By TheNuts - May 04, 2026
2026 NBA Playoffs Second Round Betting Odds
At -155 on FanDuel, the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder are still the favorites to win the Larry O'Brien Trophy once more as the second round gets underway. Before the postseason, they were +115. At +400, the youthful Spurs remain the second option.
However, the odds have changed dramatically overall since the Celtics, Nuggets, and Rockets were eliminated. The top five NBA Finals futures chances currently include the Knicks (+900), Pistons (+1500), and Cavaliers (+2000). The field is completed by the Lakers (+4000), 76ers (+4500), and Timberwolves (+10000).
Nonetheless, the methodology has proven useful in other futures betting contexts. One squad in particular has particularly high simulation scores.
Knicks -270 to win series against 76ers
Knicks +145 to win Eastern Conference
Knicks +900 to win NBA Finals
The season series between the Knicks and 76ers ended in a 2-2 draw, but Brunson & Co. won the final two games, including a 138-89 thumping in their most recent encounter in Philadelphia. The SportsLine Projection Model still gives New York a commanding 91.3% probability to win the series and move on to the Eastern Conference Finals, despite the fact that the 76ers are also playing like a different team now that Joel Embiid is in the lineup.
According to the model, the Knicks' chances of winning the East are also significantly increased by eliminating Boston. In the model's simulations, New York had a mere 19.0% chance of winning the conference going into the postseason. With the Celtics eliminated and the top-seeded Pistons having difficulty versus the Magic, that has increased to 52.0%.
Consequently, the Knicks' chances of winning the entire game have nearly tripled. New York now has a 20.6% chance of hosting a championship procession via the Canyon of Heroes, according to the model. This represents an increase from 7.3% before to the postseason.
Timberwolves +600 to win series against Spurs
Minnesota has won five of the last six games overall, including two of their three meetings with the Spurs this season. The Timberwolves have the size to throw at Victor Wembanyama and provide matchup issues for the youthful Spurs on the other end thanks to Rudy Gobert (7-foot-1) and three 6-foot-9 specimens in Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid.
Even though Donte DiVincenzo will miss the remainder of the postseason and Anthony Edwards, who averaged 36.7 points per game against San Antonio this season, may not be able to play in the first two games of the series due to a hyper-extended left knee and bone bruise, the model gives Minnesota a better chance than the odds suggest. It would be advantageous if Edwards could offer anything to Games 1 and 2.