The NBA All-Star break is now in the rearview mirror.
As we turn our attention to the stretch run and playoffs, it’s a good time to revisit where the contenders stand according to the bookmakers.
With that in mind, we’ll dive into the latest NBA Finals odds and make our predictions as the postseason race heats up.
2026 NBA Finals Betting Odds
All basketball odds used for these 2026 NBA Finals predictions are current as of Wednesday, Feb. 18, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
- Oklahoma City Thunder (+135)
- Denver Nuggets (+450)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (+1200)
- New York Knicks (+1300)
- San Antonio Spurs (+1400)
- Detroit Pistons (+1500)
- Boston Celtics (+1500)
- Houston Rockets (+2200)
- Los Angeles Lakers (+3500)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (+3500)
All other teams have odds of +4000 or longer.
Use our top NBA playoff betting apps to make these wagers.
Who Will Win the 2026 NBA Finals?
Oklahoma City Thunder (+150)
At +150 NBA Finals odds, the Thunder don’t offer the best value.
Nevertheless, you could do far worse than banking on the defending NBA champions to run it back, so I’m taking OKC as my NBA bet of the day.
Although they’ve slowed down considerably since their 24-1 start, the Thunder (42-14) still own the league’s best record and are heavy favorites to win it all.
Health will be a priority, especially with reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander dealing with an oblique injury. He was ruled out through the All-Star break, and while abdominal strains can linger, the Thunder have plenty of time to get him back to full strength before the postseason.
NBA Finals Contenders
Denver Nuggets (+450)
The Nuggets remain hobbled, going into the All-Star break without Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Peyton Watson (hamstring). They are just 2-4 this month, including a 121-111 loss to the Thunder at home.
That said, the one-two punch of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray is arguably unmatched.
If Denver’s supporting cast can get healthy, it will remain the biggest threat to Oklahoma City.
New York Knicks (+1300)
The Knicks have the fourth-best Finals odds at +1300 but were favorites to win the East before the Cavaliers uncorked a 10-1 run to close the season’s first half.
While New York’s recent 2-9 stretch may have shaken the confidence of their supporters, the Knicks remain a legitimate threat thanks to Jalen Brunson and improved depth.
Notably, they are 4-1 against the Cavaliers and Celtics.
NBA Finals Sleeper Pick
Boston Celtics (+1500)
So much for this being a gap year.
The Celtics lead the Atlantic Division and are second in the East at 35-19. Now comes the possibility of Jayson Tatum returning from Achilles surgery next month.
A lot still has to happen for Boston to make a deep postseason run — hence the 15-1 title odds — but it’s not as far-fetched as it once appeared if Tatum can make it back.
Keep an eye on Boston as a sleeper NBA Finals winner pick.
