2026 NBA playoffs second-round odds: Spurs favored by double-digits for Game 5 against Timberwolves
The Athletic has reside protection of Timberwolves vs. Spurs in Game 5 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
The second spherical of the 2026 NBA playoffs has featured two sweeps and two collection which are very shut. The Oklahoma City Thunder completed off the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, becoming a member of the New York Knicks within the convention finals.
While these two groups are favored to satisfy within the NBA Finals, it isn’t but identified who their convention finals opponents shall be. Cleveland tied up its collection with Detroit on Monday, whereas San Antonio and Minnesota have an important Game 5 on Tuesday.
The Spurs are large favorites at house with a ten.5-point unfold. How will Victor Wembanyama reply after getting ejected within the first half of Game 4?
This story shall be up to date all through the second spherical as the chances change with the outcomes for every recreation.
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Detroit Pistons vs. No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers
Series tied 2-2
Game 5: 8 pm ET, Wednesday
Series odds: Pistons -150, Cavaliers +125
The Cavaliers have performed 11 video games this postseason. The house workforce has received each recreation.
The Cavs went the space within the first spherical against Toronto with a 4-0 file at house and a 0-3 file on the highway. In this collection, Cleveland is 2-0 at house and 0-2 on the highway. That pattern cannot proceed if the Cavs are to advance. They want a win in Detroit.
For now, Cleveland did what it wanted to do in Game 4 to even its collection with Detroit. The Pistons return house for Game 5 and are favored by 3.5 factors. Detroit can also be favored to advance nonetheless, nevertheless it’s near a coin flip.
As for Game 4, Donovan Mitchell had a masterpiece with 43 factors, and James Harden was 5-for-9 from 3-point vary as a part of a 24-point night time. The Pistons led by 4 at halftime, however Cleveland scored the primary 22 factors of the third quarter and by no means relinquished the lead.
No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers
Knicks win collection 4-0
The Knicks actually have hit overdrive within the final seven video games. Since falling behind the Atlanta Hawks 2-1 within the first spherical, the Knicks have received seven straight video games by a median of 26.4 factors per recreation. Sure, that 51-point win in Game 6 within the Hawks is skewing that common a bit, however there are two different wins by 30 or extra factors in that run, and 6 of the seven wins had been by at the very least 14.
This is why the Knicks are favored to make the NBA Finals. While the Pistons and Cavs are beating one another up, the Knicks have been on cruise management.
This makes two years in a row within the Eastern Conference finals for New York. Last 12 months did not go so nicely, however Knicks followers could have renewed hope with the best way the workforce has been taking part in.
The Knicks final made the NBA Finals in 1999.
Western Conference
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers
Thunder win collection 4-0
This might’ve been a enjoyable collection had Luka Dončić been accessible for the Lakers. It would’ve been a gathering of arguably the 2 greatest guards within the league.
Instead, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder brushed the Lakers apart with a four-game sweep, and Luka might solely watch in avenue garments. Monday’s Game 4 was the one aggressive recreation of the collection, however that is hardly a comfort for LA.
The Lakers got here again from 12 factors down within the third quarter to construct a five-point lead on a couple of events within the fourth quarter and led within the ultimate minute, however LeBron James missed a possible go-ahead shot with 20 seconds left, and Austin Reaves missed a possible tying 3-pointer on the subsequent Lakers possession.
While the Thunder are nonetheless the clear favorites to win the NBA title, the Lakers have to determine what to do with their roster. No one bought to see what this workforce might do within the playoffs with its greatest participant, Dončić, which makes evaluating the roster a bit extra difficult. Will they run it again or must retool?
No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves
Series tied 2-2
Game 5: 8 pm ET, Tuesday
Series odds: Spurs -425, Timberwolves +320
Minnesota bought the win it wanted in Game 4, however San Antonio has motive to be feeling good about itself after that one. The playoffs aren’t the time for ethical victories, however the Spurs led for a lot of the second half regardless of Victor Wembanyama getting ejected within the second quarter for an elbow.
Dylan Harper had 24 factors on 11 photographs off the bench, Stephon Castle had 20 factors and De’Aaron Fox had a variety of large photographs to permit the Spurs to steer by as many as eight factors within the fourth quarter. Ultimately, Fox was simply 8-for-23 from the sphere (1-for-7 on 3-pointers) and Minnesota pulled forward within the ultimate jiffy.
For the Timberwolves, it is a sigh of reduction. Minnesota was on the verge of taking place 3-1 and failing to capitalize on Wembanyama’s absence.
Anthony Edwards is not 100% because of knee points, however he nonetheless carried the Timberwolves with 36 factors.
Now the collection heads again to Texas tied 2-2, however the Spurs stay sturdy favorites to advance.
