New section · Basketball
Basketball betting, for South African fans.
Moneyline, spreads, totals and player props. We cover the NBA markets and where to bet on them from South Africa.
Plain EnglishBasketball betting means putting money on the result or the numbers in a game, mostly the NBA. This section is the South African fan's guide to the markets, the odds and the licensed sportsbooks that carry them.
What this section covers
Three core markets, then everything else.
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BBasketball betting runs on three markets. The moneyline for the winner. The spread for the margin. The total for the combined points. Learn those three and you can read almost any NBA betting screen.
TThis hub is the way in. Start with how basketball betting works for the basics, then use the cards below to reach each part of the section.
The basketball section map
One hub, with the pages underneath.
Every page links back here, so you can move sideways without losing your place.
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Ready to bet on tonight's games?
See our picks for the night's NBA slate.
What you can bet on
Three markets cover most NBA betting.
§ 03
1winner
Moneyline
Pick the team to win the game, nothing else. The simplest market and the right place to start with NBA betting.
2margin
Point spread
Bet on the margin, not just the winner. The favourite gives points, the underdog gets them. The most popular NBA market.
3O/U
Totals
Bet on the combined points being over or under a line the book sets. You are backing the pace of the game, not a team.
Worth knowing
Player props are the other big area: points, rebounds and assists for a single player. They are fun but harder to call, so keep them small. The basketball guide covers them.
Page FAQ
The questions SA fans ask most.
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Yes. NBA and wider basketball betting is legal at sportsbooks licensed by a South African provincial board. See our best betting sites list.
The point spread is a handicap. The favourite must win by more than the spread for a spread bet on them to pay. The underdog can lose by less than the spread and still win the bet. It is the main NBA market.
The moneyline, where you simply pick the team to win. It is the easiest market to understand before you move on to spreads and totals.
Yes. Most licensed SA sportsbooks run in-play markets through every quarter, with odds that move on the score.
The regular season runs from October to April, with the playoffs into June. The schedule page lists fixtures and results.
Keep reading
More from the sports network.
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HUB · SPORTSSports betting network
Every sport we cover for SA bettors.
Read →EXPLAINERHow basketball betting worksNBA markets in plain English.
Read →GUIDEHow betting odds workDecimal, fractional and what the price really means.
Read →MONEY PAGEBest betting sitesThe licensed SA sportsbooks we rate highest.
Read →Revisit past NBA seasons.