Basketball is a sport with a huge global following and it is also continuously growing in popularity within Ireland.
From the thrilling games in the NBA to fiercely-fought battles at international tournaments, one of America’s favourite pastimes is enjoyed by millions (if not billions) of people, all while providing ample betting opportunities.
Basketball betting can be a thrilling experience, with a diverse range of markets and basketball odds available here at NetBet Sport. Read on to discover a little bit more about a five-per-side sport which was first played way back in 1891.
Here are four of the most popular competitions for people to bet on basketball:
NBA: The National Basketball Association, a 30-team league in North America, is widely viewed as the pinnacle of professional basketball. With iconic teams such as the LA Lakers, Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets, as well as an endless supply of superstar names, NBA betting is huge - particularly across the pond!
Euroleague: A 20-team league which is regarded as the top tier of professional basketball in Europe. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Fenerbahce and Olympiacos are some famous winners of this competition.
FIBA Basketball World Cup: First played in 1950, the Basketball World Cup is a thrilling 32-nation tournament which is held every four years.
Basketball at the Olympic Games: The sport of men’s basketball has been part of the Summer Olympics schedule since 1936, with women’s basketball introduced in 1976. The USA is the dominant force with 27 gold medals overall.
Of course, Europe also has a number of top basketball leagues, which are available to bet on at NetBet Sport. Spain’s Liga ACB, the Turkish Basketball Super League and the Greek Basketball League are three of the biggest - and most exciting!
Moneyline: Predict which team will win the selected basketball match.
Handicap/Points Spread: This is also known as ‘spread betting’ in the USA and it is a hugely popular form of basketball betting, particularly on matches in the NBA. It is a way of levelling the playing field, with the underdog given a positive points spread and the favourite given a negative points spread. For example, if you bet on ‘Chicago Bulls -12.5’, the Bulls have to win the game by at least 13 points, but if you bet on ‘Golden State Warriors +12.5’, the Warriors only have to avoid losing by 13 points or more.
Total Points: Predict whether the combined points total in a basketball match will be over or under a specified value.
Outright Betting: At NetBet Sport, you can place outright bets on basketball competitions throughout the year. In the case of the NBA, the outright markets available range from ‘Winner’ to ‘Regular Season MVP’ and beyond.
Live or in-play basketball betting provides a dynamic platform for bettors to access while basketball matches are being played.
But while exceptional value can be found in the real-time basketball odds, which constantly adjust according to the state of play, it is still vitally important to stay focused and stick to your well-thought strategy.
Keep a close eye on the flow of the match and the live player statistics, using all the real-time data available to quickly react and place a basketball bet with the odds in your favour.
Player Statistics: There are few sports in which the players are analysed more than in basketball. The plethora of stats available online borders on scary, from scoring averages to assist numbers, shooting percentages and much more. This means you have access to data which can help you find value in the basketball odds. Furthermore, keep a keen eye on player availability (suspensions, injuries etc.) and their previous performances against a specific opponent, as these factors can also help you make informed decisions on both player prop bets and team-based bets.
Team Performance: Taking a detailed dive into each team’s past performances is hugely beneficial in the basketball betting world. Win/loss ratios, head-to-head records, home vs away form, historical trends, these are some of the metrics that can help you find yet more value in basketball betting odds.
Listen to NBA/Basketball Tipsters: Taking advice from basketball and NBA experts is always a wise move, as their in-depth knowledge can point you in the right direction in terms of which betting markets and odds to analyse. But make sure the experts and tipsters are from a reputable source.
Understand Tournament/League Formats: Basketball competitions can often have different formats, which you need to get to grips with before looking at betting markets and odds. For example, the NBA has two different Conferences (Eastern and Western) and after matches in those leagues have concluded, the champion is then decided in the Playoffs. It may sound a little confusing at first compared to leagues in other sports, but it is fairly easy to get to grips with.
It could not be easier. Simply set up a NetBet account, login and navigate to our exclusive basketball betting page. Here, you will find leagues and matches from all over the world. Choose which game you wish to bet on, select a market, add to your bet slip and confirm the bet with your desired stake.
Yes, here at NetBet we have a range of outright markets on various basketball tournaments and leagues, particularly the NBA. You can bet on the winners of each Conference, as well as player-specific bets.
Yes, live basketball betting is available through the ‘In Play’ section on our website and app. Here, you can select the game, market and odds you wish to bet on.
© 2026 NetBet
NetBet is owned and operated by NetBet Enterprises Ltd., Ewropa Business Centre, Level 3, Suite 704, Office A, Dun Karm Street, Birkirkara, BKR9034, Malta Licence No. MGA/B2C/126/2006, issued on 01/08/2018.
Licensed and regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority MGA. NetBet Enterprises Ltd. is licensed in the Republic of Ireland under licence n. 1010329.
Please note that some of our games are licensed and regulated in the following jurisdictions: Alderney, Belgium, Curaçao and Gibraltar. Access to online money game sites is forbidden under some national laws. It is the responsibility of the individual player to ensure that they are acting within the law when accessing the NetBet site. Gambling carries financial risk and a risk of dependency. Play responsibly!
Gamble responsibly and only bet what you can afford. For help, please contact Gamble Aware on 0808 8020 133 (UK) or visit www.gambleaware.org