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Now that we have completed group play at the NBA Emirates Cup, eight teams have progressed to the knockout stages of the tournament.
Each of these teams will play one game and the four winners will advance to the semifinals in Las Vegas, where one team will be crowned the champion of the second tournament of the season. Based on ranking, health and current strength, we’ve determined our picks for who should be considered the biggest and least likely to step up and win it all.
NBA CUP: Everything you need to know about the in-season tournament in its second year
While the Lakers won’t have a chance to defend their title, a new team will get the chance to call themselves champions and prize money from more than $500,000 per player.
Here are the teams most likely to win that trophy and those bragging rights:
(Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
New York has arguably the strongest team in the NBA Cup and made a relatively easy bid in the first knockout round against the Hawks. Although this is a hot Atlanta team, the Knicks are a sure bet to at least make it to Las Vegas for the semifinals.
CURRENT ODDS: +300
(Photo by William Purnell/Getty Images)
Oklahoma City enters this tournament with two of the strongest performers among healthy players left in the NBA Cup, as both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams are front-runners to win MVP.
CURRENT ODDS: +310
(Photo by Stacey Revere/Getty Images)
Milwaukee turned their season around with a recent hot streak, performing well after that slow start to their campaign. Now this Chris Middleton is back join Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard to face a depleted, injury-ravaged Orlando squad, they are a strong contender for at least the semifinals.
CURRENT ODDS: +450
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Houston is arguably the most exciting young team in the NBA and has one of the breakout stars of the tournament so far in Alperen Senggun. They have a tough first-round tie against the Warriors, but with home-court advantage, they could sneak into the NBA Cup semifinals with a sleeper chance to win it all.
CURRENT ODDS: +600
Images by Jerome Miron-Iman
If the Mavericks didn’t have to face the Thunder in the NBA playoffs, they would have a better chance of advancing. For now, while it’s tough to bet against Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, consider them slight underdogs with a chance to make some noise.
CURRENT ODDS: +700
D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Perhaps the most challenging matchup of the knockout round to predict is Warriors vs. Rockets, but with Golden State on the road against Houston, they make more sense on the outside looking in at this point. But if Stephen Curry gets hot on the big stage, he’s one of the toughest players in the world to stop.
CURRENT ODDS: +700
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The Hawks aren’t just a feel-good story, but they do have some legitimately compelling talent on their roster besides Trae Young. This tournament saw great performances from promising players like Jalen Johnson and Dyson Daniels, as well as veterans like Clint Capela and De’Andre Hunter. Don’t list them.
CURRENT ODDS: +2000
(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
If not for the injury, it would have made sense to pick the Magic to potentially win this entire tournament based on how Franz Wagner had played in this environment. However, with both Wagner and Paolo Banchero suspended, they officially have the toughest road ahead of them all.
CURRENT ODDS: +2500
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