NBA Online Betting: Learn How To Bet NBA Lines
Our NBA online betting guide has the best tips, comprehensive resources, and expert picks — so you can have the knowledge and tools to make confident betting choices.
You’ll learn how to bet on the NBA at the best online sportsbooks. We’ve got everything you need to conquer the world of NBA betting. Let’s dive in!
Expert NBA Picks
See All NBA PicksBenefit from a winning edge in NBA betting. If you want to know who to bet on in the NBA, our mix of expert and AI-generated picks and predictions is your go-to guide. Our team of basketball enthusiasts watch each game to provide a ton of valuable insights, while our AI-generated NBA picks analyze a multitude of factors.
Picks include home/away records, points per game, defensive aspects, and many more stats. Look for The Sports Geek’s prime NBA picks every day of the regular season and postseason to help you select your winning bets
How To Bet On The NBA
You could be betting on NBA match-ups in minutes. To do so, you’ll need to choose a site from our recommended online sportsbooks, head over there, and sign up for a free account. You’ll then be able to make your first deposit, claim a bonus, and place your first NBA bets. It’s as easy as that!
There are a wide variety of NBA bets available at top sportsbooks. If you need a rundown, here are the most common lines you’ll see:
NOTE:
With American odds, the favorite to win the game will always have a negative sign. The underdog will be displayed with a positive sign.
NBA Moneyline Bets
NBA moneyline betting is one of the simplest NBA bets you can make, as it’s a straight bet on the outcome of the game.
Moneyline Example:
You might see this at Everygame:
- Los Angeles Lakers: -130 ($130 bet to win $100)
- New Orleans Pelicans: +110 ($100 bet to win $110)
Spread Betting in the NBA
Point spread betting is betting on a certain amount of points a team has to win or lose by.
Spread Bet Example:
An example from BetNow:
- Los Angeles Lakers: -4.5 (Lakers must win by 5 points or more)
- New Orleans Pelicans: +4.5 (Pelicans can lose by less than 4 points or win outright)
NBA Totals (Over/Under)
Betting on totals for the NBA is also known as betting on the over/under. The sportsbook will set a value for the total number of points in a game, and you bet whether the actual total will be over or under that number.
Over/Under Example:
An example from BetOnline:
- O (for Over) 231.5 (-107): a $107 bet wins $100 if the total point amount is 232 or more
- U (for Under) 231.5 (-113): a $113 bet wins $100 if the total point amount is 231 or less
NBA Parlay Betting
Parlay betting is when you combine two or more bets into one larger wager. Generally, the odds will be worse for you, but the payouts will be bigger.
Parlay Example:
In their next game, at Sportsbetting.ag:
- Los Angeles Lakers (-125) vs. Houston Rockets
- New Orleans Pelicans (+180) vs. Milwaukee Bucks
If you bet on the Lakers and Pelicans, the combined odds are +404. This means you win $404 on a $100 bet.
NBA Prop Bets & Player Props
NBA prop betting is when you wager on factors beyond the outcome of the game. You can bet on player props and team props, as well as in-game events such as the winner of the coin flip.
Prop Example:
A sample of prop bets at MyBookie:
- LeBron James Over (+112)/Under (-145)
- Will the Lakers make their first shot attempt (-109 for Yes, -122 for No)
- Will there be overtime (-10000 for No, +1031 for Yes)
NBA Futures Bets
Betting on futures in the NBA is wagering on a future outcome. You can usually bet on these NBA odds all year round.
Futures Example:
The most popular NBA future is betting on who will win the championship next year. Sites like BetUS have championship futures available all year. Each betting site will have different odds, so it’s important to understand their calculations.
You can use our betting odds calculator to work out your potential payout, as well as the implied probability of it paying off.
Guide To Live Basketball Betting
Live betting on the NBA is to wager on ever-changing odds during a game. For example, in a Pelicans/Lakers game, the Lakers may start out at -4.5 favorites. If they get a hot start with a 15-point lead at the end of the 1st quarter, then you might see the odds jump up to -9.5 or higher.
You could decide to wager on the new odds, especially if you bet on the Pelicans. This is called hedging your bets, when you have money on both sides in order to come out even or on top.
Bovada Best Sportsbook For NBA Live Betting
Bovada is the best sportsbook for live NBA betting. You can find the Live Betting tab in the top-left part of the screen with an icon that looks like a satellite tower. Your bets will go straight to your bet slip in the lower right-hand part of the screen.
Sports Welcome Bonus: 100% up to $1,000 with BV1000
Crypto Welcome Bonus: 75% up to $750
Simple live bets interface
In-play bets work well on mobile
Extensive NBA prop builder
How To Live Bet NBA Games
If you’re going to live bet NBA games at a site like Bovada, these are the steps you’ll take:
Go to the Sports tab at the top of the page.
Click the Live tab, which looks like a satellite tower.
Select the game you’d like to bet on.
Select a bet from the spread, moneyline, or total betting options.
Double-check your bet slip, and place your bets!
Best NBA Betting Site For Beginners
The best beginner betting site for the NBA is BetUS. The site has a clean interface that is easy to navigate (go to the Sportsbook tab and the NBA odds are listed under Basketball on the left). They also have a ton of helpful resources.
BetUS TV has daily NBA picks and analysis on its YouTube channel. Their Locker Room blog features daily picks on everything from player props to road-underdog analysis.
BetUS
Betting On The NBA Online
Betting on the NBA at trusted sportsbooks is a lot of fun. If you’re a beginner, focus on learning the most basic kinds of bets like moneylines, futures and spread betting, and take it from there. Sportsbooks like BetUS have plenty of excellent free content, including picks and analysis to help inform your bets. You can also find free NBA picks right here at The Sports Geek!
When you’re more comfortable with how the odds work, you can try out live NBA betting at a site like Bovada. Stick to your betting strategy, stay calm, and research every bet you make.
