Basketball is an exciting sport to bet on. There are often major swings in momentum and the game can come down to the final few minutes, especially when betting the spread. Even a game that is ten points apart with two minutes left could be very exciting to someone who has money on the spread. An online sportsbook account allows you to place basketball bets easily and securely from your computer or mobile phone, making it the most popular and convenient way to bet on basketball games.

Whether you’re betting on the NBA regular season, the NCAA Tournament, or anything in between, this page covers it all – the best sportsbooks, detailed breakdowns of every major bet type with real examples, a beginner’s guide to getting started, and tips to help you pick more winners.

Best Sportsbooks for Betting On Basketball

• 1 50% up to $250
  • Built for American bettors
  • Wide variety of competitive betting lines
  • Easy to navigate betting platform
  • Long history as a trusted sportsbook
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• 2 50% up to $250 in Free Bets
  • Accepts players worldwide, but focused on North America
  • Competitive and early betting lines
  • Fast & easy crypto deposits and withdrawals
  • Easy to clear sign up bonuses.
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• 3 100% up to $1000
  • Accepts players worldwide (including US)
  • Frequently offers value-added contests and promotions
  • Wide variety of betting lines and props
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How To Bet On Basketball Online

Betting on basketball is extremely easy and if you follow the three steps listed below you will be placing wagers in no time.

1. Open an Online Sportsbook Account – The three sportsbooks listed above are our top recommended basketball betting sites for your location. We suggest you visit one of those sites and set up an account. For the purposes of this guide we recommend BetOnline.ag, which offers competitive odds on every NBA and college basketball game. Opening a new account just takes a minute and you will only have to provide basic info such as your name and email address.
2. Make a Deposit – Head over to the cashier section of the sportsbook and follow the deposit instructions. Credit card deposits are generally the most popular, but you can deposit via a wide variety of methods including cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin), e-wallets, bank transfers, and more. Be sure to check for any available promo codes to take advantage of the sign up bonus.
3. Place Your Basketball Bets – Select ‘Sports’ from the top navigation bar, open the ‘Basketball’ drop down menu and select the league you want to bet on (NBA, NCAA, etc.). Choose the bet you want to make, enter your risk amount on the Bet Slip, and click ‘Place Bet’ to lock in your wager.

Types of Basketball Bets

There are many options when it comes to betting on basketball online. Below we’ll walk through each of the most popular bet types with detailed examples.

Point Spread

The point spread bet is the most common and most exciting type of basketball wager because it puts both teams on an even playing field. The oddsmaker sets a spread, and the favorite must win the game by more than the spread amount for a bet on them to win (cover the spread), while the underdog must either win the game outright or lose by fewer points than the spread (beat the spread).

Here’s an example:

• Philadelphia 76ers +5 (-110)
• Boston Celtics -5 (-110)

In this example the Celtics are 5 point favorites as indicated by the (-5). The Celtics must win the game by 6 or more points for a point spread bet on the Celtics to pay out. On the flip side, the 76ers are 5 point underdogs – if they win the game outright or lose by 4 or fewer points, then the 76ers +5 point spread bet is a winner. If the Celtics win by exactly 5 points then the bet is considered a “push” and all wagers are refunded.

Money Line (To Win)

The money line bet is simply wagering on which team will win the game straight up. The sportsbook sets odds for each team depending on their perceived chance of winning. The American odds format indicates how much you need to bet on the favorite (-) to win $100, or how much you would win by betting $100 on the underdog (+).

Continuing with the 76ers vs Celtics example:

• Philadelphia 76ers +182
• Boston Celtics -212

The Celtics are about 2 to 1 favorites over the 76ers. Based on the odds you would have to risk $212 to win $100 betting on the Celtics. The 76ers are the underdogs – you would win $182 for every $100 you bet on Philadelphia if they pulled out the upset.

Total (Over/Under)

Over/under betting, also known as totals betting, involves wagering on how many total points will be scored in a game by both teams combined. The bookmaker sets a total and you can wager on whether there will be more (over) or fewer (under) points scored.

Here is the over/under for the 76ers vs Celtics game:

• Over 210.5 (-115)
• Under 210.5 (-105)

A bet on the over would win if 211 or more points are scored in the game, while a bet on the under would win if 210 or fewer points are scored. Notice the odds are slightly different on each side (-115 vs -105) – this tells you the sportsbook considers the over slightly more likely to hit than the under. The half-point on the total eliminates the possibility of a push.

Here’s an example screenshot of the odds for a Bulls vs Heat game from BetOnline.ag showing the spread, money line, and totals:

Parlays

On a typical NBA night there are 6 to 8 games on the schedule, which makes basketball one of the best sports for building parlays. You can string together moneyline favorites across multiple games, mix in spreads and totals, or go the player prop route and build a parlay around individual player performances. Player prop parlays – picking two or three players to each go over their points total, for example – have exploded in popularity and are now one of the most common ways people bet on the NBA.

The catch with any parlay is that every leg must win. A four-team parlay where three legs cash and one misses still loses the entire bet. But the payouts reflect that risk, which is why parlays remain one of the most popular bet types in basketball.

