The NBA is set to return on July 31st, with the players’ union and the league both agreeing on a plan to complete the 2019/20 campaign which will involve 22 teams playing eight more regular-season games, followed by a possible play-in tournament and then the playoffs.
Sportsbooks are taking bets on the winner of the NBA Championship, and it is the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks who share the favouritism (both +250) with the Los Angeles Clippers (+333) not far behind in the odds.
While bettors can already place wagers on outright markets, the breadth of betting opportunities will only increase when the games schedule is confirmed, and this will continue throughout the postseason.
As there are so many online sportsbooks to choose from, it can be tricky to determine where to bet. Below are some of the key things to look out for when comparing NBA betting sites in Canada.
NBA betting site offers
One of the best things about wagering through online betting sites is that you are able to claim not only welcome offers, but also ongoing promotions as you continue to use certain bookmakers.
Sign up bonuses often include a matched first deposit, meaning you could, for example, add $100 of your own money to your account, and the bookie gives you $100 in bonus funds.
Other new customer offers on betting websites involve free bets, which can also be given out to existing customers as a reward for meeting a threshold or placing qualifying bets on particular markets.
Betway is an international betting site with many promotions including free bet offers which can be used on basketball.
You may also see enhanced odds specials when the NBA returns, as sportsbooks look to win as big a market share as possible.
Basketball betting markets
As one of the more stat-driven sports, there are many different betting markets within basketball, and a multitude of angles to attack each game from.
The main markets are the moneyline and the point spread, but betting on player props is also very popular as you can take the over or under on individuals’ points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and more.
Some betting sites, such as Bet365, offer a Bet Builder, so you can add multiple props within one game into a single wager – essentially creating a parlay within one event.
The bigger the game, the more bet types there will be. You can expect to see basketball matches with lots of available betting markets when the NBA returns.
Live basketball betting
While you may find more available bets on online sportsbooks pre-match, there are still many in-play betting markets to choose from within basketball games, allowing viewers to judge how a contest is shaping up before locking in a bet.
Betting websites that use leading providers, like 888sport do with Kambi, generally have the best selection.
In-play betting can provide a great opportunity to get more value. If a team falls behind early on but you still think they will win, you can bet on them at a bigger price than you would have been offered by the betting site beforehand.
Some bookmakers have a live streaming service that allows you to bet and watch basketball all in one place.
Conclusion
Basketball can be one of the most enjoyable sports to wager on but it is important to do your research beforehand – in terms of which is the best betting site to use, and what bets you should be placing.
You should always compare the odds across betting sites, and also analyse which sportsbooks have the features you need.
If you are on the go a lot, you should go for a bookie with a great betting app. If you specialise in player props, go for a betting site with the requisite markets.
With so many sportsbooks taking NBA bets, there is certainly something for everyone.
