Think you’ve got the smarts to wager on some fast-paced NBA action? Then maybe it’s time for you to check out NBA live betting.
In this article, we’ll guide you through some tips around live betting, as well as share the best sportsbooks to place your live NBA bets on.
Our top choice is BUSR – we’ll get into exactly why that is a little bit later. For now, let’s dip our feet into live gambling in general.
Ready to gain some knowledge?
What is NBA Live Betting?
Live betting is when you place a wager on action that is unfolding in the moment. Traditionally, most bets are made before an event starts. For example, an NBA futures bet refers to any wager that is placed more than 24 hours before that event starts, which is typically reserved for betting on the NBA championship winners, or who’ll make the NBA playoffs.
Much like regular pre-game markets, there are also live betting markets available. Often as you are scanning markets looking to make a bet, you may find that some of them are suspended leaving you unable to make a wager. This happens regularly to ensure you can’t bet on an event that has already technically happened, thereby gaming the system.
Popular live bets include taking the in-game moneyline. If a team gets off to a hot start and takes a big lead, you’ll naturally see a move in the odds to better reflect their chances of winning. This opens you up to opportunities of better value odds for the other team, especially if you think they’re able to mount a swift comeback and win.
Some live betting websites come with streams so you can literally watch the action unfold as you place your bets. Failing that, other bookmakers offer a hub of live up to date statistics and text commentary of the game, giving you the opportunity to make informed decisions.
Tips for NBA Live Betting
Follow the Hot Hand
In no other sport do players catch fire as astronomically as they do in basketball. When a superstar is locked in, it’ll sometimes seem like they will never miss – and hey, that’s pretty advantageous for you. If you spot a player that’s looking like they’re about to heat up, make sure you give yourself the best opportunity to take advantage of their live betting props.
Always Keep an Eye on the Underdog Team
More often than not in NBA betting, the underdog is where the value lies. That same philosophy carries over directly into live betting. If the favored team looks a little bit off early doors, make sure you’re logging your bets and taking advantage of any value that still exists – because it won’t be there for long.
If The Score’s Within 10, Anything Can Happen
Basketball is a game of runs, which sounds funny to say because we’re not talking about baseball. But seriously, it is. Teams in the NBA and at college level go on runs of form. They hit hot streaks during the game and build up leads. Conversely, they turn ice-cold and end up conceding a bunch of buckets.
A lot of NBA coaches use the ‘get the game within 10’ philosophy for this reason, and we think it applies equally to the world of live NBA betting. If you see a team go on a run and manage to get a game within 10 points, there’s every chance they’ll go on to tie-up the game or maybe even win. Stay alert to these possibilities at all times, folks.
Advantages of NBA Live Betting
The Gift of Insight
The main advantage of live betting is being able to oversee exactly what’s going on in front of you, allowing you to make up-to-date informed decisions based on second-by-second game tape.
There’s nothing more raw and honest than the game itself. Being able to analyze a player’s performance in the moment, or indeed how an overall team is playing, can be utterly invaluable to making profitable bets.
Trim Your Hedges
For those of you who consider themselves more conservative and risk-averse bettors, live betting offers you plenty of opportunities to hedge your bets. We spoke about this briefly in the initial live betting section. If you’ve backed a team and they’ve got off to a bad start, you can limit losses or even turn a profit by putting some money on the other side.
Excitement Abound
There’s really not much of a comparison to live betting. The fast-paced nature of it makes it an extremely fun but volatile version of regular betting. It’s almost like regular wagering but amped to the teeth on caffeine, for lack of a more nefarious substance that we aren’t allowed to write about here.
Disadvantages of NBA Live Betting
Plan? What Plan?
While you can spend hours, days, weeks, and even months researching your best-planned futures bet, there is no such comfort in the arena of live betting. On the contrary, you’re subject to the whims of an ever-changing event unfolding in real time without mercy. It’s you against the clock, essentially. That doesn’t give you much in the way of contingency when things go wrong and could breed bad betting behaviors.
Ruthless and Impulsive
Being placed in such a fast-paced betting environment is a test of one’s nerves. There will be many times during an event that you’ll want to make a decision, only to find out seconds later it would have been a bad one. Or even worse, you end up regretting not taking a punt you wish you had.
Suspended Markets
It’s not just you watching the game unfold, but the bookmakers and odds compilers too. You’re essentially locked in a battle with these guys as the game unfolds.
If they spot an edge that could be exploited, they’ll often suspend the markets to make sure that they can adjust the odds before they potentially lose money. If you don’t act quickly enough, you’ll find yourself staring at the ‘suspended markets’ tab more than you want to.
How to Start Betting On the NBA Live
Below is a quick guide to registering at our top choice for live NBA betting – BUSR. Follow the instructions to create a new account and start placing your wagers ASAP.
Step 1 – Register at BUSR
- Click here to join BUSR
- Fill out your details
- Wait for a validation link to arrive
Step 2 – Validate your account
- Check your email inbox for the validation link
- If it’s not there, check your spam box
- Once you’ve located it, click the link to complete the account validation
Step 3 – Deposit and play
- Deposit using your chosen payment method
- Use a bonus if you wish
- Navigate to the NBA section and start planning your bets
Best NBA Live Betting Sites
- BUSR: Best overall
- Bovada: Best NBA live betting interface
- MyBookie: Top choice for live NBA futures bets
- BetOnline: Best bonuses for live betting
- Everygame: Most reputable
- MyStake: Top pick for crypto bettors
- Sportsbetting: Generous NBA contests
- Thunderpick: Big welcome bonus
- XBet: Top choice for mobile betting
- BetUS: Free NBA picks and predictions
Below is a quick review of each of our top NBA betting apps. Each has been carefully vetted by our team of gambling experts, and we’ve summarised the key selling points of each platform for your convenience.
1. BUSR – Best NBA Live Betting Site Overall
Pros
- Cashback promotions
- Safe and secure platform
- Highly reputable ownership
- Excellent live betting component
Cons
- Could do with an aesthetic update
Live Betting (+ Other NBA Markets) 5/5
BUSR excels as a live betting platform for the NBA. It features extensive odds and in-depth markets allowing tons of opportunity to exploit edges and wager a successful in-play bet. The live lines are updated frequently and you can follow along with games quickly and efficiently.
Bonuses & Promotions 5/5
There’s a wide range of promotions available here at BUSR, we’ve included some of the highlights below.
150% welcome bonus
Earn up to $2500 after registering at BUSR. Simply use the code SPORTS100FP while making a minimum deposit of $100 to qualify. The wagering requirements are set at 10x, which is a little above the average but still easily cashable with enough luck and patience.
8% rebates
If you’re a fan of wagering on horse racing then you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better bonus than this. You can get 8% of all your bets placed on horse racing paid into your account every morning. No wagering requirements attached.
Misc 5/5
BUSR is a veteran of the sports betting industry and it consistently proves its status as a top destination for online gambling is well-deserved. If we’re being picky we could argue that it could do with a new lick of paint, but that’s an easily fixable issue. The reality is, BUSR blends a high level of customer service with a feature-rich sportsbook that people across the globe enjoy daily.
2. Bovada – Best NBA Live Betting Interface
Pros
- $750 welcome bonus
- Modern design
- Competitive NBA odds
- Smooth live betting experience
Cons
- Lacks live streaming
Live Betting (+ Other NBA Markets)
Bovada’s live betting platform is neatly represented on the main page, so no matter where you are you can dive straight into the live betting action without having to spend too much of your time fumbling about in confusing sub-menus.
All of the main NBA odds are displayed on the main page, and there’s an option for other markets if you click through. Inside you’ll find a range of popular live wagers such as ‘Race to 10’ ‘Quarter Winners’ and bets on the ‘Highest Scoring Half’ of the game.
We’d love to see a live-streaming function here to really put the cherry on top of the cake, but alas that’s not something Bovada offers right now. Still, its statistics hub is updated with lightning speed so you won’t encounter any trouble keeping up with the game itself.
Bonuses & Promotions
Start your journey at Bovada by taking advantage of the $250 welcome offer. This 50% match on your initial deposit comes with a 5x wagering requirement for sports betting markets. You can juice this up to $750 if you opt to deposit using an eligible cryptocurrency.
Once that’s settled, Bovada focuses less on frequent promotions and more on providing value through Bovada rewards points earned with every bet placed. As you accumulate points, you can access exclusive payment methods, like Tether, and eventually redeem your points for cash. If you plan on making Bovada your main site for NBA Games and betting, it’s not a bad investment at all.
Additionally, a $200 referral bonus is available, which increases to $275 if both you and your friend use Bitcoin. Something to keep in mind if you’re looking to make the switch to crypto-gambling or have already.
Misc 5/5
With over a decade of experience, Bovada has earned a well-established reputation as a top NBA betting site for its dependability, user-friendly interface, and comprehensive sports coverage.
Behind the curtain lies the highly reputable Bodog gaming group, making Bovada a proud member of the Pai Wang Luo Poker Network.
Furthermore, Bovada features regular poker tournaments and boasts impressive daily user traffic, making it one of the most highly regarded online poker destinations in North America. Both beginners and pros alike get hard and heavy on the felt.
3. MyBookie – Best Live NBA Betting Site for Futures Bets
Pros
- Unique low wager bonus
- Excellent V.I.P. program
- Top NBA futures bets
Cons
- Dated design
Live Betting (+ Other NBA Markets)
As soon as you log on to MyBookie, the Live Betting section is emblazoned right at the top of the page for easy access. Clicking through will take you to whatever events are currently live, including any NBA games.
If you’re looking into either form of betting on the NBA then we’d be remiss not to mention MyBookie’s excellent NBA futures betting odds. A cursory look at the sidebar reveals markets packed with competitive odds for the season MVP winner, the NBA championship winners, and general NBA playoff odds.
Bonuses & Promotions
To kick-start your MyBookie experience, you can take advantage of a 50% welcome bonus, applicable on your first deposit, with a minimum deposit of $50. For sports betting, the wagering requirements are 10x.
In addition to this, there is a secondary option that offers you less bonus cash but more favorable wagering requirements. Instead of the usual 10x, you’ll only be required to wager once – after this, any funds won are yours to keep, no strings attached.
While there are limited NBA-specific bonuses, VIP members can enjoy exclusive perks, such as tailored offers and monthly cashback. So it still remains a solid option if you want to make it your home for NBA wagering.
Misc 5/5
Although MyBookie is not yet a decade old, it has gained recognition as a strong competitor in the sports betting industry. The site is fully licensed and SSL-secure, making it an excellent choice for sports bettors. Furthermore, MyBookie’s ownership group are known to be reputable individuals who harness a progressive vision of turning it into one of the biggest sports betting sites in the world.
If you need assistance, MyBookie’s customer service team is available around the clock. The website promises to process all payouts within 48 hours, something we’ve been able to verify first-hand. Remember to avoid delays in receiving your first withdrawals by making it one of your first priorities to verify the ID on your account after registering.
4. BetOnline – Best Bonuses for Live NBA Betting
Pros
- $1000 welcome bonus
- 25% reload bonus
- Free live bet on the NBA
- Top NBA prop bets
Cons
- High minimum deposit to trigger bonus
Live Betting (+ Other NBA Markets)
Similar to MyBookie, as soon as you login to BetOnline you’ll find a link to the live betting section. MyBookie’s design and layout are a bit more complicated than some of the competitors in this category, but given time you’ll get used to the tools available and may even find yourself preferring it. It’s a matter of subjective taste after all.
One particular live betting feature we enjoyed was the small ‘My Bets’ tab at the top right of the page. Instead of having to go into your account and check for your recent bets made, this tool allows you to see exactly the wagers you have going on for this particular live event. It’s a fantastic time saver and invaluable for planning bets.
Bonuses & Promotions
The present BetOnline sign-up promotion provides a 50% bonus up to $1,000. This deal is exclusive to your initial deposit, and to claim it, you must use the promotional code “BOL10001“. However, it should be noted that a minimum deposit of $55 is required to be eligible for this offer.
If you decide to make BetOnline your NBA live betting destination of choice, you can benefit from ongoing promotions for returning customers. These encompass seasonal deals as well as a 25% reload bonus whenever you deposit at least $50. Not bad, huh?
Oh, and for those who opt for cryptocurrency deposits, an increased 35% reload bonus is available too. Seems like you guys always benefit from the good stuff.
Misc
BetOnline is a trusted online sportsbook, boasting over 25 years of experience in the industry. The site is SSL-encrypted and is currently owned by Eddie Robbins III. It also holds a Panama gambling license, which gives us more confidence in recommending it.
Moreover, new players at BetOnline can claim a $25 risk-free player prop bet as well as a risk-free live bet of the same value. Both of these free bets are available for use in NBA markets, and you can also take advantage of enhanced odds when they are offered out.
5. Everygame – Most Reputable NBA Live Betting Site
Pros
- Hot hoops chase
- NBA specific bonuses
- Online since 96
- Great parlay bets incentives
Cons
- Payment methods could be improved
Live Betting (+ Other NBA Markets)
Everygame’s live betting component is ideal for those of you who are more detailed orientated. Indeed, their approach to organization and accessibility may even trump some of the higher-placed websites on this list – unfortunately, it’s just let down in other areas.
There are two main ways for you to view the live betting section here. You can opt for a master overview which gives you a brief summary of all the live games currently unfolding – or you can personalize your betting experience with multi-view, where you can follow several specific games of your own choosing.
Bonuses & Promotions 5/5
As a new player, you can claim a $250 bonus up to three times. This is worth as much as $750 and comes with relatively low wagering requirements of 4x.
