How to Bet on NBA

Learning how to bet on NBA games is incredibly straightforward once you understand the primary markets and how to read odds. To get started, you simply need to select a licensed sportsbook in your state and create an account, before crediting this and building your first NBA bet slip.

Is NBA Betting Legal?

NBA betting is now legal in 41 US states and jurisdictions, including Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. Missouri is the latest state to legalize NBA betting in the US, having launched with 6 licensed sportsbooks on December 1st, 2025.

Some 35 jurisdictions allow you to wager on NBA matches and outcomes online. The legal age in the vast majority of states is 21+, but there are 6 exceptions in the form of Kentucky, Montana, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Washington D.C. and Wyoming. These entities enable you to bet on the NBA aged 18 or older.

Here’s a summary of all states and jurisdictions where NBA betting is legal, alongside the availability of online and retail outlets:

• Arizona (online and retail)
• Arkansas (online and retail)
• Colorado (online and retail)
• Connecticut (online and retail)
• Delaware (online and retail)
• Florida (online and retail)
• Illinois (online and retail)
• Indiana (online and retail)
• Iowa (online and retail)
• Kansas (online and retail)
• Kentucky (online and retail)
• Louisiana (online and retail)
• Maine (online only)
• Maryland (online and retail)
• Massachusetts (online and retail)
• Michigan (online and retail)
• Mississippi (retail only)
• Missouri (online and retail)
• Montana (retail only)
• Nebraska (retail only)
• Nevada (online and retail)
• New Hampshire (online and retail)
• New Jersey (online and retail)
• New Mexico (retail only)
• New York (online and retail)
• North Carolina (online and retail)
• North Dakota (retail only)
• Ohio (online and retail)
• Oregon (online and retail)
• Pennsylvania (online and retail)
• Puerto Rico (online and retail)
• Rhode Island (online and retail)
• South Dakota (retail only)
• Tennessee (online only)
• Vermont (online only)
• Virginia (online and retail)
• Washington, D.C. (online and retail)
• Washington (online and retail)
• West Virginia (online and retail)
• Wisconsin (online and retail)
• Wyoming (online only)

In these states, you can access reputable sportsbooks that are based, licensed and regulated onshore. These operators offer far greater security and player protections than those based offshore, including the opportunity to self-exclude from gambling for a predetermined period of time.

How to Get Started: Step-by-Step

When learning how to bet on basketball and the NBA, you’ll first need to open an account with 1 of our recommended licensed sportsbooks. This process is largely unchanged from 1 operator to the next, so here’s a step-by-step guide for you to follow:

1. Choose a Legal Sportsbook

The first step is to select your preferred sportsbook and register for an account. We’ll touch on the leading NBA betting platforms below, while you can usually register using the Sign Up or Join Now button in the top right-hand corner of the lobby.

2. Create Your Account

You’ll now be transferred to a different screen, where you’ll have to enter your legal name, date of birth, state, address and Social Security number. This information will be used to initially verify your identity. At this stage, you’ll also have to secure your account with a verifiable email and password.

3. Verify Your Identity

Onshore and licensed sportsbooks require further verification of your identity, usually via official documentation such as a drivers’ license or proof of your SSN. This process will have to be completed before you’re able to withdraw funds, although you can upload the documents to your account immediately after signing up.

4. Make Your First Deposit

After registering, you can make your first deposit. This must be equal to or above the site’s minimum (usually $10 or less) and made using an accepted payment method. If you opt into a site’s welcome bonus, you’ll also have to respect the minimum deposit limit laid out in the terms and conditions. Some bonus T&Cs also make specific payment methods ineligible, including ewallets and Apple Pay.

5. Find NBA Games

Next, you’ll need to find NBA games and markets. These can usually be accessed via a vertical menu on the left-hand side of the lobby, under the Basketball tab. Odds are typically displayed in the American format, with favorites denoted by a – sign and underdogs carrying a + icon. When analyzing odds, be sure to compare pricing across several licensed sportsbooks.

6. Place Your First NBA Bet

Now, you can identify the best value odds and click on your preferred betting lines. These will automatically populate the bet slip in the bottom right-hand corner, and you can structure your picks into singles, multiples or same-game parlays as desired. Then, confirm your selections and set a stake amount before hitting Place Bets.

