Complete NBA Betting Guide: 2020 NBA Title, Draft Odds & Game Lines

In recent years, the NBA has become one of the most popular sports to bet on. Of course, football is still king in terms of betting but basketball has slowly but surely become a popular option for bettors. As the legal sports betting landscape becomes more and more prominent, this will only increase in popularity. Let’s take a look at the best ways to bet on the NBA, the top legal sportsbooks available, which states to bet on, and plenty of NBA odds and betting options.

Odds To Make NBA Playoffs with Restart

NBA Restart Schedule By Team

How Can I Bet on the NBA?

There are many ways to bet on the NBA at legal online sportsbooks in the US. Let’s take a look at a NBA Odds guide for ways to bet on the NBA, a look at some futures betting offerings and more.

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NBA Odds Guide

For betting on the NBA, there are plenty of odds to choose from and betting types to go with it. Some of these ways to bet on the NBA include:

• Spreads
• Totals (Over/Unders)
• Moneylines
• Futures
• Props
• Parlays
• Teasers and more!

NBA Futures Betting

Betting on NBA futures is one of the more popular betting markets available, as there are plenty of options to wager on. Here’s a look at some examples:

• NBA Finals Futures
  • Bet on the Lakers (+250) to win the NBA Finals
• Conference Champions
  • Bet on the Clippers (+125) to win the Western Conference)
• Division Champions
  • Bet on the Sixers (-115) to win the Atlantic Division
• Individual Awards
  • NBA MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, etc
• NBA Draft Odds
  • First Pick Odds, Odds for LaMelo Ball to get drafted to a team, etc.

Where Can I Bet on the NBA?

Sports bettors can bet on the NBA in a variety of sports at many different sportsbooks. With nearly half of the US approaching legal sports betting, the options have never been more prevalent. Let’s take a look at the top sportsbooks to bet on the NBA.

DraftKings Sportsbook

States Available: PA, NJ, WV, IN, NH, IA, CO

Bonus: Up to $1,000 BONUS

FanDuel Sportsbook

States Available: PA, NJ, WV, IN, IA, CO, NY

Bonus: Risk-FREE Bet up to $500

BetMGM Sportsbook

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States Available: NJ, CO, WV, IN, NV

Bonus: Risk-FREE Bet up to $500

The following states are (or will be) accepting bets on the NBA, whether online or retail.

• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Iowa
• Michigan
• Mississippi
• Montana
• New Jersey
• New York
• Nevada
• Oregon
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• West Virginia

Current NBA Finals Odds

With the NBA season being suspended due to the coronavirus, NBA Finals odds had essentially been put on hold until recently. You can still bet the futures market at DraftKings Sportsbook though, but the odds have not changed much. The Lakers and Bucks are tied atop the leaderboard at +250 with the Clippers behind them at +300. Once the NBA season resumes, expect the holds to move again based on how the season ends.

NBA Finals Odds Movement

The odds movement in the NBA is always changing and will continue to once the NBA season starts back up again. As you can see from the comprehensive chart above, things can change in a hurry. When the 2019 season ended, the Warriors were +200 to win the NBA Finals. Now, they are not listed after injuries and more have affected their ability to win basketball games consistently. In addition, the Clippers saw a massive rise from +1200 to +333. Look for the odds to move again when the season resumes, and the 2020-2021 season will be an interesting one for betting given that there are plans to move the start of the 2021 NBA season to December.

– Top NBA Titles Betting Upsets –

2016 NBA Finals – LeBron and Kyrie dethrone the Golden State Warriors

The Warriors were up 3-1, but the Cavaliers won three straight including a nail-biting 93-89 victory in Game 7. This has been dubbed as LeBron James’ biggest win in his career, without a doubt.

2011 NBA Finals – Dallas Mavericks Ruin Miami Heat’s Plans

The LeBron James-led Heat lost in six games to Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks. This was the first season of the “new” Miami Heat after LeBron James joined Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade in Miami, but they could not finish the job. Not to worry though, they took care of business in the seasons after.

