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How to Bet on NBA Playoffs Online: Betting Guide for 2025

Someone sports betting and watching the game from the stands.

Someone sports betting and watching the game from the stands. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

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YouBet Staff

May 9th, 2025

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The NBA playoffs are here and it is going to be one of the most wagered events in all of sports. Each game presents a new chance to win, providing more excitement for bettors than ever before. The key is to know how to get started.

Sports betting doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With our guide, you can get started at one of the top online sportsbooks, take advantage of tremendous promotional offers, and help you kick off your sports betting experience on the right foot.

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Choosing a Sportsbook

The first step in the process is to choose a sportsbook. With so many out there to choose from, it can feel a bit overwhelming to narrow your options down. There are two factors to look for: reputation and promotional offers.

The best sportsbooks are widely rated and used by millions. Knowing that you can play safely is a huge deal. Secondly, the top sportsbooks in the world offer some of the best new user promotions out there. Whether it be bonus bets or no-sweat first bet promotions, there are a ton to choose from.

Getting Started

When you have made your choice of sportsbooks, sign up either on the site or through the app. You will more often than not be required to make a qualifying first deposit, so check the fine print to ensure that you check all the necessary boxes at sign-up.

Next, check the details on the new user promotions. Some require a minimum first bet to trigger, so make sure your bet qualifies. Choose from one of the many sports betting markets available and go over the details to ensure that you are making the wager that you want.

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Betting on the NBA

When it comes to betting on the NBA, there are a handful of ways to do so. In the guide below, you will find out how to bet on moneylines, point spreads, player props, and make future bets.

Moneylines and Point Spreads

The two most common bet types out there. When wagering on an NBA game, you can simply choose one team to win. This is the moneyline. The downside is that moneyline odds are often skewed heavily, providing little value when betting on favorites.

To even the odds, there are point spreads. In this scenario, a team must either win or lose within a certain range. For instance, if a team is a 6.5-point favorite, they must win by seven points or more to “cover the spread.” If they fail to do so, then the underdog wins the bet.

Player Props

If you aren’t interested in betting on the game itself, you can also wager on individual player outcomes. These are player props. With most major sportsbooks, you can wager on individual statistical outcomes like points scored, rebounds, assists, three-pointers made, and even blocks.

Futures

Think you know who will win the NBA title, the NBA MVP, make the playoffs, or win their division? Future bets allow you to wager on outcomes from throughout the season. Odds shift as the season progresses, sometimes providing better value at one stage versus another.

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Bet Responsibly

Sports betting is meant to be fun and provide entertainment value. Though some bettors earn big wins, it is always safe to go into betting under the assumption that you will lose the money you deposit. Think of it as entertainment dollars. This way, you can play responsibly and not have to worry about losing anything additional that you may not have been able to afford.

If you have trouble keeping responsible limits, there are tools to help. You can set betting and deposit limits, whether they be daily, weekly, or monthly, or use self-exclusionary tools to stop yourself from playing altogether. Stayin responsible with your betting is imperative and there are more than enough tools available to make that happen.

FanDuel Sportsbook & Online Casino

By depositing funds with FanDuel Sportsbook or Casino and actively participating in the betting process, you can add a layer of excitement to the games you watch. The FanDuel platform offers a variety of bet types; moneyline, point spreads, over/unders, and parlays, along with a selection of prop bets for those seeking more specialized wagers. Live, in-game betting is available, allowing users to place bets as the action unfolds, further intensifying the viewing experience.more
Visit FanDuel Sportsbook & Online Casino
By depositing funds with FanDuel Sportsbook or Casino and actively participating in the betting process, you can add a layer of excitement to the games you watch. The FanDuel platform offers a variety of bet types; moneyline, point spreads, over/unders, and parlays, along with a selection of prop bets for those seeking more specialized wagers. Live, in-game betting is available, allowing users to place bets as the action unfolds, further intensifying the viewing experience.more
Visit FanDuel Sportsbook & Online Casino
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Fanatics Sportsbook & Online Casino

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BetMGM Sportsbook & Online Casino

As the King of Sportsbooks, BetMGM offers thousands of sports betting lines. Sports bettors can register now in states where betting is legal, for BetMGM play! Use our BetMGM bonus code to claim the following Exclusive Offers. BetMGM's sleek design and intuitive layout make it a breeze to navigate. From NFL to NBA, soccer to tennis, BetMGM covers it all. Plus, they offer same-game parlays—a unique feature that adds excitement to your bets. Watch the action unfold in real time with BetMGM’s live streaming feature.more
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As the King of Sportsbooks, BetMGM offers thousands of sports betting lines. Sports bettors can register now in states where betting is legal, for BetMGM play! Use our BetMGM bonus code to claim the following Exclusive Offers. BetMGM's sleek design and intuitive layout make it a breeze to navigate. From NFL to NBA, soccer to tennis, BetMGM covers it all. Plus, they offer same-game parlays—a unique feature that adds excitement to your bets. Watch the action unfold in real time with BetMGM’s live streaming feature.more
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BetRivers Sportsbook & Online Casino

BetRivers offers in-game live betting odds, live sports streams, online sportsbook promotions, possible sports betting rewards, a best sportsbook promo and a bonus bank.more
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BetRivers offers in-game live betting odds, live sports streams, online sportsbook promotions, possible sports betting rewards, a best sportsbook promo and a bonus bank.more
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TwinSpires

If you're interested in horse racing and horse race betting, then welcome to the horse players’ most trusted solution in TwinSpires. As a leading provider of legal online horse betting sites in the United States, TwinSpires offers advance-deposit wagering for horse racing, as well as live track video signals and much more. With their parent company Churchill Downs, the home of the famous Kentucky Derby, TwinSpires boasts being a part of the rich history in horse racing and betting since 1875. In fact, we are the official wagering partner of the Kentucky Derby! more
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If you're interested in horse racing and horse race betting, then welcome to the horse players’ most trusted solution in TwinSpires. As a leading provider of legal online horse betting sites in the United States, TwinSpires offers advance-deposit wagering for horse racing, as well as live track video signals and much more. With their parent company Churchill Downs, the home of the famous Kentucky Derby, TwinSpires boasts being a part of the rich history in horse racing and betting since 1875. In fact, we are the official wagering partner of the Kentucky Derby! more
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