Best NBA Betting Sites in 2023 – Basketball Betting Guide

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Last Updated on: 22.02.2023

The NBA is back, which means that more betting opportunities have arisen for basketball fans. We cover everything you need to know in this in-depth guide, including a 2022/2023 season preview, tips and predictions, and how to find the best NBA betting site to suit your needs!

NBA Season 2022/23 Betting Odds

The NBA is an elite, global basketball league that offers a myriad of intriguing options for punters. There’s a range of markets to choose from, including spread and totals betting, with the vast majority of bookmakers boasting comprehensive coverage and odds.

Take a look the best odds for the NBA in 2022/23 below:

2022/23 NBA Championship Winner Odds

FranchiseBest Odds*Bookmaker
Milwaukee Bucks13/2SportNation
Boston Celtics36/5SBK
Golden State Warriors37/5SBK
Phoenix Suns11/1SBK
Los Angeles Clippers25/2SBK
Brooklyn Nets14/1SBK
Philadelphia 76ers17/1SBK
Denver Nuggets19/1SBK
Memphis Grizzlies21/1SBK
Dallas Mavericks22/1Betway

*Subject to change

2022/23 Eastern Conference Winner Odds

FranchiseBest Odds*Bookmaker
Milwaukee Bucks3/1SportNation
Boston Celtics3/1Betfair
Brooklyn Nets7/1Unibet
Philadelphia 76ers8/1Spreadex
Miami Heat10/1BetVictor
Cleveland Cavaliers14/1Betfred
Toronto Raptors20/1Betfred
Atlanta Hawks30/1Unibet
Chicago Bulls40/1Unibet
New York Knicks60/1Unibet

*Subject to change

2022/23 Western Conference Winner Odds

FranchiseBest Odds*Bookmaker
Golden State Warriors16/5Unibet
Los Angeles Clippers15/4Spreadex
Phoenix Suns9/2BoyleSports
Denver Nuggets9/1Unibet
Memphis Grizzlies11/1Spreadex
Dallas Mavericks11/1Betfred
New Orleans Pelicans18/1Betfred
Minnesota Timberwolves20/1Unibet
Los Angeles Lakers30/1Unibet
Portland Trail Blazers50/1Unibet

*Subject to change

2022/23 NBA Regular Season MVP – Odds

PlayerBest Odds*Bookmaker
Luka Doncic9/2BetVictor
Giannis Antetokounmpo7/1BetVictor
Jayson Tatum12/1BetVictor
Ja Morant13/1Betfair
Nikola Jokic18/1Paddy Power
Joel Embiid18/1Unibet
Steph Curry18/1BoyleSports
Kevin Durant20/1Unibet
Devin Booker40/1Unibet
Trae Young40/1BetVictor

*Subject to change

2022/23 NBA Betting – Key Dates

  • Training camp opens (27 September, 2022)
  • Pre-season starts (30 September, 2022)
  • Regular season starts (October 18, 2022)
  • Christmas Day schedule: Philadelphia 76ers @ New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers @ Dallas Mavericks, Milwaukee Bucks @ Boston Celtics (December 25, 2022)
  • All-Star break (February 17-22, 2023)
  • Play-in tournament (April 11-14, 2023)
  • Playoffs start (April 15, 2023)
  • NBA Finals start (June 1, 2023)
  • Latest possible NBA finals game (June 18, 2023)

2022 NBA Free Agency – Biggest Moves

  • Minnesota Timberwolves trade for centre Rudy Gobert.
  • Denver Nuggets extend Nikola Jokic.
  • Cleveland Cavaliers acquire Donavan Mitchell.
  • Memphis Grizzlies extend Ja Morant.
  • Philadelphia 76ers acquire guard James Harden.
  • Phoenix Suns extend Devin Booker.
  • Washington Wizards re-sign Bradley Beal.
  • New Orleans Pelicans extend Zion Williamson.

