Greatest Dark Horses To Win The NBA Championship In 2024

The Miami Heat have the potential to be a sneaky contender for the 2024 NBA Championship, despite their present position as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Their current run, highlighted by an amazing 8-2 streak over the last 10 games, shows they can step it up when it counts most, despite a lacklustre regular season record of 32-25.

Jimmy Butler, the club’s seasoned captain, inspires confidence in the Heat’s ability to overcome any obstacle. The Heat are a pressure-tolerant squad that is well-prepared for a lengthy postseason run. Terry Rozier, who they acquired strategically before the trade deadline, gives their team depth and versatility, while the intriguing rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. offers a hopeful X-factor that might push them towards the title.

The Miami Heat have a history of picking up the ante throughout the postseason, as seen by their trips to the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023. They are positioned as a powerful force capable of upsetting even the most dominating teams in the league because of their durability, ability to peak at the perfect time, and superb defensive play—they are the fourth-ranked team in opponent points per game. Because Jimmy Butler said, “It’s that time of year,” the Heat should be on the lookout.

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2. New York Knicks

The New York Knicks have shown to be a strong force, as seen by their current 35-23 record and 4th place in the Eastern Conference. They were strengthened by astute trade deadline decisions, most notably the acquisition of OG Anunoby, who has given the club new life. Notwithstanding obstacles, such as Julius Randle’s injury setbacks, the Knicks have shown resilience, led by the excellent play of Jalen Brunson, who is a serious candidate for an All-NBA Team selection.

The team’s depth of talent indicates they are still in a strong position to make a major postseason push, even though their recent 3-7 record over the last 10 games suggests they may be having some difficulties. They could even challenge the Miami Heat for a coveted spot in the Eastern Conference Finals, which would set up an exciting playoff matchup. The Knicks are a dangerous team even if they lack the superstar status of the Bucks or Celtics.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

With their youthful lineup and energetic style of play, the Oklahoma City Thunder have surprised expectations with a remarkable 40-17 record and the second seed in the tough Western Conference. Even though they might be seen as a young squad, their current record indicates they are ready to take advantage of advantageous matchups and maybe go all the way in the playoffs—possibly all the way to the Western Conference Finals.

The Thunder are a formidable threat that can compete with the best teams in the league on any given night thanks to their potent combination of offensive firepower and youthful energy. They are led by standout players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, whose All-NBA First Team calibre play anchors the team, as well as strong contributions from emerging stars like Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams. This sets the stage for an exciting postseason journey full of potential upsets and standout performances.

4. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves have surprised everyone by emerging as the clear favourites in the Western Conference with a fantastic 40-17 record, driven by a strong combination of youthful skill and defensive ability. Lead by the exciting young player Anthony Edwards, who shows signs of becoming the NBA’s next big thing, and backed by the defensively dominant Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, the Timberwolves have a real Big Three that can compete with the best in the league.

They are a true dark horse in the quest for basketball glory this season, and their unmatched defensive efficiency—ranked first in the league—solidifies their status as formidable contenders ready to make a deep playoff run. They may even make it to the Western Conference Finals and beyond, given their modest offensive ranking. As the months pass and Edwards continues to perform at a higher level, the Timberwolves should seem to be an even more formidable team.

5. Cleveland Cavaliers

With a strong 38-19 record and the #2 seed in the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers are a strong defensive team led by Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, two of the team’s best players in the paint. But crucial guys like Darius Garland, who has been sidelined by injuries all season, and Donovan Mitchell’s health and play are what will determine how successful they are.

The Cavaliers will benefit greatly from Mitchell’s offensive ability (28.1 PPG), but Garland’s complete recovery and fitness will be essential to maximising Cleveland’s chances of making a deep playoff run. They may have a modest offensive output, but their dominant defence—ranked second in the league—provides a solid base for success. They want to improve upon their dismal first-round departure from the previous season and have a big effect on this year’s postseason.

6. Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid, the star centre for the Philadelphia 76ers, is critically important to the team’s success and health; his injury-plagued absence has created a significant hole in the starting lineup. The 76ers’ season might take a dramatic turn if Embiid recovers fully from his meniscus surgery, especially because he was a strong candidate for MVP for two straight seasons before his injury.

But as they have dropped to fifth place, the team’s difficulties without Embiid highlight the difficulties they will have in keeping up the pace and securing a postseason spot. Even though there are rumours that Embiid might miss the rest of the season, the 76ers are still a dangerous team to watch in the playoffs if Tyrese Maxey and other key players can continue to play healthy and contribute. They are also a wildcard contender that is worth keeping an eye on as the postseason draws near.

7. Los Angeles Lakers

The transcendent abilities of LeBron James and Anthony Davis make the Los Angeles Lakers a team to watch attentively in the postseason, even with their mediocre 31-28 record that ranks them 10th in the tough Western Conference. The dynamic combo of James and Davis has the ability to improve the Lakers’ performance in the playoffs, as seen by their journey to the Western Conference Finals last year, despite the team’s struggles this season, including a significant dependence on the 39-year-old LeBron.

The Lakers, however, have an uphill struggle to guarantee a postseason place since opponents’ teams probably have a good idea of their important players, such as D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves, who won’t sneak up on anybody. However, the Lakers are a dark horse contender capable of upsetting even the most formidable opponents in the postseason because of the combination of James and Davis’s championship heritage and clutch performance.

8. Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have faced several challenges this season, including Draymond Green’s suspension and ejections, as well as persistent trade rumours concerning Chris Paul, Andrew Wiggins, and Klay Thompson. The two bright spots have been Stephen Curry and Jonathan Kuminga, but with Green back on the club, the Warriors are returning to their peak.

Golden State can outshoot any team in the league, has won 8 of their previous 10 games, and is starting to settle into a groove. You should never rule out the four-time NBA champions because they have a great offensive line that has been clicking and a promising scoring average of 27.7 points per game from Curry. They might have an incredible run over the next several months and start the playoffs hot.

9. Dallas Mavericks

The dynamic team of Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, who are both exceptional scorers who have the ability to alter the course of a game on their own, leads the Dallas Mavericks, who have a 33-24 record. The Mavericks have strengthened their lineup with the addition of players like Daniel Gafford and P.J. Washington, but they still seem to be in desperate need of a superstar to add to their current group of players and take the club into real championship contention.

However, as seen by their run to the Western Conference Finals in the 2022 season, the Mavericks have the firepower to compete with the best thanks to Doncic’s MVP-caliber performances, which average an astounding 34.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game. The Mavericks are still a dark horse contender to make a deep playoff run and contend for basketball’s biggest prize as long as they continue to hone their squad and utilise their offensive weapons.

10. New Orleans Pelicans

The New Orleans Pelicans, who are ranked fifth in the Western Conference, have a potential core that is led by Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and CJ McCollum. The Pelicans, who aren’t thought of as one of the league’s best teams, have shown to be resilient and cohesive, as seen by their stellar 7-3 record over the previous ten games. This squad may surprise opponents with good coaching, especially on their finest nights when Williamson is performing at his best.

The Pelicans are still a dark horse candidate, ready to use their skill and momentum to make a big impression in the postseason, so even if their youth may provide a barrier, they are a team to watch as they overcome these obstacles.