Betting on basketball has changed a lot over the last two decades or so. Whereas punters used to bet on just the match result, handicaps and points totals, now there’s no limit to what you can focus on.
From player specials like rebounds and three-pointers, to live basketball betting and watching it all in-play. You can even create your own bets at Paddy Power!
If you’re new to basketball betting then this guide will take you through everything you need to get started. From joining Paddy Power and placing your first bet, to scouring our site for your ideal odds and streams. You can do it all with Paddy!
Paddy Power’s guide to betting on basketball
How to bet on basketball
Betting on basketball is pretty straightforward these days. All you need to do is sign up to Paddy Power to get started. Enter your personal details, create a secure profile, complete the verification process and make a deposit.
Once your account is active, you’ll be able to head to Paddy’s basketball betting page and find your first bet.
There are a lot of basketball bets out there, which we’ll detail later in this guide. For now, it’s important just to know how to place a bet.
To do this, find an outcome you think will happen and click on the odds. For example, the Wizards to beat the Knicks. This will open the bet slip, where you can enter your stake. This is the money you’re willing to risk for the bet. Check how much you stand to win if the bet wins and, if you’re happy with the risk level, hit Place Bet.
Placing a basketball bet at Paddy Power
And that’s it. Now it’s time to sit back and follow your chosen game to see if your bet comes in.
Types of basketball bet
Now let’s look at the core types of basketball bet that are available at Paddy Power. Like we said earlier, there are a lot of bets and you can even request a bet by tweeting #WhatOddsPaddy.
We’ll keep things simple here, though. Below are the core types of basketball betting odds you’ll find for any match in the NBA and other big leagues:
Moneyline (match result)
Bet on who will win a basketball match. This is a simple choice between two teams and factors in overtime.
Handicap
If the moneyline odds are uneven – perhaps because there’s a big favourite versus an underdog – then you can apply a handicap to the final score. This means the favourite will need to win by a set number of points for you to win a bet that backs them. Or it gives the underdog a head start.
- Want to know more?
Here’s a quick guide to handicap betting!
Total points
Bet on how many points will be scored in a game. This is usually above or below a set line. For example, you could bet on there being +216.5 points in a game between the Bulls and the Cavaliers.
If 217 points are scored, you win your bet!
Player to score points
You can also bet on a player’s total points haul in a game. Usually the total starts from 10+, so you need your chosen player to score 10 or more to win the bet. The higher you go, the higher the odds get. If you back a player to score 30+ points then their odds could get really big.
Best basketball betting leagues
The NBA naturally takes up a lot of attention in the basketball world, but there are other leagues out there worth tracking – especially when it comes to bets. Here are some to keep an eye on:
NBA – North America’s NBA is the biggest league on the planet. Paddy Power offers +100 betting odds on every NBA game, as well as basketball live streams, updated stats and scores. NBA betting is available every night of the season and intensifies during the playoffs.
WNBA – Women’s basketball betting is getting more and more popular, and the WNBA draws a huge following each week. You can live stream WNBA and bet with Paddy Power.
Euroleague – If you want to bet on basketball at a more suitable time of day then Euroleague is the perfect option. The Euroleague houses the best basketball teams and players in Europe. It’s often a more predictable league to bet on than the NBA, which is good for punters!
Olympics – Basketball betting at the Olympics is always popular, and not just because the US Men’s team is filled with superstars. The likes of France, Serbia, Germany and Austria compete for medals too, and the women’s gold medal game is always one to watch!
Bet on NBA games at Paddy Power and live stream via the app
Basketball bets for beginners
Now let’s look at three basketball betting tips for beginners. These tips are designed to get you started betting on basketball, even if you’re new to the game.
Use handicaps to understand the odds
Handicaps in basketball add or subtract from a team’s final score. The idea is to balance out uneven matches, and make it more palatable to back an underdog, or more valuable to back a favourite. They’re great, too, for understanding how basketball works and how points advantages can build over the course of a game. If you want to bet on basketball handicaps then start small.
Focus on total points
Not sure who will win a game? If you don’t yet know the good and bad teams then you can bet on both at the same time. Paddy Power offers the option to bet on total points in a game. For example, you bet on +210.5 points in a game between the Pistons and 76ers. This way you can follow a bet while not worrying which team wins.
Bet live
Paddy Power offers NBA live streams alongside in-play betting odds, so you can keep on top of all the action. Betting live with the aid of a stream means you can time your bet to perfection, and make smarter choices. Follow the play and don’t rush into your choices. After all, you have a whole match to make your decision.
Live stream basketball at Paddy Power
That’s right, Paddy Power live streams NBA games, WNBA games, and scores of other games from across the planet. To access basketball live streams you’ll need to log into your Paddy Power account and make sure you have funds in your wallet. Head to your chosen game and, just before it starts you’ll be able to click on the stream link. Here you’ll be able to watch basketball on mobile or desktop while monitoring the live odds alongside the footage.