Learn How to Bet on NBA Basketball Like a Pro

NBA (National Basketball Association) basketball has transformed from a niche American sport to a global phenomenon, capturing the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. Its surge in popularity has transcended borders, even gaining traction in the UK since the 1990s, fuelled by the success of iconic figures like Michael Jordan. This overseas expansion has led to NBA games being held in London since 2011, further solidifying its international appeal. 

As the NBA's influence spreads, so does the interest in betting on the sport, with enthusiasts eager to place wagers as the players hit the courts. With numerous bookmakers now offering NBA betting options, selecting the ideal platform for punters can be daunting. In the following paragraphs, we'll delve into how to wager on NBA basketball, highlight the best betting sites for NBA action, and offer tips to elevate your basketball betting game.

If you're based in the UK and new to NBA betting, or if you've dabbled before but still seek clarity, we're here to guide you through it all.

Begin by selecting your preferred betting site from our recommended list tailored for UK users. By using the provided links, you'll access the latest welcome bonuses, enhancing the value of your initial NBA wagers.

After signing up, navigate to the A-Z of sports and locate 'Basketball' or 'NBA' to explore available markets. Enter your stake, confirm your selection, and you're ready to go.

Beyond the basics of navigation, there are additional insights to grasp when betting on the NBA through UK sites, which we'll detail below.

We've compiled a list of the top five bookmakers for NBA basketball betting, each providing a stellar platform with features like live NBA betting, enticing welcome bonuses, and exclusive promotions tailored for basketball enthusiasts. These sites are the go-to destinations for wagering on NBA games, offering a seamless and exciting betting experience for fans of the sport.

Our verdict 

Our top pick for all overall NBA betting in the UK. Bet365 offers the best range of NBA markets, with betting even available on selected pre-season and G League matches, not just the regular season and Playoffs. 

Welcome offer: Bet £10, get £30 in Free Bets.

Payment methods: PayPal, Debit Cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Bank Transfer, paysafecard, Click to Play.

Customer support: 24/7 Live Chat, Email, Web Message.

Our verdict

This bookmaker has an established reputation for having one of the best sportsbooks on the market. LeoVegas also offers lucrative welcome bonuses which can be applicable to NBA markets. 

Welcome offer: Up to £150 extra cash with your first deposit! 

Payment methods: Visa/Mastercard, Neteller, Paysafecard, Trustly, and Skrill.

Customer support: 24/7 Email, Live Chat & Phone.

Our verdict

NBA betting features strongly among their sports, and unlike some bookmakers you can place in-play betting on the NBA, with competitive odds and a user-intuitive interface which makes it easy to spot the changing odds. 

Welcome offer: Bet £10 and earn £30 in free bets, plus £10 casino bonus. 

Payment methods: Visa/Mastercard, Luxon Pay, PayPal, Apple Pay, Trustly, and Paysafecard (can deposit but can’t withdraw). 

Customer support: Email.

Our verdict

If you’re looking for a clean and concise format to bet on the NBA in the UK, 10bet is the one for you. It is especially useful if you like to place accumulators across multiple NBA markets, due to its innovative acca calculator which helps calculate your odds before placing your bet – including the option to change the bet type and odds type. 

Welcome offer: Get 50% up to £50 bonus.

Payment methods: Visa/Mastercard, PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, Skrill 1-Tap, Paysafecard, Trustly, Apple Pay.

Customer support: Email, Phone and Online Chat

Our verdict

One of the most unique betting sites in the UK, which offers a digital chatroom style of betting. This allows the user to have the look and feel of an in-person bookmakers, but the process is fully digital. If you’re not a fan of scrolling through all the NBA markets and would have a straightforward betting process, which is still digital, Fitzdares if the one for you. 

Welcome offer: Bet £50, Get £25.

Payment methods: Visa, Visa Debit, PayPal, Neteller, Apple Pay, Skrill. 

Customer support: Email and Phone.

For those unaccustomed to the NBA, its structure might initially seem complex. The league consists of 30 teams, organised into divisions. These teams compete in an extensive 82-game season, striving to secure one of the top eight positions in their conference to advance to the playoffs. During the regular season, teams face various opponents, including four matchups against their division rivals, four against six other conference teams, three against the remaining conference teams, and a few games against teams from the opposing conference.