2022/23 NBA Betting Season Preview

  • After claimed their fourth NBA championship in seven years off the back of a superb Steph Curry, the Golden State Warriors should be competing at the top of the West once again this time around. However, an inferior supporting cast – outside of Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Jordan Poole – has seen them struggle at the start of 2022/23, while other teams in the West have smelt blood.
  • Devin Booker’s Phoenix Suns, Ja Morant’s Memphis Grizzlies and Luka Doncic’s Dallas Mavericks are three teams vying to pip the Warriors to glory in the West. The addition of John Wall, meanwhile, could turn the LA Clippers into a serious contender.
  • Over in the East, the Milwaukee Bucks are the early favourites to win the conference after a brilliant start to the season. Giannis Antetokounmpo is well-placed to claim his third regular season MVP, and his Bucks side will be determined to return to the Finals after they were beaten by the Boston Celtics in the conference semi-finals last season. Giannis’ stellar supporting cast has returned in a bid to win another title, but it’ll be the form of their superstar that’ll determine just how far this Bucks side can go in 2022/23.
  • Doncic is the current bookie’s favourite to win his first regular season MVP, and he is very much a one-man show in Dallas. While Luka is magic, his lack of a reliable co-star will likely hamstring the Mavs in the playoffs.
  • Elsewhere in the West, many projected Utah Jazz’s demise after they dealt Rudy Gobert and Donavan Mitchell to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers respectively. Mitchell’s Cavs are certainly a dark horse in the East after they pulled off the biggest trade of the summer. Anyway, as for the Jazz, while their decline was forecasted, their start to the season has been promising, and they could exceed expectations despite supposedly entering rebuild mode.
  • Regarding other potential dark horses, the Cavs are a contender in the East following their move for Mitchell, while the Miami Heat and Toronto Raptors are both blessed with talented young cores. In the West, the Denver Nuggets boast back-to-back regular season MVP Nikola Jokic in their ranks, and while it’ll be tough for the superstar to retain his individual crown, the Nuggets may well get over the hump as a collective.
  • The less said about the star-studded LA Lakers the better, while the highly combustible Brooklyn Nets may well be the biggest make-or-break franchise in the NBA.

NBA Playoffs Predictions

Who Will Win the 2022/23 Eastern Conference?

  • The Milwaukee Bucks look like a team on a mission, currently appearing to be best placed to win the conference. Both the Bucks and last season’s conference winners, the Celtics, are 3/1 favourites at the time of writing. We recommend avoiding the Nets at 7/1 despite their talent and instead backing the Cavs – currently 14/1 to win the East - if you’re looking for a value bet.
  • Milwaukee Bucks 3/1
  • Boston Celtics 3/1
  • Brooklyn Nets 7/1
  • Philadelphia 76ers 8/1
  • Miami Heat 10/1
  • Cleveland Cavaliers 14/1

Note: The above odds are subject to change.

Who Will Win the 2022/23 Western Conference?

  • Despite their poor start, last season’s champions are the current favourites to win the West. The Golden State Warriors will certainly figure it out, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them usurped by a contender. But who could that be? While the bookie’s fancy the LA Clippers, we like Jokic’s Nuggets at 9/1.
  • Golden State Warriors 13/5
  • LA Clippers 15/4
  • Phoenix Suns 9/2
  • Denver Nuggets 9/1
  • Memphis Grizzlies 11/1
  • Dallas Mavericks 11/1

Note: The above odds are subject to change.

Who Will Win the 2023 NBA Finals?

The 2022 NBA Finals offer an excellent target for fans of outright betting. While it’s incredibly early in the season, bookies are still offering odds for next year’s finals.

According to Sport Nation, Milwaukee Bucks are the biggest favourites to win the NBA Finals.

Note: The above odds are subject to change.

What Makes a Good NBA Betting Site?

With the NBA becoming more accessible to fans and punters worldwide, especially in the UK, it’s no surprise that bookmakers are making more of an effort to cover the league in greater depth. Thus, for the 2021/22 season, choices are abundant for bettors.

