The Oklahoma City Thunder are entering the new NBA season with a big target on their backs. After winning their first championship, they are now the top team to beat. Their win in the 2024-25 season was a huge step for the team. They went from a young group to a championship squad, and they are expected to stay on top. The team won the Finals by beating the Indiana Pacers in a full seven-game series for the first time since 1979.
The Thunder’s success is a result of their strong season. They had the best record in the NBA at 68-14. This was a franchise-best for them and shows how well they played all year. The team’s star player, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, was named the league MVP.
Their success has also made them a favorite to win it lla again. Betting experts have set their odds to win the championship around 2.30 to 2.40, representing the shortest odds for a defending champion since the Kevin Durant-Stephen Curry Warriors dynasty. .
The Thunder have kept their main players, a choice that has made them a strong team for the future. While some other teams made big moves with trades, the Thunder decided to build on the talent they already have. The team is young, so they are expected to get even better. You can follow their progress and even check out basketball betting Singapore options to place a wager on their games.
NBA Title Contenders
The upcoming NBA season is shaping up to be an exciting ride for punters in Singapore. Making an outright pick won’t be easy, as every year comes with big surprises. In fact, no team has managed to win back-to-back championships in the last seven years, with the Golden State Warriors being the last to do it.
That makes this year’s outright betting even more unpredictable. To guide you in placing smarter wagers, we’ve put together a detailed breakdown of the top contenders. And if you’re planning to place your bets, you’ll want to stick with the best online sportsbooks in Singapore so you get the best odds.
Oklahoma City Thunder (3.05 Odds)
The Thunder finished the 2024-25 regular season with an impressive record of 68-14. This put them at the top of the Western Conference. Their offense was powerful, with the team scoring about 120.5 points per game. They had a point difference of +12.70, which was one of the best in many years. In the playoffs, they kept up the strong performance, with a record of 16-7.
On defense, young player Chet Holmgren made big improvements. He was better at getting defensive rebounds, blocking shots, and stopping teams from getting a second chance to score.
Even with their success, the team does have some weak spots. When their main star, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, is not on the court, the team’s offense is much less effective. The difference in their offensive rating with him versus without him is very large.
Also, the players on the bench sometimes lack experience and are not always consistent, especially with three-point shooting and one-on-one plays. If key players get hurt or if other teams force matchups with the bench, these problems could be a real issue.
Cleveland Cavaliers (7.50 Odds)
The Cleveland Cavaliers had a great 2024-25 season, finishing with a 64-18 record. This was the best record in the Eastern Conference. They were the best team in the league at scoring, with about 121.9 points per game. They also played good defense, giving up 112.4 points per game. The team started strong under Coach Kenny Atkinson, winning their first 15 games and tying a team record. Key players like Donovan Mitchell had high-scoring games. Evan Mobley won the Defensive Player of the Year award, which made the team strong on defense.
Even though they had a great regular season, the team had some issues in the playoffs. They were upset by the Indiana Pacers in the second round, losing the series 4-1.
The team’s depth and injury issues are a concern. If a main player like Mitchell, Garland, or Mobley gets hurt, the players on the bench might not be able to fill in during the most crucial games.
While their offense is one of the best, mistakes on defense during key moments have cost them close games. Betting on games like these can be tough, and many people look to online sports betting sg sites for their wagers.
Denver Nuggets (9.50 odds)
The Nuggets ended the 2024-25 regular season with 50 wins and 32 losses, placing them fourth in the Western Conference. Their offense was strong, scoring about 120.8 points per game, which was one of the best in the league.
However, their defense was not as good, allowing around 116.9 points per game, putting them near the bottom of the league for defense. Nikola Jokić was, as always, a key player. He led the team in points, rebounds, and assists for much of the season and was the main reason for their success.
The team has some clear problems. They depend a lot on Jokić; without him, they had a record of 4-8 last season. Their defense allowed too many easy shots and second-chance points. Even with changes to the team, it is not clear if their bench and outside defense have gotten better.
