How we rate the best NBA Betting Sites
Wondering how we’ve come up with our rankings of the best NBA betting websites in Canada? When choosing our top picks, we considered the following 5 factors.
- Range of sports, markets, and bet types – Any great gambling website won’t just allow you to bet on the NBA, but also on the NHL, NFL, Premier League, and every other major sporting league in North America and internationally.
- Bonuses & promotions – We always recommend choosing a sportsbook that has competitive “free bet” and deposit matching promotions – which help you get more for your money!
- Ease of banking & payouts – It should always be easy to deposit and withdraw cash using common Canadian banking methods like Interac, Visa, Mastercard, bank transfers, and more.
- Safety, security & customer support – We emphasize the importance of proper encryption, online security, and strong customer support, as well as proper gambling licensure for each website we review.
- Mobile support – Placing mobile bets is now extremely common, so we look for sportsbooks that offer strong mobile support, as well as mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Which NBA Games Are Good To Bet On?
The NBA is the only major professional basketball league in North America, and it offers plenty of betting opportunities. The preseason is often a great opportunity for bettors who want to dip their toes into the world of NBA gambling and familiarize themselves with the basics.
Regular season betting provides plenty of options for both long-term and short-term bets, and there are a lot of opportunities for upsets and unique game outcomes, given the large volume of games played by each team.
The postseason and NBA Finals, however, are by far the most commonly bet-on games in the NBA, thanks to their bracket format and Best-Of-7 format. Millions of dollars are bet on the outcome of the Finals each and every year.
Which leagues are the most important in basketball betting?
Wondering what basketball leagues are the most important around the world? Let’s take a look at the largest leagues worldwide, including the NBA.
NBA
The NBA is, by far, the best basketball league in the world. America is the home of basketball, and the NBA reaches more than 1 billion unique viewers worldwide – it’s popular in America, Canada, South America, China, and Europe, to name just a few countries.
NCAA
The NCAA is the largest college basketball league in America. It’s not as popular globally as the NBA, but is very popular with Americans and some Canadians, particularly during the yearly “March Madness” playoff tournament.
EuroLeague
The EuroLeague is the premier non-American basketball league, with the second-highest per-game basketball league attendance in the world, behind only the NBA. The EuroLeague Final Four championship tournament is very popular in Europe, though it’s not as commonly watched in Canada and the US.
Which markets are usually available for gamblers when betting online?
Due to the dynamic nature of basketball, there are a huge number of betting markets available for each NBA game, which typically include:
- Moneyline bets (head-to-head, match winner)
- Point spreads (betting lines & handicaps)
- Player-based bets, such as the total number of shots made, three-pointers, blocks, rebounds, double-doubles & triple-doubles, etc.
- Proposition bets (who will score first? etc.)
- Point totals (over/under bets)
- Quarter/period outcomes
- Halftime/fulltime outcomes
- Race (first team to a certain number of points)
The Odds in the NBA
The best way to get the best odds in the NBA is to compare odds between different sportsbooks. Depending on the betting software they’re using, their own “take” (vig) for each bet, and other such factors, two different betting sites may offer slightly different odds on different games.
That’s why Canadian gamblers often use multiple gambling websites to get the best odds – we highly recommend checking different sportsbooks to get the best odds.
The NBA offers both short-term bets – such as outcomes of individual games – and long-term bets, such as bets on who will win the entire season or a postseason series of multiple games. Let’s take a deeper look at the odds in the NBA now.
Odds ranges in the NBA
The maximum combined odds for individual NBA games can vary widely. Using a simple match bet Moneyline as an example, a competitive game may see odds of between -110 to -120 for the favorite, and +110 to +120 for the underdog.
In a heavily lopsided game, however – a past game between the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Charlotte Hornets, for example – the lines can be as skewed as high as -1200 – with the underdog as high as +750.
What can gamblers bet on when it comes to the NBA?
You can use all major bet types on the NBA, including 1X2 bets, system bets, accumulator bets, parlays, combo bets, and much more – though the exact bets available depend on the sportsbook you’re using.
Short-term betting in the NBA
Short-term betting is the most popular type of betting in the NBA. Short term bets are usually made on individual games – wagering which team will win or lose, for example. Or, they may be special bets, such as choosing which team will be ahead at halftime.
Short-term betting is popular because it offers an immediate way to bet on the outcome of the basketball game – and with so many different types of bets to make, gamblers in Canada can always find unique betting opportunities.
Long-term betting in the NBA
Long-term betting in the NBA is also very common. It’s very normal for sportsbooks to release odds about who will win the NBA championship before the season even starts – and gamblers will often make bets on these outcomes.
