Best NBA Betting Sites

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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. Caesars: Best Sign-Up Bonus & Overall
  2. FanDuel: Best Overall (Tied)
  3. BetMGM: Best Overall (Tied)
  4. BetRivers/SugarHouse: Best Odds
  5. DraftKings: Best Variety of Sports
  6. Betway: Best Customer Reviews

Best Online Sportsbooks for NBA Betting

#1

5/5

Caesars Sportsbook

#2

5/5

FanDuel Sportsbook

>> Bet $5, Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins

#3

5/5

BetMGM Sportsbook

>> Up to $1,500 Back If Your First Bet Loses

T4

4.8/5

BetRivers Sportsbook

T4

4.8/5

SugarHouse Sportsbook

1) Caesars Sportsbook: Best Sign-Up Bonus & Overall

Caesars Sportsbook Logo
5/5

Promo code OA1000

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 5/5

Intro Promo

If your opening bet at Caesars loses, you'll receive a Bonus bet of equal value as a refund, up to $1,000. You must use the Bonus Bet within 14 days once it hits your account. Access it with our exclusive link here.

Caesars Sportsbook became one of the best sportsbooks available after acquiring William Hill and integrating its technology into the Caesars platform.

Caesars Sportsbook offers one of the best intro promos for new customers—a Bonus Bet up to $1,000 with promo code OA1000. Once you receive your Bonus Bet, you have 14 days to use them.

The perks of the Caesars Sportsbook don't end after you take advantage of the intro bonus, either. They offer some of the most competitive NBA odds in the industry and have attractive ongoing promotions and odds boosts to help you win more.

Caesars also offers all major sports and bet types—including same game parlays that allow you to combine sides, totals, and prop bets from the same game in one parlay.

There isn't much not to like when it comes to the new Caesars Sportsbook. While it isn't my favorite user interface of all the sportsbook apps, it's easy to navigate and place bets. 

Overall, Caesars Sportsbook is a phenomenal option when it comes to betting on the NBA. They have one of the best intro promos, great odds, regular odds boosts, and a decent user experience.

States

Pros

Cons

2) FanDuel Sportsbook: Best Overall (Tied)

fanduel sportsbook logo
5/5

For new customers only

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4.5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 5/5

Intro Promo

FanDuel will refund you in bonus bets up to $2000. You will receive your bonus bets within 72 hours of your first bet settling and you have 14 days to use them once they hit your account. Access the promo with our exclusive link here.

FanDuel is tied as our highest-rated NBA betting site thanks to the competitive odds, generous promotions and odds boosts, variety of bet types and sports to wager on, and a great user experience on both the website and mobile app.

The bet $5, get $200 intro promo for new customers is also one of the best currently available. If your first bet loses, FanDuel will refund you in bonus bets up to $200. You only have 14 days to use the bonus bets (if you receive them) but you only have to bet them once before you can withdraw any winnings.

FanDuel pioneered the “Same Game Parlay” and offers the smoothest and most complete process for betting them. With these, you can combine prop bets, totals, and sides from the same game in a single parlay. If you've ever seen screenshots of ridiculous parlays from a single game online, it was likely a Same Game Parlay from FanDuel.

FanDuel also offers many more NBA props than other sportsbooks, such as the method of first basket and player performance doubles.

Whether you are looking for a single sportsbook to use or want to add another book to your lineup of NBA betting apps, FanDuel Sportsbook is one of the best options currently available. There's a reason FanDuel dominates market share in the U.S. and we think you'll be very satisfied if you decide to go with them.

States

Pros

Cons

3) BetMGM Sportsbook: Best Overall (Tied)

betmgm sportsbook logo
5/5

For new customers only

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4.5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 5/5

Intro Promo

If your first bet loses, receive a refund in bonus bets up to $1,500. You must use the bonus bets within 7 days of them being credited to your account but there is only a 1x rollover requirement. Access it with our exclusive link here.

BetMGM Sportsbook is another one of our highest-rated online NBA sportsbooks—scoring well in all categories we analyze.

To start, all new BetMGM customers are eligible for a Second Chance Bet Up to $1,500. There is no BetMGM bonus code required to receive this—it's automatically applied to your account after you place the qualifying wager.

BetMGM also offers a wide variety of sports and bet types, generous promotions and odds boosts, competitive odds, and a good user experience.

Another thing that sets BetMGM apart is that it offers true same game parlays (called “One Game Parlays”). Like with FanDuel's Same Game Parlays, you can combine prop bets, totals, and/or sides from the same game in one parlay.

Of all the sportsbooks we've analyzed, BetMGM has the best customer reviews. On the Apple App Store, BetMGM has an average of 4.8 stars from over 87 thousand reviews.

