Through the early part of the NBA season, it’s become clear what teams are the obvious favorites to win the 2025 title.
The reigning champion Celtics are well-positioned to repeat with the Cavaliers also being a bonafide contender in the Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Thunder, Mavericks, and a few other teams currently have the shortest odds to win an NBA title in 2025. But what about the teams that aren’t heavy favorites? Which of those teams still have a legitimate chance to compete for an NBA title?
After all, when it comes to betting, the most value comes from sleeper picks who have the pieces to win a title but haven’t yet played their best basketball. Before making any long-term or short-term NBA bets, it’s also best to explore some new betting sites and see what features and promotions they are offering. If you’re willing to look past the obvious contenders for the 2025 NBA championship, here are some sleeper picks worth considering.
Grizzlies
If you check the standings, the Grizzlies are alongside many of the top contenders in the Western Conference. But they're still a little undervalued in terms of being a title contender. To be fair, Memphis has yet to register too many wins against elite teams. But if they can keep Ja Morant on the floor, the sky is the limit because he can elevate the Grizzlies to another level. With Jaren Jackson and Desmond Bane, Memphis has a good supporting cast behind Morant while young players like Santi Aldama, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Zach Edey could all be x-factors who are ready to be serious contributors by the time the playoffs roll around.
Magic
Orlando has been trending in the right direction for a few years and could be ready to take a big step forward this season. Outside of the Celtics and Cavs, the Magic has been arguably the top team in the Eastern Conference to this point in the season. Despite losing Paulo Banchero to an injury in late October, Orlando has continued to play at a high level behind Franz and Mortiz Wagner. Once Banchero comes back, if he can come close to performing like a top 10 player, Magic could have something cooking. The size of Banchero and the Wagner brothers will be difficult for many teams to handle. The key for Orlando will be getting Banchero up to speed and getting consistent guard play from Jalen Suggs and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Rockets
Before the season, Houston had one of the most intriguing rosters in the league. Thus far, the Rockets are living up to hype and then some. They’ve picked up where they left off after finishing last season strong and have some impressive wins during the early part of the season. Granted, it remains to be seen if Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun have the star power to carry the Rockets through the Western Conference playoffs. But there is definitely a lot of depth and consistency with Houston’s roster. The Rockets also have a lot of draft capital that could be used to add pieces at the trade deadline, so their best basketball could still be ahead of them.
Pacers
Indiana has gotten off to a slow start amidst high expectations this year. But this is a team that went to the Eastern Conference Finals last season and then was forced to play without Tyrese Haliburton being healthy. The pieces are there to mount a similar playoff push this season if they can stay healthy and get things turned around. Obviously, things aren’t trending in the right direction for Indiana now. But there is plenty of time left in the season for that to change, allowing the Pacers to become an unlikely title contender in 2025.
Pelicans
Amidst a slew of injuries, the early part of the season has been a disaster for New Orleans. The good news is that Dejounte Murray returned in late November and Zion Williamson should be back at some point too. However, the Pelicans asking other players to step up amidst those injuries could end up paying off later in the season. If the Pelicans can get healthy, they’ll have three players who can average 20-plus points per game with Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum, not to mention Murray and Trey Murphy III leading an excellent supporting cast. Of course, New Orleans is in a deep hole because of all the injuries. But if they can climb out of that hole and just get to the playoffs, the Pelicans have the talent and depth to go the distance and make a miraculous turnaround.
