Top Dark Horse Teams To Watch

Frankly, for anyone into sports betting, this NBA In-Season Tournament is proving to be a massive headache—but the good kind! It’s easily one of the most unpredictable parts of the regular season calendar, making it a true test for bettors looking at NBA betting Singapore markets.

The format itself is the reason for this unpredictability: a group-stage (robin format) followed by a sudden-death knockout round (quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final). This setup means even the biggest underdogs or “dark horse” teams have a legitimate shot at glory.

Now, as we look at the 2025 tournament, it’s going to be just as hard to call for bettors. The format is what makes it so tough: a short, intense group stage (round-robin) followed by single-elimination knockout rounds (Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Final). 

This structure doesn’t just reward the teams with the best overall regular-season stats; it heavily favors whoever is playing their best basketball right now, and it gives a genuine chance to underdogs or “dark horse” teams to make a deep run.

Quick Recap of the Previous Tournaments

The two tournaments we’ve seen so far really set the stage for how unpredictable this event is.

• In 2023, the Los Angeles Lakers took the inaugural title, beating the Pacers in the Final. LeBron James was named the MVP. The Lakers’ regular-season record that year was 47-35, and they finished 8th in the West, which shows this knockout format can really allow a team to catch fire at the right time.
• The following year, Milwaukee Bucks won the title, defeating the Oklahoma City Thunder 97-81, with Giannis Antetokounmpo securing the MVP award. His dominance in that final speaks to how elite individual performance can be a huge factor in a short tournament.

The Dark Horse to Win the NBA Cup this 2025: Top Picks 

Here at TopBettingSiteSG, we’re pleased to give you some specific tips you might find useful. The odds listed below come directly from various respected Singapore betting sites. Since it’s still early, and we don’t have a lot of new information about the upcoming matches, we’ve focused our analysis on which teams the oddsmakers view as the potential surprise winners—or the “dark horses”—for the NBA Cup this 2025.

Oklahoma City Thunder – 2.50

• The Bottom Line: OKC is widely seen as a super trusted favorite to win the whole thing, with betting odds often hovering in that  2.30 to  2.60 range.
• Star Power: Their main guy, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SG), is a major force. Just in the 2025 Finals, he put up huge numbers: roughly 30.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game. The team also boasts great supporting talent, like Myles Turner, and a solid mix of young energy and veteran smarts.
• Why They’re a “Dark Horse” (Even as Favorites): In this format—short group stage followed by sudden-death knockouts—you need a team that can get hot and stay hot. OKC’s depth means they can sustain a peak performance, which is exactly what a short, high-stakes tournament demands. They are favorites, but the format makes every game unpredictable.

Cleveland Cavaliers – 6.00

• The Bottom Line: The Cavaliers are turning heads in the major tournament futures market, with odds roughly in the 6.00 to 8.00 range.
• Key Players: Their core is strong. Donovan Mitchell was clutch last season, averaging about 24.0 points per game. Meanwhile, Evan Mobley anchors their defense, adding 18.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. They’re very well-balanced on both offense and defense.
• Why They’re a Dark Horse: This short, intense tournament suits a team like the Cavs. They already have one of the league’s top defenses, and now they have the offensive options to match. They aren’t the top pick, but this format rewards teams that can quickly adjust and win those do-or-die knockout games. They have a hungry, “next-step” mindset that can make a huge difference here. If you’re looking at nba bet Singapore markets, they represent good value.

Denver Nuggets – 7.50

• The Bottom Line: Denver’s odds have recently settled around the 6.00 to 8.00 mark.
• Star Power & Moves: Their undeniable star is Nikola Jokić, an ultra-versatile player who averaged roughly 20.0 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 11.7 assists in 2025 (though his stats can vary). The team also made smart off-season moves, like re-signing Christian Braun and adding Jonas Valančiūnas for reliable minutes when Jokić rests, fixing a depth issue.
• Why They’re a Dark Horse: This team has a championship pedigree, and Jokić is the kind of elite player who can single-handedly dominate in a single-elimination setting. Strong depth combined with that one world-class player is a golden ticket in this format. Their slightly longer odds simply reflect that they aren’t the overall favorite, but their potential for a deep run is massive, which is perfect for this type of unpredictable tournament.

Orlando Magic – 12.00

• The Bottom Line: Orlando is a more distant long shot in general markets (22.00), but their Cup odds are often shorter, maybe around 10.00 to 12.00.
• Roster Shift: They pulled off a blockbuster trade to acquire Desmond Bane (who averaged 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.3 assists last season). With young stars Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the team is transitioning from “potential” to “real threat.”
• Why They’re a Dark Horse: The Cup structure favors teams that are slightly underrated but can execute flawlessly over a few high-stakes games—it’s not about the long 82-game regular season grind. Orlando fits this perfectly: they’re young, they’re hungry, and there’s less pressure on them to win. If they gain momentum in the group stage and carry it into the knockouts, they could deliver a huge surprise.

Boston Celtics – 15.00

• The Bottom Line: Boston’s general title odds jump around, but for the Cup, they are likely a “value dark horse” in the 12.00 to 15.00 range.
• Star Player: They are led by stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who bring plenty of high-level experience in knockout basketball. (Note: The latest updates suggest checking Tatum’s availability due to a possible injury). They are placed in a competitive East Group B with teams like Orlando and Philadelphia.
• Why They’re a Dark Horse: Despite their history, they might be slightly overlooked in the Cup compared to teams like the Thunder or Cavs. Yet, they have the championship experience and high-level execution needed to make a deep run in sudden-death elimination rounds. If they efficiently handle their group stage games, their experience in high-pressure situations makes them a serious contender once the knockout stage begins.

What’s the Role of Group-Stage Performance?

The group stage games in the NBA Cup serve two crucial roles when you sign up at NBA betting site singapore. First, they are your ticket to the knockout phase, which means teams must perform well just to survive. Second, they are a big momentum builder.

Think of it this way: a strong record, like 4-0 or 3-1, not only boosts team confidence but also earns a favorable seed. This seeding is essential because it often means a better opponent or even a home game later on.

For your bets: You should certainly look at teams performing strongly in the group games. That good momentum often translates directly into a win-or-go-home scenario. Conversely, a team that seems to be taking the group stage lightly might struggle when the real pressure hits.

A key detail to remember: upsets in the group stage can significantly impact who grabs the wild-card spots. So, keeping an eye on those early games, which you can find on popular basketball betting sites, can definitely be worthwhile.

How Does the Knockout Single-Elimination Nature Affect Betting Strategy?

Once the quarterfinals start, it’s a completely different ballgame—it’s single-elimination. This means there is absolutely no room for error. Even teams with the best regular-season record can be out if they have one off night. The 2023 tournament is a perfect example, where the eventual winner, the Lakers, was not the outright top seed heading into the knockout rounds.

For betting markets:

• Focus on “Clutch” Teams: Look for teams that have recently proven they can perform under extreme pressure, or those with deep benches who can withstand one star having an average game.
• Consider Psychology: A younger team might handle the sudden-death pressure differently than a seasoned veteran squad. Age and experience can be a surprisingly big factor.
• Look for Value: Top teams often have odds that are “inflated” because bettors over-value their overall season reputation and under-value the sheer risk of a single-elimination format. Better value might be found with less glamorous teams who demonstrate consistent, steady play.