NBA Betting Explained: The Basics

When browsing the available NBA bets online, you should note that some are more popular and easier to understand than others. The 3 most common wager types are moneylines, point spreads and totals, each of which are characterized by different value propositions and levels of risk.

NBA Moneyline Betting

An NBA moneyline bet allows you to pick the winner of a single NBA match. This is particularly popular as the NBA unlocks 2-way moneylines, with the draw eliminated as a potential outcome. This increases your chances of winning incrementally when compared with 3-way moneylines.

Moneylines can unlock a significant variety of odds, including both heavy betting favorites and distant underdogs. For example, if the Celtics are priced at -1150 to beat the Mavericks, these odds imply a 92.0% probability of a win for Boston. However, a winning $100 bet would yield a nominal profit of just $8.70.

Conversely, the Mavericks are priced at +730 and have just a 12.0% win probability. However, you’d bank $730.00 if you successfully stake $100.

By comparing lines and analyzing relevant form and data sets, you may be able to identify outcomes where the actual probability is higher than the odds imply. This is a so-called value bet and may unlock sizable returns. Matches where the cumulative implied probability is lower than or close to 100.0% may also be indicative of higher value or a low margin.

NBA Point Spread Betting

Point spreads represent the most popular type of NBA bet. They effectively allow you to wager on the winning margin in a particular match, and most commonly involve applying a virtual handicap to a heavy betting favorite.

Using the same example of the clash between the Celtics and the Mavericks, you can back the former with a hefty spread of -14.5 points. This unlocks adjusted odds of -115, which imply a 53.5% win probability and deliver a profit of $86.96 when you stake $100. Remember, Boston must beat the spread and win by 15 points or more if you’re to profit.

Interestingly, you can also apply a +14.5-point spread to the Mavericks, which creates a much shorter price of -105. These odds carry an implied probability of 51.2% and cover a larger number of potential outcomes, but a $100 stake yields just $95.24 in profit.

In terms of strategy, commit to line shopping as this will reveal the most competitive spreads and sportsbooks that charge the lowest commission. You should also consider favoring home underdogs in some instances, as they’ve been historically profitable and account for the fact that 53.9% of NBA games have been won by home sides since 2023/24.

NBA Totals (Over/Under) Betting

NBA totals betting is focused on the combined score in a particular match. Sportsbooks will set a consensus line based on analysis of the 2 competing sides (such as 224.5), and you’ll have to bet on whether the actual total will be over or under this threshold.

Most NBA totals range between 215 and 230 points, depending on factors such as defensive and offensive strength, injury news and recent form. Both sides of a consensus line may be priced at -110, although odds can range between -105 and -115 on average.

Sites like BetMGM also offer alternate lines that create value for both casual and high-stakes bettors.

As an example, the average consensus line is 227.5 in the NBA match between the Knicks and the Lakers. However, these teams have scored 233.3 points-per-game combined this season, while the Lakers are averaging 117.9 points at home. So, you may be inclined to bet over in this instance.

NBA Bet Types Comparison

Bet Type	Complexity	Best For
Moneyline	⭐ Very Easy	Complete beginners, betting on underdogs
Point Spread	⭐⭐ Easy	Most popular bet type, balanced matchups
Totals (Over/Under)	⭐⭐ Easy	When you predict scoring pace, not the winner
Player Props	⭐⭐⭐ Moderate	Following specific players, using matchup data
Parlays	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Difficult	Experienced bettors, entertainment (risky)
Futures	⭐⭐ Easy	Season-long investment, betting on champions/MVP
Live Betting	⭐⭐⭐⭐ Difficult	Watching games live, quick decision-making

Advanced NBA Bet Types

When exploring potential NBA betting tips, it’s also important to consider alternative markets and wager types. This includes more advanced options, such as player and team props, parlays and futures.

NBA Player Props

Player props are focused on individual performance metrics, which don’t have a direct impact on the final result. In the NBA, offensive statistics are the most widely bet on, including the number of points, assists and rebounds registered during a particular game.

