We are reaching the climax of the 2025/26 NBA regular season. With the Playoffs looming, we more or less have a picture of who will be shaking things up in the postseason and who will be planning to rebuild for next season.
Technically, of course, any of the teams in the Playoff – and Play-In – positions can still go all the way, but there are some with a much better chance than others. In fact, looking at the online sports betting odds, we can boil it down to seven teams. Yes, shocks can occur, but going by the numbers, these teams have a realistic chance:
- Oklahoma City Thunder
Starting with the red-hot favorites, the OKC is once again backed to retain the title. Last season’s champs were favorites at the start of the season and remain so today. Yet, things are not always that simple, and we must say that the team listed at No.2 below is giving the OKC a real scare right now.
- San Antonio Spurs
Did anyone think that the Spurs would be in this position in the spring? We knew that the team had been rebuilding on the back of young talent like Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle, but there is a sense of being way ahead of schedule. A lack of Playoff experience may hurt them, but they have been brilliant to watch.
- Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics’ plan for the season was to stay in the hunt until Jayson Tatum returned from injury, then let the star man guide the team back to the top of the NBA. The first order of business was carried out with ease, and now that Tatum is back, everyone just wants to see him hit top form. He is not quite there yet, but if he does get back to his best, the Celtics can win championship No. 19.
- Denver Nuggets
The Western Conference is widely seen as a two-way tussle between the Spurs and OKC, but nobody should be ruling out the Nuggets. The 2023 champions retain bags of experience and nous, and can call upon the undoubted talents of Nikola Jokic to pull the team out of a hole when needed.
- Cleveland Cavaliers
Arguably, the best way to describe the Cavaliers is a team that nobody will want to face. They haven’t been as consistent as fans would have liked this season, but they have a knack of doing enough to stay in the mix at the top of the Eastern Conference. The Cavs may require a bit of luck to get through the East, but the team has grown in stature over recent seasons. A dark horse.
- New York Knicks
Another Eastern Conference team that will have a point to prove in the Playoffs. The talent is definitely there, exemplified by an MVP-worthy season from Jalen Brunson and a lot of support from Karl Anthony Towns. It’s just a question of whether the Knicks can find an additional gear in the Playoffs.
- Detroit Pistons
Seen as the outsiders of this septet, the Pistons have spent most of the season on top in the Eastern Conference, defying critics along the way. It’s been said time and time again that the Pistons will meet their match when coming up against top teams in a Playoff series, but Cade Cunningham and co. could have the last laugh.