and trends, like whether the Lakers’ last five games all went over the total. Their streaks section digs even deeper, showing stuff like Tobias Harris grabbing 6+ rebounds in his last four home games against Southwest Division teams.
Where BetRivers could improve is NBA futures betting. Right now, it’s barebones—just basic awards and division/conference winners. Also, can we kill that newsfeed? I don’t need a running ticker of some random dude’s parlay hitting while I’m locking in my own bets.
BetRivers Quick Facts:
- OA BetReview Rating: 82/100
- Sign-Up Bonus: Second chance bet up to $500 depending on state
- Best Features: Fast payouts, competitive teaser and soccer odds
- Biggest Drawbacks: Functionality issues, limits successful bettors quickly
- Number of Sports: 29+
- Payout Speed: Up to 5 business days (usually within a day)
- Rewards Program: iRush Rewards
6) DraftKings: Best NBA Market Variety
Best NBA betting features: betting variety & stats
Between all the commercials jammed into every timeout and ad break, DraftKings might be the most overhyped NBA sportsbook. But to be fair, they back it up—at least in some key areas.
When it comes to betting variety, DK is in a league of its own. You can see it in their player props, where they offer markets you won’t find at most other books.
One of my favorites is Either Player Props—instead of betting on just one guy, you’re picking between two players to clear a certain stat line. For example, will James Harden or Nick Smith Jr. hit 20+ points? They also offer head-to-head player props, where two players are matched up across different categories like assists, rebounds, or blocks, and you bet on who puts up the better numbers.
DK also runs Player Specials, where you can take any player to drop 35+, 40+, or even 50+ points. With the way today’s NBA is, where someone drops a 50-piece seemingly every other night, this one is always on my radar.
DK also offers some of the best game and team props. They’re one of the few books that lets you bet alternate lines for team totals, both teams to score X points, and quarter-by-quarter spreads and moneylines. They even have race-to-X points props for every quarter, which isn’t something you’ll find everywhere.
Outside of standard futures, DraftKings has season milestone bets, mostly focused on superstars. One that stood out? A prop on whether Kevin Durant would hit 30K career points at home or on the road.
Like BetRivers, DraftKings has a stats hub, but theirs is more betting-driven. Instead of just numbers, they mix in betting trends disguised as trivia—things like “The 76ers have won their last four games as underdogs” or “Nikola Jokić has recorded 10+ assists in each of the last 10 Nuggets games as favorites”.
Now, here’s the kicker—DraftKings’ vig is steeper than most books. We ran the numbers on 7,000+ NBA games, and DK consistently bakes in more juice than the competition. It’s not across the board, but if you’re shopping for the best odds, it’s something to keep an eye on.
Best Intro Promos from NBA Betting Sites
Below you can see the intro bonuses for new customers from all of the sportsbooks that we've reviewed that offer NBA betting. As sportsbooks update their intro promos, we will update this guide so you can always find the best offers available.
Must be 21+ in most states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. See full responsible gambling disclaimer here.
Sportsbook | States | Sign Up Bonus* | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
AZ, AR, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MA MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, WV, WY, VT, VA | Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets If You Win | Not needed | |
AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, WV, WY, VA | Bet $1, Get 2x Winnings on Next 10 Bets | OADYW | |
AZ, CO, FL, IN, IA, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MO, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY | Second Chance Bet Up to $1,500** | ODDS100 | |
CO, IA, KY, LA, MO, NJ, NC, OH, VA, TN, IL | Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets | Not needed | |
AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV | Second Chance Bet Up to $500 | ODDS1 | |
AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, WV, WY, VT, VA | 10 x $100 Bet Match | Not needed | |
NJ, PA | 100% Deposit Match Up to $1,000 | Not Needed | |
PA | Second Chance Bet Up to $500 | ODDS1 | |
AZ, CO, IA, NJ, VA | Up to $100 Cash Back | ASSIST | |
AZ, AR, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, WV, WY, VA, VT | Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins | Not needed | |
AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NC, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV | Bet $10, Get $100 in Bonus Bets | Not needed | |
AZ, FL, IL, IN, NJ, TN, OH, VA | 2x Winnings on First 10 Bets | Not needed | |
NV | First Bet Match Up to $250 | Not needed |
*May vary by state.
**Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.
*May vary by state
How We Rate NBA Betting Sites
There aren’t many new NBA books popping up, but the ones already in the game are constantly tweaking their offerings—shuffling promos, adding features, and rolling out new bet types (including some pretty creative NBA props). I keep a close eye on these updates and rank sportsbooks accordingly based on what they bring to the table.
Here’s the criteria we use to rank NBA sportsbooks:
- Odds (20/100): Getting the best price matters. We rank sportsbooks based on how sharp their NBA odds are, especially for spreads, moneylines, and totals. If a book consistently offers better numbers than the competition, it gets credit where it’s due.
- Sign-Up bonus (15/100): A flashy bonus doesn’t mean much if the terms are brutal. We look past the big numbers and break down rollovers, restrictions, and actual playthrough value to see if a book’s welcome offer is worth claiming.
- User experience (UX) (15/100): Betting shouldn’t feel like a chore. We assess how smooth the app runs, how fast bets go through, and whether the layout makes sense. A sportsbook with glitches, slow load times, or a clunky interface won’t score high here.
- Features (7.5/100): The best NBA books go beyond just spreads and totals. We look at Same Game Parlays, cash-out options, live streaming, and advanced prop builders—the tools that actually make betting more engaging and flexible.
- Market depth (7.5/100): More ways to bet means more ways to find an edge. We check if a book offers player props, alternate lines, quarter and half markets, team milestones, and other niche NBA bets that sharp bettors care about.
- Customer reviews (5/100): Real bettors are the best testers. We scan app store reviews, social media, and betting forums to see what users are saying about the book—the good, the bad, and the deal-breakers.
- Live betting (5/100): NBA games move fast, and live betting needs to keep up. We rank sportsbooks based on how quickly they update odds, how many in-play markets they offer, and whether they have useful features like live streaming and instant betting options.
- Promotions (5/100): A good promo can add value, but only if it’s actually worth taking. We rate books on how often they offer NBA-specific promos, how useful their profit boosts and parlay boosts are, and whether their deals benefit regular bettors or just first-timers.
- Support (5/100): When something goes wrong, you don’t want to wait hours for help. We test how responsive live chat, email, phone support, and social media teams are, and how quickly they resolve real issues.
- Odds boosts (5/100): Some boosts are gimmicks, others actually improve your edge. We check how often NBA odds boosts are available, what kinds of bets they apply to, and whether they actually move the line in a meaningful way.
- Limits (5/100): Winning shouldn’t get you shut down. We analyze how quickly sportsbooks limit or restrict NBA bettors, especially those who consistently beat the closing line.
- Banking (5/100): Getting paid fast and hassle-free is key. We evaluate deposit and withdrawal options, payout speed, and whether books charge unnecessary fees for moving your money.
To learn more, check out our full Ratings Methodology page.
What to Look for in an NBA Betting Site
All legal sportsbooks in the U.S. have thorough coverage of all NBA teams, and they’re all special in their own regard, making the selection process that much more tricky.
To help you find the right sportsbook, we’ve highlighted all the important criteria that the great NBA betting sites should have.
Legal and Licensed in Your State
It’s paramount that you play only with a provably safe and trustworthy sportsbook, which is why the first thing you need to check is whether the operator is properly licensed by a U.S. regulatory body. Only then will you know for sure that you won’t get ripped off or scammed in some other way.
That said, you should steer clear from offshore sportsbooks like Bovada. Not saying that these sites are necessarily shady, but they’re not as tightly regulated. And this could be the least of your worries. Offshore sportsbooks are considered illegal in many states, and you could pay huge fines if caught playing there.
Feel free to check out our state betting guides (linked in the menu) to see which legal sportsbooks you have at your disposal in your state. You can also see how old you have to be to bet on sports in your state here.
Competitiveness of Odds
Although all sportsbooks indeed have betting lines for all NBA games, the odds can vary significantly. Sometimes those variances may seem minuscule and insignificant, but they can be the difference between breaking even and making a profit.
If you want to maximize your winnings with every NBA wager, it’s important to utilize one of the most effective betting strategies—line shopping. A dollar here, a dollar there, the numbers can add up over time.
You can compare NBA odds and lines for upcoming games here.
Intro Promo for New Customers
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a sportsbook that doesn’t provide a welcome bonus for its newcomers. However, not all of these offers are created equal—some provide better value than others for NBA bettors.
