NBA Betting Tips, Predictions & Expert Previews
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the world's top basketball competition. The NBA consists of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada) that are divided into the Western and Eastern conferences.
The NBA is one of the world's most popular sports with stars such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokic and James Harden transcending basketball.
Bets.com.au has you covered with daily tips, previews and predictions for the biggest games throughout the NBA season.
We also show you how to live stream every game of the NBA season on your favourite mobile device with trusted bookmakers.
2025/26 NBA Betting Odds
Oklahoma City Thunder won their first NBA Championship in more than a decade when they edged out the Indiana Pacers 4-3 in a thrilling seven-game series in the Finals, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading the way.
You can check out the latest odds courtesy of Betr for who will win the 2025/26 NBA championship in the table below.
🏆 NBA 2025/26 Winner 🏆🏀 Bet on the NBA with Betr 🏀Bet Here
18+. T&Cs apply
| 2025/26 NBA Championship | Odds |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | $2.70 |
| Denver Nuggets | $6.00 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | $10 |
| Houston Rockets | $11 |
| Los Angeles Lakers | $15 |
| New York Knicks | $15 |
| Golden State Warriors | $19 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | $26 |
| Detroit Pistons | $29 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | $31 |
| Rest of the field | $31+ |
Note: Odds from Betr. Correct from 26/11/25.
NBA Bet of the Day
Our NBA Bet of the Day is our best tip and selection from the daily slate of games. It could be a team to win, individual performance or an NBA multibet of the day.
In order to view our best daily NBA picks, simply click the above link.
Best NBA Bookmakers
All leading bookmakers in Australia offer odds on the NBA - with some having more markets and choices available than others.
Our top five recommended bookies to bet on the NBA with can be seen below, while you can also check out the best bookmakers in Australia in our comprehensive review section to pick out the best one for you.
NBA Live Streaming
You can watch NBA basketball live streams on your favourite digital device including mobile phone and tablet.
Opening up an account with a number of our trusted online bookmaker partners will deliver basketball live streaming.
All you need is an active and funded account to take advantage of the NBA live streaming options bookmakers provide.
How to watch NBA Live Streams
The bet365 live streaming service is a great way to watch live basketball. Here is all you need to know to watch basketball live streaming with bet365.
- Log-in or register for an account at bet365
- Visit bet365 > Basketball > NBA
- Registered depositing users can watch & bet on basketball.
Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access.
To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Note, under Australian law, Live Streaming on bet365 is exempt from Parts 3 and 4 of the Broadcasting Services (Online Content Service Provider Rules) 2018.
NBA Betting Markets
NBA is undisputedly one of the most popular global sports for punters to bet on - this is primarily due to their being multiple games basically every single day of the season, while there's also a seismic amount of markets available.
A list of all the betting markets on offer for the NBA can be seen below.
Match Result Markets
- Head-to-Head (Moneyline)
- Line / Point Spread
- Total Points (Over/Under)
- First Half Result/First Half Lines
- First Quarter Result/Quarter Lines
- Race to X Points
- Highest-Scoring Quarter
Player Prop Markets
- Player Points
- Player Rebounds
- Player Assists
- Player Threes Made
- Player Steals/Blocks
- Player Turnovers
- Player Double-Double/Triple-Double
- Player Combos (PTS+REB, PTS+AST, REB+AST, PRA)
- Player Performance Doubles (e.g., 25+ points & team to win)
Team Prop Markets
- Team Total Points (Over/Under)
- Team Total Threes Made
- Team Total Rebounds / Assists
- Race to X Points
- Winning Margin (1–10, 11–20, 21+)
- Alternate Lines (Team alternate handicaps or totals)
Multi Markets
- Same Game Multi (SGM)
- Same Game Multi+ (cross-game multis)
- Player Multis (Bundled player props)
Quarter & Half Markets
- Quarter Winner/Half Winner
- Quarter Lines/Half Lines
- Quarter Totals/Half Totals
- Quarter-Time Correct Score Bands
- Highest-Scoring Quarter/Half
Game Props
- Winning Margin (Band or Exact)
- Total Game Points Bands
- OT Yes/No (Will the game go to overtime?)
