NBA playoff prospects: Support the Spurs? Can the 76ers be a surprise?
The NBA’s regular season is entering its final weeks, with the SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament set to commence on April 14 and the playoffs starting on April 18.
With many aspects of seeding and matchups still in flux, the futures odds for the NBA playoffs currently present a variety of options.
Here are insights from Andre Snellings, Eric Moody, Eric Karabell, Jim McCormick, and Steve Alexander regarding the futures bets they find most appealing as the playoffs approach.
Odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and are subject to change.
Celtics to win the Eastern Conference (+170)
Snellings: Although both conferences are competitive, the Eastern Conference’s top teams face more uncertainties than those in the West. The top-seeded Detroit Pistons lack playoff experience, and their leading player is still recovering from a collapsed lung. The Cleveland Cavaliers and New York Knicks possess enough talent to compete with anyone, yet neither has consistently demonstrated the qualities of true contenders. Conversely, the Celtics have shown strength throughout the season, led by Jaylen Brown, and with Jayson Tatum’s return, they appear to be the most skilled, experienced, and confident team in the East. While I could envision four to five teams winning the West, I would be surprised if a healthy Celtics squad does not emerge from the East.
Finals exact result: Spurs over Celtics (18-1)
McCormick: The Spurs winning their conference is enticing at +350 alone. Taking it a step further, the odds increase to 18-1 when predicting San Antonio to defeat the renowned Celtics for the 2026 championship. Any wager other than the Thunder goes against the consensus, so I prefer to take a significant risk. The Spurs are one of the few teams with a counter — if not several — to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s extensive talent and strategic flexibility. While the Spurs seem poised to contend ahead of expectations, the Celtics are also ahead of schedule in their own right.
Spurs to win the Finals (+600)
Moody: The only team in the league with a superior net rating compared to the Spurs is the Thunder. San Antonio has triumphed in four of five encounters against OKC this season and, in my view, has a genuine opportunity to secure the Western Conference title. If the Spurs can overcome the Thunder in the playoffs, they will become serious contenders for the championship. At +600, the Spurs provide better value than both the Thunder and the Celtics.
Alexander: Victor Wembanyama is on a remarkable MVP trajectory, and although the Spurs will likely finish behind the Thunder in the West, I believe Wemby will continue to dominate the competition until the season concludes and claim the MVP award. Not only is he expected to win MVP, but the Spurs might also secure the championship, making a $100 bet to win $600 a reasonable wager at this time. In fact, I favor the Spurs to take it all.
Any play-in tournament team to reach the conference finals (+290)
Karabell: The Philadelphia 76ers may have missed their chance to secure a top-six seed in the East, as they awaited the return of the formidable trio of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George to full health, but they are now fit. For however long this lasts — and the duration is uncertain — the 76ers can compete with any team in the East, including the Pistons, Celtics, and Knicks. Given these odds, itβs worth taking a chance.
