How to Bet on the NBA and Get the Best Odds Online

The US Men and Women’s Basketball Teams gave basketball fans one of the best Olympics of all time. Both finals were against hosts France and one better than the other: the women’s final was too close to call and ended 67-66 in the US’s favour. Steph Curry rolled back the years and almost single-handedly turned the tide against France with a flurry of 3’s: as you do when you’re the greatest shooter to have played. But now it’s back to business: the NBA 2024/25 Season kicks off in a month! 

Fans don’t need to wait much longer for the highly anticipated 79th edition of the NBA. With a month to go, markets are ready, as are betting odds and probabilities on who’s going to do or not do in the world’s best basketball tournament. There’s a myriad of betting options available, with greatodds and resources for learning how to be on NBA online at leading online sports books. For the uninitiated but interested, certain key aspects of NBA betting - futures markets, popular types of bets, and finding the best odds on NBA betting sites - will make all the difference. 

Understanding the NBA Futures Market

A futures market basically means betting on a future event: in the NBA, it’ll be the winner of the championship or conference titles. With the Boston Celtics fresh from winning their 18th championship, the futures market for the 2024-25 season has become particularly interesting. According to current futures odds from leading bookmakers:

• Boston Celtics are firm favorites to win the 2025 NBA championship with odds of +310, - this gives them an implied 24.4% chance to win.
• Oklahoma City Thunder follow in second place with odds of +750, about an 11.8% chance of taking home the title.
• Philadelphia 76ers have odds of +800 and an 11.1% implied chance (but the 6ers just don’t win championships do they?!) 

A futures market can be quite volatile, with odds fluctuating based on team performance, injuries, trades, and other factors. For example, while the Celtics are favourites, their odds reflect more popularity among smaller bettors rather than high-rollers. This is evident from the fact that while the Celtics account for nearly 18% of all tickets bought till now, their handle—representing the total money wagered—only makes up 9.2% of the championship market currently. This disparity indicates a potential opportunity for sharp bettors looking for value beyond the most obvious and popular picks.

How to Find the Best Odds on NBA Betting Sites

To get the best odds, it’s crucial to shop around different NBA betting sites. Each sportsbook may offer slightly different odds for the same game or futures market, which can significantly impact your potential payout. For instance, while Stake.com may have one set of odds for a particular game, another site like BetMGM could offer different ones, depending on their assessment of the matchup or market demand.

When comparing odds, consider looking at the following types of bets:

1. Moneyline Bets: This is the simplest form of betting, where you pick a team to win outright. For example, if you bet on the Boston Celtics to beat the New York Knicks at odds of 1.50, a Rs. 10 bet would return Rs. 15 if the Celtics win.
2. Point Spread Bets: These bets involve a margin of victory. For example, if the Los Angeles Lakers are -3.5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, they need to win by at least four points for a bet on them to pay out.
3. Over/Under Bets: Also known as totals, these bets focus on the combined score of both teams. If a game between the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic has a total set at 215.5 points, you can bet on whether the total points scored will be over or under that number.
4. Futures Bets: As discussed earlier, these bets are placed on outcomes that will occur in the future, such as who will win the NBA championship or conference titles.
5. Player Prop Bets: These are bets on individual player performances. For instance, you might bet on how many points Jaylen Brown will score in a game or whether Paul George will record a triple-double.

Tips for Betting on the NBA

1. Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest NBA news, player injuries, team performance trends, and other factors that could influence game outcomes or futures odds. The more informed you are, the better your betting decisions will be. Recap the trades and season outlooks easily on YouTube videos and that’s all you’ll need. 
2. Understand the Market: Pay attention to the betting market. Sharp money and public money often influence odds differently. For instance, a team like the Oklahoma City Thunder has attracted a significant amount of sharp money, evident from their high handle percentage despite longer odds. This indicates that seasoned bettors are confident in their prospects.
3. Line Shopping: As mentioned earlier, top NBA betting sites offer varying odds. Before placing a bet, check multiple sportsbooks to ensure you're getting the best available odds. This practice, known as line shopping, can mean the best bang for your buck.
4. Manage Your Money: Always know money needs to be allocated and managed  responsibly for sustained success in sports betting. Decide in advance how much you’re willing to risk on any single bet and stick to that amount. This strategy will help keep away from emotional calls and potential losses that invariably occur when running after losses, hoping to turn one into a win. 
5. Specialise: Focusing on specific types of bets or markets can give you an edge. Whether it’s betting on the point spread, futures, or player props, specializing allows you to develop a deeper understanding of particular markets, improving your betting acumen.

