The NBA is the ultimate showcase of the world’s best players competing on basketball’s grandest stage. As fans sit in awe of the skill on display, they might wonder if, where and how to bet on NBA action, especially as online sports betting continues its momentous rise.

Prospective bettors can join legalized online sportsbooks to bet on NBA games. Place a cash wager on the winning team, the margin of victory, the number of combined points and countless pre-live markets. NBA betting also features in-game props and futures markets on the NBA Draft, next season’s win totals, award winners and the 2025 champ.

There are infinite ways to build a bankroll through NBA betting. Before breaking down how bettors should analyze props and odds, capitalize on the latest sports betting bonus offers through these Newsweek links.

How to Bet on NBA: Types of Betting Props

Every reputable online sportsbook has a moneyline, point spread and over-under at the heart of an NBA game’s betting market. Learn how to assess each bet type before diving into player and team props.

Moneyline

Basketball ultimately boils down to one winner and one loser. That’s where the moneyline comes in. Moneyline bets are for bettors to predict which team will win, regardless of the final score. Sportsbooks assign minus (-) odds to favorites and plus (+) odds to underdogs, with payouts reflecting these odds accordingly.

For example, the Celtics have -210 moneyline odds in their 2024 NBA Finals matchup versus the Mavericks. Therefore, a bettor must risk $210 on Boston to win $100 in cash profit. Since the Celtics are favorites, betting on the Mavericks’ +175 moneyline odds is more profitable. A $100 bet on the Mavs’ ML would net $175 in winnings.

Point Spread

Another popular option for NBA betting is the point spread. Before a game, oddsmakers establish point spreads to handicap the two teams. Betting on the favorite to “cover” the spread means it must win by at least X points. If you take the underdog, you’ll win the bet if that team wins the game outright or loses by X points or fewer.

Point spreads are great plays when one team is a sizable favorite. Take a matchup like Wizards-Bucks, where the Bucks have -455 moneyline odds. However, a bettor can take Milwaukee’s -10 spread and win the bet if the Bucks win by 11 or more points. Conversely, a bet on Washington +10 secures a cash payout after a Wizards upset or a loss by nine or fewer points.

Unlike NBA moneylines, a spread can end in a tie or a “push.” If the Bucks win by exactly 10 points, bettors from both sides will receive a refund. It’s common for oddsmakers and bettors to add a half-point on a spread, like -10.5 or +9.5, to avoid a push.

Over-Under Totals

An over-under point total gives bettors a reason to enjoy an NBA game besides rooting for a specific team. Sportsbooks assign a number for the combined points from both teams based on offensive and defensive rankings, starting lineups, injuries, etc. Bettors can wager the “Over” or “Under” and win if the final point tally has greater or fewer points than predicted.

Like moneylines and spreads, point totals vary depending on the matchup. The Suns and Nuggets might have an over-under of 222 points, while the Magic-Cavaliers’ number could sit at 206.5. Round numbers like 222 can also lead to a “push” if the teams combine for that exact amount.

Player and Team Props

The next markets for NBA bettors to investigate are player and team props. NBA player props feature over-unders on points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and 3-pointers. Jalen Brunson scoring over 27.5 points, Trae Young finishing with under 8.5 assists and Tyler Herro recording over 1.5 3-pointers are examples of NBA player props for new and existing customers.

Team props offer more opportunities to bet on NBA games. For example, it’s possible to bet on the Lakers’ over-under point total or how many threes the Pistons will make. You can even bet on the winning margin if you feel extra confident before tip-off.

Parlays

If you want the most bang for your buck, a parlay bet is the way to go. Parlays allow bettors to combine multiple NBA props into a single ticket for increased odds and more lucrative payouts. However, parlays require users to hit each leg in order to win the bet. Winning seven of eight legs on a parlay still results in a loss.

Most parlay bets carry substantial plus (+) odds, so it’s about finding the right balance between risk and reward. Smart bettors place smaller wagers on parlays than any individual prop, especially since a victory still delivers a sizable boost to their bankroll.

