NBA Odds In Illinois
In Illinois, legal and regulated sportsbooks view the NBA as a top betting market, second only to the NFL. No other league or sport in the state attracts more betting money than the NBA.
Basketball enthusiasts in Illinois are increasingly finding the NBA a rewarding sport to bet on.
With the recent legalization of sportsbooks in Illinois, you can now place bets on NBA games, player props, futures, and more conveniently from your phone or computer. Our comprehensive NBA betting guide covers everything from live odds directly from Illinois’ online sports betting apps to the different betting options available for the NBA.
Live NBA odds at Illinois online sportsbooks
Check out the latest NBA point spreads, moneylines, and totals odds from top online sportsbooks in Illinois in our feed below. In the second tab, you can find current NBA futures odds for the NBA Finals, Conference champions, and player awards like MVP and DPOY. Click on any game odds to go directly to the sportsbook, claim your bonus, and make your bets.
Is NBA online betting legal in Illinois?
Retail sports betting in Illinois began in March 2020, with online and mobile services launching in June of the same year.
For many years, legal sports betting in the US was only available in Nevada. But in 2018, the US Supreme Court changed the game by giving states the power to make their own decisions on this issue.
To place bets on the NBA and other sports, individuals must be at least 21 years old. If betting online or via mobile in Illinois, you must be physically located within the state boundaries. Geolocation technology is utilized by betting operators to enforce these regulations.
Explore the different NBA betting options available, such as wagering on game results, player performances, and season outcomes. Let’s now delve into the process of starting NBA betting.
How to bet on NBA games in Illinois
In the newly legalized and regulated environment in Illinois, you can quickly begin betting on NBA games. However, it is advised to take some time to familiarize yourself with the process. Here are some key details to keep in mind.
- To get started with online sports betting, sign up with a reputable sportsbook from our recommended list. Avoid untrustworthy offshore options. Simply click on one of our provided links to create an account, which only takes a few minutes. Legally recognized and regulated operators offer various deposit and withdrawal methods, including credit cards and PayPal. Look for the deposit function on the sportsbook website or in your account area. Major operators have user-friendly apps for both Apple and Android users. After creating an account through our links, download the app from the sportsbook website and log in on your mobile device. Top-tier books like DraftKings and FanDuel constantly update their odds and lines to stay competitive in the market, offering numbers comparable to Las Vegas sportsbooks.
How NBA betting works
There are various types of bets available for every NBA game, and you can also place bets on the season’s overall results. Here are the top NBA betting categories:
- Moneyline betting is straightforward: choose the team you think will win the game, whether it’s the favorite or the underdog.
- Point Spread: Oddsmakers set this number, and your selected team must surpass it in order for your bet to be successful. You can choose to bet on the favored team with points deducted or on the underdog with points added.
- Totals betting is a popular choice for high-stakes NBA fans. You can choose to bet over or under on the total number of points scored in a game, based on a specific reference number set by the oddsmakers.
- Definition: Props in NBA betting refer to additional bets placed on the game. These bets can be centered around individual player performance or team and game situations.
- Live betting, also known as in-game betting, enables you to make real-time bets while the game is in progress, with a diverse selection of options available in this fast-paced market.
- Futures bets allow you to predict outcomes that won’t be known for months, such as the winner of the NBA Finals or the Rookie of the Year.
- Parlay bets are popular among bettors because they offer the chance for significant returns from a small initial wager. In order to win a parlay bet, all individual selections must be correct.
- Teasers allow bettors to modify the point spread on multiple games by a set number of points, with the odds adjusted accordingly.
The bets are all straightforward, but mastering the more complex wagers may take some time. Like anything else, skill comes with practice.
What are the rules for betting on the NBA online?
Overall, the NBA betting experience on online sportsbooks and apps is fairly consistent, but there can be some unique differences. It is recommended to take some time to familiarize yourself with the specific house rules.
The rules for NBA sports betting are commonly found in the help section of legal and regulated sportsbooks. Some websites even have dedicated sections for betting instructions, organized by sport. Here are some of the most common rules for NBA sports betting:
- Bets on NBA games are live from the start of the game until the final buzzer, including any overtime periods.
- The selection of props is determined by official league statistics and is considered valid as long as the players listed are ready to play in the game.
- Bets placed on specific parts of a game, like quarters or halves, are settled separately, only depending on the outcomes during that particular period.
As mentioned before, industry standards for managing betting activity may vary slightly between different companies. It is important to thoroughly understand the terms and conditions of your chosen bookmaker in order to avoid any surprises or unexpected outcomes.
