NBA Playoffs Betting Preview: NBA Finals Odds, Breakdown for Every Team
The field is set for the NBA playoffs. All 10 spots have been clinched in each conference, headlined by the Detroit Pistons in the East and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West. Now, we get into the most exciting stretch of the NBA season.
No more load management. No more tanking. Whether a team is fighting for the chance to live another day or to close out a series and advance, every game just means more. It’s high-intensity, meaningful basketball from here on out. Every possession counts.
Up first is the Play-In Tournament. Beginning April 14, we’ll watch eight teams make one last push to earn their spot in the postseason. Don’t underestimate these squads, either – in 2023, the Heat proved that getting hot at the right time is all that matters, going from the Play-In to the NBA Finals.
Still, it’s the superpowers that make the NBA playoffs such a tantalizing watch. The Thunder, fresh off their first championship, have a massive target on their backs as they head into the postseason with the league’s best record. Not every team will get a crack at Oklahoma City, but every team will give them their best shot.
For sports bettors, there’s hardly a better time to get in on the action. The NBA playoffs offer ample betting opportunities, ranging from individual game winners, series props, futures and more. We’re focusing on each team’s odds to win the NBA Finals below, but we encourage you to look into the deepest betting markets to hunt for even more value.
NBA Finals Odds for Every Team
These NBA Finals odds are current as of Monday, April 6 and provided by BetOnline.
- Oklahoma City Thunder (+135)
- San Antonio Spurs (+400)
- Boston Celtics (+500)
- Denver Nuggets (+1100)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (+1200)
- Detroit Pistons (+1800)
- New York Knicks (+1800)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (+4000)
- Charlotte Hornets (+6600)
- Houston Rockets (+6600)
- Philadelphia 76ers (+8000)
- Atlanta Hawks (+10000)
- Los Angeles Clippers (+20000)
- Los Angeles Lakers (+20000)
- Orlando Magic (+20000)
- Miami Heat (+30000)
- Toronto Raptors (+30000)
- Golden State Warriors (+40000)
- Phoenix Suns (+75000)
- Portland Trail Blazers (+200000)
Unsurprisingly, the defending champions are substantial favorites to win the NBA Finals again in 2026. The Celtics are expected to represent the Eastern Conference in the championship.
NBA Playoffs Preview: Western Conference
The West is packed with superstars and title contenders. The Thunder are the preeminent threat, but just about any team could reasonably be eliminated at any stage of the postseason.
Oklahoma City Thunder (+135)
Preseason Championship Odds: +240
Oklahoma City was the title favorite at the start of the 2025-26 campaign, and it remains the top choice heading into the playoffs. Led by reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder began the season by winning 24 of their first 25 games en route to claiming the No. 1 seed. They’ve looked vulnerable at times this season, a 7-7 stretch from January to February was uncharacteristic, but when this team is at full strength, there’s very little that can be done to slow them down.
With that said, if you’re looking to bet the Thunder to repeat, it may be in your best interest to wait. The Nuggets took them to seven games in the 2025 playoffs, and the Spurs took four out of five from them during the 2025-26 regular season. Oklahoma City may have to go through both teams to reach the NBA Finals, and their odds could easily get longer if they fall behind early in either series.
San Antonio Spurs (+400)
Preseason Championship Odds: +6600
The Spurs are one of the NBA’s most surprising teams, yet anyone will tell you that it was only a matter of time before they put together a season like this. Few expected it to happen this soon, though. San Antonio reached 60 wins for the first time since 2015-16 behind an MVP-caliber year from Victor Wembanyama, a 22-year-old unicorn and the NBA’s most game-breaking player. The Spurs are efficient on both ends of the floor and have put it all together at the right time, going 25-2 from February through March.
The argument against San Antonio is inexperience. The average age of the starting lineup is just 24, and of the five, De’Aaron Fox is the only one who’s appeared in a playoff game. Still, youth didn’t stop the Thunder from winning it all in 2024-25, and the Spurs have consistently held their own against the NBA’s best teams all season.