All sign-up offers come with a few strings attached, so you should look beyond the sheer size and consider other factors like wagering requirements, odds limitation, market restrictions, and more. For instance, a sportsbook may offer thousands of dollars worth of intro bonus, but it will be almost impossible to cash out any winnings if it comes with a huge playthrough requirement.
In addition, certain intro promos, such as deposit matches, are better than bonus bets since you get the money no matter what, whereas with a bonus bet you only get the bonus bets if your initial bet loses.
Check out our Best Betting Offers & Bonus Bets Guide to see the best options currently available.
Ongoing Promotions and Odds Boosts
Recurring promos are the most effective way for online books to keep existing players hooked. These incentives may vary from odds boosts for specific NBA games to insurance on wagers, refer-a-friend deals, and bonus bets, to name a few.
Again, you need to do your homework. Which sportsbook provides the best odds boost deals for NBA matchups? Does the site offer any NBA parlay boosts or insurance on bets?
You need to analyze the market inside out and find the operators that will give you the best bang for your buck.
User Experience on the App or Website
When choosing the best NBA sportsbook, you need to consider both the feel and usability of a given site and mobile apps. The pages should load quickly and the layout should be user-friendly and intuitive so you can find your desired market within seconds.
If you experience lags, crashes, freezes, or any other performance issues while browsing on your chosen betting platform, you should try resolving the issue via customer support. If that doesn’t help, it’s probably a good idea to look for other alternatives.
Types of Wagers Offered
Market variety is as important as other aspects we have listed thus far. In addition to the standard types of sports bets such as moneyline bets, spreads, and totals, your chosen NBA sportsbook should feature a variety of prop bets and futures.
Some sportsbooks offer same game parlays for NBA games, allowing bettors to combine multiple wagers from one matchup into one parlay for a bigger payout. Luckily, given the popularity of these wagers, many more sportsbooks offer them, including all of the options above.
Live Betting Options
The NBA is more dynamic and fast-paced than ever before. Teams have more than 100 possessions per game, and the average scores have been trending upward due to the predominantly offensive style of play. The best way to ride momentum swings within an NBA game is by betting on the matchup live.
You can get in on the action at any point from tip-off to crunch time. The best NBA sportsbooks offer hundreds of live markets, and some even have live streaming coverage. The odds and lines can fluctuate rapidly, so you need to be constantly vigilant or you might miss out on a potentially lucrative opportunity.
Deposit/Withdrawal Options and Speed
Top-rated NBA sites typically boast a fully loaded banking section, giving users various ways to deposit and withdraw. You should also pay attention to the transaction speed and pick sites where you can cash out your hard-earned NBA winnings quickly and hassle-free.
Check out our Fastest Payout Sportsbooks Guide to see which get you your money the fastest.
How to Bet on NBA Games
- Choose a sportsbook that operates in your state legally and go to its website or download the mobile app.
- Sign up for an account. During the registration, provide necessary personal details like name, address, phone, and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
- Go to the cashier to top up your newly created account.
- Once you complete the deposit, head over to the promotions section to claim the welcome bonus.
- Start lining up your NBA wagers. Good luck and remember to gamble responsibly!
States Where You Can Bet on the NBA
Here are all of the states that currently offer legal NBA betting online, in-person, or both:
State | Online | In-Person |
|---|---|---|
Alabama | No | No |
Alaska | No | No |
Yes | Yes | |
Arkansas | Yes | Yes |
California | No | No |
| Yes | Yes | |
Connecticut | Yes | Yes |
Yes | Yes | |
District of Columbia | Yes | Yes |
Yes | Yes | |
Georgia | No | No |
Hawaii | No | No |
Idaho | No | No |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
Yes | Yes | |
Kansas | Yes | Yes |
Yes | Yes | |
Yes | Yes | |
Maine | Yes | Yes |
Maryland | Yes | Yes |
Massachusetts | Yes | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
Minnesota | No | No |
Mississippi | No | Yes |
Yes | Yes | |
Montana | No | Yes |
Nebraska | No | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
New Mexico | No | Yes |
| Yes | Yes | |
North Carolina | Yes | Yes |
North Dakota | No | No |
Yes | Yes | |
Oklahoma | No | No |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
| Yes | Yes | |
South Carolina | No | No |
South Dakota | No | Yes |
| Yes | No | |
Texas | No | No |
Utah | No | No |
Yes | No | |
| Yes | Yes | |
Washington | No | Yes |
Yes | Yes | |
Wisconsin | No | No |
Yes | No |
Types of Bets You Can Make on NBA Games
NBA betting is such an action-packed, exciting experience because of the astonishing number of wagers you can make on every game. Some of them are available all season long, while others pop up once the playoffs begin.