- Team to Score First Basket / Last Basket
- Method of First Basket (2pt/3pt/FT)
- Lead at Half-Time/Full-Time (HT/FT Double)
Futures Markets
- NBA Championship Winner
- Conference Winner (East/West)
- Division Winner
- Season Win Totals (Over/Under)
- Player Awards
- NBA MVP
- Rookie of the Year
- Defensive Player of the Year
- Sixth Man of the Year
- Most Improved Player
- Coach of the Year
- Player Futures
- Season Points Leader
- Season Rebounds Leader
- Season Assists Leader
- Scoring Title Winner
Playoffs & Finals Markets
- Series Winner
- Series Correct Score (4–0, 4–1, 4–2, etc.)
- Series Total Games
- Team to Win Game 1 & Win the Series
- Conference Finals MVP
- NBA Finals MVP
Live / In-Play Markets
- Live Head-to-Head
- Live Line/Spread
- Live Totals
- Live Player Props (select bookmakers)
- Live Next Point/Next Team to Score
- Live Momentum Markets (e.g., Race to 10 points in quarter)
Novelty & Special Markets
(Bookmaker-dependent)
- Player Contract/Trade Specials
- Draft Betting (Top Pick, Draft Position)
- Season Milestone Specials
- Team Win Streak Markets
NBA Teams
NBA Eastern Conference Teams
| Atlantic Division | Central Division | Southeast Division |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Celtics | Milwaukee Bucks | Miami Heat |
| Philadelphia 76ers | Indiana Pacers | Charlotte Hornets |
| Toronto Raptors | Detroit Pistons | Atlanta Hawks |
| Brooklyn Nets | Chicago Bulls | Washington Wizards |
| New York Knicks | Cleveland Cavaliers | Orlando Magic |
NBA Western Conference Teams
| Northwest Division | Pacific Division | Southwest Division |
|---|---|---|
| Denver Nuggets | Los Angeles Lakers | Dallas Mavericks |
| Utah Jazz | Phoenix Suns | Houston Rockets |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | LA Clippers | San Antonio Spurs |
| Portland Trail Blazers | Golden State Warriors | Memphis Grizzlies |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | Sacramento Kings | New Orleans Pelicans |
NBA Playoffs
The NBA playoffs are a best-of-seven elimination tournament that takes place after the NBA regular season. The top eight teams in the East and West conference qualify for the NBA playoffs with the winners of each conference meeting in the NBA Finals.
The winners in the first round of the NBA playoffs advance to the second round or conference semifinals. The two conference semifinals winners advance to the third round or conference finals. The winner from the East and West conference advance to the NBA Finals.
All rounds in the NBA playoffs are best-of-seven series with home-court advantage seeing the hosts games 1, 2, 5, and 7. Their opponent hosts games 3, 4, and 6.
NBA Social Media
NBA Latest News
The official NBA website is the best place to stay up to date with all the latest breaking news, results, player interviews, highlights, stats and more.
NBA Champions & Runners-Up
Year Western Champion Result Eastern Champion 2025 Oklahoma City Thunder 4-3 Indiana Pacers 2024 Dallas Mavericks 1-4 Boston Celtics 2023 Denver Nuggets 4-1 Miami Heat 2022 Golden State Warriors 4–2 Boston Celtics 2021 Phoenix Suns 2-4 Milwaukee Bucks 2020 Los Angeles Lakers 4-2 Miami Heat 2019 Golden State Warriors 2–4 Toronto Raptors 2018 Golden State Warriors 4–0 Cleveland Cavaliers 2017 Golden State Warriors 4–1 Cleveland Cavaliers 2016 Golden State Warriors 3–4 Cleveland Cavaliers 2015 Golden State Warriors 4–2 Cleveland Cavaliers 2014 San Antonio Spurs 4–1 Miami Heat 2013 San Antonio Spurs 3–4 Miami Heat 2012 Oklahoma City Thunder 1–4 Miami Heat 2011 Dallas Mavericks 4–2 Miami Heat 2010 Los Angeles Lakers 4–3 Boston Celtics 2009 Los Angeles Lakers 4–1 Orlando Magic 2008 Los Angeles Lakers 2–4 Boston Celtics 2007 San Antonio Spurs 4–0 Cleveland Cavaliers 2006 Dallas Mavericks 2–4 Miami Heat 2005 San Antonio Spurs 4–3 Detroit Pistons 2004 Los Angeles Lakers 1–4 Detroit Pistons 2003 San Antonio Spurs 4–2 