However, you must make wise selections throughout your NBA betting journey. Firstly, you need to make sure that you're registered with a bookie that will serve your needs personally. With that in mind, below are five important things to look out for:

1) NBA Betting Markets

Most bookmakers will possess NBA coverage of some kind, but some will have more options than others. It’s pivotal that bookies offer an array of markets and sub-markets, allowing you to explore a plethora of avenues when betting on the NBA. We’ll discuss this in further detail later on.

In short, when it comes to NBA betting, an abundance of choice is always welcome.

2) Odds Quality

As is the case with every sport, the odds of bookmakers vary, so it’s down to you to find the one that offers the most consistent and fairest prices.

To establish the quality of a bookmaker’s odds, you can always check the overround.

For those of you not in the know, the overround is the amount over 100% which all possible odds come to when converted into percentages. Logically, if the outcomes are, for example, that Team A could win, that Team B could win, or the game could end in a draw, then when you add all of these odds together (if all things are fairly calculated) it should come out to 100%. This is because one of those outcomes happening is certain, and 100% reflects that.

However, it will come out to more, and that extra amount is the overround, or the bookmaker’s margin. This isn’t a secret or a scam: it’s how all good operators consistently make money in a business which is, by nature, hard to predict.

Betting exchanges offer an alternate business method, which is taking a percentage commission instead.

Either way, it is an annoying but necessary part of how NBA betting works. With that said, it doesn’t mean you should accept any level of margin, with 110% being about the maximum that can be considered reasonable.

3) The Quality of the Live Experience

You must also factor in your live experience. After all, betting on the NBA should be easy and enjoyable, right? While bookmakers can offer you a multitude of markets and good odds, what if their website’s laggy, their mobile app isn’t up to scratch, or you find it hard to place an in-play bet?

If you decide to go for in-play betting, you'll need a bookmaker that allows you to place live bets as efficiently as possible. Thus, you need to consider how quickly the site updates, the technical functionality of the website or app, as well as the in-play markets typically offered.

Livestreaming would be an added bonus, although this shouldn’t be considered a deciding factor when picking a bookmaker. Graphics, match trackers, timelines, and live commentary all help to ensure you’re up to speed with all the live action.

4) Good Quality Across the Site in General

Let’s be honest with ourselves here – very few people are interested in one sport and one sport alone, and very few people are willing to sign up to a different site for everything they want to bet on. That means that whatever site you choose for NBA betting, you are probably going to want them to offer equally great options for plenty of other sports. And, for some people, additional products like casino games are also essential.

Always try to get as much as you can from an operator. Even if you were only interested in the NBA, there are still plenty of other things which are universally important, no matter what markets you are after. This includes things like good customer service, quality design and generous promotions, as well as relevant banking options, reliability and more. That’s why when we recommend our favourite NBA betting sites, we also make sure they are great on a broader level too.

5) Provision of News/Blogs/Insights

This one is a little bit more optional, but we still consider it a big enough positive to mention. In fact, you may not have realised that this is something that more and more sportsbooks are offering.

Keeping up with sporting news is vital to understanding what is going on, from internal difficulties to injuries impacting the game – therefore affecting what a smart prediction looks like.

You can, of course, get all the information on this elsewhere, including news sites and even NBA betting Reddit thread. Having said that, we really appreciate the number of operators who are now adding news, blogs and articles providing not only useful info, but also insights into the world of sport. It’s not as vital as some of the other points on our list, but we view it as a very enjoyable and useful addition.

Best Betting Sites We Recommend for the NBA

#1
Matchbook Exchange
  • Quality betting exchange
  • Ideal for American sports markets
  • Unbeatable odds on the NBA
T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY

Significant T’s & C’s The User must enter Bonus Code ‘COMMFREE90’ during registration Only available to users whio deposit via credit or debit cards New Customers Only. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad

#2
888sport
888sport
  • Terrific amount of basketball betting markets
  • Great variety of international sports in general
  • £25 Free bet refund on losing American accas
T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY

