One major problem NBA bettors faced over the years was the existence of too many meaningless matches throughout the regular season. The interest was nowhere near as hot compared to the playoffs.
Well, things have changed with the introduction of the in-season tournament, or Emirates NBA Cup, in 2023. Instead of backing the team that will win the Larry O’Brien trophy and waiting months, you can bet on who will lift the NBA Cup in December.
Obviously, since it is a new competition, you might not know exactly where to start. This is where we step in. You can examine all the latest NBA In-Season Tournament odds on all teams and get insights on which teams we think are going all the way. Should you back the favourites, or can a dark horse cause an upset? Let’s have a look at it.
What Are The 2024 NBA Cup Odds?
Just before the start of the season, there were four clear favourites to win the in-season tournament. These include the reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets, as well as the Boston Celtics, the Phoenix Suns, and the Milwaukee Bucks, three teams that added a lot of depth during the off-season. However, you can see that things change pretty fast. Below, you can find a full list of the current odds of winning the NBA Cup.
Team | Odds | Team | Odds |
Oklahoma City Thunder | 3.80 (+280) | New York Knicks | 4.10 (+310) |
Milwaukee Bucks | 6.50 (+550) | Houston Rockets | 8.00 (+700) |
Dallas Mavericks | 8.50 (+750) | Golden State Warriors | 9.50 (+850) |
Atlanta Hawks | 24.00 (+2300) | Orlando Magic | 25.00 (+2400) |
Cleveland Cavaliers | Eliminated | Minnesota Timberwolves | Eliminated |
Philadelphia 76ers | Eliminated | Sacramento Kings | Eliminated |
Miami Heat | Eliminated | Indiana Pacers | Eliminated |
Los Angeles Clippers | Eliminated | Phoenix Suns | Eliminated |
Los Angeles Lakers | Eliminated | Boston Celtics | Eliminated |
Memphis Grizzlies | Eliminated | Chicago Bulls | Eliminated |
San Antonio Spurs | Eliminated | Charlotte Hornets | Eliminated |
Detroit Pistons | Eliminated | Denver Nuggets | Eliminated |
Toronto Raptors | Eliminated | New Orleans Pelicans | Eliminated |
Washington Wizards | Eliminated | Utah Jazz | Eliminated |
Portland Trail Blazers | Eliminated | Brooklyn Nets | Eliminated |
* Price is average among online bookmakers
Obviously, not all sites will offer the same odds on all teams. Since all will come with different prices, it is best to shop around bookmakers to see which ones offer the team you want to back with higher odds. In addition, below, we have added a list of the top three NBA bookmakers known for offering the best odds online.
How Does the NBA Cup Work
The in-season tournament will be played in two phases. The first is the group phase. All teams have been divided into 6 groups based on conference and last year’s record. From November 3rd till November 28th, they will play regular season games with teams in the same group on ‘Tournament Nights’. Their record will determine who will move on to the final round. The groups are as follows:
West Group A:
✔️ Sacramento Kings
✔️ Minnesota Timberwolves
✔️ Los Angeles Clippers
✔️ Houston Rockets
✔️ Portland Trail Blazers
West Group B:
✔️ Oklahoma City Thunder
✔️ Phoenix Suns
✔️ Los Angeles Lakers
✔️ Utah Jazz
✔️ San Antonio Spurs
West Group C:
✔️ Golden State Warriors
✔️ Denver Nuggets
✔️ Dallas Mavericks
✔️ New Orleans Pelicans
✔️ Memphis Grizzlies
East Group A:
✔️ Philadelphia 76ers
✔️ New York Knicks
✔️ Orlando Magic
✔️ Charlotte Hornets
✔️ Brooklyn Nets
East Group B:
✔️ Milwaukee Bucks
✔️ Miami Heat
✔️ Indiana Pacers
✔️ Detroit Pistons
✔️ Toronto Raptors
East Group C:
✔️ Boston Celtics
✔️ Chicago Bulls
✔️ Washington Wizards
✔️ Cleveland Cavaliers
✔️ Atlanta Hawks
What you can expect as the season goes forward is the shift of the NBA Cup odds. One loss can destroy a team’s chances of qualifying. The second phase will take place in Las Vegas between December 12-14. The team that tops each group, alongside two wild cards with the best record, will all qualify.
What’s intriguing is that the NBA officials have made public that the prize for winning the trophy will be $500,000 per player. On top of that, they have announced that awards will be given to the MVP and All-Tournament teams.
Which are the Most Valuable Betting Tips for the NBA In-Season Tournament
With all being said, it is time for some predictions. While it is tough to make speculations early in the season, last year’s occurrences and the off-season moves favourites made can offer some insights. We first need to mention that some NBA In-Season Tournament odds are ‘wrong’.
Underneath, we have outlined the teams we believe have a strong chance of winning. On the other hand, if you are not that keen on the long-term bets for the in-season tournament, you can always check our NBA predictions for today.
⏩ Tip #1: Thunder to Win the NBA Cup @3.80 (+280)
The Oklahoma City-based team proved the odds right after topping West Group B. They easily disposed of their biggest adversaries, the Lakers and the Suns, before dismantling the Jazz and the Spurs on their way to the Group win. In addition, they hold the top spot in the West, with an 18-5 record.
They will need to face their biggest challenge in the Quarter-Finals, having to face the hot Dallas Mavericks. However, we believe that if they overcome them, they can go all the way and win the trophy.
⏩ Tip #2: Bucks to Win the NBA Cup @5.50 (+650)
The Bucks' start of the season was abysmal. The team was out of rhythm and could not perform on a high level. Nevertheless, they managed to win all their matchups in East Group B, including the ones against the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers.
They have already turned their season around, having a winning record. Additionally, one of their stars, Chris Middleton, has come back from injury. In the Semis, they will face Orlando, who lost their best player due to injury, and then, in the Conference Final, they will most likely play against the Knicks.
Bookies with the Highest NBA In-Season Tournament Odds
Since basketball is one of the most popular sports worldwide, you can expect most bookmakers to offer prices on the tournament. Nonetheless, they are not all equal. Below is a complete list of sites where you can place your NBA wagers. We have ranked them based on their payout on the NBA Cup Winner odds.
Just before the season started, the Thunder and the New York Knicks are the shortest-priced teams to win the in-season tournament. Of course, the odds will shift as the season progresses.
Absolutely. Due to the tournament format, you can expect to see a minor team emerging victorious. While there will be some bragging rights to the team that wins it, we do not expect teams to play as hard as if it were the playoffs.
The team with the most wins in each group, alongside two wild cards, will head to Las Vegas to play the semi-finals and championship game in December. These games, as well as the group ones, are one-off, which means anything can happen.
When it comes to betting on the event, most, if not all, bookmakers will provide prices on the winner. However, you should shop around the odds to ensure you will maximise your earnings. Feel free to check the list of sportsbooks above.
As the most appealing basketball competition worldwide, the betting opportunities are easy to access. You can always bet on props on the All-Star game or which team will win the title. If you do not know where to start, feel free to check our NBA All-Star Game Betting Tips and NBA Finals Predictions guides, respectively.