2026 NBA playoffs first-round series odds: Knicks favored to close out Hawks on the road
At the begin of the playoffs, there was no clear favourite in the Eastern Conference. The Boston Celtics had the finest odds to make the NBA Finals, however they weren’t something close to a positive factor. The first spherical of the playoffs has mirrored this steadiness in the East.
All 4 series in the Eastern Conference stood at 3-2 as Game 6s start on Thursday. Boston and New York will strive to close out their series on the road (and each are favored to) whereas Denver is favored to keep alive on the road towards shorthanded Minnesota.
This is a have a look at the odds for all eight first-round series in the NBA playoffs. It might be up to date every day all through the playoffs, as the odds to win every series will shift with outcomes.
Eastern Conference playoffs
No. 1 Detroit Pistons vs. No. 8 Orlando Magic
Magic lead series 3-2
Game 6: 7 pm ET, Friday
Series odds: Magic -120, Pistons +100
Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero had fairly the duel in Wednesday’s Game 5. Both scored 45 factors whereas taking pictures higher than 50 p.c from the area.
Cunningham went 13-for-23 from the area, made all 14 of his free throw makes an attempt and added 5 assists. Banchero shot 17-for-31 with 9 rebounds and 7 assists.
The one problem for Banchero, and the Magic generally, was free-throw taking pictures. Banchero was 5-for-12 from the line, and the Magic have been 16-for-30. In a 116-109 loss, these free throws loomed giant.
The Pistons by no means trailed and led by as many as 17 factors. Orlando did not have Franz Wagner, who was out with a calf damage.
The Magic are nonetheless favored to win the series, though at barely higher than a coin flip. The Pistons are favored by 3.5 factors in Game 6, although.
No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Philadelphia 76ers
Celtics lead series 3-2
Game 6: 8 pm ET, Thursday
Series odds: Celtics -2000, 76ers +1000
Just as Boston asserted its dominance over Philadelphia with two road wins, together with an particularly lopsided Game 4 win, the 76ers come again from the lifeless to make issues slightly attention-grabbing on this series.
The Celtics have been up 13 early in the third quarter in Tuesday’s Game 5, and it appeared Boston would comfortably close out the series. Then, the 76ers closed the sport on a heater. Philly outscored Boston 43-19 in the final quarter-hour of the sport. Boston scored simply 11 factors in the fourth quarter.
Joel Embiid regarded nearer to his prime with 33 factors and eight assists. Tyrese Maxey had 25 factors and 10 rebounds. This is the blueprint the 76ers have been hoping for at the starting of the season.
The road workforce has now gained 4 of the 5 video games on this series.
Boston remains to be firmly favored to advance, and is even favored on the road in Game 6, however it’s not a foregone conclusion that Boston wins this series.
No. 3 New York Knicks vs. No. 6 Atlanta Hawks
Knicks lead series 3-2
Game 6: 7 pm ET, Thursday
Series odds: Knicks -700, Hawks +500
The Knicks raised their depth in Game 4 in Atlanta and have not let up since. New York is now a sport away from the second spherical, and Atlanta, which as soon as led the series 2-1, is reeling.
The Knicks gained 126-97 in Tuesday’s Game 5. No Hawks scored 20 factors whereas Jalen Brunson went off for 39 factors for New York. It was a real masterpiece for Brunson, who was 15-for-23 from the area, had eight assists and only one turnover.
After two blowout losses in a row, Atlanta has to determine out how to power a return journey to Madison Square Garden. The Knicks’ odds of advancing (-700) indicate they’ve an 87.5 p.c likelihood. Remove a turnaround from two video games in the past.
New York is favored by 2.5 factors on the road for Game 6.
No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Toronto Raptors
Cavaliers lead series 3-2
Game 6: 7:30 pm ET, Friday
Series odds: Cavaliers -1600, Raptors +900
Cleveland followers in all probability thought “Here we go again” a number of occasions in Game 5. The Raptors jumped out to a 22-10 lead, solely to path by the finish of the first quarter. Then Toronto rebuilt a 12-point lead early in the third quarter. Cleveland appeared to draw back for good with an 11-point lead with lower than 5 minutes left, solely to see Toronto chip away at the deficit.
Ultimately, Cleveland held on for a 125-120 win. The Cavs lead the series 3-2 and are closely favored to advance.
The dwelling workforce has gained each sport on this series, which is an efficient signal for Toronto in Game 6. However, Brandon Ingram left after scoring only one level in 11 minutes due to damage, and Scottie Barnes was hobbled for a lot of the second half and did not make a area aim after halftime. A wholesome Toronto has confirmed it could actually make this a series, however these accidents might play a higher position.
Cleveland is favored by 4.5 factors in Game 6.
Western Conference playoffs
No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. No. 8 Phoenix Suns
Thunder win series 4-0
Oklahoma City was principally unbothered by Phoenix in a four-game sweep. The closest sport was a 131-122 victory in Game 4.
The defending champions have been the favorites to win the NBA title getting into the postseason and did nothing to change that. The Thunder earned a little bit of a break and awaits two groups battling accidents in the Lakers and Rockets.
No. 2 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 7 Portland Trail Blazers
Spurs win series 4-1
Victor Wembanyama’s concussion and the consternation it prompted Spurs followers are a factor of the previous. The Spurs superior previous Portland with no drama after that. San Antonio gained Game 3 on the road in Wembanyama’s absence, got here again from a 19-point deficit in Game 4 and cruised in Game 5.
The Spurs led for the whole sport and led by as many as 28 factors to put the series away on Tuesday.
With Boston not fairly wanting sharp and Denver trailing Minnesota of their series, the Spurs are a logical and worthy second workforce in the odds behind Oklahoma City to win the NBA title.
No. 3 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves
Timberwolves lead series 3-2
Game 6: 9:30 pm ET, Thursday
Series odds: Nuggets -150, Timberwolves+125
Minnesota was down two starters, and it regarded prefer it for Monday’s Game 5. Denver gained 125-113 in a sport that wasn’t close for many of it.
While the Timberwolves have been with out Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, the Nuggets additionally did not gown Aaron Gordon. With two days off in between Game 5 and Thursday’s Game 6, it is attainable Gordon might be in a position to play by means of his calf damage. Gordon suffered the damage in Game 2, missed Game 3 and performed restricted minutes in Game 4.
Denver did not want him on Monday with Nikola Jokić absolutely taking management with 27 factors, 16 assists and 12 rebounds. That’s a classic Jokić stat line, and the Nuggets will want extra of that the remainder of the series.
Ayo Dosunmu fell again to earth slightly with 18 factors in a team-high 38 minutes after his 43-point masterpiece in Minneapolis. Dosunmu could have to go off once more for Minnesota to discover the fourth win on this series. Despite going on the road and nonetheless trailing in the series, Denver is favored to advance.
No. 4 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 5 Houston Rockets
Lakers lead series 3-2
Game 6: 9:30 pm ET, Friday
Series odds: Lakers -350, Rockets +275
Austin Reaves returned for Game 5, however the Lakers nonetheless could not close out Houston. Now, issues get actually attention-grabbing.
Houston has gained two in a row in the series and will get to return dwelling. Even with out Kevin Durant, Houston is alive and effectively. The Rockets are favored by 3.5 factors in Game 6.
Reaves scored 22 factors in his return, however most of his harm got here from the free throw line. I shot simply 4-for-16 from the area. The Lakers will want their taking pictures contact to return sooner slightly than later.
The Lakers are nonetheless stable favorites to advance, however it’s quite a bit nearer than it used to be.