Let’s go over the most popular types of bets you’ll find at pretty much every legal sportsbook in the US:
- NBA Moneylines: With moneyline bets, you have to pick the winning team, and that’s it. Negative odds signify favorites, while the underdogs are listed with a plus sign.
- NBA Point Spreads: Betting on the winning margin in a game. If the Lakers are listed as being -7.5 on the spread against the Celtics, they have to win by 8 or more points for your bet to be successful. To stay within the spread, the Celtics have to lose by 7 or fewer points (or win the game outright).
- NBA Totals (Over/Under): This is a bet where you predict whether the combined score of both teams will go above or below the sportsbook’s estimate. If the line is set at 210.5, and you take the over, the cumulative total needs to be 211 or higher to win.
- NBA Parlays: Parlays are bets that combine several wagers into one. The more selections (legs) you add to the slip, the bigger the payout. The catch is that you have to get all of them right to win. If only one selection fails, the entire parlay loses.
- NBA Same Game Parlays: The same as a regular parlay, except all selections come from within one NBA game. You can combine sides, totals, and prop bets in one parlay.
- NBA Teasers: A teaser bet is essentially a variation of parlay that allows bettors to adjust the spread or totals line in their favor. The trade-off is that the payouts are lower than in parlays. The standard NBA teaser moves the line 4 points in your favor.
- NBA Game Props: These are exotic wagers made on specific occurrences (or non-occurrences) within an NBA game. Will the game go to overtime? Who will win the jump ball? Race to X points. Team to win every quarter. These are some of the most popular examples of NBA game props.
- NBA Player Props: Player props focus on individual performances of athletes regarding statistical categories such as points, rebounds, assists, turnovers, blocks, steals, and more. These bets are usually expressed in the over/under format. One very popular NBA player prop is the Method of First Basket in which you predict who will score the first basket and how.
- NBA Round Robin Bets: Round robin bets consist of multiple parlays that pay even if some selections don’t win and are easier to hit. They usually feature 3-10 teams, then used to create as many combinations as possible. For instance, you can take the Lakers, the Heat, and the Bucks to win their respective games, which would result in four parlays (1) All three teams to win (2) Lakers and the Heat to win, (3) the Heat and the Bucks, (4) and/or the Lakers and the Bucks.
- NBA Futures: Futures are long-term bets that cover the entire season and/or the playoffs. The odds for NBA futures are released well before the season kickoff, although the prices will fluctuate as the campaign plays out. Popular choices include betting on the NBA Championship winner, Individual season awards (Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, MVP), and divisional/conference winners. See NBA Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) odds here.
How to Make Money in the NBA
While betting on the NBA can be a fun and enjoyable experience, it can be very difficult if your objective is to make money from it. You have to put in a lot of time and effort into researching your picks, and even then, you’re not guaranteed a win.
NBA betting is a probability game, and it involves a lot of risks. To improve your winning chances, you need to watch many NBA games, analyze their performances in detail, and try to spot any trends that may help you get an edge. Using sports betting analytics tools will give you in-depth insights and save you the time needed for research.
Ultimately, you should consider NBA betting a fun pastime and not a reliable source of income. Once you set a budget, stick to it, and avoid chasing your losses because that’s an endless circle that can lead to problem gambling.
Speaking of, make sure to check our responsible gambling guide before you swing into action. It will give you some tips and advice on gambling responsibly and what to do if you develop a dependency on gambling.
Percent of NBA Bets You Have to Win to Make Money
Some bettors mistakenly assume that math is completely insignificant in sports betting when in reality, it’s crucial to developing a profitable strategy.
The essential thing is to calculate your potential payouts because it’s the only way to know whether you can get your money’s worth and whether the risks outweigh the reward.
This leads us to one of the most important parameters in sports betting—vig or juice. Vig is basically a cut the sportsbook charges for taking the bet. They take the small cut from each wager to ensure profit, regardless of the outcome.
Here’s the math behind the standard odds of -110. If you bet on both sides of the spectrum (over/unders or point spread), you’ll not break even. Why? Because a $100 winning bet would net you $91 profit, while the sportsbook keeps the remaining $9 as vigorish.