NBA futures and prop betting in Illinois
There are multiple ways to interact with the NBA. In addition to betting on games, you can also predict the season’s outcome and focus on individual player performances.
Futures are opportunities to wager on future outcomes that will not be decided until months later. Major markets attract betting attention year-round, with NBA betting odds being released in the offseason and changing over time. Here are some of the most popular options available.
- NBA Finals winner
- Division and conference winners
- Team regular-season win totals
- The outcome of the team’s playoff destiny will soon be determined.
- Recipients of individual accolades like Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, and others.
- Top performers in statistical categories like points, assists, and more.
You can find props, also known as side bets or game-within-a-game wagers, in the individual game listings accessible by clicking through. These opportunities often involve player performance metrics.
- Who will have a higher total of points and assists in the game – Zach LaVine or Chris Paul?
- Will Nikola Vucevic score more or less than 20.5 points and rebounds combined?
- Will LaVine lead the Bulls in scoring in the game or will it be someone else?
Furthermore, you will find props that are related to team performance or specific game scenarios. These could include predicting which team will commit more turnovers or if the game will go into overtime. Props offer a great chance for additional betting action on the games you have chosen.
How to read NBA betting lines
Sportsbooks release odds for every NBA game throughout the season, typically the night before or the morning of the game. Here is an example of a standard game listing:
| Detroit Pistons | +2.5 (-110) | +140 | O 204.5 (-110) |
| Chicago Bulls | -2.5 (-110) | -120 | U 204.5 (-110) |
The odds for the primary bet types, including point spread, moneyline, and total, are listed alongside the team names. The Bulls are favored on the moneyline with a 2.5 point advantage in this high-scoring contest.
After the odds are released to the public, bettors can impact the lines by placing bets. If there is a substantial amount of betting on one outcome, it can lead to changes in the odds. This could mean the spread narrowing, the total changing, or the moneyline odds adjusting as sportsbooks aim to balance the betting action.
Keep in mind that sportsbook odds may differ, so it’s advantageous to compare and search for the most favorable prices for games. Our live NBA odds feed is a great resource for this purpose.
Live betting NBA games in Illinois
Live betting, or in-game wagers, has become a highly desired feature on online sportsbooks and sports betting apps. These bets allow you to place bets in real-time while a game is ongoing.
During a typical game, there are many opportunities to take advantage of. The market moves quickly, but reputable legal operators offer platforms that make it easy to stay updated on the game. While the options may vary, here are some potential scenarios you could come across:
- New probabilities for point spread, moneyline, and over/under bets have been provided.
- Chances to wager on quarters and halves.
- Different chances for player and team-based propositions.
DraftKings and FanDuel are top operators that excel in offering live betting options. Their sports betting apps are widely regarded as some of the best in the business, allowing users to watch the game while also keeping an eye out for new betting opportunities on their devices.
Most popular NBA team in Illinois
While the Chicago Bulls may not be experiencing the same glory as they did in the 1990s, they remain the most cherished NBA team in Illinois. The Bulls are a part of the Eastern Conference and are a member of the Central Division, which includes four other teams.
- Cleveland Cavaliers
- Detroit Pistons
- Indiana Pacers
- Milwaukee Bucks
The Bulls naturally have four major rivalries, including intense matchups with teams like the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers. Here are some key moments from the Bulls’ history as a franchise:
- Founded: 1966
- The NBA Championships have been secured six times, with the most recent victory occurring in 1998.
- Six Conference Championships, the latest one being in 1998.
- They have won a total of nine division titles, with the most recent one achieved in 2012.
- The team has reached the playoffs 35 times, most recently in the 2016-17 season.
- There are a total of 16 Hall-of-Famers, consisting of nine players and seven coaches and contributors.
- Four numbers have been retired, with the most recent being Scottie Pippen’s in 2005.
- Michael Jordan is the Franchise’s All-Time Scoring Leader with 29,277 points.
- Artis Gilmore holds the record for the most blocks with 1,029.
- Kirk Hinrich holds the record for the most 3-pointers with a total of 1,049.
You can find the betting odds for tonight’s Chicago Bulls game here.
Where to watch the Chicago Bulls home games
The Bulls, while facing difficulties and missing the playoffs in four of the past five seasons, remain popular among fans in Illinois. If you want to catch a live game, here’s the information you’ll need:
- Arena: United Center
- 1901 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60612
- UCJV, also known as United Center Joint Venture, is the entity responsible for owning and operating the facility.
- Capacity: 20,917 for basketball
- Opened: Aug. 18, 1994
- In addition, the venue hosts Chicago Blackhawks games, as well as various concerts and events.
