NBA Cup Odds 2024: Celtics Begin as Favorites

The NBA’s first attempt at an in-season tournament was a smashing success during the 2023-24 campaign.

Regular-season games in November seemed more meaningful, with players motivated by the prize pool and trophy. The Los Angeles Lakers won the inaugural In-Season Tournament, besting the Indiana Pacers in the championship game in Las Vegas.

The event has been rebranded as the Emirates NBA Cup for 2024, but it will look similar. Teams will begin group play on Nov. 12, trying to notch a spot in the quarterfinals. The event will culminate with the NBA Cup Championship on Dec. 17.

Here is a look at the latest NBA Cup odds at the online sportsbook entering this year’s event:

Odds to Win NBA Cup 2024

NBA Cup Odds & Betting Favorites 2024

Like the NBA Championship odds, the Boston Celtics are the betting favorites in the NBA Cup market. The difference is that the Celtics won the NBA championship last year while coming up short in the IST.

In last year’s event, Boston advanced to the East quarterfinals, but lost to the Pacers 122-112. That prevented the Celtics from visiting Las Vegas, where the semifinals and championship game occur.

As the best team in basketball, the Celtics deserve to be favorites for any NBA betting market. They are also in a favorable pool, with the Cleveland Cavaliers expected to be their primary challenger.

That said, with big man Kristaps Porziņģis expected to be sidelined to start the year, I’m passing on the Celtics as betting favorites to win the NBA Cup.

NBA Cup Prediction: Who Will Win In-Season Tournament?

Nobody expected the Lakers or Pacers to reach the championship game in last year’s event, let alone win the whole thing. But that’s the beauty of the NBA Cup. Anything can happen in single-elimination basketball.

As a result, I prefer targeting a team further down the basketball lines market for my favorite bet early in the season.

The Phoenix Suns stand out to me as the best value at +2000.

The Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites in Phoenix’s group, but the Suns project to be better than the other three teams: Lakers, Jazz, and Spurs.

Phoenix reached the quarterfinals last year before losing by three points to the Lakers. But as mentioned in my Suns betting preview, I like this team even more this season.

Mike Budenholzer has replaced Frank Vogel as head coach, which should lead to a better shot diet for the Suns’ offense. They also have a better point guard plan between Monte Morris and Tyus Jones.

The Suns are worth a look in most NBA odds markets, as they are being overlooked this year. This is one of the many ways to bet on a bounce-back campaign.

NBA Cup Schedule 2024

The 2024 NBA Cup will begin with group play on Nov. 12. Group play games will occur every Tuesday and Friday from Nov. 12 through Dec. 3.

The quarterfinals will be held on Dec. 10 and Dec. 11, with the higher seed hosting that single-elimination game.

The semifinals (Dec. 14) and championship game (Dec. 17) will be held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

NBA Cup Groups

West Group A

• Minnesota Timberwolves
• Los Angeles Clippers
• Sacramento Kings
• Houston Rockets
• Portland Trail Blazers

West Group B

• Oklahoma City Thunder
• Phoenix Suns
• Los Angeles Lakers
• Utah Jazz
• San Antonio Spurs

West Group C

• Denver Nuggets
• Dallas Mavericks
• New Orleans Pelicans
• Golden State Warriors
• Memphis Grizzlies

East Group A

• New York Knicks
• Orlando Magic
• Philadelphia 76ers
• Brooklyn Nets
• Charlotte Hornets

East Group B

• Milwaukee Bucks
• Indiana Pacers
• Miami Heat
• Toronto Raptors
• Detroit Pistons

East Group C

• Boston Celtics
• Cleveland Cavaliers
• Chicago Bulls
• Atlanta Hawks
• Washington Wizards