Prop Bets

Prop bets are any wager that isn’t directly tied to the final outcome of the game. Player props are the most popular type in basketball and include bets on individual player statistics such as total points, rebounds, assists, three-pointers made, and more. Game props include things like which team scores first, first half winner, largest lead, and whether the game goes to overtime. Player props have become a huge part of NBA betting, especially with the rise of same game parlays.

Futures

Futures bets allow you to wager on outcomes that span a full season or tournament. The most common basketball futures include which team will win the NBA Championship, conference winners, division winners, regular season win totals, and individual awards like MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year. For college basketball, you can bet on which team will win the NCAA Tournament (March Madness) as well as conference tournament winners. Futures odds are available year-round and adjust based on team performance throughout the season.

Live Betting (In-Play)

A team goes on a 15-0 run and suddenly the live spread has swung 8 points from where it opened. That kind of momentum shift happens multiple times per NBA game, which is exactly why basketball is one of the best sports for live betting. You can bet on adjusted spreads, moneylines, and totals that shift with every basket, as well as live props like the next team to score or whether the current quarter total goes over or under. The fast pace and high scoring mean the odds are constantly moving, and if you’re watching the game you can spot value that the algorithms take a few possessions to catch up to.

Basketball Betting Odds

Typically you will see the American odds format when betting on basketball. We’ve used several NBA examples above, so let’s look at a college basketball example to show how the same format applies:

Michigan -5 (-110)
Ohio State +5 (-110)

In this example Michigan are 5 point favorites over the Ohio State Buckeyes. For a spread bet on Michigan to win they must win the game by 6 or more points and vice versa with Ohio State. The (-110) indicates that you must bet $110 in order to win $100 betting on either outcome. If Michigan wins by exactly 5 the bet is a push and wagers are refunded.

Basketball Betting Tips

Basketball rewards bettors who pay attention to matchups, momentum, and scheduling. Here are some tips to give you an edge.

• Home vs Away Games – Where the game is being played matters quite a bit in basketball. The fans play a role in the game and it’s important to keep in mind whether a team is at home or away before placing a bet. Home court advantage is particularly significant in the NBA playoffs.
• Streaks – Basketball tends to be more of a streaky sport than most others. When a team is firing on all cylinders they feel like they can’t lose, and when things aren’t going their way it feels like they can’t hit a shot. You should factor current streaks into your basketball betting strategy.
• Be Patient – Keep your eye out for sharp bets, but don’t feel like you have to bet on every basketball game taking place on a given night. Betting on every game is a recipe for loss. With 82 games in the NBA regular season per team, there are plenty of opportunities to be selective.
• Compare Lines – This tip appears on nearly every page here at BetOnIt.org because it is that important. You should try to find the best line for the outcome you are choosing in order to have the best win rate and biggest return. This is one of the main reasons we recommend opening accounts at multiple sportsbooks.

Specific Basketball Betting Pages

• Bet On NBA
• Bet On College Basketball

Recent Basketball Articles

Basketball Betting FAQ

Is it legal to bet on basketball online in the United States?

Yes, and the NBA is one of the most heavily wagered leagues in every state that has legalized sports betting. If your state doesn’t have a regulated sportsbook, offshore sites licensed outside the US are another option. Our USA sports betting page covers what’s available in each state.

What is the best sportsbook for betting on NBA games?

BetOnline.ag is our top rated sportsbook for basketball betting. They offer competitive odds on every NBA and college basketball game, a wide variety of player props and futures markets, and accept players from all 50 states.

What does -5 mean in basketball betting?

A spread of -5 means that team is a 5-point favorite and must win the game by 6 or more points for a spread bet on them to pay out. If they win by exactly 5 points, the bet is a push and wagers are refunded. If they win by 4 or fewer points, or lose the game, then a bet on the underdog (+5) wins.

Can I bet on March Madness online?

Yes, all of our recommended sportsbooks offer a full range of betting options for the NCAA Tournament including point spreads, moneylines, totals, props, and futures. March Madness is one of the most heavily bet sporting events in the United States. Check out our college basketball betting page for more details on wagering on the NCAA.

What is a same game parlay in basketball?

Same game parlays are huge in the NBA. The most popular approach is stacking player stats – for example, picking Jayson Tatum to score over 28.5 points, grab over 7.5 rebounds, and dish over 4.5 assists, all on one ticket. You can also mix player props with game outcomes, like combining the Celtics moneyline with a player over on points and the game total going over 220. Every leg has to hit, but the payouts can be significant.

What is the most popular type of basketball bet?

Point spread betting is the most popular type of basketball wager. The spread puts both teams on an even playing field, which makes betting on either side appealing. Player props and parlays have also grown significantly in popularity in recent years, especially among younger bettors using mobile apps.

Can I bet on basketball games while they are in progress?

Yes, live betting allows you to place wagers on basketball games while they are being played. The odds update in real time based on the score, time remaining, and momentum. Basketball is one of the best sports for live betting because the fast pace and frequent scoring create constant odds movement and value opportunities throughout the game.