Nigeria is among the top sports betting countries in Africa, with most punters who prefer to bet on NBA. This competition is full of events, and bettors are always looking forward to the start of the season. Bettors on many betting platforms comprise both experienced players and some beginners.
The NBA is a popular league that is renowned across the whole world. Nigerians can follow the league through various platforms or stream major sports events on the bookmaker sites that offer the service. Fortunately, the best betting sites in Nigeria cover this sport, and you will find plenty of markets to wager on.
Betting on NBA
The NBA is a global phenomenon with a huge scope. Due to its popularity, the league has influenced other parts of the world in terms of the fan base and betting services. The NBA means National Basketball Association, a league that was founded in 1946. It has produced basketball icons for many decades, including Michael Jordan and the late Kobe Bryant.
Industry Size
The NBA has a significant number of young viewers, with close to 50% aged 35 years and below. Women are less likely to watch the NBA, forming just 35% of the viewership.
Away from the US, the next biggest NBA market is China. For instance, in the 2017-18 season, an estimated 800 million viewers watched the league. The tickets are very expensive for the NBA All-Star Games, averaging around $2,800.
Global Phenomenon
The NBA sometimes participates in international club competitions. A specific case is from 1987 to 1999 when a team from the NBA competed against championship teams from South America, Europe and Asia. The competition was named McDonald’s Championship, and the NBA invitee always won the competition each time it was held.
Again, most NBA clubs have foreign players and coaches from all over the world, including Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. When it comes to social responsibility, the NBA has created a program known as NBA Cares, whose purpose is to address social issues around the globe.
How to Register on a Betting Site and Bet on NBA
Before placing NBA bets on any betting site, you must first create an account. Registration on most bookmakers takes a few steps to see you complete the process in a few minutes.
- Visit the official bookmaker’s website.
Most bookmakers have online sites where they offer betting services. Go to the official website and explore the main page to see some offers.
- Click the ‘Registration’ or ‘Join’ button and fill out the form.
On the main page of the bookmaker, you can always find these buttons at the top position. The link will lead you to a new page that comprises a form by clicking on them.
A registration form will come up, prompting you to fill in your details. Provide accurate information: the bookmaker will request to verify your account in future. Some details include name, phone number, email address, & country.
- Enter a promotional code.
Sometimes, you could enter a promotional code. However, this choice is always optional, so you can leave the slot blank if you have no promo code.
- Create a password.
Passwords are meant to secure your account from unauthorised entry. Therefore, generate a strong password that guarantees maximum security by using letters, symbols and numbers.
- Tick the checkboxes.
Bookmakers will often provide checkboxes for you to tick and confirm that you have attained the legal betting age. Then, confirm that you agree to the terms and conditions.
- Fund your account.
Check the minimum limits and deposit money in your account at this stage. You are likely to receive a welcome bonus depending on your bookmaker, as long as you meet all the bonus T&Cs.
- Place bets.
After receiving the welcome offer, you can explore various sports disciplines on the site and wager on your favourite events.
The Different Types of NBA Bets
NBA is a popular league that appeals to a significant percentage of Nigerian bettors. If you are just beginning the basketball betting journey, you need to understand the betting types available in the NBA.
One of the main strategies to use is to choose a specific market and specialise in it to make a successful betting career. The following are the common NBA markets you will come across on most betting sites.
Spread
This market refers to the number of points by which a team can win or lose. For example, in a spread of -2, you will only win the bet if the team you favoured wins by three or more points.
Moneyline
Moneyline implies that a bettor picks the outright winner of the game. The market does not consider the margin of the win. It is a two-way market where the favourite team is depicted using a negative value while the underdog is represented using a positive value.
Half Time Lines
For bettors who find it too much to bet on a full NBA match, half-time lines allow you to wager on the first half alone, no matter the market. For instance, you can choose a halftime spread or halftime moneyline.
Parlay
An NBA parlay works the same way as the accumulator bet in other sports. It is simply a bet on NBA where you choose multiple selections on one bet slip. To win, the predictions for all the selections must come true.
Futures
As soon as one season concludes, some bookmakers provide odds for the next season that will happen in the period to come. This market has competitive odds and many Nigerian punters like its potential. So you can wager today and receive results later when the event comes to pass.
Match
Matched betting happens when you have a bonus and want to utilise it. A player in this market needs to know how to bet on NBA with one wager using the bonus and bet the opposite at the betting exchange. It helps you to win with any outcome or break even.
Total Points Scored
In NBA betting, this market is also known as over/under. Here, the bookmaker will put up a threshold to guide the bettor on whether they have won or lost a bet. The threshold involves several points.
If you select over, you win the bet if the game ends with the total score above the threshold. The game must end with the total scores below the threshold if you choose under.
First Basket
Bookmakers provide odds for this market where you win by selecting the correct player that will score the first basket. For example, in a game between the Lakers and Celtics, you can choose LeBron James to be the first scorer.
Handicap
Handicap betting is where the bookmaker attempts to level up the playground from a betting perspective, especially in a match where the favourite is too strong for the underdog. This is done by limiting the favourite and empowering the underdog. For example, in a match featuring the Golden State Warriors against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Warriors look more likely to win the match.
So the bookmaker will place the handicap line at +14.5 for the 76ers and -14.5 for the Warriors. If you place your wager on the 76ers, you win if they lose by 14 points or less. Players who favour the Warriors should win by 15 points or more for the bet to go through.
Prop Bets
NBA prop bets focus on player and team statistical performances rather than the traditional bets based on total scores and team to win. Factors to consider include assists, rebounds, and other points that the entire team accumulates.
Betting Value
Value betting is where a player identifies a bet where the odds will provide an edge over the betting site. Essentially, this scenario occurs when the bettor has a better chance of an event happening than what the odds represent.