As for the playoffs, they commence after the regular season concludes. The top eight teams from each conference enter a knockout tournament, seeded based on their regular season performance. Teams face off in a series of best-of-seven matchups, with the winner advancing to the next round until a conference champion is determined. The champions from each conference then compete in the NBA Finals to vie for the coveted championship title.

In the realm of American sports leagues, the NBA boasts a captivating history brimming with iconic teams since its establishment in 1946. Among these, the Boston Celtics stand out as trailblazers, led by luminaries like Bob Cousy and Bill Russell. Their remarkable feat of clinching eight consecutive NBA championships from 1959 to 1966 remains unmatched, etching their legacy in basketball lore.

Transitioning to the turn of the millennium, the Los Angeles Lakers emerged as formidable contenders. Building upon earlier successes in the 1950s and 1980s, the Lakers commanded the court, securing five championships within a decade from 2000 to 2010. Their dominance symbolized an era of excellence, captivating the attention of NBA enthusiasts and bettors alike.

Yet, for many aficionados, the pinnacle of NBA greatness resonates with the Chicago Bulls of the late 1980s. Spearheaded by the legendary Michael Jordan, the Bulls etched their name in history, clinching six NBA championships during their reign from 1991 to 1993 and then from 1996 to 1998.

In the modern NBA landscape, the Golden State Warriors have emerged as a dominant force, captivating audiences worldwide with their electrifying style of play. Spearheaded by the remarkable talent of Stephen Curry and his formidable teammates, the Warriors have solidified their status as a modern-day dynasty, clinching four NBA championships within the past nine seasons. Their combination of sharpshooting prowess, cohesive teamwork, and relentless determination has reshaped the league's competitive landscape, leaving an indelible mark on basketball history.

Moreover, the recent NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, have made history of their own, securing their first-ever title triumph. Led by the towering presence of Serbian sensation Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets showcased resilience and skill throughout their championship campaign, thrilling fans with their remarkable journey to the pinnacle of NBA success. 

As bettors navigate the rich tapestry of NBA history, these storied teams serve as a testament to the league's enduring legacy and offer valuable insights for strategic wagering in the ever-evolving landscape of NBA betting.

Exploring a UK-based NBA betting platform but feeling uncertain about placing your first bet? With numerous markets available, each offering compelling value, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Here's a breakdown of three popular NBA betting markets to help you get started:

• Points Spread: Also known as the 'line', this market involves predicting the margin of victory for a team. Whether you choose the favourite or the underdog, the key is for the selected team to win by a certain number of points to secure a winning bet.
• Player Markets: Also known as ‘Players Props’, these are smaller markets focusing on individual player performance. From points and assists to rebounds, steals, turnovers, and triple doubles, there's a plethora of options to analyse and bet on. This particular market is explained in more depth later in this article.
• Outright Winner: Simplify your betting approach by wagering on the overall winner of a match or championship. This straightforward bet appeals to many bettors due to its simplicity and broad applicability.

Understanding various betting types prevalent in NBA betting is crucial. Here's a brief overview of some common terms:

• Single: A straightforward bet on the outcome of a single match or competition. For example, a straightforward bet of the Chicago Bulls to beat the Boston Celtics. 
• Over/Under: Predicting whether an event will surpass or fall short of the bookmaker's predicted outcome, such as the total points scored. For example, over 125 points scored by the Chicago Bulls against the Boston Celtics. 
• Accumulator: Also known as an 'acca', this collective bet requires all selected outcomes to be correct for the bet to win. For instance, placing a bet on the Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics and LA Lakers all to win their respective NBA fixture all in one bet. Henceforth, all three teams would have to win for your bet to be successful. 
• Handicap Betting (Spread): Betting on whether the actual outcome will exceed or fall below the predicted score set by UK-based NBA betting platforms. For example, if the Chicago Bulls were favourites to beat the LA Lakers, the bookmaker might give the LA Lakers a 20-point advantage. Therefore, if you then place a handicap bet on the Chicago Bulls to win, but they only win the game by a 15-point margin, you will lose your bet due to the handicap that had been applied. Effectively, in the eyes of the bookmaker, the Chicago Bulls lost the game by a five-point margin. 
• Prop Betting: A proposition or prop bet can be described as a side bet as the outcome of these bets are not determined by the outcome of any particular game, but rather throughout a whole season. Many of these bets concentrate on the players, such as betting on individual award winners, or statistics leaders such as most rebounds in an NBA season. Other NBA prop bets focus on the overall team such as most wins in a season, or who will eventually lift the NBA crown. 
• Player Prop Betting: This type of bet is a prediction made on a singular players performance, rather than the team. There are many player prop bets that came be made such as betting on most points scored, most assists or most rebounds. For example, you may place a bet on Steph Curry for the Golden State Warrior to score more than 30 points, and achieve more than 10 assists in a singular game against the Sacramento Kings. 