For example, Lakers star Luka Dončić can be backed at -330 to score over 25 points against the Knicks. These odds imply 76.7% probability of success, while they’re partially based on the fact that the Serbian has averaged 32.5 PPG in 51 appearances during the 2025/26 campaign.

A higher risk approach is to bet on Dončić scoring over 30 points against the Knicks at the Crypto.com Arena. This is priced at around -122, reducing the win probability to 55.0% but unlocking a potentially higher payout.

Analyzing player form and performance statistics is key here, while you’ll need to be aware of the latest injury news. Review team schedules too, as even high profile players are at risk of being rotated as part of load management strategies.

NBA Team Props

This market lets you wager on collective performance statistics, such as team totals. You can bet on home and away team totals across each quarter and half too, or build parlays including half and full-time outcomes.

First half betting can be particularly profitable in the NBA. Some teams tend to perform better or score more prolifically during the first half, while others may start slowly before improving as the match wears on.

For example, the San Antonio Spurs are the 3rd highest first half scorers this season, averaging 61.3 points in the opening 24 minutes. However, they average 118.1 PPG overall and rank 6th according to this metric, so they’re slightly more threatening during the opening period.

Scheduling also impacts first half betting, especially after long road trips or back-to-back games. Overall, the mean margin of victory for teams playing back-to-back is 2 points lower, creating potentially tighter spreads and better value when backing underdogs. In 2025/26, franchises averaged 14.9 back-to-back matches.

Building Winning NBA Parlays

A traditional NBA parlay lets you combine multiple bets in a single wager. These include picks from different matches, while the odds of each selection are multiplied to create a single, enhanced price. However, each leg must prevail for the bet to pay out, and the win probability will decrease with every additional selection.

Traditional parlays are synonymous with increased risk and potentially higher returns, as there’s no correlation between your picks. However, you can also construct same-game parlays (SGPs), which include markets from a single match that share some level of correlation.

This increases your chances of winning, although sportsbooks factor correlation into their odds. Here’s a direct comparison of SGPs and traditional parlays and how they work:

SGP vs Traditional Parlay Comparison (FanDuel)

Parlay Type	Odds & Probability	$100 Stake Payout
Same-Game Parlay – Cavaliers vs 76ers (3 correlated legs: spread, total, team total)	+469 odds, 17.6% implied probability	Total $569.00 ($469.00 profit)
Traditional Parlay – 3 independent games (Jazz, Clippers, Thunder spreads)	+608 odds, 14.1% implied probability	Total $708.00 ($608.00 profit)

In this example, our SGP includes positively correlated outcomes, which unlocks a higher implied probability value. This is a key consideration, as negatively correlated lines often cancel each other out and undermine your chances of winning.

Across both SGPs and traditional parlays, it’s important to prioritize relatively short price outcomes that are statistically likely to occur. Also, aim to construct wagers with between 2 and 4 legs, with a typical 3-pick parlay unlocking true odds of +700 and a win probability of 12.5%.

NBA Futures Betting

There are numerous NBA futures markets, including the outright winner of the finals and the league’s most valuable player. You can also wager on the winner of each individual conference and which teams will reach the playoffs. At books such as FanDuel, you can even bet the over/under on how many regular season games a team will win.

Betting early and during the preseason tends to unlock the most competitive futures odds. This is due to the large number of competing franchises and potential winners. Proactive wagering is particularly recommended when backing NBA finals favorites, as these teams will usually see their odds shorten during the season.

For example, the Thunder were priced at around +240 to retain their crown at the beginning of the 2025/26 season. These were the shortest futures odds of a franchise since the Warriors in 2018/19, while the sides’ price has since dropped to +135. These odds imply a 42.6% win probability, which is noticeably high for this particular market.

In some cases, you could also distribute your stake between 2 or more potential futures winners. This can maximize your chances of winning and guarantee at least a nominal payout if 1 of your picks wins. We’d also recommend that you use the Kelly Criterion formula to set optimal stake amounts in this instance.