18+ Minimum deposit of £10 using deposit code 30F - A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £10 placed on any sports market - Minimum odds of 1/2 (1.5) - Free bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expire after 7 days - Free bet stakes not included in returns - Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days. To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager bonus amount x40 within 14 days. Wagering requirements vary by game. Deposit methods, Withdrawal restrictions and Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad

#3
Mr Green
  • Often underrated sportsbook
  • Great selection of outrights on the NBA this year
  • Jack-of-all-trades site, perfect for a broad audience
T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY

T&Cs apply. New players only. Qualifying bet(s) must have minimum odds of 3/1 and must be settled before triggering free bet. Free Bet must be used on an accumulator with 3 or more selections. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad

#4
Betfair logo
Betfair
  • Bet on the NBA both via sportsbook and exchange
  • Basketball available alongside 27 other sports
  • World-class reputation for odds
T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY

New customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards or Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad

#5
10bet logo
10bet
  • Fantastic NBA odds
  • Fast and easy to navigate
  • Great betting offers
T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY

18+ begambleaware.org; New bettors get 50% of deposit up to £50; Once per household; Min deposit £15 (no Skrill/Neteller); Wager a total of 8 times deposit + bonus, with max qualifying bet stake equal to your initial bonus amount; Bonus expires after 60 days; Min odds of 4/5 on singles, or 2/5 per leg for acca; Some bet types excluded; See full terms; Terms apply; 18+ #ad

#6
William Hill
  • Large selection of coupons on spreads and total points
  • Other promotions also available for basketball
  • Few can boast the reputation of this industry juggernaut
T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY

New customers using Promo code H30 only, Min £10/€10 stake, min odds 1/2, free bets paid as 2 x £15/€15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is placed, payment method/player/country restrictions apply. See full terms below. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad

#7
Paddy Power logo
Paddy Power
  • NBA markets include tournament and special bets
  • Bet on the number 8 seed in the Western Conference
  • Among the most varied betting sites in the world
T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY

New Customer Offer. Place your FIRST bet on any Sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £10. Only deposits made using cards will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad

#8
bet365
  • Widely revered industry icon
  • Lots of basketball leagues to bet on
  • Astounding number of innovative markets
T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY

18+ - Offer for new customers at bet365. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad

#9
Coral logo
Coral
  • Operator with a truly international appeal
  • Has the betting markets to back that reputation up
  • Terrific in-play action on basketball and more
T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY

18+ New UK+ ROI Customers only. Deposit & Bet min £5 as first bet at minimum odds 1/2 to qualify for 1x £20 Free Bet. Certain deposit methods and bet types excluded. Free bet valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions apply. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad

#10
Unibet
  • Great selection of basketball markets
  • Available in over 100 countries
  • Offers sports from all around the world
T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY

18+ begambleaware.org. New customers only. Min deposit £10. Money back as bonus if first bet loses. Wagering requirements: sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), casino 50x. Unless forfeited the sportsbook bonus must be wagered before using the casino bonus. Bonus expires 7 days after opt-in. No deposit required for NI customers. Call 08081699314 to claim. Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad

#11
BetVictor
BetVictor
  • Accessible and comprehensive betting markets
  • Excellent explanations on NBA bets
  • World-class customer service
T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY

18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £5 at odds 2.00+ within 7 days of registering, no cashout. Get 3x £10 Free Bets,  set events at odds 2.00+. 7 day bonus expiry. Card payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly

#12
Betfred
  • British bookmaker who crushes it on American markets
  • Basketball split into NBA and rest of the world
  • Great set of promotions and daily price boosts
T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY

New 18+ UK customers only. Register using the promo code WELCOME40, deposit and place first bet of £10+ on Sports (cumulative Evens+) within 7 days of registration. First bet must be on Sports. £30 in Free Bets and £10 in Free Spins (50x20p) credited within 10 hours of bet settlement. Free Bet stakes are not included in any returns. Bonuses have a 7-day expiry. Payment restrictions apply. SMS verification and/or Proof of I.D and address may be required Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad

#13
Betway
  • Special NBA early winner promo
  • Consistent and competitive odds
  • Frequent betting promotions
T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY

