The league just crowned a champion in June, and the reset button has already been hit. A handful of teams sit outside the usual contender tier yet carry the right blend of roster quality, scheme fit, and timeline to make noise when the bracket turns tense.
Here are five underdogs worth serious attention based on fresh moves and proven trends.
Orlando is Building a Grown-Up Offence Now
Orlando’s identity used to lean on length and defence. The front office has armed it with shooting and control to close the gap late in games. Desmond Bane arrived via a headline trade to supply elite spacing and on-ball punch, while Tyus Jones adds turnover-light table setting that travels in the playoffs.
Paolo Banchero is locked in long term, removing contract chatter and keeping the pecking order clean. Those are real gains for half-court reliability rather than hype. NBA.com’s team preview lists Bane and Jones among the key additions and confirms the extension, and transaction logs back the summer activity. Orlando looked like a Play-In side last spring, then pushed into the bracket. With this balance, a second-round ceiling feels conservative.
As the season progresses, the question of NBA prop bets becomes even more pressing. With teams like Orlando steadily improving, the race for the postseason will be a tight one. For those keeping an eye on the latest odds and playoff projections, tracking teams like Orlando could offer valuable insights into potential surprises when the bracket finally takes shape.
Cleveland Has the Regular Season Engine (and Unfinished Business)
Cleveland posted a league grade of 64 wins last season and owned the East’s best mark. That blend of a top-tier point differential and a proven closing five rarely sits in the underdog bucket, yet the narrative cooled after a short second round.
The Cavaliers made strategic moves, including trading Isaac Okoro to the Chicago Bulls for Lonzo Ball and signing veterans like Larry Nance Jr. and Sam Merrill. Projections still view Cleveland as a top seed threat, and their 2024-25 East-leading wins are on record. If the half-court tempo sharpens in crunch time, this side can quickly shift perception in May.
Houston Moved From Intriguing to Threatening
Houston did not nibble at the margins. It traded for Kevin Durant to put a certified shot maker next to a deep group of creators and rangy defenders. That single move reorders matchups in closing minutes and finally gives the club a set play answer when the whistle tightens.
NBA.com’s preview frames the acquisition as the push into the contender lane, while local analysis points to turnover control as the key operational lever. A preseason note even teed up his first run with the group. If Houston trims giveaways and leans on pace plus length, this team becomes a nightmare to send home in six.
New Orleans has Diversified Scoring and Late Game Options
New Orleans tweaked the guard room and added shot creation that reduces the load on its star forwards. The front office brought in experienced scorers and kept its rangy wings, which matters against switching defences that choke off first options.
The club’s own preview suggests a refreshed backcourt and a deeper rotation, while early reports from around the league highlight how the new pieces fit into the spacing map. A projected lineup that features dual creators on the perimeter hints at cleaner second-side actions and more catch-and-shoot rhythm for the wings. That is the recipe for stealing a series on the road.
As the Pelicans make these adjustments, their performance is likely to evolve rapidly over the course of the season. Expert NBA Game Predictions can offer valuable insights into how New Orleans’ adjustments could impact their performance in the postseason. For fans looking to improve their betting strategies, analysing player stats and game predictions becomes crucial in identifying trends and making informed decisions as the playoffs approach.
San Antonio is Ready to Defend at a Playoff Level
San Antonio’s rise has been steady rather than explosive, which is why it slips under the radar. The summer brought size and passing at the five, shooting depth, and a pair of lottery talents who can fill gaps without heavy usage.
Continuity on the bench also matters here. Mitch Johnson now has the full-time remit and the programme’s buy-in, giving the Spurs a clear defensive scheme and development track that carried over from last season. NBA.com’s preview details the additions and draft haul, while reporting on Johnson’s elevation confirms stability. A top ten defence plus improved half-court spacing is a classic profile for a round one upset.
Underdogs on the Rise
The 2025 postseason produced a worthy champion and a runner-up that shocked the field. Oklahoma City lifted the trophy while Indiana’s surge reminded everyone how fast tiers can shift. The gap between favourite and underdog looks thinner than it did a year ago. If even two of the five above bring their regular-season habits into a seven-game series, the bracket will feel very different by the second week of May.