Denver Nuggets (+1100)
Preseason Championship Odds: +550
It’s all about offense in Denver. The Nuggets, led by arguably the NBA’s best player in Nikola Jokić, rank No. 1 in points per game and offensive rating in their first full season under David Adelman. Jamal Murray also finally got his first All-Star nod by averaging over 25 points per game, further establishing Denver as the league’s most dangerous scoring threat. Getting Aaron Gordon back to close out the season was huge, too.
The Nuggets may well be the best “value” bet of Western Conference contenders at +1100. Denver went toe-to-toe with the Thunder and Spurs this season and has at least made it to the second round of the playoffs in six of the last seven years. The road to the title will be brutal, but when Jokić is on, the Nuggets are impossibly tough to beat.
Minnesota Timberwolves (+4000)
Preseason Championship Odds: +1300
Injuries have gotten the better of Minnesota, which has had to play without superstar guard Anthony Edwards for roughly a quarter of the season. Still, the Timberwolves are impressive on both ends of the floor and are one of those teams that simply can’t be overlooked. Minnesota has made back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals, too, evidence that this team reaches another level when the stakes are highest.
Winning the NBA Finals is another story, but the Timberwolves could absolutely outplay their odds at +4000. Edwards is a phenomenal postseason performer, and he has excellent supporters in Julius Randle, Jaden McDaniels and Rudy Gobert.
Houston Rockets (+6600)
Preseason Championship Odds: +1400
The vibes are bad in Houston. Although the Rockets rank inside the top 10 in offensive and defensive efficiency, they’ve routinely struggled against top competition – especially lately – and have a roster that doesn’t appear built for the postseason. Kevin Durant is the primary source of offense, with Alperen Şengün and Amen Thompson rounding out the top three. This team is rock-solid on defense, but the lack of shooting is a major red flag on the other end of the floor.
Oddsmakers don’t appear sold on Houston, either. It doesn’t help that the Rockets have fallen in the standings and could be stuck playing the Nuggets or Timberwolves in the first round and the Thunder or Spurs in the next. For now, Houston is seemingly one piece away from truly contending.
Los Angeles Lakers (+20000)
Preseason Championship Odds: +1600
Everything was going right for the Lakers until it wasn’t. Los Angeles went 15-2 in March behind a phenomenal stretch from Luka Dončić, but a Grade 2 hamstring strain suffered in early April could hold him out for part of the playoffs. To make matters worse, Austin Reaves – who’s averaging 23.3 points per game – sustained an oblique injury and could reportedly miss up to six weeks.
As such, it looks like the Lakers will be without two of their top three players for the start of the postseason, leaving a 41-year-old LeBron James to keep them afloat until (or if) Dončić and Reaves return. Oddsmakers clearly expect Los Angeles to be eliminated by the time the injured players return, listing them at +20000 to win the NBA Finals.
Los Angeles Clippers (+20000)
Preseason Championship Odds: +1800
The Clippers are the team that no one wants to play in the first round. Following a 6-21 start to the season, Los Angeles posted a record that rivaled some of the NBA’s top teams throughout the second half of the year thanks to an unbelievable run from Kawhi Leonard. From January through March, the 34-year-old averaged 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting over 50 percent from the field and nearly 38 percent from 3-point range.
The Clippers pulled off impressive wins over the Timberwolves, Rockets, Nuggets and Knicks down the stretch and should be well-positioned to qualify for a playoff spot via the Play-In Tournament. They aren’t likely to advance beyond the first round, but they’ll be a tough out regardless.
Golden State Warriors (+40000)
Preseason Championship Odds: +2500
Injuries to Jimmy Butler and Stephen Curry all but derailed what could’ve been Golden State’s last real shot at an NBA title for the foreseeable future. Still, despite the nightmare year, the Warriors find themselves back in the Play-In Tournament with the opportunity to give us a good show against the Thunder in the first round (should they get there).
Golden State’s dynasty is a long time away now. A five-year stretch of NBA Finals appearances from 2014 to 2019 was one of the most impressive things we’ve seen in the league’s history. But the 2022 title was the last hurrah – unfortunately, there’s no reason to expect this team to return to that stage as currently constructed.
