We are now down to eight teams in the hunt for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, as the second round of the NBA Playoffs gets underway. The OKC Thunder (-150) and the San Antonio Spurs (+330) are the favorites to win it all, while the 76ers (+4000) and Timberwolves (+8000) have the longest odds to capture the crown at the moment. Here is a betting preview for each series.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks
Both teams are riding high coming into the second round as the Sixers completed a 3-1 come-from-behind series victory over the 2-seeded Celtics, and the Knicks absolutely annihilated the Hawks in Game 6 of that series by a score of 140-89.
Philly and New York split its regular season series, 2-2, with the Knicks taking the two most recent meetings. Interestingly enough, the road team won each game during the regular season. Both teams also proved they could win on the road in the first round, as the 76ers won three-of-four in Boston, and Knicks took two-of-three in Atlanta.
The Sixers went 5-2-0 against the spread in the first round, while the Knicks went 4-2-0. Including the regular season, Philly is 49-41-0 against the spread in 2025-26, while New York is 48-41-0.
In the Sixers’ seven-game series with the Celtics, two games went Over the total, while five games went Under.
In the regular season, 40 Philly games went Over the total, while 42 went Under. Thirty-seven Knicks games went Over the number in the regular season, while 45 went Under.
The Knicks are -260 to win the series over the Sixers at Fanatics Sportsbook.
Game 1 (8 p.m., NBC/Peacock) is Monday at Madison Square Garden.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons
Both the Cavs and Pistons endured grueling first round series as it took seven games for Cleveland to dump Toronto, and seven games for Detroit to take down Orlando.
The division rivals split their season series, 2-2, with the Cavs taking the most recent meeting.
Kenny Atkinson’s Cavs were 3-4-0 against the spread in the first round, while JB Bickerstaff’s Pistons were also 3-4-0 ATS in Round 1.
Cleveland was the worst team in the NBA against the spread in the regular season, posting a 33-49-0 mark. Detroit went 44-38-0 ATS in the regular season.
In the first round, the Cavs and Raptors went Over the total five times and Under two times. The Pistons and Magic went Over the set number three times, and Under four times.
In the regular season, Cavs games went Over 40 times and Under 42 times. Detroit games went Over 38 times in the regular season, Under 43 times, and hit the number on the nose once.
The Pistons are -120 favorites at Fanatics to win the series over the Cavaliers.
Game 1 is Tuesday at 7 p.m. (NBCSN/Peacock) at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. San Antonio Spurs
The Timberwolves are massive Round 2 underdogs, and for good reason. Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) is out indefinitely, and Anthony Edwards (knee) is far from 100 percent. Ant will likely give it a go in this series, but it is not yet set in stone as to when he will be available.
The Spurs, meanwhile, are relatively healthy and are well-rested, having clinched their first round series over the Trail Blazers last Tuesday.
Minnesota won the regular season series over the Spurs, 2-1, although the Spurs took the most recent meeting.
San Antonio has the top against the spread record in the playoffs thus far, owning a 4-1 mark. The T’Wolves aren’t too shabby themselves, as they are 4-2 ATS.
Mitch Johnson’s Spurs were also an elite ATS team in the regular season as they went 46-34-2. Minnesota was 36-46-0 ATS in the regular season.
Under bettors have enjoyed both the Spurs and Wolves in the playoffs thus far. The Spurs went Over just once in their five-game set with Portland. Minnesota went Over just once as well, in its six-game series with the Nuggets.
In the regular season, both the Spurs and Wolves went Under the number more times than not. San Antonio went Over 36 times and Under 46 times in the regular season. Minnesota went Over 37 times, and Under 45 times.
The Spurs are a heavy -1200 favorite to win this second round series against the Wolves.
Game 1 is Monday night (9:30 p.m./NBCSN/Peacock) in San Antonio.
LA Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Adam Silver and the NBA’s TV partners are doing backflips over this matchup as LeBron and the marquee Lakers will take on the defending champion Thunder in the second round.
Hovering over this series are two injury questions as Luka Doncic and Jalen Williams are both nursing hamstring injuries. Williams’ injury is not nearly as severe as Doncic’s, as we could see the Thunder guard return as early as Tuesday night for Game 1. Doncic, who has been out for over a month with the injury, will likely need a little more time.
The Thunder swept the regular season series with the Lakers, 4-0. Two of those OKC wins came in early April and the games were non-competitive as the Thunder won by scores of 139-96 and 123-87.
LA was 4-2-0 against the spread in the first round against the Rockets, while OKC was 2-2-0 ATS in their sweep of the Suns.
In the regular season, the Lakers were one of the better against the spread teams as they went 46-36-0 ATS. OKC was 39-43-0 ATS.
The Thunder and Suns were kind to Over bettors in their first round series as three games went Over and just one went Under. The Lakers and Rockets had two games go Over and and four go Under.
In the regular season, Lakers games went Over 41 times and Under 41 times. Oklahoma City games went Over 43 times and Under 39 times.
The Lakers are the biggest Round 2 underdogs as Fanatics has them at -1600 to win the series over the Thunder.
Game 1 is Tuesday (7 p.m. ET, NBCSN/Peacock) in OKC.