New Jersey Nets 2002 Los Angeles Lakers 4–0 New Jersey Nets 2001 Los Angeles Lakers 4–1 Philadelphia 76ers 2000 Los Angeles Lakers 4–2 Indiana Pacers 1999 San Antonio Spurs 4–1 New York Knicks 1998 Utah Jazz 2–4 Chicago Bulls 1997 Utah Jazz 2–4 Chicago Bulls 1996 Seattle SuperSonics 2–4 Chicago Bulls 1995 Houston Rockets 4–0 Orlando Magic 1994 Houston Rockets 4–3 New York Knicks 1993 Phoenix Suns 2–4 Chicago Bulls 1992 Portland Trail Blazers 2–4 Chicago Bulls 1991 Los Angeles Lakers 1–4 Chicago Bulls 1990 Portland Trail Blazers 1–4 Detroit Pistons 1989 Los Angeles Lakers 0–4 Detroit Pistons 1988 Los Angeles Lakers 4–3 Detroit Pistons 1987 Los Angeles Lakers 4–2 Boston Celtics 1986 Houston Rockets 2–4 Boston Celtics 1985 Los Angeles Lakers 4–2 Boston Celtics 1984 Los Angeles Lakers 3–4 Boston Celtics 1983 Los Angeles Lakers 0–4 Philadelphia 76ers 1982 Los Angeles Lakers 4–2 Philadelphia 76ers 1981 Houston Rockets 2–4 Boston Celtics 1980 Los Angeles Lakers 4–2 Philadelphia 76ers 1979 Seattle SuperSonics 4–1 Washington Bullets 1978 Seattle SuperSonics 3–4 Washington Bullets 1977 Portland Trail Blazers 4–2 Philadelphia 76ers 1976 Phoenix Suns 2–4 Boston Celtics 1975 Golden State Warriors 4–0 Washington Bullets 1974 Milwaukee Bucks 3–4 Boston Celtics 1973 Los Angeles Lakers 1–4 New York Knicks 1972 Los Angeles Lakers 4–1 New York Knicks 1971 Milwaukee Bucks 4–0 Baltimore Bullets 1970 Los Angeles Lakers 3–4 New York Knicks 1969 Los Angeles Lakers 3–4 Boston Celtics 1968 Los Angeles Lakers 2–4 Boston Celtics 1967 San Francisco Warriors 2–4 Philadelphia 76ers 1966 Los Angeles Lakers 3–4 Boston Celtics 1965 Los Angeles Lakers 1–4 Boston Celtics 1964 San Francisco Warriors 1–4 Boston Celtics 1963 Los Angeles Lakers 2–4 Boston Celtics 1962 Los Angeles Lakers 3–4 Boston Celtics 1961 St. Louis Hawks 1–4 Boston Celtics 1960 St. Louis Hawks 3–4 Boston Celtics 1959 Minneapolis Lakers 0–4 Boston Celtics 1958 St. Louis Hawks 4–2 Boston Celtics 1957 St. Louis Hawks 3–4 Boston Celtics 1956 Fort Wayne Pistons 1–4 Philadelphia Warriors 1955 Fort Wayne Pistons 3–4 Syracuse Nationals 1954 Minneapolis Lakers 4–3 Syracuse Nationals 1953 Minneapolis Lakers 4–1 New York Knicks 1952 Minneapolis Lakers 4–3 New York Knicks 1951 Rochester Royals 4–3 New York Knicks 1950 Minneapolis Lakers 4–2 Syracuse Nationals 1949 Minneapolis Lakers 4–2 Washington Capitols 1948 Baltimore Bullets 4–2 Philadelphia Warriors 1947 Chicago Stags 1–4 Philadelphia Warriors
| Year | Western Champion | Result | Eastern Champion |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 4-3 | Indiana Pacers |
| 2024 | Dallas Mavericks | 1-4 | Boston Celtics |
| 2023 | Denver Nuggets | 4-1 | Miami Heat |
| 2022 | Golden State Warriors | 4–2 | Boston Celtics |
| 2021 | Phoenix Suns | 2-4 | Milwaukee Bucks |
| 2020 | Los Angeles Lakers | 4-2 | Miami Heat |
| 2019 | Golden State Warriors | 2–4 | Toronto Raptors |
| 2018 | Golden State Warriors | 4–0 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2017 | Golden State Warriors | 4–1 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2016 | Golden State Warriors | 3–4 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2015 | Golden State Warriors | 4–2 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2014 | San Antonio Spurs | 4–1 | Miami Heat |
| 2013 | San Antonio Spurs | 3–4 | Miami Heat |
| 2012 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 1–4 | Miami Heat |
| 2011 | Dallas Mavericks | 4–2 | Miami Heat |
| 2010 | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–3 | Boston Celtics |
| 2009 | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–1 | Orlando Magic |
| 2008 | Los Angeles Lakers | 2–4 | Boston Celtics |
| 2007 | San Antonio Spurs | 4–0 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
| 2006 | Dallas Mavericks | 2–4 | Miami Heat |
| 2005 | San Antonio Spurs | 4–3 | Detroit Pistons |