Phoenix Suns (+75000)
Preseason Championship Odds: +50000
Phoenix was only projected to win around 30 games this season, so the campaign should be considered a success regardless of what the team accomplishes in the postseason. Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks and Jalen Green combine to average nearly 65 points per game, and they lead an offense that ranks inside the top five in both 3-point makes and attempts. The Suns also land inside the top 10 on defense.
Perhaps they’ll steal a game from a high seed in the first round, but this team has gentleman’s sweep written all over them. They’re not worth a look at +75000.
Portland Trail Blazers (+200000)
Preseason Championship Odds: +50000
The Trail Blazers surprisingly reached 40 wins for the first time since 2020-21 under interim head coach Tiago Splitter. Portland plays fast but isn’t particularly efficient on either end of the floor, and it turns the ball over more than any other team in the NBA. First-time All-Star Deni Avdija has blossomed in his sixth season, and Jrue Holiday has been particularly impressive heading into the postseason.
Should Portland make it out of the Play-In Tournament, it’ll be rewarded by earning a meeting with the Thunder. The Trail Blazers were actually the first team to beat Oklahoma City this season, but that matters little in the playoffs. This team has the longest odds to win the NBA Finals for several very good reasons.
NBA Playoffs Preview: Eastern Conference
The Eastern Conference has a flatter odds curve than the West, in part because there’s less distance between the range of contenders and also because there are genuinely four of five teams that could emerge from this side of the bracket and advance to the NBA Finals.
Boston Celtics (+500)
Preseason Championship Odds: +6000
What was thought to be a gap year for the Celtics has turned into anything but. Jaylen Brown played like an MVP candidate for roughly 60 games before Jayson Tatum made his improbable return, and the latter hasn’t missed a beat since he ruptured his Achilles in last year’s playoffs. Within his first 14 games back, Tatum had already recorded a triple-double while averaging 21.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 5.2 assists over 31 minutes.
Boston ranks inside the top four on offense and defense thanks to stellar coaching from Joe Mazzulla, and the impressive play in the absence of Tatum has only served as motivation for this team’s supporting pieces. It would not be surprising whatsoever to see the Celtics win the NBA Finals.
Cleveland Cavaliers (+1200)
Preseason Championship Odds: +750
A mid-season swap of Darius Garland for James Harden drastically raised Cleveland’s ceiling. The Cavaliers aren’t always so hot on defense, but this offense – led by Donovan Mitchell, Harden, Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen – is the real deal. This team rebounds the ball well, doesn’t turn the ball over often and is among the league’s most efficient inside the 3-point arc.
The top half of the bracket is arguably the more favorable one for Cleveland, which will want to avoid the Knicks and Celtics early. A second-round matchup with Detroit would be cinema. Things get less certain from there, though, and despite their improved play as of late, it’s worth calling into question their recent postseason struggles.
Detroit Pistons (+1800)
Preseason Championship Odds: +3300
The Pistons have sat atop the Eastern Conference standings virtually all year long, winning 24 of their first 30 games en route to clinching the No. 1 seed for the first time since the 2006-07 season. Cade Cunningham had an MVP-caliber year, averaging 24.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 9.9 assists over 61 games before a collapsed lung forced him to miss the last few weeks of the regular season.
Despite some inconsistent play down the stretch, there are fewer reasons to doubt Detroit than Cleveland. The Pistons won at least one game against every team other than the Clippers and Spurs, and they were flat-out dominant at home. They’re also strong on both ends of the floor and play a disruptive brand of defense, ranking No. 1 league-wide in steals and blocks. I like the value at +1800.
New York Knicks (+1800)
Preseason Championship Odds: +900
The Knicks are weirdly prone to losing streaks, but at their peak, they’re one of the NBA’s best teams. Ranking inside the top seven on both ends of the floor, New York is relentless and deep, boasting a pair of All-Stars in Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns alongside OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart. The bench is fortified by Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet and Miles McBride, who help the Knicks excel on the glass and from the perimeter.
A likely second-round date with the Celtics doesn’t bode so well for their chances of winning the NBA Finals, but if they manage to get by, they could easily wind up playing for the title. New York went 3-3 against the Thunder, Spurs and Nuggets this season.