NBA Betting Strategy Guide

To identify the best value markets and leverage these successfully, you’ll need to deploy 1 or more NBA betting strategies. Here are some essential strategies that can help you to get started:

• Engage in Line Shopping: Line shopping across 3 or more sportsbooks can boost your potential returns by between 2% and 3% on average, especially when you target market leading sites like FanDuel, BetMGM and DraftKings. Also, look out for NBA odds or profit boosts that can unlock even greater value.
• Target One Wager Type to Master: As a beginner, it’s better to target a single market and wager type before diversifying over time. Moneylines are the easiest bet types to understand, while point spreads can help to create greater flexibility when backing both favorites and underdogs (in line with your risk appetite).
• Track your Betting History: We’d also recommend that you track your bets, either via your sportsbook account or an external spreadsheet. Pay particular attention to your win rate and overall ROI, while trying to identify your best value wagers. Also, check to see how your picks perform against the spread on average.
• The Importance of Bankroll Management: Your bankroll should never exceed an amount that you can afford to lose. It should also cover a finite period of time (such as a single NBA gameweek), so it’s important to set a starting unit bet that’s between 1% and 2% of your total bankroll. Use deposit limits to manage this effectively too.

What’s the Best NBA Betting Strategy?

The precise NBA strategy that you use will depend on your experience and appetite for risk. Remember, there’s no single best or optimal strategy, so you may need to experiment with different wager types and analytical tools.

• For Beginners: As we’ve touched on, you should target a single betting market when starting out as a beginner. For example, you could place low-stake moneyline bets on home underdogs, based on careful analysis of the competing teams. Or, consider betting larger amounts on moneyline favorites, in a bid to secure incremental returns.
• For Intermediate Bettors: As an intermediate, consider backing home underdogs against the spread (ATS). In 2025/26, home dogs have a 51.9% record ATS, while hosts have a 53.9% win record overall. Home and away form analysis is key here, while you should also factor in injuries and load management strategies.
• For Advanced Bettors: Most licensed books publish a huge selection of NBA player props, including points, assists, rebounds and even steals. Advanced bettors can target these markets using comprehensive matchup data and statistical averages, while noting that FanDuel tends to offer superior player prop odds overall.

Key Factors to Consider

When building your NBA betting strategies, there are a number of alternative factors that you’ll need to consider. These include:

• The Importance of Rest and Scheduling: As we’ve touched on, there were 14.9 back-to-back sets contested last season, while this has fallen further to 14.4 in 2025/26. However, teams engaging in back-to-back encounters typically score less prolifically and lose 57% ATS.
• Home Court Advantage: While host teams now win 53.9% of all NBA matches, the league’s average home court advantage has declined from 58% in 2012. This should be factored into all moneylines and spreads, alongside the relevant home and away form of competing teams.
• Injuries and Lineup Changes: The NBA schedule is packed, with each team playing 82 matches during the regular season alone. As a result, teams often rest and rotate players as part of careful load management strategies, particularly those with superior or larger rosters. Injuries should also be factored into your selections.
• Pace Matchups: In the NBA, pace is measured by counting the number of possessions that occur during a 48-minute game. More possessions translates into a faster pace, so franchises with the highest ranking are more likely to control matchups. However, this doesn’t always translate into offensive efficiency or prolific scoring, so it should be measured against alternative performance metrics.

NBA Betting Tips for Beginners

If you’re completely new to NBA betting, there are also some universally applicable tips that can help you to maximize your bankroll and minimize the risk of loss. Here’s a summary of the most beneficial NBA betting tips:

1. Start Small and With a Single Sportsbook: You’ll need to start with a nominal unit bet that minimizes your risk of loss (such as $5). Also, master a single sportsbook’s interface before you open multiple accounts, although you can still line shop across several different sites. As a new bettor, select a small number of NBA games to bet on and prioritize quality over quantity.
2. Follow One Team Closely: It’s also important that you become an expert on specific teams and betting markets. This makes it easier to familiarize yourself with particular rosters and key performers and identify the best value lines quickly. It can also help you to track injury updates and team news in real-time. You can then branch out into additional teams and markets over time.
3. Watch the Games That you Bet On: We’d recommend that you watch the games that you wager on too, especially when engaging in live betting. This allows you to understand the ebb and flow of NBA games, alongside concepts such as pace and the speed of gameplay. This also makes it easier to time your live bets efficiently.
4. Don’t Chase Losses: One of the main benefits of structured and disciplined bankroll management is that it prevents you from chasing losses. This betting practice causes you to wager based on emotion rather than data or insight, and has the potential to quickly exhaust your daily, weekly or monthly bankroll. Wagering blindly on your favorite team is another example of emotive betting.
5. Compare Odds: Not only does consistent line shopping boost your potential returns by between 2% and 3%, but individual markets can vary by up to 10% in some instances. Comparing odds as part of your NBA betting strategy allows you to leverage price boosts to your advantage too. Familiarize yourself with the American odds format, including the role of + and – signs and what each 3-digit number means.

