NBA Cup Betting: Top Picks and Strategies

The NBA Cup has been one of the most promising parts of the 2024-25 season so far, and it is really fun to watch so far. This just says a lot about how the in-season tournament has been a big win for both its fans and the league as whole. Now more than ever, the tournament is bringing in big ratings and intense battles from the best teams in the league, and this says a lot about how the game has benefitted from the NBA Cup’s success.

Who is the Previous Winner of the NBA Cup?

It can be remembered that the Los Angeles Lakers were the first to win the inaugural NBA Cup, beating the Indiana Pacers in the Final after blazing through the tournament with an undefeated run for the whole run, until this season where they were eliminated in the group stages. The Lakers kept the same roster for this season, with the only major adjustment being to replace Darvin Ham as head coach with JJ Redick.

What is the NBA Cup?

Added in the 2023-24 season, the NBA Cup is a new innovation in the league to provide an impressive addition for the regular season – adding a spectacle that boosts viewership and something to battle for early in the campaign. On top of that, the NBA Cup is quite a promising competition that shares the same format as the EPL’s FA Cup, or even Europe’s UEFA Champions League considering that games take place in the middle of the season.

The NBA Cup is one of the new prestige tournaments in basketball image

On top of that, it provides more unpredictability for fans to enjoy, and this really comes in promising with teams battling one another for something that fans will love to make the most of in the long run. At this point, the NBA Cup is something bigger for teams to fight for, but not that big to overshadow the NBA Finals or the Playoffs as a whole.

On top of that, there’s plenty of cash at stake aside from the big trophy itself. Here’s how the players of participating teams are rewarded:

Players on teams that lose in the quarterfinals: $51,497 each
Players on teams that lose in the semifinals: $102,994 each
Players on the tournament runner-up team: $205,988 each
Players on the tournament championship team: $514,971 each

What to Expect from Teams in the NBA Cup?

The quarterfinal stage is already set, and it is a straight ride from there moving forward. There are a lot of intense battles over the past few weeks that the NBA Cup has hosted so far, but the quarterfinals, semis, and the final will bring bigger action anew at this point in time. So far, you could definitely expect that you would have generous winnings when you check your possible bets on our Parlay and Odds Calculator.

Here’s what should fans expect from the eight remaining teams in the NBA Cup:

Oklahoma City Thunder (+275)

Oklahoma City Thunder image

OKC stands as the biggest favorite to win in the NBA Cup this year. The team started poorly in the NBA Cup after losing to the San Antonio Spurs. It is worth noting that OKC will not be playing at full strength this time around, with Chet Holmgren expected not to return until January 2025. This just means that the team will have to rely on Isaiah Hartenstein to work his magic on the post while both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams will lead the way for a promising push to the top of the competition.

New York Knicks (+310)

New York Knicks image

The New York Knicks are one of the only two teams to finish perfect in the NBA Cup Group Stages so far, and it cannot be denied that the team has managed to enjoy a promising run in those knockout games with Karl-Anthony Towns coming up with impressive groove in his games, while Jalen Brunson and the rest of the gang continue to work on what they have managed to deliver in the previous season. So far, the team is expected to have a tough clash on their hands with the Atlanta Hawks coming in as a surprise shocker to play against.

Milwaukee Bucks (+475)

Milwaukee Bucks image

Another undefeated team comes into the fray of the NBA Cup with a promising start to the campaign – having such a massive blend between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard as we are seeing explosive performances from them. At this point, the Bucks have bounced back well from a very rough start, coming up with a very impressive run to remember after being criticized for their tight and tough losses to begin the season.

Houston Rockets (+600)

Houston Rockets image

The Houston Rockets are one of the wonders for the season so far, coming up with a massive surge in the West and showing that they have what it takes to win big when it matters most. At this point, one can say that the combo of Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun is hard to beat, and the remarkable supporting cast has been really quite impressive as well, showing how the team is finally starting to click with a promising pace – which may well lead them to the top of the NBA Cup as well.

Dallas Mavericks (+700)

Dallas Mavericks image

The Dallas Mavericks are boosted by the timely return of Luka Doncic. So far, the team has enjoyed a promising pace after a poor start to the season and coming up with a winning pace now more than ever. So far, the Mavs are making a strong case with the team also healthy enough to take on against any contender. For instance, the team will have to battle OKC that is not at full strength, which means that they may even come up with an upset win to move deeper into the stages. The team earned the wildcard spot, giving them a chance to contend once more.

Golden State Warriors (+800)

Golden State Warriors image

Golden State has struggled in the past few games but has been lucky enough to win games in the ones that are counted towards the Cup standings. Still, it is safe to say that Stephen Curry and the rest of the gang are going to have its reinvigorated chance to win a title – and Warriors fans will be definitely delusional enough to even come up with a full win for the NBA Cup, and the team needs to step up if they are actually going to pull this one off now more than ever.

Orlando Magic (+900)

Orlando Magic image

Without Paolo Banchero, the Orlando Magic has kept surprising many fans and critics this season so far, and it is safe to say that the team really has managed to come up with impressive victories. Mostly, the top performances come from Franz Wagner, and it cannot be denied that they are really benefiting from his elite games so far. However, Orlando will need more than just Wagner’s magic to win it all (get the pun?) especially with the forward now out with an injury.

Atlanta Hawks (+1800)

Atlanta Hawks image

The Atlanta Hawks has its ups and downs this season as the only team to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers twice but also the only team to lose to both the Detroit Pistons and the Washington Wizards at least once in the season. Still, Trae Young’s impressive playmaking pace has been really promising this season, and the rest of the squad (mainly the resurgence of Dyson Daniels) has been spectacular. However, they will need more of the heroics that they have been putting up in the recent run if they want to win it all this year.

Who Will Prevail in the NBA Cup This Year?

It's clear that the competition is shaping up to be a thrilling and unpredictable ride. With teams like the defending champions, dynamic young stars, and seasoned veterans all vying for supremacy, it's impossible to pick a clear favorite. The combination of elite talent, high stakes, and the desire for redemption will undoubtedly make this season one of the most exciting in recent memory.

Who will ultimately prevail? Only time will tell, but what’s for sure is that fans are in for an unforgettable journey to the championship. The stage is set for greatness, and it’s anyone's game to win. So, buckle up—this season is going to be one for the ages.

Make sure to consult our Gamble AI if you have some concerns in your betting plans or in need of a new betting strategy. The more well-thought your wagers are, the bigger your chances of winning in each of your wagers!

Don’t miss out on the latest in the NBA and the rest of the sports and esports world! GambleSpot has you covered when it comes to the hottest news, blogs, gambling guides, tournament previews, and even some discussion on betting strategies. Make use of all our content to spice up your chances of winning and enjoy your betting experience like no other!