NBA Betting in Michigan

NBA betting is among the most popular markets in Michigan. The state has droves of basketball fans and has produced many talented NBA players, including Draymond Green, Devin Booker, and Chris Webber.

Luckily for those Michiganders who love the game, every sports betting company operating in the state features various markets and events around the NBA. Check out the in-depth guide below for NBA bettors in MI to place whatever bets their hearts desire.

As mentioned above, there is no shortage of MI sports betting companies offering NBA markets and odds. Check out our reviews of some of the top MI sports betting operators and their unique NBA offerings in 2024. Make sure to check back anytime you’re looking for a new sportsbook to wager on the NBA, as this page will be updated.

1. DraftKings Sportsbook

NBA betting on DraftKings MI: One of the league’s two official sports betting partners nationally, DraftKings has quickly developed one of the strongest followings of NBA bettors. During NBA nights, DK will have pre-selected Same Game Parlays that can quickly be added to your bet slip and confirmed on whichever game you prefer.

Welcome bonus: DraftKings offers $200 in bonus bets for customers who place a $5 wager. All a customer must do is place a minimum $5 bet after creating their account, and the bonus bet will be awarded to your account in the form of 8 $25 bonus bets. Remember that the bonus bets are only valid for 7 days, so ensure you use them before they expire.

Available States: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming

2. FanDuel Sportsbook

NBA betting on FanDuel MI: The NBA’s other official sports betting partner along with DraftKings, FanDuel is right up there with DK as the two most popular basketball betting apps in MI. FanDuel features a similarly deep selection of pre-selected parlays and promotions catered to important NBA games and nights when many teams are in action.

Welcome bonus: FD offers a similar welcome bonus to DraftKings, with a $5 minimum initial bet worth $200 in bonus bets that expire 14 days after appearing in your account. Remember that a $10 initial deposit is required, although the first bet must be at least $5.

Available states: Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming

3. Caesars Sportsbook

NBA betting on Caesars MI: What Caesars doesn’t have in NBA-specific promotions in MI sports betting, it makes up for it with an ever-changing listing of parlays and odds boosts catered to certain players and teams. For example, a Pistons primetime game against the New Orleans Pelicans might have a special “Motor City” parlay with the Pistons moneyline, Cade Cunningham over 24.5 points, Jalen Duren over 8.5 rebounds, and Killian Hayes over 4 assists.

Welcome bonus: Caesars has an elite welcome bonus for NBA betting in MI. Users can get their first bet refunded through a bonus bet up to $1,000. Simply make your first deposit with the promo code “czr1000” from the company’s website, make your first bet up to $1,000 maximum, and have your money refunded if that initial wager loses.

Available states: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming

4. BetMGM Sportsbook

NBA betting on BetMGM MI: BetMGM Sportsbook has a strong user interface that is easily accessible to any Michigan sports bettors. There aren’t any NBA-specific promotions in MI, but the “Build Parlay” button under each game makes it easy to create a custom wager.

Welcome bonus: BetMGM offers an exceptional welcome bonus, arguably among Michigan's finest. By initiating their account with a minimum $10 deposit, users can qualify for up to $1,500 if their initial wager results in a loss. BetMGM ensures that 100% of your inaugural bet is returned as bonus bets until the full amount is completely replenished in your account.

Available States: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming

5. BetRivers Sportsbook

NBA betting on BetRivers MI: As one of the lesser-known operators in Michigan sports betting, BetRivers has some outstanding features for NBA bettors. The “Prop Central” tab on its platform displays all kinds of different individual player prop bets that can be quickly added to your betslip. In addition, there are “house specials” around the NBA with pre-selected parlays and odds boosts that are prominently featured.

Welcome bonus: BetRivers offers a second chance bet of up to $500. If your first bet loses, BetRivers will reward a user with a bonus bet of that first wager up to $500. One differentiating feature with BetRivers is that there are no minimum odds of eligibility for the bonus bet. Those who enjoy online casinos can also get 24 hours of losses refunded up to $500.

Available states: Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia

6. PointsBet Sportsbook

NBA betting on PointsBet MI:  PointsBet Sportsbook tries to cater to a younger and more internet-friendly audience with a Fanatics partnership and a popular group of sports betting influencers promoting it nationwide. The “Power Hour” offers bettors odds boosts during a short period each day and also has NBA Quick Hits on certain games that can be swiftly added to your action for an evening.

Welcome bonus: You can get up to $1,000 back on your first 10 bets with a few terms and conditions. For this promotion, a user must make at least one cash bet on 10 consecutive days. If any of these first bets on a particular day loses, PointsBet will refund that bet up to $100. So if your first bet of each 10 days was $100 and you lost every single one, you would end up with a maximum of $1,000.

Available states: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia

After looking over our top site recommendations above, it is time to initiate your NBA betting journey. Each operator in Michigan has a process that varies slightly, but all companies have a similar core registration process. Here are the most important steps you should remember as you start signing up.

1. Register

To create your account, find your designated operator’s “sign-up” or “create account” link. Follow the on-screen prompts and enter in the required personal information for that sportsbook, which generally includes full legal name, street address, email and birth date. Some sportsbooks might have special offers with promo codes, which must often be entered during registration.

2. Deposit

To place your first wager at a sportsbook, your account must be funded with some money. Most sportsbooks have a minimum deposit of less than $10-20 at most operators. The variety of banking options depends on which sportsbook you choose, but most accept debit/credit cards, PayPal, and online banking transfers.

3. Place bet

With your account funded, the time to place your first bet has arrived. As you peruse the various NFL markets and lines, any selected options will appear in your “bet slip.” Once you have added all your chosen wagers, there should be a confirmation button. The bet slip should show your potential winnings for each bet.

4. Withdrawing money

Whenever you decide you’d like to transfer your money back into one of your personal accounts, sportsbooks offer at least a few different banking options depending on your chosen operator. Most often, your deposit method will be your default withdrawal option unless it is unavailable with a provider for some reason.

Only the NFL has more betting interest among sports fans in the U.S., so competition is fierce for NBA bettors. Check out a few of our suggestions for the most important things to remember when selecting your preferred Michigan NBA betting site.

1. Transparency

We see some sportsbook operators put out promotions and bonuses with so many terms and conditions or not easily feature some of their important rules and regulations. The best sportsbooks out there don’t try to finesse their customers and will lay out everything digestibly.

2. Trusted banking options

There are some standard deposit and withdrawal options that most of the major Michigan online sportsbooks utilize. Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and ACH transfers are available with most of the sportsbook operators in the state and are a good sign your money will go where it is intended to.

3. Profitable odds

Of course, every user wants to come out ahead with their bets, so making a profit is key. Some books regularly offer more competitive odds for MI sports bettors, which can make them stand out in the field. Finding the best price on a big event is one of the most important aspects of a winning sports betting strategy.

MI NBA betting odds are constantly evolving, with injury and lineup news leaking out 24/7 in the league’s news cycle during the regular season and playoffs. Whether you are betting on the Pistons or one of the NBA’s other 29 teams, regularly monitor odds at different sportsbooks for which operator might have the best odds on your game.

Along with the standard moneyline and spread wagers, NBA sports betting in MI has a vast array of futures and prop bets to satisfy whatever a bettor would like to wager on. Shop around with different sportsbooks before placing a wager, as some can feature slightly different odds, impacting your potential winnings.

2023-24 NBA Championship odds

The Denver Nuggets again appear to be a juggernaut after bringing home the title in the 2023 NBA Finals over the Miami Heat. Most sportsbooks have the Boston Celtics as the current betting favorite with their 1-2 punch of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but check out the top contenders in the table below.

2023-24 NBA MVP odds

Joel Embiid brought home his first MVP trophy last season for the Philadelphia 76ers, and is once again among the top candidates to repeat. Nikola Jokic is a two-time NBA MVP and won the NBA Finals MVP in 2023 after leading the Nuggets to the championship. Check out the top contenders for the league’s highest individual honor below.

In the vibrant world of sports betting in Michigan, NBA enthusiasts have a plethora of wagering options to amplify their basketball experience. From classic moneyline bets that predict outright winners to intricate point spreads and thrilling over/under totals, the diverse array of NBA bets caters to every level of fan engagement.

Whether you're a seasoned bettor or a newcomer exploring the excitement of basketball wagering, Michigan's NBA betting landscape offers a dynamic range of options to elevate the thrill of every game.

• Moneyline: The most simple type of bet, choosing a moneyline is simply picking which team will win a particular game. If you like the Detroit Pistons to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies on a particular night, you could simply place a moneyline bet and win if the Pistons win. Simple.
• Point spread: The most common bet type, betting the spread is choosing a team with a designated handicap chosen by the sportsbook. The Pistons might be a heavy favorite on a given night, so the line would be Pistons -9 against the New Orleans Pelicans, who would be a heavy underdog. If the Pistons win by 9 or more, you win the bet against the spread. Any other result, and you do not get the win.
• Over/under (totals): Sports bettors can put their money behind the total points they expect to be scored between the two teams in a game. A Pistons-Bucks game might have a total of 232. If you take the over, the aggregate score between the two teams must be higher than 232 to win. Vice versa if you take the under.
• Parlays: Users can combine bets into a single wager with better odds. However, these bets come with increased risk as a loss on any of the legs in your parlay will make it a losing parlay. However, hitting on every parlay piece can result in exponential winnings depending on the size and selected result.
• Props: Putting money down on specific player accomplishments or events throughout a game. If you are confident in Cade Cunningham scoring over 30 points on a given night, take the over on his point total and rack up your winnings.
• Futures: As opposed to betting on the Pistons’ upcoming game, MI sports bettors can wager on the outcome of the full season. Some examples are which team will win the NBA Finals or which player will take home the NBA MVP Award or the Defensive Player of the Year.

Unique NBA Bets

Many of the above types of bets are common across team sports, but the NBA itself has a few differentiating markets that might entice more seasoned sports gamblers in Michigan.

• Race to…: In these markets, users select which team they believe will reach a certain point total first. It could be first to 20, 40, 60, 80 or even 100 points.
• First basket: Similar to a first touchdown in the NFL, whoever scores the first basket could be any one of the 10 players that start the game, or even a bench player in rare instances. These bets come with increased risk, but also can produce large payouts.

The 2023-24 NBA season is loaded with intrigue for basketball and betting fans alike. Some of the game’s biggest names changed uniforms in the offseason, and in typical NBA fashion, plenty of drama ensued across social media and on the court. Check out the most important things to watch as the latest NBA season develops.

Blockbuster NBA trades

Damian Lillard shocked the NBA world when he requested a trade after years of rumors swirling around his career with the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard made it clear through the media that he only wanted to end up with the Miami Heat, but instead, he was dealt to the Milwaukee Bucks just before the season got underway. The trade included a load of draft picks, sent Jrue Holiday to the Trail Blazers, and saw DeAndre Anyton leave Phoenix at long last and land in the Pacific Northwest.

Holiday ended up being moved to the Boston Celtics in a corresponding move, which played a significant factor in Boston being the betting favorite to win it all for many bettors. James Harden got his way again after an offseason squabble with his general manager with the Philadelphia 76ers. After a saga that included publicly calling out Daryl Morey and the former MVP not showing up to the start of camp, he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. LA now has a big 3 that includes Harden, Paul George, and Kawhi Leonard.

2023 NBA Draft

A highly-touted group of prospects enters the league as rookies in 2023-24, coming from all over the world and from various teams. Gone are the days of every first-round pick having played at a four-year university.

France’s Victor Wembanyama was the unquestioned top choice in the draft, landing with the San Antonio Spurs after a fortuitous bounce in the NBA Draft Lottery. Check out the top 10 picks below and where they last played competitive basketball.