2024-25 NBA Season Outlook and Betting Opportunities

With the regular season set to start in early October and run through April, the 2024-25 NBA season promises intense competition and ample betting opportunities. Teams like the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Oklahoma City Thunder are poised to dominate discussions in the futures market, but savvy bettors will look beyond the obvious favorites.

For instance, the Denver Nuggets (+850) and New York Knicks (+900) have shown potential to make deep playoff runs, making them intriguing options for futures betting. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers (+3000) offer a high-risk, high-reward opportunity for those willing to bet on a resurgence.

In addition to traditional bets, consider exploring in-play betting options, which allow you to place bets during a game as the action unfolds. Platforms like Stake.com offer live streaming and dynamic in-play betting options, providing real-time data and a chance to react to game developments.

Best Odds Available for NBA New Season Openers 

As the 2024-25 NBA season is ready to tip off, sportsbooks like Stake.com have released odds for the opening games, offering a glimpse into early expectations for each team's performance.

• Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks: The Boston Celtics, fresh off their 18th championship, are favorites with odds of 1.50 to win against the New York Knicks, who have odds of 2.70. This reflects confidence in the Celtics' ability to continue their dominant form.
• Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: In this matchup, the odds are closely contested. The Los Angeles Lakers are slightly favored with odds of 1.97, while the Minnesota Timberwolves are at 1.87, indicating a tight game is expected.
• Detroit Pistons vs. Indiana Pacers: The Indiana Pacers are heavily favored to win with odds of 1.46 against the Detroit Pistons, who are seen as the underdogs at 2.80. This suggests a significant advantage for the Pacers in this contest.
• Miami Heat vs. Orlando Magic: The Miami Heat have odds of 1.86, narrowly edging out the Orlando Magic, who are at 1.99. This game is anticipated to be highly competitive, with both teams having nearly equal chances according to the odds.
• Toronto Raptors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers: The Cleveland Cavaliers are favored with odds of 1.60 against the Toronto Raptors at 2.41. The Cavs are expected to have the upper hand, although the Raptors could present a challenge.
• Atlanta Hawks vs. Brooklyn Nets: The Atlanta Hawks are strong favorites at 1.35, with the Brooklyn Nets at 3.35. This substantial difference suggests a clear expectation of a Hawks victory.
• Philadelphia 76ers vs. Milwaukee Bucks: The Philadelphia 76ers have odds of 1.57, making them the favorites over the Milwaukee Bucks, who stand at 2.49. The 76ers are expected to leverage their new Big Three to secure a win.
• New Orleans Pelicans vs. Chicago Bulls: The Pelicans are favored with odds of 1.41, while the Bulls are seen as underdogs at 3.05, indicating a strong expectation for a Pelicans win.
• Houston Rockets vs. Charlotte Hornets: The Houston Rockets are favorites at 1.40 against the Charlotte Hornets, who have odds of 3.05. The Rockets are anticipated to have a significant edge in this matchup.
• Utah Jazz vs. Memphis Grizzlies: The Memphis Grizzlies are favored at 1.76, while the Utah Jazz are at 2.13. This game is expected to be fairly competitive, with the Grizzlies having a slight edge.

These odds reflect not just team strengths but also offseason moves and player acquisitions, giving bettors early insight into the potential outcomes of these highly anticipated opening games.

Betting on the NBA offers another means to engage with the sport. Doesn’t matter if it’s a simple moneyline bet or complex futures wagers: keeping informed, understanding the odds in the market, and effective bankroll management, anyone can have a better betting experience and potentially find greater value  in their bets. Keep an eye on key teams and player trades for there are some stunning rumours doing the rounds (Curry to the Lakers for example) and don’t hesitate to shop around different NBA betting sites to find the best odds. With the right strategy, betting on the NBA can be equally rewarding as it is thrilling.