New UK customers only. Min Deposit: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. Debit card deposits only. This is offer is valid for 7 days from your new account being registered. 18+ Full T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org #ad

#14
Parimatch logo
Parimatch
  • Daily NBA enhanced accas
  • Other basketball Bet Boosts available too
  • Exclusive welcome offer
T&Cs APPLY, 18+ ONLY

T&C`s: 18+, New customers only. Opt in, bet £10 on any sports (odds 2.00+) in 7 days. No cash out. Get 4x£5 sports free bets for set markets (odds 2.00+), which expire in 7 days. Offer is valid from 10:00 UK time on 16/01/2023. Card payments onlyT&Cs Apply | begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly. . Click for full T&Cs. BeGambleAware.org #ad

Popular NBA Betting Markets

Having an abundance of markets is paramount for a premier NBA bookmaker. As is the case with many team sports, there are a myriad of variables to take into account with basketball, meaning there are typically an array of options for bettors.

We've included a breakdown of the most popular NBA betting markets; however, do keep in mind that there is plenty more than is shown here. Furthermore, certain specialist markets relating to things like the NBA Draft Picks aren’t included, as they are not specifically related to in-game action; that said, NBA lottery odds are something that we do take into account. So, do not assume it is not available if we don’t mention it here.

Moneyline Bets

Newcomers may be confused by what appears to initially be a lack of anyoption to back a winner. Don't be misled, however, as this is exactly what Moneyline bets refer to, and you should be able to find them pretty much anywhere you can find NBA bets.It doesn’t matter if your team wins by a point or 1000 points – you are simply backing someone to win.

Spread Betting

Spread betting is popular with American sports, and basketball is no exception. This format of betting is superb, as it attempts to make every contest competitive from a betting perspective. It also encourages you to back the underdog.

The point spread is the number of points that a team must win by for the bet to pay out. The favourite will have a “+” next to their points spread, while the underdog will have a “-“.

For example, let’s say the spread is: Los Angeles Lakers (-3) vs Denver Nuggets (+3). This means that, if you backed the Lakers, they would have to win by more than 3 for your bet to be successful, while if you backed the Nuggets, they would only need to lose by less than three.

Total Betting

This is a simple Over or Under market, but a mightily popular betting avenue due to the high-scoring nature of the sport. Every team in the NBA last season averaged over 100 points per game, with eventual champions Milwaukee leading the way with 120.1 points per game.

So, while in smaller-scoring sports such as football – and, to a lesser extent, American football – you are essentially betting on how many significant events are going to occur, the back-and-forth NBA means you’re betting on a market that offers a fairer representation of a team’s general form throughout. For smart bettors, this is a very important market indeed.

Win Conference Betting

This is the first outright market we’ll discuss. Punters can bet on the winners of both the Eastern and Western conferences throughout the season. The two winners, of course, meet in the NBA Finals in the season’s epilogue.

NBA Championship – Winner Betting Odds

This showpiece event features four, five, six or seven games to decide the NBA’s best. A season’s work boils down to the NBA finals, and, with all major sporting events, it’s a haven for sports bettors. Punters can back a winner before the season, midway through the regular season, or deep into the post-season. That’s the beauty of it.

Once the finals come around, bookmakers will give you plenty of options. You’ll be able to bet on single games, the outcome of the series, and how many games the series will be decided in, among many other markets.

NBA Betting Tips and Strategies

Finding the perfect bookmaker that offers a variety of markets is just the beginning of your NBA betting journey – and the best way to start it off, too!

Developing a betting strategy is also crucial, especially if you’re new to the NBA. The sport may be high-scoring and frenetic, but tactics are also prominent, and it's important to be shrewd with your bets.

So, with that in mind, here are four top tips for the best NBA betting predictions.

