Can Small Markets Win Big? Thunder and Cavs Out to Prove It
The 2024-25 NBA regular season brought an unexpected yet refreshing narrative. For once, it wasn’t dominated by big-market superstars. Instead, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Cleveland Cavaliers—two small-market franchises—finished on top.
The Thunder, led by MVP favourite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, sit atop NBA title odds at +170* after an admirable chase for 70 wins that ultimately fell short. Though SGA and the youthful Thunder are yet to breakthrough in the postseason, this iteration's place as an all-time regular-season team is indisputable.
The Cavs, meanwhile, boast arguably the league’s most complete and talented starting five. Led by Donovan Mitchell, who already has a backlog of hugely impressive playoff moments, Cleveland slots in third in title odds, at +575.
Lodged between the Thunder and Cavs are the defending champion Boston Celtics, at +195. With 18 banners hung high above that famous parquet floor, the Celtics are synonymous with NBA history and success.
Rivalling Cleveland for the league’s best starting five, Boston represents an unusually motivated defending champion, with a perception of disrespect shadowing stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown last summer and into its title defense.
Much like the NBA story can’t be told without the Celtics, the Celtics’ story can’t be told without the L.A. Lakers -- who slot in fourth on the odds board, at +1,350. An also-ran outfit became supercharged mid-season, thanks to the already infamous acquisition of Luka Doncic.
Though this Lakers team is far from well-rounded, the presence of Luka Doncic and Lebron James makes them impossible to ignore. Both supernova talents have dragged teams to the NBA Finals in the past and, health permitting, will be a brutal out for any team -- Oklahoma City included.
Slotted in fifth on the odds board -- a testament to Steph Curry’s greatness and the franchise’s dynastic run -- is the Golden State Warriors (+1,650).
After a loss in game 82, the Dubs had to earn their way into the playoff picture via the play-in tournament, but a first-round meeting with the green Houston Rockets bodes well for Curry & co.’s hopes of ring No. 5.
While the lower rungs of NBA odds are littered with superstars capable of taking a series over, like Nikola Jokic (Nuggets +2,500), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks +15,000), and Anthony Edwards (Wolves +5,000), the NBA rarely sees underdogs navigate the long postseason.
As such, the chase for the Larry O’Brien will likely see titans of NBA history battling with this season’s feel-good upstarts.
Click here for the full NBA title odds at BET99.
*Odds as of April 16, 2025.