Charlotte Hornets (+6600)
Preseason Championship Odds: +100000
Charlotte’s turnaround this season is arguably the franchise’s most impressive feat this century. Around January, the Hornets simply forgot how to lose and rolled through the remainder of their schedule. Despite their slow start, they rank sixth in net rating (!!!) and have the NBA’s fourth best offense.
Charlotte is perhaps the best 3-point shooting team in the league thanks in part to standout rookie Kon Knueppel, and this group is terrific at keeping opponents off the glass and free throw line. The Hornets’ improved play isn’t just a joke anymore – this team is a legitimate threat to make some noise in the playoffs. Don’t count on them to run all the way to the NBA Finals, but they could certainly win a series.
Philadelphia 76ers (+8000)
Preseason Championship Odds: +4000
What are the 76ers, exactly? Health has been the most important factor for this team over the years, and this season brought that to the extreme. Joel Embiid and Paul George both missed more than half of their games, and Tyrese Maxey sat out for a few weeks in March. Still, Philadelphia surpassed its preseason win total projection.
How far they go in the playoffs will largely depend on who’s available to play. George and Embiid have popped at times this season, but can they share the floor for an entire playoff series? And if they do, will it be enough to upset a higher seed? Philly isn’t worth the gamble at +8000.
Atlanta Hawks (+10000)
Preseason Championship Odds: +4000
Atlanta was 26-30 going into the All-Star break. Since then, this has been one of the best teams in the NBA. The offense is humming and the defense is outperforming expectations. Jalen Johnson turned in an All-NBA season at age 24. Nickeil Alexander-Walker emerged as a legitimate No. 2 option. Even the Jonathan Kuminga experiment is going their way.
The playoffs are a different beast, but the Hawks are well-positioned to compete in the early rounds. An NBA Finals run is likely out of the question, but a first-round upset may well be in the cards. The East isn’t a cakewalk anymore.
Orlando Magic (+20000)
Preseason Championship Odds: +1800
The Magic looked poised to take over the Eastern Conference this year. Instead, they hovered around the .500 mark (again) and couldn’t escape the Play-In Tournament for the second year in a row. Injuries were part of the problem – Franz Wagner missed more than half of the season – but Orlando was also plagued by more of the same performance issues that were thought to be solved when the franchise traded for Desmond Bane over the summer.
Should the Magic force their way into the playoffs, they’re likely to be eliminated – and quickly – by either the Pistons or Celtics. They struggled against both teams this year (and top competition in general), meaning it’s likely another offseason spent back at the drawing board.
Toronto Raptors (+30000)
Preseason Championship Odds: +10000
Toronto cooled off over the second half of the season, but there was a time when this team looked like one of the NBA’s best. The Raptors went 14-5 to open the year, at one point winning nine games in a row, before fading into play-in range. Still, this probably isn’t a team that anyone wants to play in the first round of the playoffs.
The Raptors are sound defensively thanks in part to Scottie Barnes, and Brandon Ingram turned in his first All-Star season since 2019-20. RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley have also been solid, and Sandro Mamukelashvili was quietly one of the league’s best bench players. Toronto can scrap, but it can’t sustain that all the way to the NBA Finals.
Miami Heat (+30000)
Preseason Championship Odds: +20000
Miami’s season will always be remembered for Bam Adebayo’s 83-point outburst against the Wizards – and that’s probably for the best, because there aren’t many other positive takeaways. The Heat play fast and are strong offensively, but despite having three players average at least 20 points per game, they’re back in the Play-In Tournament.
Miami strolled from the play-in to the NBA Finals once before, but without a maniac like Jimmy Butler leading the way, it’s impossible to envision this team doing the same against the likes of the Celtics, Pistons, Cavaliers and Knicks. A title simply isn’t in the cards this year.
How to Bet on the NBA Playoffs
We focused on each team’s odds of winning the NBA Finals, but there are many more ways to bet throughout the playoffs. Offshore sportsbooks offer deeper betting markets than their regulated alternatives, meaning you can always find more ways to win by expanding your search.
It’s important to stick to reputable, well-established offshore betting sites to ensure you aren’t taken advantage of. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best NBA playoffs sportsbooks ahead of the postseason. Sign up now and get a feel for things before action gets underway April 18.