On the downside, BetMGM doesn't have player statistics available in the app and it can be difficult to get ahold of customer support.

Overall, BetMGM is one of best sportsbooks currently available, offering one of the best intro promos in the nation, competitive odds boosts and ongoing promotions, a great user experience, and everything else you may want in a book.

States

Pros

Cons

4) BetRivers/SugarHouse: Best Odds

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4.5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 4.5/5

Intro Promo

BetRivers/SugarHouse offers a second chance bet up to $500 in all states except NY where its $100. You have 30 days to use the bonus bet if you receive it and there is only a 1x rollover requirement.

BetRivers and SugarHouse are essentially the same sportsbook, they just operate in different states with a different brand name. We listed BetRivers/SurgarHouse towards the end of this list, but that doesn’t mean they’re a bad option for college basketball betting—actually far from it.

BetRivers/SugarHouse offer a second chance bonus bet up to $500. If your first bet loses, you'll get a refund in the form of a bonus bet up to the limit. You have 30 days to use the bonus bet once you receive it.

The books also regularly offers better odds than every other sportsbook—especially when it comes to the NBA. While other books have standard -110 odds, BetRivers/SugarHouse often offer -109 or -108, meaning you have to win fewer bets to be profitable.

Aside from odds, you'll find everything bettors come to expect in online sportsbooks these days with BetRivers/SugarHouse, including same game parlays, a variety of markets to choose from, a smooth user experience, and ongoing odds boosts and promotions.

On the downside, some customers have complained of bets taking a long time to settle. In addition, the sportsbooks don't offer team or player stats in the app/on the site—though you can usually find this info on other sites.

If you are looking for a longterm betting app, BetRivers and SugarHouse are great options thanks to the industry-leading odds and great betting experience.

States

Pros

Cons

5) DraftKings Sportsbook: Best Variety of Sports

Draftkings Sportsbook logo
4.8/5

For new customers only

Ratings

  • Odds: 5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4.5/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 4.5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 4.5/5

Intro Promo

DraftKings will match 20% of your first deposit of up to $5,000 ($1,000 max match in site credit). You must bet the bonus 25x before you are able to withdraw it and you have 90 days to do so.

DraftKings Sportsbook is another amazing option when it comes to sports betting sites.

DraftKings offers competitive odds, generous promotions and odds boosts, a variety of sports to wager on and bet types (including Same Game Parlays), and great user experience on both the website and mobile app.

The intro promo provides good value ($1,000 if maxed out), but the 25x rollover requirement is a lot especially considering you only have 90 days to bet it. In order to take advantage of the full welcome bonus, you would need to deposit $5,000 then bet $25,000 over the first 90 days.

Like most other competitive online sportsbooks, DraftKings regularly offers odds boosts and ongoing promotions on the NBA—such as parlay insurance, ways to earn bonus bets, and more. Taking advantage of these is a great way to maximize your winnings.

Though it isn't quite our highest-rated NBA sportsbook, DraftKings in undoubtedly one of the best options currently available and we think you'll be very satisfied if you go with them. Just be sure to read the fine print on the intro promo and bet the deposit match in time.

States

Pros

Cons

6) Betway Sportsbook: Best for Fast Payouts

Betway Logo
4.8/5

* Varies by state

Ratings

  • Odds: 4.5/5
  • Intro Promo: 4/5
  • Odds Boosts & Promos: 5/5
  • Sports & Bets Offered: 5/5
  • User Interface: 4/5

Intro Promo

AZ, NJ, PA: Bet $25 Get $150 If Your Bet Wins
CO, IN, IA, LA, OH, VA: No Offer
Join with our exclusive link here.

Betway Sportsbook is another smaller sportsbook, but is still competitive with all of the market leaders when it comes to betting on the NBA.

Our favorite thing about Betway Sportsbook is the fast payouts. All withdrawal requests are typically processed within 48 hours (and often much faster), meaning you don't have to wait long to get your money.

Betway also offers a wide variety of sports and markets, including the coveted same game parlay, which is available for most NBA games.

New customers in select states can take advantage of the Betway intro promo after registering—though the majority of the states don't come with a sign-up bonus.

On the downside, Betway only has mediocre customer reviews and a rather dull interface. While it is easy enough to navigate, it isn't as visually appealing as other books like FanDuel.

If you're looking for a new NBA sports betting app to add to your lineup, Betway is a great option to consider.