By familiarising yourself with these betting markets and types, you can make informed decisions and enhance your NBA betting experience.

When venturing into NBA Player Markets, or ‘player props’ betting, the array of options available is extensive, providing ample opportunities for bettors to explore various aspects of player performance. 

From predicting the number of points a player will score to estimating their rebounds, assists, steals, and three-pointers made, the possibilities are vast. Additionally, combinations such as rebounds and assists or points, rebounds, and assists further diversify the betting landscape, allowing individuals to tailor their wagers to specific player strengths and game dynamics. Below are some essential NBA player props markets, along with a demonstration of how they function:

• Points: This involves predicting the number of points a player will score in each game. For instance, one might speculate whether Steph Curry will surpass or fall short of 26.5 points against the Miami Heat.
• Rebounds: Bettors can forecast the number of rebounds a player will secure in a particular game. For example, one might wager on whether Rudy Gobert will exceed or meet 6.5 rebounds against the Chicago Bulls.
• Assists: This market entails predicting the number of assists a player will contribute in a specific game. For instance, bettors might consider whether Chris Paul will achieve over or under 2.5 assists against the Dallas Mavericks.
• Rebounds and Assists Combined: Here, the focus is on forecasting the combined total of rebounds and assists a player will attain in a given game. For instance, one might speculate on whether Domantas Sabonis will exceed or meet 8.5 combined rebounds and assists against the New Orleans Pelicans.
• Points, Rebounds, and Assists Combined: This market integrates points scored, total rebounds, and assists. For example, bettors might evaluate whether Anthony Davis will exceed or meet 31.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists against the Boston Celtics.
• Steals: Bettors can predict the number of steals a player will make in a specific game. For instance, one might analyse whether Donovan Mitchell will achieve over or under 1.5 steals against the Orlando Magic.
• Three-Pointers Made: This market involves forecasting the number of three-pointers a player will successfully make in each game. For instance, bettors might speculate on whether Luka Doncic will achieve over or under 2.5 three-pointers made against the Indiana Pacers.

By understanding and leveraging these diverse player props markets, bettors can enhance their NBA betting experience and explore various avenues for strategic wagering.

Image credit: NBA.com

Discovering effective NBA betting strategies is pivotal for maximising your success in the realm of basketball wagering. Presented here are our top four NBA betting tips to keep in mind while exploring the finest betting opportunities available.

1. Track Bets based on the NBA team

Monitoring bets based on NBA teams is a strategic approach embraced by savvy sports bettors. By closely tracking individual team performances throughout the season, bettors gain deeper insights into team dynamics, strengths, and weaknesses. This comprehensive understanding enables bettors to identify favourable matchups and adjust their strategies, accordingly, enhancing their ability to make well-informed betting decisions. 

Furthermore, tracking NBA teams facilitates the identification of trends and patterns, empowering bettors to anticipate future outcomes with greater accuracy. For instance, recognising a team's strong performance during road games may prompt a bettor to wager on them when playing away from home. Conversely, teams grappling with injuries or load management issues may warrant cautious betting until their situation improves. 

Ultimately, tracking NBA teams empowers sports bettors to navigate the competitive landscape of sports betting, elevating their potential for long-term success and profitability. It may also help to bet on teams that you have a special fondness for or consider yourself a ‘supporter’ as your knowledge of this specific NBA team should be much stronger. 

2. Hedge your Bets

In NBA basketball betting, hedging a bet emerges as a widely embraced strategy among sports bettors, aiming to mitigate risk and potentially secure a win. This method entails placing a secondary wager against the original bet when uncertainty surrounds its outcome.