That’s why it’s important to calculate the implied probability for an outcome. This metric basically indicates the likelihood of an outcome happening while factoring in the vig. You can learn more about how to interpret odds in our How to Read Betting Odds Guide.
Going back to our example of -110 standard NBA odds for spreads and total, the math shows that 52.38% is the break-even point. Put differently—you must win 52.38% of the time to break even. This may seem easy but it’s actually pretty difficult with how accurately Vegas sets the lines.
Tips for Betting on the NBA
Here are a few tips that can help you gain an edge with NBA betting:
- Stay on top of news and injury reports: You should keep a close eye on any news and injury reports. If you find out about an injury before the book changes the line, you may be able to get an advantage.
- Go line shopping: This one directly impacts your potential gains. You need to make sure that you get the best odds available. Even a +/-10 differential on odds can make a lot of difference in the long run. That said, it’s always a good idea to sign up for multiple sportsbooks so you have options for betting.
- Manage your bankroll: Once you establish a suitable budget, ride with it all the way through, with no exceptions. This is called bankroll management and is essential for long-term success. We know how tempting it can be to place “just one more bet,” especially if you hit a dry spell. But, if you’re chasing losses all the time, you’re risking slipping into gambling addiction. If you run into a cold streak, it’s best to cool off for a few days, and come back with a clear state of mind.
- Take advantage of bonuses and promotions: You should sign up with the most generous sportsbooks on the market—the ones that offer the biggest welcome bonuses and the juiciest promos for existing customers. These incentives can help you pad your bankroll and effectively increase your chances of winning long term.
- Don’t bet recklessly: Uneducated, random guesses won’t get you anywhere. Do your research and make educated bets. Constantly doing things like betting huge amounts on longshot parlays typically won’t win you money in the long run.
Advanced NBA Betting Tips
- Bet on contract-year players: Players in contract years tend to put up bigger numbers, especially in the months leading up to free agency or a potential extension. Look for guys in line for a big payday—they’re more likely to log heavy minutes, take more shots, and chase stats to boost their market value. Scoring props and PRA (points + rebounds + assists) overs on contract-year players often hold value, especially against weaker defenses.
- Watch for rest discrepancies: NBA teams on a back-to-back or three games in four nights often struggle, especially late in games. Look at how many minutes star players logged the night before—a tired team in the fourth quarter can mean live betting value on their opponent. Also, teams traveling cross-country on little rest tend to underperform against the spread.
- Key in on pace vs. defensive matchups: A fast-paced team facing a slow, defensive-minded squad can throw off totals. If a team like the Pacers (fast tempo) is playing the Cavaliers (slow, defensive team), look at how each team performs in contrasting styles. Fast teams struggle when forced into half-court sets, making their team total unders a smart bet in the right spot.
- Find first quarter & first half trends: Some teams start hot and fade late, while others ease into games before turning it on. For example, Denver is elite in first quarters at home due to the altitude. Studying 1H and 1Q betting trends can give you an edge beyond full-game spreads.
- Target team-specific prop markets: Certain teams give up high volumes of specific stats—this can be gold for player props. Example: Some teams allow a ton of points to opposing big men due to their poor interior defense, so betting centers to go over their points/rebounds against them has been a profitable angle. Look for defensive inefficiencies to target specific props.
Latest NBA News
Here are the latest NBA storylines to keep in mind before placing bets:
- Nikola Jokić drops NBA’s first-ever 30-20-20 game: The Nuggets superstar just did something no player in league history has ever done, putting up 31 points, 21 rebounds, and 22 assists in Denver’s overtime win against the Suns.
- Luka Dončić managing a nagging ankle issue: The Mavs star has been playing through ankle discomfort, which has been messing with his shooting efficiency lately. The team is keeping an eye on it, and some rest could be in the cards.
- Victor Wembanyama done for the season with a blood clot issue: The Spurs’ rookie center will miss the rest of the season due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in his right shoulder. The diagnosis came after his All-Star Game appearance.
- Anthony Davis sidelined for at least two more weeks: The Mavs big man is making progress but will remain out for at least two more weeks with a muscle injury, the team announced.
- Bobby Portis suspended 25 games for doping violation: The Bucks forward has been hit with a 25-game suspension for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy.
NBA Odds Pages
We have a variety of pages to help you compare NBA odds and lines to find the best deal for the bet you're interested in:
