Best NBA Basketball Betting in New Zealand 2024

It doesn't matter that NBA basketball is played in the US, punters across New Zealand love to watch this sport, especially when they can make bets on the game. Whether you're a long-time LA Lakers fan or you prefer the long odds of the New York Knicks, you can enjoy basketball betting at the best sites in 2024. Visit one of the best betting sites online, recommended by us, and get your slam dunk bets in today.

We explain everything you need to know about NBA betting, as well as:

  • Which bets you can make to beat the NBA odds
  • How to wager on all the games of the season
  • What we look for in the best online betting sites
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NBA has always been a popular sport in New Zealand but has grown by leaps and bounds since Steven Adams was signed to the NBA.

Getting Started with NBA Betting

Getting Started with NBA Betting

Basic Rules of NBA

When you bet on NRL games, it's best to have a general sense of the rules. This helps you know what you can bet on, and when best to make your winning NBA bet.

  • Basketball teams are made up of five players each on the court.
  • The ball is moved down the court by passing or dribbling.
  • When a team scores a basket, they get two points and the ball goes to the other team.
  • A game lasts 48 minutes, divided into four 12-minute quarters.

Common Basketball Betting

The bigger the game or championship, the more betting options a bookie might add. So, if you're betting on the NBA Finals, these are the most popular wagers in basketball.

Handicap

Handicap betting levels the playing field. If the Lakers are the favorite against the Timberwolves, the handicap might be +20 to the Timberwolves. If you bet on the Timberwolves to win and the Lakers win by 19 points or less, then you won the bet in the handicap market.

Match Betting

This is the simplest wager. You can bet on which team will win the game and find other match bets like highest scoring quarter or half, winning margin, and highest scoring players.

Outright Winner

Always a popular wager in sports betting, you bet on which team will win a tournament or championship. For example, you might bet on the Miami Heat to win the Eastern conference, or on the Golden State Warriors to win the NBA Finals.

Rules of the Game

These are the basic rules of NBA that you’ll need to have a good understanding of the game.

  • Basketball teams are made up of five players each on the court.
  • The ball is moved down the court by passing or dribbling.
  • When a team scores a basket, they get two points and the ball goes to the other team.
  • If a player scores from outside the three-point arc, the basket is worth three points.
  • A game lasts 48 minutes, divided into four 12-minute quarters.
  • If a player scores from outside the three-point arc, the basket is worth three points.

Top NBA Betting Odds and Tips

Ready to win big with NBA betting? Here are some tips and strategies to help.

Understand your team

Knowing your team's playing style will put you at an advantage when making live bets. If they push hard in the first quarter, you might bet on a lower scoring time period for the opposing team, whereas if there's a star player, you might bet on their number of points in the first half.

Wager on each quarter or half

Does your team push hard in the beginning or end? Are they stronger on offence or defence? This could give you the chance to make worthwhile bets on the half-time or full-time market.

Never underrate home court

Home court advantage is a big deal. Not only are home fans there, but players are in familiar surroundings, seeing loved ones and aren't tired from travel.

Use a betting calculator

These can help you know how much you stand to win or lose on a specific wager, and will even calculate the basketball odds for you. Sometimes it's so exciting to imagine what might happen that we forget to stay grounded with how worthwhile or viable a bet actually is.

Enjoy the game

NBA basketball betting adds an extra layer to simply watching the game, so sit back and enjoy the experience - and hopefully get lucky with your bets in the process!

How We Rate and Review Top NZ Casinos Online

As a sensible gambler, checking whether the casino is legit, licensed and offers suitable payment methods should be first on your list. Our New Zealand team of gambling experts go to great lengths to check each casino adheres to the essential guidelines.

Choosing an online betting site

We have a team of experts ready to help you find the best betting site online. All of our reviews are detailed and honest, giving you an expert opinion so that you know what to expect before you place your first bet. Casino operators online often include bookies, which means there are even more options for online betting.

To find the best betting sites online, we check for the following elements and suggest you do the same.

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Licensing and Security

Only gamble at betting sites that are fully licensed with regulatory bodies. They also need to use the latest encryption technology to keep your personal and financial data safe.
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Software

Whether it’s with apps or browser-based betting, sports betting sites need to give gamblers a stable, well-designed way to place bets on computers and mobile devices.
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Variety

The selection of available wagers must be large and varied, with all the best sports and bets that punters are looking for.
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Banking Methods

Online betting sites must offer fast deposit and withdrawal options using a variety of secure and popular banking methods.
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Customer Support

Customer service is vital for resolving any questions or concerns, which is why it should be easily available using a variety of communication channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • You can place a wide range of NBA bets on the same site, including match bets, live wagers and outright bets.
  • Yes! It’s safe to place NBA bets at fully licensed and verified online betting sites, such as the ones we recommend here on this site.
  • Of course. Most of our recommended betting sites offer generous welcome welcome bonuses, loyalty rewards and other enticing extras.
  • The odds will vary depending on how well a team is playing, and who their opponents are. Other factors can include if the team is playing away or at home or any player injuries.
  • Definitely! Most betting sites have customized mobile apps and pages specially designed to fit mobile browsers. So, you can enjoy all the best NBA betting on the go!