- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,135,724
- Reaction score
- 59
The 2026 NBA playoffs tipped off Saturday, April 17, with the reigning champion Oklahoma City Thunder the heavy favorite to repeat.
The experts at Sports Illustrated like the Nuggets and Celtics better
Just more than half of the league’s 30 teams made the playoffs, which leaves 14 sitting home during postseason play and looking ahead to the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery drawing on May 10.
MORE: 5 first-round bold predictions for the 2026 NBA playoffs
But fans from those states not represented in this year’s playoffs still have a rooting interest in someone … but who?
Well, once again, the good folks at BetOnline have gathered data to give us the answer for all 50 states.
Before we get to the breakdown, here are a couple of nuggets unearthed by the site’s geotagged X data. The following info was gathered by tracking tweets, hashtags, and direct keyword phrases about who fans think will win the 2026 NBA title.
Apr 4, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) and guard Devin Vassell (24) react in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
In fact, more states think the Spurs will win the title than they do the Thunder.
However, oddsmakers disagree. Oklahoma City (+110) is the big betting fave, followed by San Antonio (+500), Boston (+550), and Denver (+900).
Jan 4, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) greets Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) before a game at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Pretty safe and wise call by basketball fans. Talent-wise, the East’s top teams (Pistons, T-Wolves) simply aren’t as good as the West’s best.
So if the Thunder don’t repeat, it will likely be the Spurs or the Nuggets to win it all.
That’s the same call from me to you.
Now, the picks by state (map below):
Apr 10, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs fans during there second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Fans of all ages believe the young Spurs have the talent to take down the reigning champion Thunder.
I say they are a year away. San Antonio: Your 2027 NBA champions!
States picking the Spurs: Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) and center Chet Holmgren (7) celebrate after a three point basket during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
States picking the Thunder: Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington
They’ll be smiling again in Oklahoma City this offseason after winning a second straight title.
Feb 22, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts after scoring three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
States picking the Celtics: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Boston will try to add to its NBA record of championships by claiming its 19th.
I think the Celtics get past the Pistons or Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Then, though, they’ll face one of the West’s three terrific teams: Oklahoma City, San Antonio, and Denver. Any one of those teams will beat Boston in the NBA Finals.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic reacts against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
States picking the Nuggets: Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming
Denver’s peak is however high Nikola Jokic can lead them. He’s the league MVP and should be solid in the playoffs, but the path to the Finals is so tough that most signs point to a second-round exit against San Antonio.
Apr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts in the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
States picking the Cavs: Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia
If Cleveland star Donovan Mitchell can get hot and stay that way throughout the postseason, the preseason favorite to win the East could make the Finals.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
States picking the Timberwolves: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota
Anthony Edwards is so good while gaining confidence by the game, he could power Minnesota to a series upset.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham looks on during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
States picking the Pistons: Michigan, Wisconsin
You think the top-seeded Pistons can stay healthy in their first-round series against the physical, defensive-minded Magic? I doubt it.
Feb 8, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after his three point basket against the Boston Celtics in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
State rooting for the Knicks: New York
Well, it’s you alone against the rest of the country, Knicks fans.
The cool, color-coded map to show you that the black and silver
Continue reading...
The experts at Sports Illustrated like the Nuggets and Celtics better
Just more than half of the league’s 30 teams made the playoffs, which leaves 14 sitting home during postseason play and looking ahead to the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery drawing on May 10.
MORE: 5 first-round bold predictions for the 2026 NBA playoffs
But fans from those states not represented in this year’s playoffs still have a rooting interest in someone … but who?
Well, once again, the good folks at BetOnline have gathered data to give us the answer for all 50 states.
Before we get to the breakdown, here are a couple of nuggets unearthed by the site’s geotagged X data. The following info was gathered by tracking tweets, hashtags, and direct keyword phrases about who fans think will win the 2026 NBA title.
NBA fans in Texas are backing the Spurs
You must be registered for see images attach
Apr 4, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) and guard Devin Vassell (24) react in the fourth quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
In fact, more states think the Spurs will win the title than they do the Thunder.
However, oddsmakers disagree. Oklahoma City (+110) is the big betting fave, followed by San Antonio (+500), Boston (+550), and Denver (+900).
70% of the states think a team from the West will win the NBA title
You must be registered for see images attach
Jan 4, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) greets Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) before a game at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Pretty safe and wise call by basketball fans. Talent-wise, the East’s top teams (Pistons, T-Wolves) simply aren’t as good as the West’s best.
So if the Thunder don’t repeat, it will likely be the Spurs or the Nuggets to win it all.
That’s the same call from me to you.
Now, the picks by state (map below):
San Antonio Spurs (16)
You must be registered for see images attach
Apr 10, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs fans during there second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Fans of all ages believe the young Spurs have the talent to take down the reigning champion Thunder.
I say they are a year away. San Antonio: Your 2027 NBA champions!
States picking the Spurs: Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia
Oklahoma City Thunder (12)
You must be registered for see images attach
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) and center Chet Holmgren (7) celebrate after a three point basket during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena. Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
States picking the Thunder: Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington
They’ll be smiling again in Oklahoma City this offseason after winning a second straight title.
Boston Celtics (9)
You must be registered for see images attach
Feb 22, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts after scoring three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
States picking the Celtics: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont
Boston will try to add to its NBA record of championships by claiming its 19th.
I think the Celtics get past the Pistons or Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Then, though, they’ll face one of the West’s three terrific teams: Oklahoma City, San Antonio, and Denver. Any one of those teams will beat Boston in the NBA Finals.
Denver Nuggets (4)
You must be registered for see images attach
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic reacts against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
States picking the Nuggets: Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming
Denver’s peak is however high Nikola Jokic can lead them. He’s the league MVP and should be solid in the playoffs, but the path to the Finals is so tough that most signs point to a second-round exit against San Antonio.
Cleveland Cavaliers (3)
You must be registered for see images attach
Apr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts in the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
States picking the Cavs: Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia
If Cleveland star Donovan Mitchell can get hot and stay that way throughout the postseason, the preseason favorite to win the East could make the Finals.
Minnesota Timberwolves (3)
You must be registered for see images attach
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
States picking the Timberwolves: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota
Anthony Edwards is so good while gaining confidence by the game, he could power Minnesota to a series upset.
Detroit Pistons (2)
You must be registered for see images attach
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham looks on during the first half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
States picking the Pistons: Michigan, Wisconsin
You think the top-seeded Pistons can stay healthy in their first-round series against the physical, defensive-minded Magic? I doubt it.
New York Knicks (1)
You must be registered for see images attach
Feb 8, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) reacts after his three point basket against the Boston Celtics in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
State rooting for the Knicks: New York
Well, it’s you alone against the rest of the country, Knicks fans.
In closing …
The cool, color-coded map to show you that the black and silver
You must be registered for see images attach
Continue reading...