| 2004 | Los Angeles Lakers | 1–4 | Detroit Pistons |
| 2003 | San Antonio Spurs | 4–2 | New Jersey Nets |
| 2002 | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–0 | New Jersey Nets |
| 2001 | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–1 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 2000 | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–2 | Indiana Pacers |
| 1999 | San Antonio Spurs | 4–1 | New York Knicks |
| 1998 | Utah Jazz | 2–4 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1997 | Utah Jazz | 2–4 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1996 | Seattle SuperSonics | 2–4 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1995 | Houston Rockets | 4–0 | Orlando Magic |
| 1994 | Houston Rockets | 4–3 | New York Knicks |
| 1993 | Phoenix Suns | 2–4 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1992 | Portland Trail Blazers | 2–4 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1991 | Los Angeles Lakers | 1–4 | Chicago Bulls |
| 1990 | Portland Trail Blazers | 1–4 | Detroit Pistons |
| 1989 | Los Angeles Lakers | 0–4 | Detroit Pistons |
| 1988 | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–3 | Detroit Pistons |
| 1987 | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–2 | Boston Celtics |
| 1986 | Houston Rockets | 2–4 | Boston Celtics |
| 1985 | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–2 | Boston Celtics |
| 1984 | Los Angeles Lakers | 3–4 | Boston Celtics |
| 1983 | Los Angeles Lakers | 0–4 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1982 | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–2 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1981 | Houston Rockets | 2–4 | Boston Celtics |
| 1980 | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–2 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1979 | Seattle SuperSonics | 4–1 | Washington Bullets |
| 1978 | Seattle SuperSonics | 3–4 | Washington Bullets |
| 1977 | Portland Trail Blazers | 4–2 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1976 | Phoenix Suns | 2–4 | Boston Celtics |
| 1975 | Golden State Warriors | 4–0 | Washington Bullets |
| 1974 | Milwaukee Bucks | 3–4 | Boston Celtics |
| 1973 | Los Angeles Lakers | 1–4 | New York Knicks |
| 1972 | Los Angeles Lakers | 4–1 | New York Knicks |
| 1971 | Milwaukee Bucks | 4–0 | Baltimore Bullets |
| 1970 | Los Angeles Lakers | 3–4 | New York Knicks |
| 1969 | Los Angeles Lakers | 3–4 | Boston Celtics |
| 1968 | Los Angeles Lakers | 2–4 | Boston Celtics |
| 1967 | San Francisco Warriors | 2–4 | Philadelphia 76ers |
| 1966 | Los Angeles Lakers | 3–4 | Boston Celtics |
| 1965 | Los Angeles Lakers | 1–4 | Boston Celtics |
| 1964 | San Francisco Warriors | 1–4 | Boston Celtics |
| 1963 | Los Angeles Lakers | 2–4 | Boston Celtics |
| 1962 | Los Angeles Lakers | 3–4 | Boston Celtics |
| 1961 | St. Louis Hawks | 1–4 | Boston Celtics |
| 1960 | St. Louis Hawks | 3–4 | Boston Celtics |
| 1959 | Minneapolis Lakers | 0–4 | Boston Celtics |
| 1958 | St. Louis Hawks | 4–2 | Boston Celtics |
| 1957 | St. Louis Hawks | 3–4 | Boston Celtics |
| 1956 | Fort Wayne Pistons | 1–4 | Philadelphia Warriors |
| 1955 | Fort Wayne Pistons | 3–4 | Syracuse Nationals |
| 1954 | Minneapolis Lakers | 4–3 | Syracuse Nationals |
| 1953 | Minneapolis Lakers | 4–1 | New York Knicks |
| 1952 | Minneapolis Lakers | 4–3 | New York Knicks |
| 1951 | Rochester Royals | 4–3 | New York Knicks |
| 1950 | Minneapolis Lakers | 4–2 | Syracuse Nationals |
| 1949 | Minneapolis Lakers | 4–2 | Washington Capitols |
| 1948 | Baltimore Bullets | 4–2 | Philadelphia Warriors |
| 1947 | Chicago Stags | 1–4 | Philadelphia Warriors |
NBA History
The Basketball Association of America was founded in 1946. The first NBA game was played on November 1, 1946, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada when the Toronto Huskies hosted the New York Knickerbockers at Maple Leaf Gardens.