Everygame often runs sports-specific promotions and even has some available right now for the NBA. You can take part in a 5k hoops chase competition for the post-season where all of your winning wagers add up to points on the board. Whoever comes first can win a 5k cash prize, with runner-up spots paying out well too.
Misc 4/5
With four decades under its belt, EveryGame has cemented its place as one of the biggest and most reliable names in NBA betting. Since its inception in 1996, there has been some ownership over the years, the more seasoned bettors amongst you will recall its former identity as Intertops prior to a rebranding in 2021.
In addition to its sportsbook, EveryGame also functions as a real money online casino, offering games such as blackjack, poker, and roulette. You can also count on 24/7 customer service, adding yet another reason to recommend it for all your NBA betting needs.
How We Selected the Best NBA Live Betting Sites
Live Betting (+ Other NBA Markets)
It won’t be at all shocking to learn that while evaluating the merits of a good live betting site for the NBA, we take a good look at the live betting components available at sportsbooks. Some stand-out features include live streaming, up-to-date statistics, and clean and intuitive usability to ensure bets can be placed quickly and efficiently.
Bonuses & Promotions
Bonuses and promotions are practically thrown at you everywhere you go in online gambling. That doesn’t mean they’re all fun and games though. On the contrary, some bonuses aren’t worth opting into at all.
When we evaluate bonuses we look under the hood at the terms and conditions so you don’t have to. Most of the bonuses available in this article will have reasonable wagering requirements and offer genuine value to the player.
Misc
If it doesn’t fit in the above boxes, it goes here. You might find a number of different facts and information in this particular category. Maybe some stuff about a website’s reputation, ownership, or longevity in the industry.
We may also talk about some more trivial stuff such as website design. Although arguably, that’s not something we’d consider trivial. Just probably not quite deserving its own full category/benchmark.
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Guide to NBA Live Betting – FAQs
Is It Safe to Bet on the NBA Live?
It’s completely safe to bet on the NBA provided you are using trustworthy establishments. We’ve vetted all the NBA betting sites featured in this article so you don’t have to. If you’re using platforms not written about here, we cannot guarantee your safety.
Can I Make Money Live Betting on the NBA?
Yes, you can make money betting on any form of the NBA – not just live betting. But hey, guess what – you can also lose money too. We recommend approaching this recreationally, and only betting what you can afford to lose because you won’t always win – that’s for sure.
Where Can I Find the Best NBA Betting Odds?
You can find excellent NBA betting odds across any number of the bookmakers we’ve recommended in this article. You should use all the options here to shop your lines and compare odds, so you always know when you’re getting the best deal.
What Other Bets Can I Place On the NBA?
There’s a whole world of betting outside live betting. You can make parlay bets, futures bets, prop bets. You name it, it’s available. You can even combine some of these bets with live betting itself.
What are the Best Sites for Live NBA Betting?
BUSR is our top choice for your NBA live betting needs, but we’ve listed nine other exceptional sports betting platforms to visit. Make sure you don’t miss out. It’s only for your benefit, after all.
Let’s Compare the Top 5 NBA Live Betting Sites
BUSR: Our top pick delivers the definitive NBA live betting experience. Sign-up today to claim your $2500 welcome bonus.
Bovada: Bovada’s modern design and smooth live betting experience make it one of the better bookmakers to place your NBA bets with. Register now to claim your $750 bonus.
MyBookie: MyBookie benefits from both an intriguing live betting section and top NBA futures odds. Get greedy and enjoy both. Register today to choose between two unique welcome bonuses.
BetOnline: BetOnline’s completely risk-free live NBA bet makes it a must-visit for your NBA wagering needs. Register today and enjoy a $1000 welcome bonus too.
Everygame: Everygame’s personalization options make it a key bookmaker worth considering for your live NBA bets. Sign-up now to secure your $750 bonus.
Ready to Lock In Your Live NBA Bets?
Hopefully, by now you have a better understanding of live betting and how it works, especially in relation to the NBA.
Remember, we’ve given you our expert opinion on the top sportsbooks to go and place your bets, putting BUSR at the top of a pile of excellent quality platforms.
There’s no reason why you shouldn’t give all of them a shot. The only person who benefits from doing so is you, after all.
Now, go forth, and make those live wagers!
DISCLAIMER: 21+ only. The information on this site is for entertainment purposes only. Online gambling comes with many risks. Players are advised to gamble responsibly and only use funds they can afford to lose. Remember, gambling is only intended for entertainment purposes and is not a solution to any financial difficulties.
Gambling laws and policies vary from one region to another. Some sites mentioned in this review may not be accessible in your area. Always do your due diligence and check your local gambling policies. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
If you suspect you’re becoming addicted to gambling, seek help immediately by contacting the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
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