Thunder and Knicks Advance to NBA Conference Finals

The 2026 NBA Finals picture has taken shape in dramatic fashion, and one team has separated itself from the pack: the Oklahoma City Thunder. Dominant on both ends of the floor, the Thunder have stormed through the postseason undefeated, sweeping both the Suns and Lakers in convincing four-game series to punch their ticket to the Western Conference Finals.

In the East, the New York Knicks have also emerged as a serious contender. After stumbling in the opening round against the Hawks and dropping two early games, the Knicks have responded with six straight postseason victories and now look poised for a deep Finals run.

The road ahead remains highly competitive. New York is awaiting the winner of the Pistons-Cavaliers series, which is currently deadlocked at 2-2, while Oklahoma City will face whichever team survives the evenly matched Timberwolves-Spurs battle, also tied 2-2. With momentum building and championship hopes on the line, the intensity of the postseason is only getting higher.

For fans looking to add even more excitement to the NBA Playoffs, online sportsbooks offer a wide range of betting opportunities throughout the postseason. From series odds and game spreads to player props and live in-game wagering, there are countless ways to get involved.

Note: You can explore the best betting platforms, bonuses, and NBA wagering options in the NBA betting guide here: https://www.sportsbetting18.com/nba/

NBA Futures

If you don’t mind playing the long game — although in the postseason, it’s not quite as long — futures bets often provide some of the best overall value in sports betting. Futures markets are available year-round, but as teams continue advancing through the playoffs, sportsbooks begin tightening the odds, making it harder to find major returns on favorites.

That’s why many bettors look to lock in championship or conference winner odds before the field narrows even further. With several series still up for grabs and momentum shifting nightly, there is still value to be found across the NBA playoff board.

Below are the latest odds from Bovada’s online sportsbook for both the NBA Championship and Conference winners as teams continue their push toward the 2026 NBA Finals.

Championship 2025-26

Oklahoma City Thunder -175
San Antonio Spurs +350
New York Knicks +600
Detroit Pistons +2500
Cleveland Cavaliers +4000
Minnesota Timberwolves +6500

Conferences – Eastern Conference (1)

New York Knicks -175
Detroit Pistons +280
Cleveland Cavaliers +500

Conferences – Western Conference (1)

Oklahoma City Thunder -270
San Antonio Spurs +235
Minnesota Timberwolves +2800

Postseason Game Lines

While game lines usually dominate NBA betting during the regular season, the postseason presents an entirely different challenge. With every possession carrying more weight and every game potentially shifting a series, sportsbooks tighten the odds considerably during the playoffs.

Although home-court advantage still influences the numbers, postseason momentum often becomes the biggest factor in shaping game lines. Teams riding winning streaks or showing strong form can see dramatic movement in both spreads and moneyline pricing as bettors and sportsbooks react to recent performances.

For NBA playoff betting, game lines generally offer three primary wagering options: spread bets, moneyline bets, and totals (over/under) bets. Each provides a different strategy depending on whether you’re backing a team outright, betting on the margin of victory, or predicting the total combined score.

Below are the latest game line odds from Bovada’s online sportsbook for the next two NBA Conference Semifinals matchups as the race to the Finals continues.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs