Build your dream team, sink buckets, and posterize and defeat your opponents in an action-packed 5-on-5 basketball games.

Be the GM of your own franchise, take the reins of the team, and turn your franchise into a championship dynasty.

Connect online and be treated to daily challenges, missions, and mouthwatering rewards!

NBA Live Mobile is the best free-to-play basketball game on the Android and iOS. Considering that the NBA 2K series is a paid app, this game would be your primary option if you’re not willing to shell out money for games. With that said, NBA Live Mobile satisfactorily brings the league and the players to life. You could end up having top players like Lebron James, Dirk Nowitzki, and Stephen Curry on your lineup, but the long grind to having them on your lineup can be both frustrating and rewarding.

Setting up the game requires you to place the usual details. Apart from your username, password, and age, you will also get to choose your favorite team. The game features all 30 NBA teams, and if you’re a fan, you will certainly end up picking you the team you support. After which, you will go through the tutorial, wherein you’ll be taught the basics, including how to move around, shoot, defend and pass.

You start off with a team of benchwarmers and third-stringers. Even for NBA junkies, they wouldn’t even be aware these guys are playing in the league. Jokes aside, your goal is to build a team from these scrubs, and turn it into a potential championship dynasty. The idea is to recruit stronger players, may they be current superstars, or hardwood legends. The game employs a card system, wherein you’re supposed to purchase card packs which supposedly contain buffs and if you’re lucky, a top-tier NBA player.

In NBA Live Mobile, you will have a lot of things to do, thanks to the four different game modes that give the game depth. These include leagues, live events, season, and head-to-head. The Season mode is self-explanatory: you play a whole NBA season against other teams. The Leagues mode is where you will get to join user-made leagues and play against other players’ teams. Live events is almost similar to season, albeit it has skill challenges and drills you can accomplish to improve your players’ stats.

The meat of the game is the head-to-head mode, which employs an interesting mechanic. You and your opponent will play two quarters (with two minutes). For example, you’ll play the 2nd and 4th quarters, while your opponent gets to play in the 1st and 3rd. Note that you won’t exactly be going head-to-head, considering that both of you will be up against AI.

However, the game does have its downsides, and the most notable of which is the stamina mechanic, which is a bummer. Playing a game or performing an activity costs stamina, meaning, you won’t be able to do longer sessions, unless if you pay up with real money. Moreover, it’s a freemium game, and unless you’re committed to do a long grind or spend real money, it would take you a while to get your dream lineup.

Nevertheless, NBA Live Mobile is a must-download basketball game, and perfect if you’re looking for adrenaline-rushed hardcourt action. The various game modes ensure you can do numerous activities, while the the graphics and all other presentation aspects are top-notch. The tutorial and intuitive controls allow you to dive into the game right away. It may be far from the 2K games, but it’s a must-download not only for basketball fans, but for everybody else!