States

Pros

Cons

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*

Promo Code

FanDuel

AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MA MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY

Bet $5, Get $200 Bonus If Your Bet Wins

Not needed

Caesars

AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY

$1,000 First Bet on Caesars

OA1000

BetMGM

AZ, CO, FL, IN, IA, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY

Second Chance Bet Up to $1,500**

ODDS100

bet365

CO, IA, KY, LA, NJ, NC, OH, VA

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets

Not needed

BetRivers

AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, LA, MA, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV​

Second Chance Bet Up to $500

ODDS1

SugarHouse

PA

Second Chance Bet Up to $500

ODDS1

Betway

AZ, CO, IN, IA, LA, NJ, OH, PA, VA

Bet $25 Get $150 If Your Bet Wins*

Not needed

SI Sportsbook

CO, MI, VA

100% Deposit Match Up to $100

Not needed

Sporttrade

CO, NJ

Up to $300 Cash Back

ASSIST

Unibet

AZ, IN, NJ, PA, VA

$500 Second Chance Bet

Not needed

DraftKings

AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY

Bet $5, Get $150 in Bonus Bets

Not needed

Hard Rock

AZ, FL, IN, NJ, TN, OH, VA

$100 Second Chance Bet

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

Here at Odds Assist, we are committed to creating objective, transparent ratings to help you make the best decisions when it comes to which sportsbooks to use. We will continually update our Editorial Ratings over time as sportsbooks introduce new features, change promotions, etc.

Each sportsbook we review goes through our extensive rating process that evaluates thousands of data points in eight categories, including the following:

Category Weight Description
Odds
25%
How competitive the odds offered are across all major sports
Intro Promo
15%
How competitive the intro promo for new customers is
Promos & Odds Boosts
15%
How many & how generous ongoing odds boosts & promotions are
Sports & Bets Offered
10%
Which sports & types of wagers are offered by the sportsbook
User Interface
10%
How user friendly the website & mobile app(s) are
Deposits & Withdrawals
10%
Which deposit & withdrawal methods are available as well as payout speed
Customer Reviews
10%
How positive customer reviews across other platforms are
Education & Statistics
5%
The availability of educational & responsible gaming resources as well as team & player statistics

We rate each sportsbook relative to other sportsbooks in each category. Each is scored from 1 to 5 with each representing the following:

  • 5 Stars: Best in category
  • 4 Stars: Above-average
  • 3 Stars: Average
  • 2 Stars: Below-average
  • 1 Star: Worst in category

Data for all sportsbooks were collected simultaneously to ensure fairness. For example, we only compared odds for the same games at the same times across all sportsbooks reviewed.

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 risk-free bets since you get the money no matter what, whereas with a risk-free bet you only get the “free bet” if your initial bet loses.

Check out our Best Betting Offers & Free 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 free 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

The NBA is one of the best and most potentially profitable sports to bet on thanks to the sheer number of games (82 per team each season) as well as the wide variety of markets.
 
If you're hoping to get in on the action and haven't created an online sportsbook account yet, here's how you can get started with NBA betting:
  1. Choose a sportsbook that operates in your state legally and go to its website or download the mobile app.
  2. 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.
  3. Go to the cashier to top up your newly created account.
  4. Once you complete the deposit, head over to the promotions section to claim the welcome bonus.
  5. 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

Arizona

Yes

Yes

Arkansas

NoYes

Colorado

YesYes

Connecticut

Yes

Yes

Delaware

Yes

Yes

District of Columbia

YesYes

Florida

Yes

Yes

Illinois

YesYes

Indiana

YesYes

Iowa

Yes

Yes

Kansas

Yes

Yes

Louisiana

Yes

Yes

Maine

Yes

Yes

Maryland

Yes

Yes

Massachusetts

Yes

Yes

Michigan

YesYes

Mississippi

NoYes

Montana

NoYes

Nebraska

No

Yes

Nevada

YesYes

New Hampshire

YesYes

New Jersey

YesYes

New Mexico

NoYes

New York

YesYes

North Carolina

Yes

Yes

Ohio

Yes

Yes

Oregon

YesYes

Pennsylvania

YesYes

Rhode Island

YesYes

South Dakota

NoYes

Tennessee

YesNo

Virginia

YesYes

Washington

No

Yes

West Virginia

Yes

Yes

Wyoming

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.

Dave Rathmanner

Dave Rathmanner is the Founder & CEO of Odds Assist. After struggling to find helpful sports betting resources and honest reviews when he first started betting, he decided to create the site he always wished he had. Dave has been betting on sports since NJ legalized it in 2018 and regularly analyzes sportsbooks to find the best options for bettors. Aside from creating new content for OA readers, Dave is also passionate about researching betting markets, creating models, and developing profitable betting strategies.