How to bet on basketball in December 2024
We will show you, step-by-step, how to bet on basketball. Reading this guide, you will learn what wagering sites are available. How easy is it to deposit funds, understand the basic terms, and most importantly, how to squeeze additional fun out of your favorite sports.
Learn basic terms
To learn how to bet on NBA games, you will need to learn some of the terms that you can find on the platforms. That way, you can make educated decisions, knowing how much you are wagering and what the outcome can be. You need to understand what the odds of a sports event mean. New sports gamblers usually try straightforward options like moneyline, point spread, or total over/under. These are easier-to-understand betting types, so they are ideal for first-timers. So, let’s first see what the odds are.
How to read NBA betting odds?
The betting odds show the probability of an outcome. By checking the odds, you can see what the outcome can be based on the deposit made. In the USA, sites use the so-called American Odds, which show a positive or negative number like +150 or -200. Some types of wagers will have additional numbers that we will later explain.
Positive odds
The positive odds, indicated by the plus sign in front of the number, show how much a person can get if they bet 100. If you see +150, that means if the outcome of the game is guessed correctly, a bet of 100 will return 150 additional units.
Profit = (Odds/100)×Bet AmountTotal Payout = Bet Amount+(Odds/100)×Bet AmountNegative odds
In the case of a negative bet, the odds tell you how much you need to bet to return a 100. In this example, we take -200 and a bet of 100. If the outcome is achieved, such a bet will return 50 additional units. Take into consideration that the minus sign in front of the NBA odds is not taken during the calculation.
Profit = (100/Odds)×Bet AmountTotal Payout = Bet Amount+(100/Odds)xBet AmountBeginner’s betting types
For everybody who is new to sports gambling, all the options and combinations could sound too confusing. This is why we want to show you the easiest-to-understand betting types that are ideal for every novice or sports fan that would like to have some additional fun.
Moneyline: betting on which team will win the game
The moneyline bet is the newbie’s favorite choice because it is just about picking who will win the basketball event. You can see a particular sports event between two teams, in which one will be the favorite and have negative odds, and the other will be the underdog, with positive odds.
The Moneyline odds have no additional component and obey directly the rules that we explain in the paragraph above.
Example: Milwaukee -192Memphis +165The favorite is Milwaukee, and Memphis is the underdog. A bet of 192 units on Milwaukee to win will return 100 additional units, and 100 units on Memphis will return 165 additional units to the initial 100.
Point Spread: betting on a team to win by a certain margin
The Point spread wager in the NBA focuses on the margin of victory and not simply on the winning team. The favored team must cover the spread in order for the wager to win. When choosing to gamble on the favorite, it must win with points that the spread indicates. If you choose the underdog, it should either win the game or lose with fewer points than the spread.
Point spreads are a bit more complicated than simply predicting the NBA moneylines, but now you should be able to understand how they work.
Example: Milwaukee (-4.5) -111Memphis (+4.5) -111Milwaukee is the one with a higher chance to win in this example. The first number indicates the spread. The team must win by more than 4.5 points for a bet to win.
Memphis is the underdog, so it must either win or lose with fewer than 4.5 points.
The second part shows the NBA odds, so you can use the previously mentioned formula for negative odds.
Totals (Over/Under): betting on the combined score of both teams being over or under a specified number
Total points (Over/Under) is a bet on the total combined points of both teams that they scored. A person might prefer this type of wager if they know more about the particular game, like teams’ strategy, rivalry, and injured players.
Example: Milwaukee vs Memphis 224.5 (Over -110/ Under -120)In case the bet is OVER, and the total points are over 224.5, then the -110 will be used to calculate negative odds. If we choose an UNDER gambling option and the total points in the game are under 224.5, then the -120 will be used to calculate the return.
Other betting types
Over time, people often feel like trying new things. The same applies to online wagering. There are many new types of wagers that can bring additional adrenaline to the table. Some will combine various single bets into one combined one with a higher potential payout but a higher chance of failure. Others will let you gamble on things that are highly unpredictable, like the prop bets. These are the most common that you will see on sports betting apps:
- Parlays. The NBA parlays are a combination of multiple wagers that are connected into one. To win, all of the individual wagers must win. It is a high-risk bet with a higher payout in comparison to the individual bets if taken as single bets.
- Player props. These are predictions on a particular player’s performance, like total points scored, assistants, and more. These have become a big controversy in the last few years after some players have been caught manipulating their results to benefit themselves.
- Team props. The focus is on the whole team’s performance, like points scored, halftime points, and more.
- Futures. Future wagers are predictions about who will win the NBA Championship or who will be the MVP (most valuable player). These NBA odds will change over the season.
- Live betting. Many sportsbooks offer in-play betting, which allows people to wager on a game as it unfolds. The odds change all the time as the match progresses.
- Quarter/Half bets. You can use the bets mentioned above but focus only on a quarter or half of the game.
- Alternate spread and totals. Some betting sites can offer alternative lines with different odds.