2004 NBA Finals – Pistons Take Down Mighty Lakers

From Kobe Bryant to Shaquille O’Neal to an older Gary Parton and Karl Malone, the 2004 Lakers were huge favorites to win the 2004 NBA Finals against the Pistons team led by Rip Hamilton, Chauncey Billups, Rasheed Wallace, and Ben Wallace. In an upset, Detroit won in five games, and Karl Malone retired without a championship.

Last 5 NBA Finals Betting Odds

Bold is the winner, first team listed is the team with the home-court seeding.

2019 NBA Finals Betting Odds

• Toronto Raptors +230 vs. Golden State Warriors -270

2018 NBA Finals Betting Odds

• Golden State Warriors -1075 vs Cleveland Cavaliers +688

2017 NBA Finals Betting Odds

• Golden State Warriors -300 vs Cleveland Cavaliers +250

2016 NBA Finals Betting Odds

• Golden State Warriors -220 vs Cleveland Cavaliers +180

2015 NBA Finals Betting Odds

• Golden State Warriors -220 vs Cleveland Cavaliers +190

NBA MVP Odds

The NBA MVP markets were taken down due to the coronavirus concerns, as there is uncertainty on when the season will resume or how many games will be played before the playoffs begin. Before taken down, here are a look at the odds to win NBA MVP on DraftKings Sportsbook.

Is @Giannis_An34 the NBA MVP?

60 of the 70 media members we polled gave him their first-place votes 😤 https://t.co/foSvbKvpvJ pic.twitter.com/mwA6hrlG8K

— ESPN (@espn) March 23, 2020

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the overwhelming favorite to win the NBA MVP, sitting at -560 at DraftKings Sportsbook. At FanDuel Sportsbook, he is -550 which makes him a better bet there. As for LeBron James, if you think there will be an upset for NBA MVP, he is +450 on DraftKings (+430 on FanDuel).

Last 5 NBA MVP Betting Odds

A look at the last five NBA MVPs with their odds to win at the time pre-season.

2019 NBA MVP – Giannis Antetokounmp (+475)
2018 NBA MVP – James Harden (+1100)
2017 NBA MVP – Russell Westbrook (+200)
2016 NBA MVP – Steph Curry (+650)
2015 NBA MVP – Steph Curry (+1600)

NBA Draft Odds 2020

NBA Draft First Overall Pick Odds

The 2020 NBA Draft will be an unprecedented one, without a doubt. With March Madness being canceled in 2020, and the uncertainty surrounding the 2020 NBA season, no one knows who will have the first pick and an abundance of prospects did not get to shine in the NCAAB postseason. What we do know is that there are some top prospects that have already been training for the NBA Draft, and you can bet on who will be drafted first overall in the upcoming draft. LaMelo leads the charge at +100, with James Wiseman and Anthony Edwards behind him.

Number of collegiate games played by each of these prospects:

LaMelo Ball (0 GP)
Anthony Edwards (32 GP)
James Wiseman (3 GP)
Deni Avdija (0 GP)
Obi Toppin (64 GP)
Killian Hayes (0 GP)
RJ Hampton (0 GP)
Cole Anthony (22 GP) https://t.co/3epMEUIyyi

— Bets Stats (@betsstats) May 4, 2020

NBA Betting Odds Frequently Asked Questions

When will the NBA come back?

There is no concrete answer for when the NBA will return yet, but speculation is either the summer of 2020.

Where can I bet on the NBA legally?

You can bet on the NBA legally in the United States in states with legal sports betting. Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Indiana, New Hampshire, Iowa, Colorado and more.

When is the 2020 NBA Draft?

The 2020 NBA Draft is scheduled for June 25th, but that could be pushed back due to coronavirus concerns.

Can I bet on the NBA Draft?

Yes. In places with legal online sportsbooks, you can bet on the NBA Draft.

When is the 2020 NBA Finals?

The 2020 NBA Finals will occur at the end of the 2020 NBA season, which has been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. Look for fall 2020 for the NBA Finals.

Who is the favorite to win the NBA Finals?

The favorite to win the NBA Finals is the Los Angeles Lakers at +250 on DraftKings Sportsbook, but they are tied with the Milwaukee Bucks.

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