NBA long-term bets are popular because they offer gamblers a chance to win big if they pick an underdog. The nature of the NBA means that injuries and other unexpected outcomes happen quite frequently – which can shift the odds in your favor after placing a long-term bet.
Live betting/In-Play betting in the NBA
Live, in-game betting is becoming more popular in the NBA. Even after games start, gamblers can find a lot of special bets and outcomes to wager on, such as the score at halftime, individual player performance, and more.
Support for this primarily depends on the sportsbook you choose in Canada. Some sportsbooks, like Betway Sports and LeoVegas, offer live NBA betting while the game is in-play, while others like Intertops do not.
FAQs for NBA betting
Got questions about NBA betting? We’ve got answers. Here are a few FAQs that are often asked about NBA betting in Canada.
Absolutely. The NBA is one of the most popular sports leagues on the planet, and it’s especially popular in Canada and in the United States, so there is always a lot of betting action available for gamblers who want to bet on basketball games. And because the game is so dynamic and fast-paced, gamblers are sure to have an exciting and fun time watching the results of each NBA game. Yes. The NBA is a great league to make a profit on. Different gambling websites often offer different odds on both short-term and long-term bets, and there is a lot of data to look into to help you determine the most likely outcomes. Dedicated bettors in Canada will have many opportunities to make smart, profitable bets. If you don’t already watch or follow the NBA, you should start by doing some basic research on the top players and teams in the Eastern and Western conferences. Then, you can start betting on the results of individual games. Remember to start small, and you can bet more as you become more familiar with the game and its players. Yes. The NBA is one of the most popular betting markets in the Americas, and because it’s frequently bet on in Las Vegas and in American casinos, it’s always possible to compare odds between gambling websites and make sure you’re getting the best odds on your bet. The NBA itself has taken a lot of steps to maintain the integrity of the game, too. The NBA had a betting scandal in 2007, and since then, there has been more oversight of officials and teams to ensure that this does not happen again.
Is the NBA a good sport to bet on? Is there any opportunity to make a good profit within NBA? How do I best get started by betting in NBA? Is MBA a safe and fair market to bet on?
The stars in the NBA
Wondering who some of the major stars of the NBA are? Here’s a quick look at some notable players.
LeBron James
Currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James is often called one of the greatest NBA players in history. He’s won 3 NBA championships and three NBA Finals MVP awards and is the all-time scoring leader in the NBA postseason.
Steph Curry
Steph Curry plays for the Golden State Warriors and was a key figure in their rise to prominence in the late 2010s. A specialist in 3-point shots, he set the record for 3-pointers three seasons in a row. Some have called him “the greatest shooter in NBA history.”
Kawhi Leonard
Known for his ability to get turnovers, play physically, and his rebounding skills, Kawhi Leonard led the Toronto Raptors to their first-ever championship in the 2018-2019 NBA season. He’s been recognized as one of the best defensive players in the league.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo is a dominant “big man,” with great shooting skills and fantastic defense. He was a first-round draft pick in 2013 and has not disappointed with his performance.
The best NBA teams
Wondering what teams to follow in the NBA? Let’s take a look at the top NBA teams in America and Canada.
Milwaukee Bucks
Led by Giannis Antetokounmpo and with assets like Kyle Korver and Eric Bledsoe, the bucks are led by experienced coach Mike Budenholzer. The Bucks were the favorite of the 2019-2020 NBA season, and have an impressive record both on the road and at home.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are headed by LeBron James, one of the best NBA players of all time, and Anthony Davis, who is quickly becoming one of the most renowned big men in the league. They’re backed up by the likes of Dwight Howard, Kyle Kuzma, and Rajon Rondo. They finished 10th in the 2018-2019 season but were leading the Western Conference in the 2019-2020 season.
Toronto Raptors
The Toronto Raptors were the champions of the 2018-2019 NBA season, led by Kawhi Leonard. Kawhi has since moved to the Los Angeles Clippers, but the Raptors were still major contenders in the 2019-2020 NBA season, led by players like Kyle Lowry, Fred VanVleet, and Serge Ibaka.
Los Angeles Clippers
Kawhi Leonard moved to the Los Angeles Clippers after winning the championship title with the Raptors and has led a squad including Paul George, Lou Williams, and Joakim Noah to a great 2019-2020 record.
Betting On The NBA Is A Great Way To Bring More Excitement To Basketball
Overall, basketball is a fantastic sport to bet on – and the NBA is, by far, the best basketball league for Canadians to gamble on. Almost every major Canadian sportsbook has NBA odds, so you’ll have plenty of options for wagering on this sport. Take a look at our recommended sportsbooks above and familiarize yourself with the NBA, and you can start betting right away!