Same-Game Parlays

One of the most significant developments in online sports betting has been the rise of same-game parlays. Instead of stringing together legs from different games, a same-game parlay features props exclusively from one matchup. This way, all of your research and attention can center around a single game.

Many betting sites offer pre-made same-game parlays created by industry experts, celebrity ambassadors or fellow bettors. But most players build their own NBA SGPs as they attempt to maximize their cash winnings.

Live Betting

A mistake some new bettors make is relying exclusively on pre-game markets. Live betting allows NBA fans to capitalize on real-time odds that shift with every game-changing basket, possession or injury. Depending on the game flow, players can hedge their pre-game bets or double down.

Let’s say the heavily favored Thunder are down by nine points to the Spurs midway through the third quarter. If you think Oklahoma City will come back and win, you can bet on its live moneyline for much better odds than the -455 odds before tip-off. Another strategy is to bet on the “Under” after two traditionally low-scoring teams jump out to a hot shooting start.

Futures

NBA betting isn’t restricted to the evening’s games. Futures are a long-term play for bettors to invest in the next conference finalist, NBA champ, MVP and more. A bet on the NBA futures market might not settle for days, weeks or months, but the potential cash payout at the end is worth the wait.

As an NBA season nears its end, a market like “NBA Champion” won’t be as lucrative as it was last fall. For example, the Mavericks were +500 to win the title before the Western Conference Finals. If you took Dallas during the preseason, you could’ve had massive +2500 odds instead.

Many sportsbooks have already released next season’s championship odds. In addition, bettors can plant their flags on award winners, division champs and even future draft selections.

Successful NBA Betting Strategies

Knowing NBA teams and players is one thing. However, becoming a successful bettor requires more than a baseline knowledge of the sport. It’s about researching and applying the right information from trusted sources before placing a bet.

Here are some of the most essential strategies for new NBA bettors:

1. Check Against the Spread (ATS) Record

One of the easiest ways to confirm a point spread bet in either direction is to research a team’s record “against the spread.” Many betting sites record how teams fare against the pre-game spread. You can check the overall ATS record and the ATS record at home, on the road, as a betting favorite or as a longshot underdog.

Let’s say a home team is expected to win but has a losing record ATS as a home favorite. Meanwhile, the visitors are among the NBA’s best at covering on the road, even if they don’t necessarily win outright. In this case, it would make more sense to bet on the underdogs to cover, especially if oddsmakers over-valued the favorites.

2. Note Key Injuries

The NBA might be the sport most impacted by injuries. With just five players on the court at a time, a superstar’s absence looms larger than in other sports. Successful bettors check injury reports throughout the day and near tip-off to know precisely who’s suiting up and who’s dressing in street clothes.

Some of the savviest gamblers read an NBA team’s morning shootaround report. If a player hasn’t officially been ruled out but missed this pivotal practice session, the bettor could strike before news breaks and odds shift.

3. View Head-to-Head Results

Bettors should take head-to-head results with a grain of salt. Injuries, momentum and other factors from early-season losses shouldn’t impact how to bet on NBA games. But there’s still value in assessing how teams fared against each other in prior meetings.

For example, many fans were shocked that the Timberwolves beat the defending champion Nuggets in the conference semifinals. However, head-to-head results showed that these teams split their last eight regular-season meetings. Given how competitive their regular-season matchups were for the last two years, bettors could have correctly predicted the series going seven games and the T-Wolves pulling off the upset.

4. Review Prior Games

There are several reasons why assessing a team’s most recent stretch is critical. How has the team fared in its last five games? Is this the second half of a back-to-back or the sixth game of a grueling road trip? The answers to these questions significantly enhance a bettor’s knowledge going into the next matchup.

In addition, diving into box scores never hurts. Bettors can learn how a coach adjusted his rotation, which players landed in early foul trouble, the free throw discrepancy and other pertinent information.

5. Follow the Money

The goal of NBA betting is to win money. Therefore, players should align themselves with successful bettors as often as possible. The easiest way to do that is to see which side of a matchup has garnered most of the money.