NBA Betting Odds Explained
Like any sport, basketball betting relies on odds. NBA odds have the same function as any other statistical odds, showing the outcome of your bet on the NBA if you manage to win. However, due to the different structures of the game, the odds are represented differently depending on the market. For example, in the handicap bets, you will find the odds for the favourite team represented with a negative value while the odds for the underdog are represented with a positive value.
NBA odds come in different formats depending on the bookmaker you choose. For example, you can find decimal odds, fractional odds and American odds, but they all mean the same thing. In the NBA, teams that are likely to win have lower odds, while those that are less likely to win are allocated massive odds values.
For new players who are just launching their betting careers in basketball, you can study how the odds are presented. For example, if you bet on a team with a positive value, say +110 using a stake of $100, you are likely to win $110. If the odds have a negative value of -200, you will have to bet with a stake of $200 to win $100. Therefore, betting on the NBA requires that a player strikes a balance between the risk, value and the odds.
Strategy When Betting on NBA
NBA betting requires a proper strategy if you have to win most bets. Seasoned players have acquired various skills to make correct predictions, but new players can use some of the strategies discussed below.
Know the Sport Well
The NBA is all about basketball, so you must know the game’s rules. Research the teams that play in this league, various stats, prominent players, and the game results’ structure. This information will guide you on the market you choose to place bets on.
If you do not do enough research, you may pick a market that is not suitable for this sport. For instance, basketball has four quarters, unlike football which only has two halves.
Be Rational –Do Not Bet on Impulse
Betting requires proper analysis of games and not emotions. As much as you wish or support a particular team to win, be rational enough to consider it an underdog if it faces a better opponent. In this case, you are likely to win the bet despite the frustration that your team lost.
Never bet on impulse without taking time to study the teams. Betting is a game of chance that could lead to losses if you have a poor plan. At all times, wager in your right mind and with appropriate team analysis.
Know the NBA Betting Markets
There are many NBA markets to wager on. You may find some markets to be complicated while some are very simple. Take some time to study these markets and know what they entail. Over time, you will gain enough betting experience to adopt even the most complicated markets that offer more payouts.
Be aware of Injured Players/Home Team Advantages / etc.
Before you bet on the NBA, you need accurate data on the team lineup and the team playing at home. For instance, check and establish if the most prolific team members are lined up to play or are injured.
A team whose most dependable players are injured will not perform well in that match. On the other hand, home ground advantage favours a team because players understand the court, and many fans will attend to cheer the team.
Analyse the Event
You will need to know the opponents and the importance of their game. Is it their first clash of the season? Are we talking about the playoffs or the NBA finals? It’s incredibly important to consider the significance of each game.
Set a Betting Budget: Only Money That You Can Lose
At all times, always remember that betting is a game of chance that is very addictive. Never allow yourself to chase losses because of frustrations. Therefore, as you set out to bet on NBA, make sure you spare money that you are willing to lose.
Top 10 Sites to Bet on NBA: Current Offers and Bonuses in Nigeria
We have listed some of the most prominent Nigerian sites where you can bet on NBA.
| Betting Sites | Bonuses | Code |
|---|---|---|
Bet9ja | 100% welcome bonus +50% casino bonus | MAX9JA |
1xbet | 300% up to ₦189 280 | Bet on 1xbet |
Betking | Bet and Get ₦25,000 in Free bets | BONUSBET |
Betway | Offers 100% bonus up to ₦250,000 | PROMOMAX |
N1bet | 300% bonus up to ₦500,000 | Bet on N1bet |
Betwinner | 100% bonus of up to ₦100,000 | BEMYBETNG |
Yangasport | Get up to 600% Acca Bonus | MAXPROMO |
22bet | 100% bonus up to ₦50,000 | Bet on 22bet |
Pari Match | 100 bonus up to ₦150,000 | NGPARI |
bet365 | Up to $30 in Bet Credits* (Key Terms: Min deposit requirement. Bet Credits 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 T&Cs apply.) | Code: BETMAX365 (The bonus code BETMAX can be used during registration, but does not change the offer amount in any way) |
How We Selected Our Bookmakers for NBA Betting
A bookmaker is said to be credible if it meets a certain threshold. The criteria to establish this threshold are based on some factors discussed below.
Betting Offers
The primary service that bookmakers provide is betting. A good bookmaker should provide better offers across all sports disciplines by selecting top events. For instance, in football, most punters love European leagues with a perfect structure. The NBA is the biggest offer a bookmaker can provide for punters in basketball.
Odds
The value of odds will determine whether you can make a profit out of betting or not. Odds have a multiplier effect on your stake, hence high odds can lead to greater winnings. A good bookmaker ideally offers boosted odds for most events.
Betting Markets
The betting industry has massive markets for players to choose their favourites. Some markets are simple, while some are complicated. Simple markets are easy to interpret, but they have little returns.
On the other hand, complicated markets carry a huge risk, yet they have competitive payouts. Therefore, a good bookmaker should have a mixture of these markets to allow players to choose what they like.
Live Streaming
Most players love to watch live games while placing bets on betting sites. A bookmaker with a live streaming feature is superior to one that does not have it. It is a modern trend that attracts the current generation of bettors. Most likely, bookmakers with live streaming features have more customers.
Licensed Bookmakers
The online space is not safe because of the risk of cybercrime. A licensed bookmaker guarantees its customers’ safety and ranks ahead of unlicensed betting sites. A player will be more confident submitting personal and banking details to a regulated bookmaker.
Apart from safeguarding your online presence, a licensed bookmaker will protect you from the adverse effects of betting through various responsible gaming strategies.
Frequently Asked Question about NBA Betting
We answer some common questions that Nigerian players have about how to bet on NBA.