Even when bettors perceive a strong likelihood of winning the initial bet, hedging serves as a precautionary measure to ensure a profit, albeit not as substantial as the primary wager. This additional bet acts as insurance in the event of the original bet's loss.

Hedging holds promise in NBA betting, encompassing various wager types like point spread and money line bets. By hedging, bettors can minimise potential losses and guarantee a profit, irrespective of the bet type.

Success in NBA betting hinges on adeptly utilising different bet types and strategies. While hedging serves as a valuable risk management tool, its efficacy is maximised when integrated with complementary NBA betting strategies, ensuring an optimised approach to profitability.

3. Don’t Always Back the Favourites 

Merely backing the favourite team isn't always a winning strategy in NBA betting. Despite a team's perceived strength, there are instances where they may fail to cover the point spread or secure a victory. Hence, astute bettors meticulously analyse betting odds, point spreads, and pertinent factors before placing their wagers.

For instance, envision a matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers, with the Lakers favoured to win by 6.5 points. However, if the Lakers' star player LeBron James is side-lined due to injury, the odds could shift in favour of the Trail Blazers. Betting on the underdog Trail Blazers in such a scenario might prove profitable. If they win outright or lose by 6 points or less, a bettor could earn a £190 pay-out on a £100 bet with +6.5 odds. Conversely, a Lakers victory by 7 points or more would result in a winning wager.

Moreover, betting on underdogs can be advantageous, particularly during playoffs characterised by frequent upsets. The 2021 NBA playoffs witnessed the Phoenix Suns, initially viewed as significant underdogs, progressing to the NBA Finals. This underscores how betting against favourites can yield lucrative outcomes.

In essence, successful NBA betting hinges on comprehensive evaluation of factors like injuries, matchups, and team performance, coupled with thorough analysis of betting odds and point spreads. By making informed decisions, bettors can optimise their potential pay-outs and navigate the intricacies of NBA wagering with confidence.

4. Pick Matchups based on Potential Value 

Selecting NBA games based on their potential or expected value is paramount in sports betting. For example, consider a matchup between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Indiana Pacers, with the 76ers favoured to win at odds of -150. In such a scenario, betting on the 76ers may be prudent if they hold a significant advantage due to factors like the absence of the Pacers' star player, Pascal Siakam, and the 76ers' home-court advantage.

Thorough research and data analysis play pivotal roles in making informed betting decisions and enhancing your chances of success. Utilising expert tips and strategies, such as evaluating teams' current form, load management, head-to-head records, and past performances against similar opponents, can provide valuable insights for identifying potential value in NBA sports betting. 

Maintaining discipline with your bankroll is equally crucial when selecting games based on potential or expected value. It's essential to refrain from wagering more than you can afford to lose and avoid chasing losses. Adhering to a well-defined betting strategy and exercising prudence with your bankroll management will significantly increase your odds of profiting in NBA sports betting.

When delving into NBA betting, one crucial factor to weigh is the odds offered by different sites. Maximising your potential winnings is paramount, and opting for a platform with higher odds can significantly impact your profitability.

For UK players, it's essential to consider the type of odds presented. While fractional odds are commonplace in the UK, they may differ from the US odds format. For example, fractional odds of 1/3 would translate to -333.3 in US odds. If this disparity is perplexing, prioritising NBA betting sites in the UK that utilise fractional odds may be beneficial.

To illustrate how betting odds operate, consider the scenario where the Chicago Bulls are priced at 1/2 to triumph over the Golden State Warriors. In this instance, for every £2 wagered on the Bulls, you stand to win £1. Thus, if you were to stake £10 on this bet, you will receive a total return of £15 if the Bulls emerge victorious. This exemplifies how understanding odds can inform your betting decisions and potential returns in NBA wagering.

In essence, scouring for NBA betting sites in the UK boasting competitive odds is paramount. Platforms like LeoVegas, 10Bet, 888Sport, and Fitzdares consistently offer favourable odds, providing punters with enhanced opportunities for lucrative returns. 

By selecting a site with superior odds, bettors can optimise their NBA betting experience and potentially amplify their winnings.