1. Spurs: Victor Wembanyama (Metropolitans 92)
2. Hornets: Brandon Miller (Alabama)
3. Blazers: Scoot Henderson (G League Ignite)
4. Rockets: Amen Thompson (Overtime Elite)
5. Pistons: Ausar Thompson (Overtime Elite)
6. Magic: Anthony Black (Arkansas)
7. Pacers: Bilal Coulibaly (Metropolitans 92) – Traded to Wizards
8. Wizards: Jarace Walker (Houston) – Traded to Pacers
9. Jazz: Taylor Hendricks (UCF)
10. Mavericks: Cason Wallace (Kentucky) – Traded to Thunder

2023 NBA Key Dates

Those who enjoy NBA betting in MI should mark their calendars with these important dates on the league schedule.

• Nov. 3: NBA In-Season Tournament begins
• Nov. 9: NBA Mexico City Game, Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic (Mexico City, Mexico)
• Nov.10: NBA G League Season begins
• Dec. 7: NBA In-Season Tournament Semifinals (Las Vegas, NV)
• Dec. 9: NBA In-Season Tournament Championship (Las Vegas, NV)
• Dec. 19-22: NBA G League Winter Showcase and Showcase Cup Championship
• Dec. 27: NBA G League 34-game regular season begins
• Jan 5, 2024: 10-day contracts may now be signed
• Jan 10: All NBA contracts are guaranteed for the remainder of the season
• Jan. 11: NBA Paris Game, Brooklyn Nets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (Paris, France)
• Feb. 8: NBA Trade Deadline (3 p.m. ET)
• Feb. 16-18: NBA All-Star 2024 (Indianapolis, IN)
• Feb. 16-21: NBA All-Star break
• April 2: NBA G League Playoffs begin
• April 14: NBA Regular Season ends
• April 16-19: NBA Play-In Tournament
• April 20: NBA Playoffs 2024 begin
• May 6-7: Conference Semifinals begin (possible move up to May 4-5)
• May 12: NBA Draft Lottery 2024 presented by State Farm
• May 21-22: Conference Finals begin (possible move up to May 19-20)
• June 6: NBA Finals 2024 Game 1
• June 27: NBA Draft 2024 presented by State Farm

Michiganders are lucky to have one of the 30 NBA franchises located in Detroit in the Pistons. Detroit has seen the franchise win the championship 3 times, including back-to-back titles in 1989 and 1990.

The Pistons have struggled to win consistently in the past decade, ending up high in the NBA draft order more often than not. Cade Cunningham is the face of the franchise and former No. 1 overall selection in 2021. A new era is underway with former Suns head coach Monty Williams now at the helm for the Pistons, while Jalen Duren has shown significant improvement early in the season.

They aren’t likely to compete for a championship this season, but the Pistons are building a young and competent group of players that could become fierce competitors.

On the topic of lines, let’s quickly clarify the difference between lines and odds. The lines are what each sportsbook puts on a game, such as Detroit (-2) or Pistons-Bucks O/U 230. The odds determine how much a user stands to win, like -115 or +225.

Most sportsbooks will have very similar if not identical odds, at least at the beginning of an NFL week, but there will be small disparities between all of the operators in Michigan. These small contrasts can mean the difference between substantial winnings for volume bettors, so ensure you’re scoping out which sportsbook offers the most bang for your buck.

Line movements

The NBA news cycle is constantly evolving 24/7, meaning timing is critical to a successful basketball betting strategy. Check out two reasons below for why a market might move leading up to a game, one way or the other.

1. Professional bettors

The term sharp is often thrown around in connection with these high-volume users of online sportsbooks. These gamblers can move markets on their own by putting down 6 and sometimes 7-figure wagers on games, especially ones that aren’t in a primetime TV slot.

Sportsbooks will keep tabs on their most successful customers, and if they come in with a significant bet that the company can’t find the exact reason, you could see a larger line change than if it was just a big-money bet at a random time.

2. League/matchup news

Take a second to think about why a matchup might have the odds it does. Was there a major injury in the previous game or during the week of practice affecting a top player? Or does the player have an injury history that might lead to them being fatigued or even rested on a given night, as many stars do throughout the season?

These types of real-world factors will always be considered on the betting lines. One more aspect of this to keep in mind is whether a team is home or away. It is generally more difficult for a team to win on the road in the NBA, as road trips sometimes span thousands of miles weekly, and 82 games is a lengthy campaign.

