NBA Playoff Picture 2026 Bracket, Early Odds and Predictions

The 2026 NBA postseason has arrived.

The playoff field isn't cemented yet, but it will be before the weekend. The Play-In Tournament just needs to whittle down the 20 teams still standing to the big-league version of the Sweet 16.

Have a hunch about which teams will advance and which are soon headed into summer vacation? Oddsmakers do, too. After providing the latest Play-In and championship odds, we'll predict how the Play-In will play out.

NBA Play-In Odds

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Tuesday, April 14

Miami Heat at Charlotte Hornets (-4)

Portland Trail Blazers at Phoenix Suns (-4.5)

Wednesday, April 15

Orlando Magic at Philadelphia 76ers (-1)

Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Clippers (-4)

*Odds used courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

NBA Championship Odds

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Oklahoma City Thunder +115

San Antonio Spurs +550

Boston Celtics +550

Denver Nuggets +1100

Cleveland Cavaliers +1100

New York Knicks +1800

Detroit Pistons +2000

Houston Rockets +6000

Charlotte Hornets +8000

Minnesota Timberwolves +10000

Atlanta Hawks +12500

Philadelphia 76ers +17500

Orlando Magic +20000

Toronto Raptors +25000

Los Angeles Lakers +25000

Golden State Warriors +50000

Los Angeles Clippers +70000

Portland Trail Blazers +75000

Phoenix Suns +75000

Miami Heat +75000

Play-In Predictions

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Before breaking out the crystal ball, a quick note about the Play-In Particulars. The teams currently seeded seventh (76ers and Suns) and eighth (Magic and Trail Blazers) play head-to-head with the winner claiming the No. 7 spot. Those seeded ninth (Hornets and Clippers) and 10th (Heat and Warriors) face off with the winner advancing to Friday night's matchup with the 7/8 losers (who will host) and the winner of that game claiming the eighth seed.

It's beneficial, then, to enter this tournament with one of it top two seeds. It's even more helpful to have one of the seven seeds, since that means you're hosting your opponent. Our crystal ball sees both seventh seeds making the most of that advantage and keeping their seventh seeds for the actual playoffs.

As for the 9/10 games, it's hard not to like the Hornets based on how they've looked the past few months. They should have more than enough to handle a Heat team that lost 10 of their last 15. The Warriors were able to get Stephen Curry some runs following a months-long absence with a nagging knee injury, but they might still be too banged-up against a Clippers team that beat them three times in four tries.

That would leave the Magic hosting the Hornets and the Trail Blazers hosting the Clippers come Friday night. While we've gone with chalk so far, here's where that trend breaks.

Orlando's vibes haven't felt great for a while, and Sunday's listless showing in a game with real stakes—against Boston's backups—certainly didn't help. Charlotte also destroyed this club in each of their last three meetings, winning all three contests by double-digits. The Buzz City ballers stamp their actual playoff tickets here.

As for Portland, it's just tough to trust this offense, especially with Shaedon Sharpe looking rusty after missing two months, and Deni Avdija backtracking in efficiency since the All-Star break. L.A. wobbled a bit down the stretch, but Kawhi Leonard still has takeover ability, and buckets can come in barrages for both Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin. Make it 2-for-2, then, for Friday's road travelers.