Here you have it. The basics of basketball betting explained! Now you check the National Basketball Association’s season, find your favorite team, and check events that are worth your attention.
Research teams and games
By now, you already know how to bet on NBA games online. Now, it is time to do your research. Check out a team that you like or a rivalry that could be popular in your area. There are many derbies that you can choose from. Some of the more popular are:
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers
- Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
- Chicago Bulls vs. Detroit Pistons
- New York Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets
- Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics
First-timers usually focus on events that really interest them. They often are fans of a particular team and have some idea about the exact basketball games that most interest them during the NBA season. These people think about teams’ recent performances, injuries, weather conditions, and any other factors that might impact the game.
Others, who are more unsure, might choose a clear favorite vs. an underdog that will give them a better chance to predict correctly, even though the return could be small.
You can check out the official NBA site (nba.com) to see the schedule and find some interesting upcoming events.
Research and choose a betting platform
Of course, first, you will need to find a trustworthy legal betting platform. Luckily, by now, there are plenty of good choices. You can find licensed providers with top-notch security and excellent experience all around. You can check the site’s license and make sure you are on a legal site by contacting the local governmental organization responsible for supervising the industry.
The platforms don’t operate in all of the states, but for your convenience, they will stop you from accessing their portals if you are connecting from a state where they don’t have a license yet. So, there is no worry for you that you will play on a site where you don’t have a right to play.
After covering the basis, what is truly important when choosing one are welcome bonuses, additional promotions, low deposit minimum, and a banking method that you are already using. That’s it! These are the few things that you should review.
For long-time users, the most important is to find the best odds by comparing the different platforms and using promotions to boost the results.
In this NBA betting guide, we have gathered you the best at the moment. After you read the whole article, you can get back and check them out. We review sports betting sites, and we often upload new reviews and update the old.
| Casino | Casino Rating | Casino Bonus | Benefits | Number of Casino Games | Payment Methods | Secure Link | Casino Review | Significant Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM SportsBook | Up to $1,500 Paid Back in Bonus Bets |
| 72 hours |
| Play now! | Terms & Conditions apply | ||
| Betway | Up to C$ 200 if your first bet loses |
| 48 hours |
| Play now! | Read Sportsbook Review | Terms & Conditions apply |
Deposit Funds
As we previously mentioned, one of the top priorities when choosing your first betting site or app is banking. You would like to be able to deposit funds easily, quickly, and safely. Since most of you have never tried betting online before, you would probably prefer to wager a few bucks first on a relatively predictable game. We know that there are no truly predictable events, but you can find one with predictions that show one of the teams as a strong favorite to win.
When we were doing the research for this basketball betting guide, we found out that first-time visitors would like to use a banking method that feels already familiar. Bank cards, e-wallets, or bank transfers are usually the top choices, and you can find them in almost any online sportsbook.
If you decide to try, don’t forget to claim your welcome bonus or any other promotion that you can take advantage of. Many sites and apps require you to add a promo code with your first deposit. Don’t miss this chance.
Place the Bet
Placing a bet through your betting app or site is quite easy. You will need to find the basketball game you are interested in and choose the wager type based on the odds and your personal preferences.
Based on the example we showed before, a first-time participant can use a moneyline on Milwaukee, the favorite, and place a small amount, something like $10.
Wait and track the outcome
At this stage, it is time to enjoy the athletes’ play. You have already learned how to bet on basketball. Now you can check if you can see the game live.
In the USA, you can use one of the following methods to follow the game:
- Watch it on TV. You can watch 80 NBA regular-season games on ABC or ESPN, and on ABC, you can watch the NBA finals exclusively. TNT also airs many matches too. During the 2025-26 season, NBC will reenter the market and show games on its channel and its online platform Peacock.
- Listen on the radio. ESPN Radio and SiriusXM provide live basketball radio coverage.
- Online streaming. ESPN, NBC, NBA, and Amazon show different basketball sports events on their streaming platforms. You can also find live streaming options inside different gambling apps such as BetMGM, DraftKings, bet365, and FanDuel.
Additional tips to keep in mind for beginners
- Avoid betting on too many games or using complex options like parlays because their outcome is less predictable.
- Gradually explore other types of wagers (like spreads or totals). Don’t rush to something that you don’t understand.
- Consider learning about bankroll management to avoid spending more than intended.
- Check out the responsible gambling principles.
- Seek help if you feel like you are developing an unhealthy addiction. The idea is to add a bit of extra fun to your sports fan experience and not to damage your life. Contact your local gambling addiction center if you need help.
Final words
This Betting Guide NBA was created so you can better understand the basketball betting rules and terms. We hope we have managed to help you with your search. Use the new knowledge and apply it to your future adventures. We will continue to provide an excellent selection of top-notch wagering platforms for all newcomers.
Disclaimer: Gambling is intended for adults 21 years of age or older. We urge readers to abide by local gambling laws, which may vary and change. Gambling can be addictive. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US). Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 1-800-522-4700 (KS).