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Longshot NBA Title Contenders: Best Bets

by Spencer Toth - 12/5/2025

Longshot NBA title contenders Cade Cunningham Detroit Pistons

The NBA season is already 25% complete, and the standings have begun to take shape heading into the holiday period. Some teams have managed to exceed expectations, while others have fallen short to kick off the 2025-26 season. Now that we have seen each team on the court 20 or so times, it is time to start making championship picks. At this stage of the season, targeting longshots or ‘sleepers’ is the best thing to do on championship picks. The deterrent of tying up your bankroll for six months must be considered, but with these longshots, you need to set aside less to still secure a potentially huge profit. Six teams have emerged with +1600 odds or shorter, while the other 24 all have +2500 odds or longer. We already broke down which of the favorites is a worthwhile investment and it is now time to dive into the underdogs. Five teams stick out as having value at this stage of the season, so let’s dive right into the best NBA championship sleepers. 

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Detroit Pistons: +2500

If the Pistons were in the Western Conference, this young squad would get trampled in the postseason. However, a lack of competition in the East means Detroit has a clear path to the Finals, and currently holds a 2.5 game lead over the Knicks and Raptors at the top of the standings. This team is unrecognizable from the squad that set the NBA losing streak record just two years ago, as they now have the second-best record in the league. 

Cade Cunningham has transformed the Pistons, as he leads the team in both PPG and assists. He is their offensive spark, and the Pistons' otherwise defensive roster would really struggle without him. Hinging an entire offense on one player comes with its risks, but there is no denying what a dominant squad Detroit has built. Based on previous years, it is understandable that the Knicks and Cavaliers are both ahead of the Pistons on the NBA odds, but based on this season, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Detroit has looked fantastic against the bad teams, solid against the playoff teams, and has shown no signs of slowing down. The Knicks and Cavaliers both have serious issues at this stage of the season, while the other Eastern Conference contenders aren’t as consistent as the Pistons. We aren’t getting much extra value on Detroit after they opened the year at +10000, but this could still be the best price we will get for the rest of the season if the wins keep racking up. Looking at their upcoming schedule, eight of the next ten games for Detroit are against teams with a sub-.500 records. When the Pistons cruise to another solid win streak, the oddsmakers will have no choice but to slash this price. 

Minnesota Timberwolves: +3300

The Timberwolves have reached the Western Conference Finals in back-to-back seasons, yet are still seen as outsiders in a fierce Western Conference. They don’t have the same star power as the other top contenders, but they make up for it with strong play on the defensive end of the court. Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle aren’t household names like LeBron, Durant, and Jokic, but the duo is still more than capable of pulling off a deep playoff run. The Timberwolves are 14-8 and riding a four-game win streak, and are just two games back of second place in the conference. A crowded Western Conference is the only reason these odds are where they are, but that should only encourage you to tail a team that has shown they can get it done in the postseason. 

Continuity and chemistry are crucial for a playoff run, and the Timberwolves have managed to stay healthy and are running it back with a similar squad from last season. The defense is gelling, they have a pair of offensive superstars, and there is no reason the Timberwolves should be disrespected like this. They have more WCF appearances than the Thunder, Lakers, Nuggets, and Rockets in the last five seasons, and that kind of sustained playoff success cannot be ignored. At +3300, the Timberwolves have some of the best value in the conference. 

San Antonio Spurs: +3500

This is a great example of how shortsighted the public can be when it comes to betting on NBA championship futures. Sure, the Spurs are without their towering big man in Victor Wembanyama and promising rookie Stephon Castle, but the wins haven’t stopped for San Antonio, and an early-season injury like this can actually help the Spurs down the road. The extra minutes and shots available with their scoring duo on the sidelines will allow the Spurs to develop their depth, and they have still gone 7-3 in the last ten without them. Both Castle and Wembanyama are expected to return in the coming weeks, and the Spurs will suddenly be one of the most dangerous teams in the league once again. 

This is the perfect time to buy the Spurs, who have all the tools needed to win an NBA championship. They have the defense, they have the depth, and they have a real superstar in Wembanyama to tilt the court in their favor. De’Aaron Fox is the perfect veteran to lead this team, as the 27-year-old is still in his prime, but he has been able to settle down a team of energetic rookies. There really aren’t any holes in this roster, and the youthful talent will be looking to signify a changing of the guard with a deep playoff run alongside the Thunder. San Antonio vs OKC is a playoff matchup many fans have been waiting for, and when they potentially collide in the WCF, this +3500 ticket will age quite nicely. 

Toronto Raptors: +7000

We are getting a bit speculative here, but there is no reason the Raptors can’t win the Eastern Conference. Staying healthy will be important for this team, but the level of depth in Toronto is hard to overlook. Scottie Barnes is coming off an Eastern Conference defensive player of the month award, while Brandon Ingram’s clutch shooting appears to be a regeneration of Kawhi Leonard for the Raptors. Immanuel Quickley is capable of big nights, while RJ Barrett could be the primary superstar on a competitive NBA team. Once you add in a rejuvenated Jakob Poeltl at center, it becomes clear that the Raptors are not to be overlooked. A 1-4 start to the season has prevented Toronto from climbing to the very top of the East, but their second-place spot at this stage of the season is the best since their 2019 championship run. 

What sets this team apart is their depth both in their starting five and off the bench. Toronto has a defensive culture that is still there from their championship run, where their ‘Bench Mob’ played a huge role in their success. Jamal Shead is the leader of the second unit, and his calming presence has allowed the other stars in Toronto to shine in crucial bench minutes. Toronto is capable of winning the bench minutes, and their strong starting five is certainly capable of winning clutch moments, too. Staying healthy will be a real concern for this team, as they have relied on injury-prone players so far this season and have been able to avoid the injury bug so far. If they can continue to do so, there isn’t a better team with odds like these anywhere in the league. 

Dallas Mavericks +30000

This is obviously a long shot for the 8-15 Mavericks, but at 300-1, how can we say no? Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis have the potential to be one of the best lockdown duos in the league, and the Mavericks have enough talent on the outside to potentially make a surprise run. The Dallas front office is known for making big moves, and this team is one big acquisition away from being a legitimate threat. You shouldn’t need too much convincing to sprinkle on a payout like this, and with the talent available in Dallas, stranger things have happened than a deep Dallas playoff run. 

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