Several websites offer tools detailing the live percentage of bets and the money wagered, also known as the “handle.” A good strategy is prioritizing the handle over the number of bets since winning gamblers generally place larger wagers. If Team A has 65% of the bets, but Team B has 70% of the money, Team B is typically the smarter play.

Best NBA Betting Promos

The top online sportsbooks all have comprehensive NBA betting markets. But before diving into spreads, point totals and futures, bettors should take advantage of their incredible sign-up offers.

These NBA betting promos vary based on the sportsbook. Some give players a bonus refund after a loss, a guaranteed payout in bonus bets or a first-time deposit match. Each offer starts prospective players on the right foot, leading to endless money-making opportunities.

DraftKings Sportsbook NBA Promo: Bet $5, Get Instant $150 Bonus

DraftKings Sportsbook is a titan of the sports betting industry, and it’s giving new customers an instant win for NBA betting. Sign up for DraftKings and get a “Bet $5, Get $150” sign-up promo. Place any $5 bet for $150 in bonus bets on the spot, regardless of how your original wager settles. DraftKings issues six (6) $25 bonus bets that expire seven days after receipt.

ESPN BET NBA Promo Code: Enter NEWSWEEK for $1K Reset + Deposit Match

Next, ESPN BET has a two-part offer for new NBA bettors. Enter the code NEWSWEEK during registration, and place up to $1,000 on the playoffs. ESPN BET will “reset” a losing wager with bonus bets. In addition, new users get a 200% deposit match, up to $500 in Cashback. The minimum deposit for ESPN BET is $10, but players seeking the maximum $500 in Cashback must deposit at least $250.

Fanatics Sportsbook NBA Promo: Earn $1K in Matching Bonus Bets

The new Fanatics Sportsbook has a “10x$100” bonus match for first-time bettors. Place $100 on a qualifying bet every day, and Fanatics will match it with a bonus bet. Repeat this for your first ten days on the app and get up to $1,000 in matching bonus bets, regardless of how much cash you’ve earned throughout the promo period.

BetMGM NBA Bonus Code NEWSWEEK1500: Get $1.5K First Bet Offer

BetMGM has another offer that eliminates the stress of a four-digit bet. Apply the code NEWSWEEK1500 during registration, place up to $1,500 on the NBA and get it back in bonus bets if you lose. BetMGM’s bonus refund arrives in 20% increments, so a $1,500 loss nets five (5) $300 bonus bets that expire seven days after receipt.

Bet365 NBA Promo Code NEWSXLM: Choose $150 Bonus or $1K Safety Net

Among these NBA betting promos, bet365 is the only sportsbook with two options for new customers. After applying the code NEWSXLM, bettors can select a “Bet $5, Get $150” deal that rewards a $5 bet with $150 in bonus bets, win or lose. Alternatively, players who opt for the First Bet Safety Bet earn up to $1,000 back in bonus bets after a losing wager.

Caesars Sportsbook NBA Promo Code: Make $1K Bet with Code NEWSWK1000

Another betting option for eligible NBA customers is Caesars’ $1,000 first bet. Use our promo code NEWSWK1000 to register, and Caesars will cover 100% of a losing wager with a bonus bet. Your one-time bonus bet is worth up to $1,000 and is good for 14 days after receipt, so you have plenty of time to find another opportunity to make money.

FanDuel Sportsbook NBA Promo: Win $150 Bonus

A no-brainer way to bet on the NBA is through FanDuel’s “Bet $5, Get $200” offer. New FanDuel bettors win $200 in bonus bets if their initial $5 bet on any game wins, regardless of the original odds. This promo is the equivalent of boosting any team’s odds above +4000, as a $5 victory secures $200 in bonus bets and every dollar of the deserved cash profit.

FanDuel offers a different version of its welcome offer to select bettors in Massachusetts and Ohio. New users from those states receive a $300 bonus after a $5 win.

Where Can You Bet on the NBA?

