NBA Cup 2025: Group Odds, Predictions & Best Bets

• The Thunder open as +320 favorites to win the 2026 NBA Cup, with the Cavaliers (+700) and Rockets (+900) trailing
• West Group B features a must-watch Luka vs. Mavs showdown that could determine the group winner
• See the complete NBA Cup odds below, plus early predictions for each group winner

The Emirates NBA Cup returns for its third edition, and DraftKings Sportsbook wasted no time posting odds. The defending NBA champion Thunder sit atop the board at +320, but several intriguing storylines could shake up the tournament.

Group play kicks off October 31, several weeks earlier than previous years. The format remains unchanged with six groups of five teams battling for eight knockout spots. The championship game lands in Las Vegas on December 16.

NBA Cup Winner Odds

The Thunder’s NBA championship odds mirror their Cup favoritism. OKC won 68 games last season but fell to Milwaukee in last year’s Cup final. That 97-81 loss marked their only defeat during a 15-game regular-season win streak.

Cleveland and Houston round out the top three, separated by just 200 basis points. The Rockets made the tournament’s biggest splash by acquiring Kevin Durant, instantly vaulting them into contender status. Meanwhile, the Cavs return their league-leading offense intact.

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Odds as of July 9th. Get the DraftKings promo code before betting on the NBA Cup.

West Group A Winner Odds

OKC Faces West Finals Rematch

The Thunder face their toughest group competition from Minnesota, who they eliminated in five games during the West Finals. That playoff seasoning should serve OKC well in this early-season tournament.

Phoenix enters as a wild card after trading Durant to Houston. The Suns now feature Devin Booker, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks, but that trio lacks the cohesion needed to challenge the Thunder. Utah projects as the league’s worst team at 18.5 wins, essentially giving OKC a free victory.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just signed the richest annual contract in NBA history. He’ll be motivated to capture the one trophy that eluded him last season. Lock in the Thunder at -165 before this line moves further.

• The Pick: Oklahoma City Thunder (-165)

West Group B Odds

Luka-Mavs Showdown Highlights Group

This group features the tournament’s best storyline: Luka Dončić facing his former team. The Lakers acquired Luka via trade but enter as just slight favorites in a loaded group.

Don’t sleep on Dallas at +500. Cooper Flagg arrives as the most NBA-ready rookie in years, joining a frontcourt featuring Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford. That defensive presence could overwhelm opponents early in the season when offensive chemistry typically lags.

The Mavericks have extra motivation after the PR nightmare surrounding the Dončić trade. Expect them to channel that energy into defensive intensity that most teams won’t match in October and November. Flagg’s early impact could swing this group.

• The Pick: Dallas Mavericks (+500)

East Group C Odds

Knicks Catch Break With Draw

The Knicks caught a break with this draw. Milwaukee won last year’s Cup but waived Damian Lillard and faces questions about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future. Miami added Norman Powell but still lacks depth, while Chicago continues spinning its mediocrity wheels.

New head coach Mike Brown brings championship experience and should maximize the Knicks’ upgraded bench. Jordan Clarkson provides instant offense while Guerschon Yabusele adds versatile frontcourt depth. This team can go nine deep, crucial for the condensed Cup schedule.

At nearly even money, the Knicks offer the best value on the board. They’re coming off their deepest playoff run in 25 years and face a weakened conference. Jump on this before it drops below plus-money.

• The Pick: New York Knicks (+105)

NBA Cup Best Bets

Atlanta Hawks to Win East Group A (+220)

The Hawks quietly assembled one of the East’s best rosters. They added Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Luke Kennard and Kristaps Porzingis without surrendering core pieces. NAW gives them elite perimeter defense while Kennard led the NBA in three-point percentage twice.

Jalen Johnson returns after his All-Star trajectory got derailed by injury. Dyson Daniels just won Most Improved Player. This team has elite defensive personnel surrounding Trae Young, who averaged a career-high in assists last season.

Cleveland enters as the favorite but tends to start slowly. The Hawks reached the Cup quarterfinals last year and have championship experience with Porzingis. At +220, they’re tremendous value to win a group missing key pieces (Haliburton injured, Turner departed).

Houston Rockets to Win NBA Cup (+900)

The Rockets addressed their biggest weakness by acquiring Kevin Durant. He provides the clutch scoring they desperately lacked during last year’s first-round exit. Durant remains elite when healthy, and Houston’s defensive infrastructure perfectly complements his skillset.

They also added Dorian Finney-Smith and Clint Capela, creating defensive versatility. Ime Udoka can deploy multiple looks with his two-big lineups that dominated the boards last season. The young core of Amen Thompson and Alperen Sengun took necessary playoff lumps and should benefit.

At +900, Houston offers elite value for a team with championship pieces. The Thunder are deserving favorites, but the gap isn’t as wide as these odds suggest. The Rockets have the defense, experience and now the closer to make a Cup run.