New York Knicks (9.75)
The Knicks finished the 2024-25 season with a record of 51 wins and 31 losses, placing them third in the Eastern Conference. Under coach Tom Thibodeau, the team averaged about 115.8 points per game, which ranked ninth in the league. They also gave up 111.7 points per game, also ninth in the league.
Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns were key players for the team. Brunson averaged about 26 points and 7.3 assists per game, while Towns provided strong scoring and rebounding inside. The Knicks were good at playing in close games, and Brunson was even named Clutch Player of the Year. This shows how the team handled pressure well in tight situations.
Even with their success, the Knicks had some clear weak spots. Their defense was not always consistent, especially against top teams and at the end of games. The players coming off the bench were also not always reliable, which could be a problem if a main player got hurt. The team sometimes had trouble with turnovers and bad shot choices when Brunson wasn’t playing.
Even though they had a good regular season, their playoff games showed they had trouble keeping up the same high level of play for a whole series. To become a championship team, they will need more consistent scoring from other players and better defense.
Houston Rockets (13.00)
Houston starts the new season with 19.00 odds to win it all. Last season, they had a strong record of 52-30, placing second in the Western Conference and winning their division. This was a big improvement for a team that had been rebuilding. They scored about 114 points per game and only allowed around 110 points.
The biggest move for Houston was getting Kevin Durant in a trade with the Phoenix Suns. Durant is a great player with a lot of experience and has won championships. Last season, he averaged about 27 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game. Houston also has other good players, like Alperen Sengun, who is a strong rebounder. Jalen Green is also a key player who played all 82 games and averaged around 21 points, though his scoring went down in the playoffs.
There are still some worries for the team. Their guard, Fred VanVleet, will miss the season with a knee injury, which hurts their team. While Durant makes them much better, fitting him into the team’s system will be a challenge. Also, most of their players do not have much experience playing in high-pressure playoff games. They lost in the first round last season, even after forcing a seventh game against the Warriors.
NBA MVP Odds for 2025-26 Season
The race for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award in the 2025-26 season looks to be a tight one. Several players are expected to be top contenders. For those who are searching for online sports betting sites, these players are the ones to watch.
| Player | Team | Position | Decimal Odds | Implied Probability |
| Shai Gilgeous-Alexander | Oklahoma City Thunder | Guard | 3.75 | 26.7% |
| Nikola Jokić | Denver Nuggets | Center | 4.00 | 25.0% |
| Luka Dončić | Los Angeles Lakers | Guard | 6.00 | 16.7% |
| Giannis Antetokounmpo | Milwaukee Bucks | Forward | 8.00 | 12.5% |
| Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics | Forward | 13.00 | 7.7% |
Best NBA Betting Sites in Singapore for the 2025-2026 Season
In Singapore, it’s important to use betting sites that are safe and legal, have good odds, and solid payment choices. Here are three of the top places to consider for online basketball betting:
- Solarbet This site is known for having good odds on NBA games and offers regular deals. The platform is popular with users in Singapore, and its well-known for live streaming and competitive odds.
- GoPlay711 Many local bettors like this site because of how easy it is to use. They also appreciate the fast payouts and special NBA deals during big games.
- BetVision88 This platform gives players good odds, especially on future bets like which team will win the championship or who will be the MVP. It has earned a good reputation with bettors in the area.
Always compare the odds between these sites. Even a small change of 0.10 can make a big difference in how much you win on a future bet.
Conclusion
The 2025-26 NBA season is set to be a good one, with several teams ready to compete. The Oklahoma City Thunder, fresh off their championship win with a 68-14 record last season, will try to defend their title.
In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks are strong contenders, with the Cavs having a projected record of 59-23 and the Knicks at 54-28. Out West, the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets are also expected to do well, with projected records of 53-29 and 54-28 respectively.
The race for Most Valuable Player is just as exciting. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a top player, coming off a season where he averaged 32.7 points per game. Another leading candidate is Nikola Jokić, who averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game last season.
Luka Dončić is also in the mix, with averages of 28.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.7 assists. For fans who want to place bets on these players or games, a few of the best online sports betting sites for Singapore are Solarbet, GoPlay711, and BetVision88.