How the NBA season works
The NBA season typically begins with preseason games in the fall and runs straight through until the NBA Finals in June. While you can bet on games throughout the season, keep in mind that playing time in preseason games can be unpredictable.
The regular season includes 82 games, with each team playing an equal number of games at home and on the road. The schedule for the Bulls and other similar teams is as follows:
- 16 games played against division opponents
- 36 games played against teams in the same conference.
- Playing 30 games against teams from the opposing conference.
The top eight teams from each conference advance to the postseason, where they compete in rounds to determine the winners. The remaining two teams from each conference face off in the conference championships, with the winners moving on to the NBA Finals.
In terms of gambling, every regular season game receives a significant amount of bets, especially the high-profile national TV games that garner the most attention. The excitement reaches even greater heights during the playoffs.
Top 5 NBA players from Illinois
Illinois is home to nearly 300 professional players, including current stars such as Derrick Rose and Anthony Davis, as well as retired legend Dwyane Wade. For the all-time greatest players from the state, we can look to five iconic names who have been honored in the Hall of Fame.
- Dan Issel had a successful basketball career that lasted from 1970 to 1985, during which he was a key player on the 1975 ABA champion team, the Kentucky Colonels. His outstanding performance on the court led to his induction into both the professional and college basketball Hall of Fames.
- Jack Sikma played professional basketball from 1977 to 1991, during which time he was a key player on the Seattle SuperSonics team that clinched the 1979 NBA championship. He also earned the honor of being selected as an NBA All-Star seven times.
- Isiah Thomas played in the NBA from 1981 to 1994, winning two championships with the Detroit Pistons and earning the NBA Finals MVP award in 1990.
- Maurice Cheeks had a playing career from 1978 to 1993, during which he was a member of the 1983 NBA Champion Philadelphia 76ers and was selected as a four-time NBA All-Star.
- Jerry Sloan played in the NBA from 1965 to 1976, earning two NBA All-Star selections and being named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team four times.
NBA betting tips and strategy
Getting started with basketball betting in the newly legalized environment may be easy, but establishing a consistent winning record may take time. It’s important to be patient and willing to learn from your mistakes. By continuously working to improve your strategies, you should start to see positive results in no time. Here are some tips to help you begin:
- Keep it simple: Start with Moneyline bets in the NBA before moving on to spreads and totals. Don’t feel overwhelmed by all the options available. Take it one step at a time.
- Focus on the essentials: Too much information about the games can lead to overload. Keep it simple by concentrating on the key aspects. Home court advantage, situational factors, matchups, and other important secondary factors should be your main focus.
- Keep track of your results: Winning bets can make you feel like you’re on the right track, while losses may tempt you to give up. Remember that both wins and losses are part of sports betting, which should be done for entertainment. Monitoring your outcomes is important not only for keeping records, but also for identifying when changes may be needed.
The three tips can help you get off to a good start, but it’s crucial to be aware of common mistakes that new bettors frequently make. Betting with personal bias and exceeding your limits are two major errors to avoid. By avoiding these pitfalls, you can significantly improve your chances of staying on track.
NBA Betting FAQ
In every NBA game, oddsmakers establish a point spread to predict the margin of victory. You have the option to choose the favorite team with points subtracted, requiring them to win by more than the spread to cover. Alternatively, selecting the underdog with points added means they must either stay within the spread or win the game to cover.
This situation can happen in games with a round number like 204 as the total. If the final score of the game is 104-100, it matches the total exactly. When a totals bet lands on the exact number, it is considered a push. In this case, there is no winner or loser, and your bet will be refunded in full. This is essentially a tie for tracking purposes.
Lately, there has been a growing fascination with more precise bets, like those placed on quarters and halves. In the NBA, a second-half bet centers on predicting which team will perform better in the latter half of the game. These types of bets are commonly featured in game props or live betting and can also be made for the first half of the game using the same concept.
Sportsbooks are responsible for setting NBA game odds and making them public. A dedicated team, led by the oddsmaker, uses computers and algorithms to analyze data and make adjustments. Once the sportsbook is happy with the line, they release the odds for public viewing and feedback.
The NBA draft lottery was established in 1985 to prevent weaker teams from purposely losing games to improve their draft position. All teams that did not make the playoffs are eligible for the lottery, though trades can impact eligibility. The team with the worst record has the best chance of winning the lottery and receiving the first draft pick. The New York Knicks won the first lottery and chose Patrick Ewing. The most recent lottery took place on August 20, 2020, with the Minnesota Timberwolves earning the first pick for the upcoming draft on November 18, 2020.