Best Sportsbooks for NBA Betting

Our top 3 sites for NBA betting are FanDuel, BetMGM and DraftKings. Below, we’ll summarize what sets these sportsbooks apart and how they add value to the online betting experience.

FanDuel

FanDuel is the best NBA sportsbook for beginners and casual bettors. This has 1 of the best-rated iOS apps with an aggregated score of 4.8/5 from over 2 million reviews. These reviews praise the FanDuel app’s user-friendly interface and clean bet slip design, along with the seamless nature of its SGP+ feature. FanDuel also enjoys an official data partnership with the NBA, enabling the brand to offer 300+ betting markets per game and highly competitive player prop odds.

BetMGM

BetMGM is also an official partner of the NBA and is home to the most diverse selection of player props and combinations. You can access multiple alternate spreads per single NBA game too, while choosing from 400+ individual betting lines in total. BetMGM is therefore highly recommended to more experienced bettors and fans of parlays.

DraftKings

Across all prop types and markets, DraftKings offers the most competitive odds. Its Flash SGP feature is also highly innovative, enabling you to construct same-game parlays in-play. This site is home to a number of NBA-specific bonuses too, including a bonus bet for SGPs and SGPx wagers. A 100% All Purpose Profit Boost can be applied to qualifying NBA bets with cumulative odds of -200 or longer. Overall, DK publishes the largest number of combined NBA players and game props, with 800+ available per average game.

FAQs

What is the easiest way to bet on NBA games?

In terms of how to bet on NBA games, moneylines are the most straightforward and easiest to understand wager types. This market allows you to bet on the victor in a particular match, without taking into account the spread, winning margin or number of points scored. Point spreads are a little more complex but unlock higher implied probability values.

How much money do I need to start betting on the NBA?

Typically, the best NBA betting sites allow you to stake as little as $5 per wager. However, Caesars and Fanatics both permit you to stake as little as $1 per bet. As a beginner, you should adopt a nominal unit bet of no more than $5, while your total bankroll shouldn’t exceed $200 during a particular gameweek or timeframe.

Can I bet on NBA games from my phone?

Yes, you can! All major and licensed NBA sportsbooks have developed native apps on iOS and Android, enabling you to bet on the move via your smartphone. Over 50% of all legal NBA bets are placed using a mobile phone, while a higher proportion of in-play wagers are confirmed via smartphone.

What does -110 mean in NBA betting?

Usually, point spreads and totals lines are priced between -105 and -120. However, the standard odds for such betting lines are -110, which can be used to calculate the margin or juice charged by a sportsbook. For context, if both sides of a betting line are priced at -110, the cumulative implied probability value is 104.76%. This translates into a sportsbook hold or margin of 4.76%.

Are NBA parlays worth it?

NBA parlays unlock higher risk but the potential for more sizable returns, whether you place traditional parlays or SGPs. The challenge here is making informed and data-driven selections, which includes identifying positively-correlated lines during the same game. Overall, we’d recommend that you start with single moneylines and spreads before advancing onto parlay selections.

How do I know if NBA betting is legal in my state?

To determine the legality of sports and NBA betting in your state, you can refer to the list featured earlier in the guide. Currently, NBA betting is lawful in 41 US states and jurisdictions, including Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. It’s important to determine state legality, as licensed sportsbooks use geolocation technology to verify your location when you register and place bets.

What’s the difference between spread and moneyline betting?

Point spread betting is focused on the margin of victory in an NBA game, whether you back a betting favorite with a negative spread or pick an underdog with a positive spread. Conversely, moneyline betting simply involves picking the outright winner of a match and unlocks a more diverse range of odds in the process.