In 2018, the United States Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), ending the federal ban on sports betting. Since then, each state has been solely responsible for enacting legislation to legalize sports betting.

As of June 2024, 38 states have legal sports betting in some capacity. Online sports betting is legal in 32 states, though some territories have certain restrictions. For example, Mississippi and Montana require mobile bettors to be on-site at their legal casinos. Nevada, long considered the center of the gambling universe, requires in-person registration at its casinos before allowing bettors to wager anywhere within state lines.

Additionally, numerous states have agreements with few online sportsbook operators. For example, DraftKings is the only mobile sportsbook available in New Hampshire and Oregon. Meanwhile, states like Arkansas, Florida and Rhode Island technically have legal online sports betting, but their agreements with local or lesser-known operators exclude them from the best NBA sportsbook promos.

Right now, the states partnering with one or more of our featured online sportsbooks are AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OR, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV and WY. Eligible bettors physically located within one of these states can register through the appropriate promo links, score big-time welcome offers and bet on the NBA Playoffs from their desktop and mobile devices.

How to Bet on NBA FAQ

Is it legal to bet on the NBA?

Yes. Since the federal sports betting ban was lifted in 2018, many states have legalized betting on the NBA and other sports. Check your state laws and each sportsbook’s service map to see what’s available in your area.

How can I bet on the NBA?

Joining a licensed sportsbook operator is the first requirement to bet on NBA games online. Following a brief registration and cash deposit, head to the sportsbook’s NBA betting market for odds on upcoming games, player props and futures bets. Bettors can wager on any market and earn cash after a win.

Do I qualify for NBA betting promos?

Prospective players who are 21 and older and physically located in legal betting states can register for these NBA betting promos. Read the terms of each offer before placing your eligible wager. Operators require a minimum deposit and qualifying wager on select markets.

What do I need for registration?

First, ensure you’re of legal betting age and located in an eligible state. Next, provide your full legal name, residential address, phone number, email address, birthday and Social Security Number to verify your identity. Lastly, use online banking, a credit/debit card or another secure payment method for your initial cash deposit. Registration requirements at a particular sportsbook may vary.

What is the best sportsbook for betting on the NBA?

There isn’t one sportsbook that’s definitively better than the rest. However, our favorite sportsbooks for betting on the NBA are DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics, BetMGM, bet365, Caesars and FanDuel.

What are the best NBA bets?

New bettors can start with the basic NBA bet types like moneylines, point spreads and over/under totals. Master these bets before exploring player and team props, live bets and parlays.

Newsweek may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up through the links in this article. See the sportsbook operator’s terms and conditions for important details. Sports betting operators have no influence over newsroom coverage.

Fanatics Terms & Conditions: Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (AZ, CO, IL, KY, MD, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV); (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT); 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA); (800) 327-5050 or gamblinghelpline.org (MA), mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1800gambler.net (WV).

Bet365 Terms & Conditions: New Customers only. Bet $5 and get $150 in Bonus Bets. Sign up, deposit (minimum $10) to your account and place a qualifying bet of $5 to get $150 in Bonus Bets once your bet is settled with bet365. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. The bonus code NEWSXLM can be used during registration, but does not change the offer amount in any way.

Caesars Terms & Conditions: Must be 21 or older and physically present in AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY. New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Know When To Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? CO, IL, KY, MD, MI, NJ, OH, TN, VA, WV, WY, KS (Affiliated with Kansas Crossing Casino), LA (Licensed through Horseshoe Bossier City and Harrah’s New Orleans), ME (Licensed through the Mi’kmaq Nation, Penobscot Nation, and Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians, federally recognized tribes located in the State of Maine), NC (Licensed through Tribal Casino Gaming Enterprise), PA (Affiliated with Harrah’s Philadelphia): If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) or MD: visit mdgamblinghelp.org or WV: visit 1800gambler.net; AZ: Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP; IN: Call 1-800-9-WITH-IT; IA: Call 1-800-BETSOFF. ©2024, Caesars Entertainment Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.