01 - KEEP ON TOP OF THE NEWS
You’ve got to be aware of any injuries, suspensions, or internal bust-ups so you can bet accordingly. Stay on top of the latest developments, since a particular absence within a team (for example) can very easily sway the actual probability of a win towards one team. Sometimes, the bookmakers' odds don't always reflect the assumed effects of the most recent turn of events, so you could potentially get your hands on some good value bets.
02 - DON'T LET YOUR PREFERENCES CLOUD YOUR JUDGEMENT
Basketball, as much as any other sport, has incredibly passionate fans - there's a good chance that you're one yourself, if you're reading this. And that likely means that you have your favourites, and possibly even some teams that you’re not a big fan of. Passion can be good from a strategic point of view - it means you are much more likely to retain important information. However, it can also lead to poor decision-making. Perhaps you’re more forgiving of the flaws of your favourites and rate their chances higher than might be considered reasonable. All we can say in this regard is really try and be honest with yourself, and ask if you’re making the bet because it’s what you think will happen, or because it is what you want to happen.
03 - USE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND RESEARCH
If you keep your emotions in check, you can use your objective knowledge of the game to conjure up winning selections. Research is necessary if you want to be successful, and the ever-increasing availability of data online means it’s easier than ever before to access. Check a team’s points-per-game average or a player’s form: how are they shooting? Are they turning the ball over? This will ensure you’re as informed as you can possibly be before betting on the NBA.
04 - UTILISE THE TOTAL MARKET
Totals betting is a great option if you struggle to bet objectively because you’re not backing a winner or loser. There’s less emotion involved, so you can make more rational decisions. As we noted earlier, this market is hugely popular in NBA betting due to the high-scoring nature of the sport. If you’re well-researched, you’ll have a good idea of how many points teams score on average at home and on the road. Figuring out what systems teams have particular success against can also be handy when making a totals bet. However, that requires greater depth and understanding of the sport tactically.

NBA Accumulator Tips

As the season draws to an end, games start to be become more unpredictable than ever before; however, trends and team form become clearer. For example, Phoenix Suns have won a good number of games by more than 5 points, especially when playing other West Coast teams.

When placing an accumulator, it's important to try and determine two things:

  1. strong points and positive trends from top teams;
  2. some important losses for the opposing teams.

For example, if Stephen Curry were to stay out for a couple of weeks, then the Warriors might find themselves in difficulty when playing without their star player. With games being played so close to each other, even the minor injuries to important players may affect the next fixtures since there is only a short time to recover between one match and another.

By pairing the two sets of information you've found, you will be able to place better informed NBA accumulator bets.

What Is the NBA’s Format?

  • The format and structure of the NBA have undergone some revisions in recent years, with a play-in tournament for the playoffs being introduced for the 2020/21 season.
  • First, though, let’s explain the basics. There are 30 franchises – 15 in the Eastern Conference and 15 in the Western Conference – who play 82 regular season games in a bid to make the post-season.
  • There are three divisions within each conference Atlantic, Central and Southeast in the East, and Northwest, Pacific and Southwest in the West. Each team plays 16 division games (playing each division rival four times), 30 conference games, and 36 games against teams from outside their conference. That constitutes the magic 82 total games.
  • Within each conference, teams are then seeded for the post-season based on how many wins they accumulate in the regular season. For example, the team that accumulates the most wins in the East will be the conference’s number one seed, while the team that collects the tenth most victories will be the tenth seed.
  • The teams ranked seventh through tenth will take part in a play-in tournament to make the playoffs. The mini-tournament will see the final two play-off spots decided in each conference.
  • The two teams left standing after two rounds of playoff action will then play for the conference title. The winner of that series then advances to the NBA Finals, where they’ll play the winner of the other conference.
  • All playoff games are decided in a best-of-seven game series.

A Brief History of the NBA

We’re not going to give you a Howard Zinn-esque history lecture here, don’t worry. But here’s a brief bite-size history of the NBA.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) was established in 1949, following a merger between the Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League. 17 teams were part of the newly formed league, but just eight competed between 1955 and 1961. It wasn’t until the 1960s that the league started to gain nationwide popularity, as generational stars such as Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell began to emerge.