Keep up with the NBA news gatherers like ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and The Athletic’s Shams Charania, as they report just about every major basketball news event before it becomes official.

Now that so many states have legal sports gambling, the internet has become inundated with people picking games and selling their picks on social media or creating content for sportsbooks themselves to promote its offerings. Here are a few things to remember as you begin putting down wagers on NBA games.

• Research the lines: Keep a keen eye out for the best available price on whichever game or market you want to bet on. Every online sportsbook in Michigan will have NBA odds, but some will offer more potential winnings on the same event than others.
• Don’t be swayed by the public: Often, a team or league will end up drawing a significantly higher portion of bets for no on-court reason, such as the Golden State Warriors, given their extensive track record of success in recent years. If you see a line being pushed one way or the other when there isn’t a competitive reason, take advantage and go against the grain to set yourself up for sizable winnings.
• Don’t overthink: There are people out there who do hours and hours of research and still end up losing all of their bets. Favorites are the favorites in games for a reason, so don’t be afraid to trust your gut instead of trying to outsmart the experts. More often than not, a favorite is going to emerge victorious.

No bettor is perfect. Every single user from the least to the most experienced will end up on the losing end of wagers at some point. It can be just a matter of luck or a random act of fate, but some bettors make preventable mistakes that keep them from being profitable. Here are a few common mistakes to avoid as you start your NBA betting journey in Michigan.

1. Don’t chase losses

When a user has had a run of tough losses, there is an instinct to want to try and bet even larger to get back to a profit. Similarly, an NBA team might try to push the tempo and jack up 3-pointers to close a large gap.

Establish an amount you are willing to spend on a given night, make your selections, and don’t allow yourself to react to whichever way the chips might fall emotionally.

2. Don’t place a wager without due diligence

Just like a stockbroker wouldn’t suggest someone purchase a piece of a company without first reading up on it and what the brand is all about, a sports bettor would tell you never to place a sports bet in MI without looking closer at the lines and the matchup. We’ve repeatedly stressed the importance of research on this page, but it bears mentioning once again as more and more new users are wading into these waters daily.

Vibes or simply taking someone else’s word for it is not enough; look into each bet you place so you can be confident in whatever you put your money behind.

3. Find your ideal market

With the seemingly endless amount of markets available for NBA games in Michigan sports betting, think about where you have performed the best and what you are most comfortable putting your money on.

If you’ve succeeded with point spread bets, focus on finding the best point spread lines and odds. If you’re best at over/under bets, key in on game totals on each NBA night. Don’t get sucked in by every promo and offer across the state as you don’t want to spread your money too thin.

Now that major professional leagues do what they can to keep fans engaged in the sport 12 months out of the year, NBA fans have a market to bet on just about any time of year. The regular season runs from October to April, but preseason begins in September, and the playoffs run through the NBA Finals in early-to-mid June.

The NBA introduced the In-Season Tournament this year, with all 30 teams competing for a lump sum of cash and a trophy from the league. These games will be part of the regular season, with the semifinals and finals being held in Las Vegas.

After that, there are NBA Draft wagers that can be made, as well as the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas and other satellite events around the country. International games featuring NBA players, like in the Olympics or World Cup, offer additional chances to wager on high-level basketball in Michigan.

The NBA is a league that is changing and evolving as often as any major entity in professional sports. Check back with us before making any NBA bets entering a new season, as this page will be updated regularly as new rules take effect and the sport adapts.

The NBA has made it easy for fans to tune into any game with relative ease. There are nationally televised weekly games on networks like ESPN, TNT, ABC, and NBA TV. Those in the coverage area can watch the Pistons locally on Bally Sports Detroit.

The NBA does offer League Pass, which has access to all 30 teams’ local broadcasts and includes numerous exclusive features for both televising and streaming basketball.

Sports betting was fully legalized after Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed it into law in December 2019. With the sports fever that is common across the state, Michigan quickly has become one of the highest volume sports betting states in the U.S.

To legally bet in Michigan, a user must be 21 and be within the boundaries of the state at the time of placing their bet if doing so online.