Round 2 of the 2026 NBA playoffs tips off on Monday after three Game 7s took place in the Eastern Conference over the weekend.
The Western Conference provided far less drama, with the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder completing the only four-game sweep of the opening round.
As we get ready for the conference semifinals, here are some of our favorite NBA playoffs series predictions for Round 2.
All NBA odds used for these Round 2 predictions are current as of Monday, May 4, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
NBA Playoffs Round 2 Predictions
Knicks vs 76ers: Over 5.5 Games (-130)
The Philadelphia 76ers provided one of the shocks of Round 1, overturning a 3-1 series deficit to eliminate the second-seeded Boston Celtics in seven games.
Joel Embiid’s return from an April appendectomy played a massive part in Philly’s comeback, as the star center averaged 28 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists across Games 4-7. It also helped that Boston’s Jayson Tatum missed Game 7 with knee stiffness.
Still, I expect Philadelphia to carry that momentum into its second-round matchup against the New York Knicks. These teams split their regular-season series 2-2. They also went six games in their 2024 first-round playoff series, which New York won.
Each of the Eastern Conference series went at least six games in Round 1, so I’ll back this one to do the same as one of my best NBA bets today.
Timberwolves +2.5 Games (+155) vs Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are (-1200) favorites to eliminate the Minnesota Timberwolves in Round 2.
That doesn’t add up to me after watching the injury-plagued Timberwolves defeat the Denver Nuggets in six games.
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Minnesota had several players step up in the absence of star guard Anthony Edwards (knee), who is questionable for Monday’s Game 1. Even if Edwards doesn’t suit up for that contest in San Antonio, it seems like he’ll be available at some point in the series.
That’s good news for a T’Wolves team that won two of three games against the Spurs in the regular season, so I’ll take the plus-money odds on Minnesota to keep this series competitive.
Thunder Win Series 4-1 (+205) vs Lakers
The Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Phoenix Suns in Round 1, setting up a second-round matchup with the short-handed Los Angeles Lakers.
Los Angeles managed to get past the Houston Rockets without Luka Doncic (hamstring), but the star’s lingering injury will have much bigger ramifications against the defending NBA champions.
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While the Thunder are favored to complete a second straight sweep (+120), I’ll back LeBron James and Co. to take a game off OKC in a five-game series.
