Basketball betting - Basketball odds

Pinnacle provides some of the most extensive and competitive basketball betting lines online with a number of markets covered, including NBA odds, NCAA basketball odds, FIBA World Cup odds, EuroLeague odds, PBA odds, the Olympics and more. Get the most competitive basketball betting odds online with Pinnacle!

How to bet on basketball

In basketball, two teams of five players compete over four quarters for a total of 48 minutes of playtime. The playtime doesn’t include timeouts and half-time, which can extend the total match length to approximately two hours. The aim of an NBA match is to outscore your opponent by shooting a ball through a hoop. Scoring varies from three points, for shots taken at or beyond the three-point line, two points, for shots taken within the three-point line, or one point, which is awarded to shots taken as a free throw.

The NBA is considered to be the premier basketball league in the world, with top talent like Nikola Jokić, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić, and more competing to be the best and win the NBA championship.

Popular basketball leagues - NBA betting, EuroLeague betting and PBA odds

There are a multitude of different basketball tournaments to bet on with Pinnacle, covering NBA lines and odds, EuroLeague odds, NCAA Basketball betting lines and other international leagues.

Some of the most popular sports leagues are basketball leagues, such as the NBA, EuroLeague and Liga ACB.

Basketball markets and betting lines

Like our comprehensive soccer betting markets, Pinnacle's basketball odds present a variety of popular betting markets that cater to all kinds of bettors. From bets on the final match outcome (known as Money Line bets) to Handicaps, Totals and Player Props, each market has its own unique set of odds and strategies, all of which offer an immersive basketball betting experience.

Basketball Money Line

A Money Line bet in basketball is a bet on which team will win the game, regardless of the score or point difference. Money Line bets are popular for games with closely matched teams. A Money Line bet on the Los Angeles Lakers versus the Dallas Mavericks means that you are betting that the LA Lakers will win the match.

Basketball Handicap betting - Point spread

A basketball handicap (or point spread) is a numerical advantage or disadvantage given to a team by a bookmaker to balance the matchup for betting purposes. The team that are currently favored will have a negative handicap applied, whereas the underdog team will have a positive handicap applied. Bettors can bet on whether a team will overcome a handicap, regardless of the overall match outcome.

Basketball Total betting - Basketball Over/Under

A basketball Totals bet, otherwise known as an Over/Under bet, is a type of bet that is dependent on the total number of points scored between two teams in a match. A bet can be placed on whether the total amount of points scored will be over, or under, a certain threshold. This market is typically set prior to the start of the match.

Basketball Futures betting – Game Outright

Futures bets are a bet on the overall winner of a tournament, league or its equivalent. Futures bets are typically available prior to the start of a tournament.

Basketball Player Prop betting - Player Proposition bets

Basketball Player Proposition bets, commonly known as Player Prop bets, are bets on whether a particular player will be able to achieve a specific statistic or score in a matchup. For example, a bettor can place a bet on whether a player will score a certain number of points in a match.

In-play basketball betting – Live basketball betting

In-play basketball betting, also known as live betting, is when a bet is made while a match or game is in progress. Live betting has become a popular option for sports bettors, as live basketball odds are updated as a match progresses, which adds an element of excitement for those watching the game.

Understanding basketball betting odds and basketball games

Basketball betting lines, also known as basketball odds, are a representation of the likelihood of an event occurring within a match or series, which is set by a booker, and the potential return you may receive when placing a bet on said event. When you are browsing basketball lines on Pinnacle, there will be a range of markets to choose from, such as betting on the winner of a game, or more unique betting lines like Player Props.

In basketball betting, odds are presented in two common formats, American and Decimal.

Here is an example of a Money Line bet listed in the two formats that are commonly used for Basketball:

• Chicago Bulls: -150 (1.66)
• Golden State Warriors: +180 (2.80)

In this example, the Chicago Bulls are the favored team to win the match at -150 (1.66), which is an implied probability of winning of approximately 60%. On the other hand, the Golden State Warriors are priced at +180 (2.80), which is an implied probability of winning of 40%. Placing a $100 bet on the Chicago Bulls would return a total of $166 should the team win, whereas if the bet is placed on the Golden State Warriors to win, the bet would return $280.

Basketball picks, tips, and basketball predictions

Basketball predictions play a vital role in betting. These are forecasts about potential outcomes based on team form, player performance, historical data and other factors. Accurate predictions can enhance the chances of successful bets, and at Pinnacle, we provide a range of prediction articles covering the NBA and more. We also provide an extensive knowledge base in our Betting Resources section that can help educate you on the intricacies of basketball betting.

Basketball Parlay Calculator

A basketball odds calculator is an essential tool for sports bettors. It helps you calculate potential winnings based on the odds for a specific game or event. Input the odds and your stake to see potential returns instantly. The calculator can work with different types of odds - decimal, fractional and American. Access Pinnacle’s basketball odds calculator here.