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Thunder Leads NBA Title Odds, Spurs and Celtics Close Behind/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the NBA playoffs as favorites to repeat as champions. The San Antonio Spurs, who dominated the Thunder during the regular season, sit close behind in betting odds. The Boston Celtics also remain strong contenders as key players return ahead of postseason play.

• Thunder favored to repeat as champions
• Spurs second-best title odds
• Celtics close behind in betting markets
• Western Conference expected to dominate Finals
• Jayson Tatum return boosts Boston
• Cade Cunningham strengthens Detroit
• Lakers fall after injuries to key players
• Play-in tournament games projected close
• Clippers and Hornets biggest play-in favorites
• Tanking concerns fade during postseason

The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the NBA postseason as favorites to repeat as champions, but the San Antonio Spurs and Boston Celtics remain strong challengers as the playoffs begin.

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, Oklahoma City holds +120 odds to win the NBA Finals, making them the clear favorite to capture back-to-back titles. If successful, the Thunder would become the first team since the Golden State Warriors in 2018 to repeat as champions.

San Antonio sits second at +450 odds, fueled in part by its strong performance against Oklahoma City during the regular season. The Spurs defeated the Thunder four out of five times, raising expectations for a potential Western Conference Finals showdown.

Boston follows closely behind at +550, giving the Celtics strong positioning among championship contenders despite competition from a deeper Western Conference.

All other teams enter the postseason with odds of 10-1 or longer, highlighting the perceived gap between the top contenders and the rest of the field.

Western Conference Expected to Dominate

Sports betting analysts believe the Western Conference champion will likely be favored in the NBA Finals unless a surprise contender emerges.

Handicapper Bruce Marshall said expectations center around either Oklahoma City or San Antonio representing the West. He noted Boston as the strongest Eastern Conference contender, followed by the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons.

However, some oddsmakers warn against assuming favorites will automatically advance.

David Lieberman of Caesars Sportsbook said the postseason appears wide open, with multiple teams capable of making deep playoff runs. He expects several competitive series throughout both conferences.

Celtics Gain Momentum With Tatum Return

Boston’s championship hopes received a significant boost with Jayson Tatum’s earlier-than-expected return from an Achilles injury sustained during last year’s playoffs.

Before Tatum’s return, the Celtics were listed at 10-1 odds. Following his comeback, betting interest increased, with Boston drawing significant wagers at sportsbooks.

Detroit has also attracted betting attention, particularly after Cade Cunningham returned from a collapsed lung that sidelined him for several weeks. Bettors have increasingly backed the Pistons, seeing potential value in Eastern Conference teams.

Despite the Western Conference’s depth, bettors appear willing to support Eastern contenders, especially those with returning stars.

Lakers’ Chances Fade After Injuries

The Los Angeles Lakers had generated buzz as a potential sleeper team in the Western Conference. However, injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves significantly lowered expectations.

Betting odds now reflect diminished confidence in the Lakers. Los Angeles enters the postseason at 125-1 to win the Western Conference and 250-1 to win the championship.

The fourth-seeded Lakers face the fifth-seeded Houston Rockets in the opening round. Houston enters the series as an 8-1 favorite despite lacking home-court advantage.

Analysts believe the Lakers’ injuries make a deep playoff run unlikely, especially given Houston’s recent strong play.

Play-In Tournament Matchups

The NBA play-in tournament features several closely contested matchups. Charlotte and the Los Angeles Clippers enter as the largest favorites, each favored by 5.5 points.

Charlotte faces Miami, with the winner advancing toward a potential matchup with top-seeded Detroit. Meanwhile, Philadelphia holds a slight edge over Orlando, with the winner set to face Boston.

In the Western Conference, the Clippers play Golden Statewith the winner advancing toward a possible matchup with Oklahoma City. Phoenix enters as a 3.5-point favorite over Portland, with the winner likely facing San Antonio.

Tanking Concerns Fade in Playoffs

While tanking has been a concern during the regular season, analysts expect all teams to compete fully during the playoffs.

Marshall agreed with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s concerns about tanking but noted that postseason play eliminates those dynamics.

During the regular season, teams sometimes prioritize draft positioning over winning. However, playoff stakes ensure maximum effort from all participants.

With competitive matchups, returning stars, and strong contenders in both conferences, the 2026 NBA postseason is expected to feature intense competition and potential surprises.

As betting markets tighten and favorites emerge, the Thunder, Spurs, and Celtics headline what could become one of the most competitive playoff races in recent years.

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