The NBA introduced the 24-second shot clock in 1954.
Bill Russell joined the Boston Celtics in 1957 and went on to lead the Celtics to eleven NBA titles in thirteen seasons. That run included eight straight championships from 1959 to 1966 which is the longest streak in NBA history.
The NBA evolved with the Minneapolis Lakers moving to Los Angeles, the Philadelphia Warriors relocating to San Francisco, the Syracuse Nationals moving to Philadelphia to become the Philadelphia 76ers and the St. Louis Hawks moving to Atlanta.
The Chicago Packers became the ninth NBA team in 1961. The NBA saw rapid expansion from 1966 to 1968 when it expanded from 9 to 14 teams. In 1967 the NBA faced a threat from the American Basketball Association (ABA) who succeeded in signing a number of major stars in the 1970s.
From 1966 to 1974 the NBA grew from 9 franchises to 18. Following the 1976 season the ABA and NBA reached a settlement which saw the addition of four ABA franchises to the NBA - San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and New York Nets (now the Brooklyn Nets).
The NBA added the ABA's three-point field goal in 1979. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson joined the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers respectively which saw interest in the NBA grow significantly.
In the 1980s Johnson led the Lakers to five NBA titles and Bird led the Celtics to three NBA titles.
Michael Jordan entered the league in 1984 with the Chicago Bulls. The Detroit Pistons won the back-to-back NBA Championships in 1989 and 1990 but the Bulls became the dominant force with Jordan and Scottie Pippen leading the Bulls to two three-peats in eight years from 1991 to 1998.
Hakeem Olajuwon led the Houston Rockets to back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995.
In 1998 the NBA owners began a lockout that suspended the season until a new labor agreement was reached. Half the season was lost.
In the early 2000's Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships.
The 2008 Finals saw a rematch of the NBA's biggest rivalry, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics won their 17th championship largely thanks to the big three of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett.
In 2011 there was another lockout which resulted in a shortened 66-game season.
LeBron James became the dominant player in the NBA when he switched from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Miami Heat. After four seasons with the Heat, LeBron James returned to the Cavaliers. In 2016 he led the Cavaliers to their first NBA Championship, becoming the first team in history to overturn a 3-1 deficit in the Finals.
In the 2016-17 season, the Golden State Warriors recruited Kevin Durant. He was the Most Valuable Player in the 2017 NBA Finals and led the team to another Championship in 2018 when the Warriors swept the Cavaliers.
During free agency in 2018 LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers. The Warriors returned to the Finals for the fifth straight year but were beaten 4-2 by the Toronto Raptors who were led by Kawhi Leonard. It was the Raptors' first NBA championship.
On March 11, 2020 the NBA suspended the remainder of its season "until further notice" because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The season restarted on July 30, 2020 with 22 teams playing eight additional regular season games to determine playoff seeding.
Giannis Antetokounmpo was the main man in 2021 as he led his Milwaukee Bucks team to a 4-2 NBA Finals series win over the Phoenix Suns. The Golden State Warriors returned to the champions corner in 2022 as they held off the Boston Celtics 4-2 before Nikola Jokic produced one of the best individual seasons in recent memory to guide the Denver Nuggets to a 4-1 victory over the Heat to secure the Championship in 2023.
The Celtics dominated the Dallas Mavericks 4-1 to take the 2024 championship, while the Thunder - lead by SGA - edged out the Pacers 4-3 in 2025.
NBA FAQs
Can I watch a live stream of NBA matches?
Check our live streaming calendar to see where to watch NBA live streaming online. Online bookmakers like bet365 allow registered customers to watch & bet on all NBA games during the season.
What is the NBA?
The NBA is a men's professional basketball league in North America and Canada. NBA stands for the National Basketball Association.
Where is the NBA played?
The NBA is played primarily in North America and Canada with games also held in England.
What is the NBA Finals?
The NBA Finals is a seven match series between the Western Conference winners and Eastern Conference winners to decide the winner of the NBA Championship.
Who has won the most NBA Championships?
Boston Celtics have won 18 NBA Championships.
How many teams are in the NBA?
There are 30 teams in the NBA. The 30 teams in the NBA are Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards.
