Sixty-four wins. That's how dominant the Oklahoma City Thunder were through the 2025–26 regular season, claiming the NBA's best record for the second year running.

Now they're chasing something even rarer: back-to-back titles. No team has managed that since the Golden State Warriors in 2017–18, and the rest of the league has been building specifically to stop them.

The 2026 NBA playoffs betting action begins on Saturday, April 19 AEST (Friday, April 18 in the US), with 16 teams battling across four rounds for the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

The NBA Finals are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, June 4 at 10:30 AM AEST (Tuesday, June 3 at 8:30 PM EDT in the US).

If you are planning to place a bet on the outright winner, to back a team to win their series, or find angles in individual games, this guide covers all the most important factors to consider when betting on the NBA as it reaches the season's final stages.

How the NBA Playoffs Work

The postseason runs from mid-April to mid-June. Sixteen teams qualify, eight from the Eastern Conference and eight from the West.

Before the main bracket locks in, a Play-In Tournament ran from April 14–17 (April 15–18 AEST), where the 7th through 10th seeds in each conference fought for the final two spots.

Every round is a best-of-seven series, played in a 2-2-1-1-1 home-game format. The higher-seeded team hosts Games 1, 2, 5, and 7.

A team needs 16 wins across four rounds to lift the trophy. There's no re-seeding mid-tournament; the bracket is fixed once the first round begins, so upsets in early rounds can set up unexpected Finals matchups.

The four rounds are:

• First Round (16 teams)
• Conference Semifinals (8 teams)
• Conference Finals (4 teams)
• NBA Finals

The Eastern Conference champion meets the Western Conference champion in the Finals.

The 2026 NBA Playoffs Bracket

Here's how the first round shapes up across both conferences.

Eastern Conference First Round

• No. 1 Detroit Pistons vs. No. 8 TBD (Play-In winner)
• No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers
• No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 6 Atlanta Hawks
• No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Toronto Raptors

Western Conference First Round

• No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 TBD (Play-In winner)
• No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 7 Portland Trail Blazers
• No. 3 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves
• No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 5 Houston Rockets

The Play-In games end on April 17 (April 18 AEST), with the final No. 7 and No. 8 seeds in each conference confirmed before the first round starts on Saturday.

The first round tips off across April 18–19 ET (April 19–20 AEST), with the opening games split over the first weekend.

In the East, New York–Atlanta and Cleveland–Toronto begin on April 18 ET, while Detroit and Boston open on April 19 ET.

In the West, Denver–Minnesota and Lakers–Rockets start on April 18 ET, with Oklahoma City and San Antonio following on April 19 ET.

If required, first-round Game 7s are scheduled between May 2–3 ET (May 3–4 AEST).

The Championship Contenders

Not every team in the bracket is a genuine title threat. In fact, only four or five clubs can make a credible case, and the rest are competing for meaningful runs rather than the trophy.

Oklahoma City Thunder (West No. 1 Seed)

The shortest price in the market, and justifiably so.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the engine of this team, a scoring machine who complements his offence with elite playmaking and real two-way presence. He's among the leading candidates in the NBA MVP betting market heading into the postseason.

Jalen Williams is one of the best two-way wings in the league, and Chet Holmgren brings rim protection and floor spacing that most teams can only dream of combining in a 7-footer.

OKC managed 64 wins this season despite extended absences from all three of their stars, which tells you how deep the roster is.

They enter the playoffs fully healthy, and that's a difficult matchup for anyone. The only real argument against them is history: back-to-back champions are rare, and sustaining this level across two postseasons is demanding.

San Antonio Spurs (West No. 2 Seed)

Victor Wembanyama is making his playoff debut, and the Spurs have given him a team capable of making noise.

San Antonio went 24-4 after the All-Star break, the kind of form that draws attention. They've beaten Oklahoma City four times this season, and the market has adjusted accordingly.

Wembanyama played nearly the full season, appearing in 64 games and securing eligibility for postseason awards.

His defensive profile can disrupt any offence, and his offensive game has taken a step forward. The question is how a young team handles a deep playoff run.

Portland in the first round is manageable, but a potential series against OKC would be a real test.

Boston Celtics (East No. 2 Seed)

Boston's outlook hinges on Jayson Tatum returning from injury. With him available, the Celtics are a different side.

Jaylen Brown provides a second creator, and the supporting cast remains strong on both ends.

They're the leading pick to come out of the East. A Thunder-Celtics Finals is the scenario many expect.

The 76ers in Round 1 are a reasonable draw, assuming Joel Embiid is fit. If Tatum is fully up to speed, Boston has a clear path to the Finals.

Denver Nuggets (West No. 3 Seed)

Nikola Jokic remains the most complete player in basketball. Denver secured the No. 3 seed late and now face Minnesota in a familiar matchup.

The Nuggets are difficult to discount because their offensive efficiency with Jokic at the centre of everything consistently delivers, and they've been through deep playoff runs before. They're not the shortest price, but they offer upside.

Detroit Pistons, Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Rest

Detroit finishing as the East's No. 1 seed is one of the main stories. It's been a long time since they held that position, and while they've earned it, the market remains cautious about their title chances.

Cleveland and New York are capable of making progress if they get through the first round.

The Lakers-Rockets series carries its own narrative, with LeBron James continuing to add to his playoff record. These teams are more relevant for series betting and individual games than outright markets. For those looking to understand how to bet on NBA games, series matchups like this offer plenty of angles to explore.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the 2026 NBA Playoffs start?

The first round begins on Saturday, April 19 AEST (Friday, April 18 in the US).

When is the 2026 NBA Finals?

Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4 at 10:30 AM AEST.

Who is the favourite to win?

Oklahoma City Thunder lead the market, followed by San Antonio and Boston.

Has any team won back-to-back titles recently?

No. The last were the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018.

How many wins are needed for the title?

Sixteen wins across four rounds.

Where can I watch in Australia?

Kayo, Foxtel, Disney+, and NBA League Pass all provide coverage. For more details, check out our guide on how to watch NBA in Australia.

Can I bet on individual games?

Yes. Markets include moneyline, spreads, totals, and player props. Check out the latest NBA betting odds for all playoff games.

Is this Wembanyama's first playoffs?

Yes. 2026 marks his postseason debut.