Russell’s Celtics dominated the NBA throughout the '60s, winning 11 of the 13 championships on offer between 1957 and 1969. Following a slight lull in the 1970s as competition arose in the form of the ABA before they merged in 1976, the thrilling rivalry between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, who represented the league’s two most iconic franchises – the Celtics and Lakers – saw the NBA grow exponentially as the first TV deals were signed.

These two sides duopolised the eighties as they won eight of the ten championships that decade.

Then came Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. The face of the NBA (and some), the greatest of all time and cultural icon Jordan spearheaded the Bulls’ meteoric rise in the nineties. Chicago won six championships with Jordan leading the way, with their last title – depicted in Netflix documentary The Last Dance – arriving in 1998.

Since the turn of the millennium, we’ve seen several great teams: the Kobe/Shaq led Lakers, LeBron James’ Miami Heat, Gregg Popovich’s San Antonio Spurs, and the Golden State Warriors of the mid-2010s. None, however, have been able to replicate the dominance of Jordan’s Bulls.

Now, we’re seeing the perpetuation of international stars making their name in the NBA. Although the pandemic tried its best to halt the development of the league in the modern day, adaptations were arranged, which saw both the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons completed despite the disruption.

With pandemic-related restrictions having dwindled at the time of writing, the league can look towards an exciting future.

Most Recent NBA Winners

Here’s a quick look at who made the last 10 finals. Winners have been denoted by a (W) sign next to their name.

YearWestern Conference FinalistEastern Conference Finalist
2022Golden State Warriors (W)Boston Celtics
2021Phoenix SunsMilwaukee Bucks (W)
2020Los Angeles Lakers (W)Miami Heat
2019Golden State WarriorsToronto Raptors (W)
2018Golden State Warriors (W)Cleveland Cavaliers
2017Golden State Warriors (W)Cleveland Cavaliers
YearWestern Conference FinalistEastern Conference Finalist
2016Golden State WarriorsCleveland Cavaliers (W)
2015Golden State Warriors (W)Cleveland Cavaliers
2014San Antonio Spurs (W)Miami Heat
2013San Antonio SpursMiami Heat (W)
2012Oklahamo City ThunderMiami Heat (W)
2011Dallas Mavericks (W)Miami Heat
2010Los Angeles Lakers (W)Boston Celtics

Most Successful NBA Teams

Here are the NBA franchises with the most NBA championships since the league’s inception in 1949.

TeamNumber of winsYears won
Boston Celtics171957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965 1966, 1968, 1969, 1974, 1976, 1981, 1984, 1986, 2008
Los Angeles Lakers161949, 1950, 1952, 1952, 1954, 1972, 1980, 1982, 1985, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2020
Golden State Warriors71947, 1956, 1975, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2022
Chicago Bulls61991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998
San Antonio Spurs51999, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2014
Philadelphia 76ers31955,1967, 1983
Detroit Pistons31989, 1990, 2004
Miami Heat32006, 2012, 2013
New York Knicks21970, 1973
Houston Rockets21994, 1995
Milwaukee Bucks21971, 2021

Most Recent NBA Individual Award Winners

YearRegular Season MVPRookie of the YearDefensive Player of the YearFinals MVP
2022Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors)Marcus Smart (Boston Celtics) Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors)
2021Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets)Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz)Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
2020Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
2019Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks)Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz)Kawhi Leonard (Toronto Raptors)
2018James Harden (Houston Rockets)Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers)Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz)Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors)
2017Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder)Malcolm Brogdon (Milwaukee Bucks)Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors)Kevin Durant (Golden State Warriors)
2016Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors)Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves)Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs)LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
2015Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors)Andrew Wiggins (Minnesota Timberwolves)Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs)Andre Iguodala (Golden State Warriors)
2014Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)Michael Carter-Williams (Philadelphia 76ers)Joakim Naoh (Chicago Bulls)Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs)
2013LeBron James (Miami Heat)Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers)Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies)LeBron James (Miami Heat)
2012LeBron James (Miami Heat)Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers)Tyson Chandler (New York KnicksLeBron James (Miami Heat)
2011Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers)Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks)

