How to Bet on Basketball in 2025 – Basketball Betting Guide

Basketball betting is enormously popular and has grown robustly since the 1980s, mostly because of the popularity of the National Basketball Association and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament (March Madness).

Basketball is a universally accessible global game that, like soccer, everyone has played. It is an easy game to understand and televises well because of the size of the ball, identifiable players, and the rectangular configuration of the court, which matches TV screens. The high-scoring offensive nature of basketball adds to its appeal.

It is easy to learn how to bet on basketball, and new bettors do so every day.

Understanding Basketball Betting

Basketball is an international game played in almost every country. It's easy to understand why basketball is popular: people can relate to it because they've most likely played games or watched them.

The game has a fast pace and plenty of scoring, which both fans and gamblers like. With all the offense, skill, and scoring that basketball offers, few fans complain about boring games. The sport offers elements of team and individual ability that make for plenty of wagering opportunities.

In comparison to the rules of other sports, the rules of basketball are easier to understand.

What Makes Basketball Betting Different

Basketball is a game of possessions and runs. This means that during a game, a team may outscore its opponent 10-0, only to have that run turned back on them later in the game. The lead in basketball often changes numerous times during the matchup.

Basketball rosters and uniforms are smaller than most of the other major sports, making players easier to recognize.

The NBA regular season is a marathon of 82 games per team, while college teams play close to 40 regular-season games. Therefore, basketball betting guides must always factor in mental and physical fatigue. Multiple games scheduled during a week and three-point shooting ability can affect how to bet on basketball over and under odds, etc.

Types of Basketball Bets

Basketball betting options include the moneyline, point spread, over/under (totals), props, parlays, futures, live in-game betting, etc.

When you learn how to bet on basketball, you will develop an appreciation for the situational nature of these diverse types of bets.

Moneyline Betting

When you're learning how to bet on NBA basketball, an important bet type to understand is moneyline betting.

An example of the moneyline bet is Denver Nuggets +320 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder -410. Gamblers simply bet on the team they think will win the game straight up. A $100 wager on Denver will pay $320 if the Nuggets win, while a $410 bet on the Thunder will win $100.

Even in a matchup of quality teams like the Thunder and Nuggets, the price of the home favorite can be expensive, making a loss quite damaging to the bankroll.

Point Spread Betting

In our Denver vs. Oklahoma City example, the point spread offers a stark difference and alternative. The odds would read Denver Nuggets +9.5 -112 vs. Oklahoma City Thunder -9.5 -108. To win the bet, the Nuggets would need to win the game straight up or lose by less than ten points.

By contrast, Oklahoma City must win the game by ten points or more to cover the point spread and for the bettor to win the bet.

Some gamblers prefer the point spread to avoid laying expensive odds for home favorites. Others prefer the moneyline to avoid sweating out covering the point spread.

Over/Under (Totals) Betting

An example of over/under totals betting odds would be Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City: Over 237.5 -110, under 237.5 -110. Gamblers are wagering on whether the final combined score of the game will go over or under 237.5. If the final score is 117-116, the combined score is 233, which would make the under the total a winner.

Playing styles of the teams, injuries, officials, and fatigue factor in total betting, just as they do with the other wagering methods.

Learning how to bet basketball overs and unders can be a tremendous path to profits once mastered.

Player Props & Game Props

Props betting used to be considered exotic and something to do for fun with big games. Not anymore. These days, props betting has become a science for sharp players looking for advantageous lines to increase their profits — and casual gamblers like props for the element of fun and betting on a favorite player.

An example of a props bet would be whether Luka Doncic scores 31 or more points in a game at -120. If Doncic scores 35 points in the game, gamblers who bet the over will win $100 on a $120 wager.

You can also get props on player combos, points by quarter, etc.

Parlays

A parlay is a bet on multiple wagers, all of which must win for the parlay to pay off.

The attraction of parlays is that you can win money at an increased rate for a lower outlay because picking multiple games correctly in a single combined wager without a loss is so difficult. You can combine point spread, moneyline, and total bets within a parlay wager.

Sharp players may make parlay bets as a side attraction, while low-budget gamblers like them because of the payout rates on wins.

Futures Betting

An example of odds on a futures bet is the Denver Nuggets +1500 to win the NBA championship. Should Denver prevail, gamblers would win $1500 on a $100 wager.

Props bets can also be used for conference or division titles and over/under win totals for a season. They can be made in the preseason or during the season.

Props betting is a fantastic way to have action all season based on a single wager.

Live Basketball Betting

Few endeavors can match the intensity and adrenaline rush of live basketball betting.

With in-game betting, you have access to constantly changing point spreads, moneylines, totals, props, parlays, and much more. Gamblers love live betting for momentum swings and lead changes.

Bettors can also use live betting to hedge or change original pregame bets.

To be successful with in-game betting, gamblers must be selective and not get carried away, as a bankroll can be rapidly depleted with constant live betting losses during a game.

Basketball Betting Strategies

When you learn how to bet on basketball, keeping it simple is always best.

Basketball betting guides always factor in scheduling and potential fatigue, home court, head-to-head matchup trends, injuries to key players, and more. An important strategy is to combine patience and prudence with being selective.

Gamblers should avoid regulating themselves too heavily with systems that oppress flexibility. Taking quality teams as underdogs or on the road is a simple strategy that creates consistent betting value.

Bankroll Management for Basketball Betting

Flat betting is an excellent method of bankroll management because it means that you are betting the same small percentage of your bankroll on each bet.

Unit betting offers a moderate amount of flexibility by utilizing different small percentages of your bankroll on wagers. Gamblers should never be foolish enough to bet substantial portions or all of their bankroll on a single game.

Also, College basketball, because of its 351 D1 teams, offers significantly more games on the board compared to the NBA, which means more advantageous betting odds could be available.

Chasing losses often creates more losses and is a huge mistake made by new and experienced gamblers.

NBA & College Basketball Betting Trends

Trend betting for such factors as home court, road games, back-to-back games, fatigue, rest, playing style contrasts, and scoring trends are all necessary tools to help make for a successful bet. Other trends, such as historic head-to-head records in a matchup series, can offer clues that can send you to the payout window.

Some teams are more profitable in the role of road underdog compared to home favorites. Meanwhile, some teams let the results of a previous game get into their heads. In comparison, other teams may not trend well in back-to-back games.