Thunder open NBA playoffs as heavy favorites to repeat

Field Level Media|published: Sat 18th April, 14:02 2026

NBA: Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers

Apr 8, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives past Los Angeles Clippers guard Kris Dunn (8) in the second half at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder are overwhelming favorites to repeat as NBA champions.

Led by reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder are listed at +110 to win the NBA Finals per DraftKings and +115 per BetMGM.

Oklahoma City finished the regular season with an NBA-best 64-18 record.

The Victor Wembanyama-led San Antonio Spurs (DraftKings: +500; BetMGM: +450) are second favorite followed by the Boston Celtics (DK: +550; B: +550) and Denver Nuggets (DK: +900; B: +1100).

The Spurs remained on the heels of the Thunder as the regular season came to a close before finishing with a 62-20 record.

The Celtics (56-26) benefited from the return of star Jayson Tatum from a ruptured Achilles in last year's playoffs, while three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic powered the Nuggets to a 54-28 mark.

The Cleveland Cavaliers (DK: +1700; B: +1600), Detroit Pistons (DK: +2200; B: +1700) and New York Knicks (DK: +1800; B: +2200) round out the next tier of odds.

The odds for the remaining teams: Houston Rockets (DK: +8000; B: +6600); Minnesota Timberwolves (DK: +10000; B: +8000); Atlanta Hawks (DK: +13000; B: +10000); Los Angeles Lakers (DK: +15000; B: +20000); Philadelphia 76ers (DK: +15000; B: +25000); Toronto Raptors (DK: +35000; B: +30000); Orlando Magic (DK: +45000; B: +75000); Portland Trail Blazers (DK: +70000; B: +75000) and Phoenix Suns (DK: +70000; B: +50000)

--Field Level Media