NBA Records

Individual NBA Regular Season Game Records

  • Most points: 100 - Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia Warriors (vs New York Knicks, 1962)
  • Quickest to reach a triple-double: 14 minutes and 33 seconds – Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets (at Milwaukee Bucks, 2018)
  • Most 3-point field goals made: 14 – Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors (at Chicago Bulls, 2018)
  • Most rebounds: 55 – Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia Warriors (vs Boston Celtics, 1960)
  • Most assists: 30 – Scott Skiles, Orlando Magic (vs Denver Nuggets, 1990)
  • Most steals: 11 – Larry Kenon, San Antonio Spurs (at Kansas City Kings, 1976) and Kendall Gill, New Jersey Nets (vs Miami Heat, 1999)
  • Most blocks: 17 – Elmore Smith, Los Angeles Lakers (vs Portland Trail Blazers, 1973)

Individual NBA Season Records

  • Most minutes played: 3,882 – Wilt Chamberlain (1961/62)
  • Most consecutive triple-doubles: 11 - Russell Westbrook (2018/19)
  • Most points: 4,029 – Wilt Chamberlain (1961/62)
  • Most rebounds: 2,149 – Wilt Chamberlain (1960/61)
  • Most free throws made: 840 – Jerry West (1965/66)

Individual NBA Career Records

  • Most seasons played: 22 – Vince Carter
  • Most minutes played: 57,446 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  • Most points: 38,387 – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
  • Most 50+ point games: 118 – Wilt Chamberlain
  • Most rebounds: 23,924 – Wilt Chamberlain

NBA Team Season Records

  • Best record: 73-9 – Golden State Warriors (2015/16)
  • Worst record: 7-59 – Charlotte Bobcats (2011/12)
  • Fewest wins: 6 – Providence Steamrollers (1947/48)
  • Longest winning streak: 33 – Los Angeles Lakers (November 5, 1971 – January 7, 1972)

NBA Post-Season Game Records

  • Most points: 63 - Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls (at Boston Celtics, 1986)
  • Most 3-point field goals made: 12 – Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers (at Denver Nuggets, 2021)
  • Most rebounds: 41 – Wilt Chamberlain, Philadelphia 76ers (vs Boston Celtics, 1967)
  • Most assists: 24 – Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers (vs Phoenix Suns, 1984) and John Stockton, Utah Jazz (vs Los Angeles Lakers, 1988)
  • Most steals: 10 – Allen Iverson, Philadelphia 76ers (vs Orlando Magic, 1999)

NBA Post-Season Career Records

  • Most games: 260 - LeBron James
  • Highest points-per-game average: 33.45 – Michael Jordan (179 games)
  • Most 50+ point games: 8 – Michael Jordan
  • Most 3-point field goals made: 470 – Steph Curry
  • Most rebounds: 4,104 – Bill Russell
  • Most assists: 2,346 – Magic Johnson
  • Most triple-doubles: 30 – Magic Johnson
  • Most steals: 445 – LeBron James
  • Most blocks: 568 – Tim Duncan

NBA Betting FAQs

There are 30 teams in the NBA: 15 compete in the Eastern Conference, and 15 in the Western Conference.
The 2022/23 NBA regular season got underway on October 18, 2022.
The 2022/23 regular season comes to a close on April 9, 2023. The last possible game in the season (Game 7 of the Finals) will be played on June 18, 2023.
The All-Star Game is part of the NBA’s annual All-Star Weekend that takes place in February. It’s an exhibition game in which the leagues very best compete against one another.
All playoff games in the NBA are decided in a best-of-seven game series. Thus, the first team to four wins progresses – meaning the fifth, sixth and seventh games occasionally aren’t required.

ThePuntersPage Final Say

As fans return to arenas for the NBA’s 75th anniversary year, now might be the opportune time to start your NBA betting journey. Coverage among bookmakers is ever-improving, with punters having access to several great NBA operators.

It’s bound to be a thrilling season of basketball, so sit back and enjoy some of the world’s greatest athletes pit their wits in high-octane action for the next few months!