NBA Picks & Predictions

The NBA provides bettors with quite a few betting options, from spreads and props for every game to futures markets like the conference championships, awards (MVP, Defensive POY, etc.), and, of course, the NBA Championship.

Let's take a look at the big picture and review some picks and betting tips along with the odds to win the NBA Championship.

NBA Expert Picks and Betting Tips

NBA picks are among the most popular when it comes to sports betting tips. From October to June, many bettors place bets on the 30 teams and their 82 games each that make up the best basketball league in the world, in addition to trying to predict the champion after the playoffs.

For more than 30 weeks, all of our experts' NBA basketball picks, which can be found in our basketball predictions section, will help you perform well on online sports betting sites. Find the most advantageous odds, as well as statistics and tips for making successful NBA predictions!

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Expert NBA Pick: Who Will Win the 25/26 NBA Championship

Last year, OKC players won the NBA championship for the first time since 1979. It was a well-deserved title after what seemed like an eternity of waiting for the fans. At that time, the franchise was still known as the Seattle SuperSonics!

The new 2025-2026 NBA season promises to be another thrilling one, with the Thunder defending their title. The best franchises will once again battle it out for the championship, and we can expect another season full of twists and turns.

The reigning NBA champions are obviously hoping to achieve back-to-back titles, but teams such as the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New York Knicks are determined to do everything they can to achieve this goal and take home the prize.

Coveted by all franchises and obviously the ultimate goal of our basketball prediction experts' NBA analysis, the famous 2026 Larry O'Brien Trophy is the center of attention. At the start of the season, it's hard not to give the defending champions the edge, given how they dominated last season.

At the moment, we recommend betting on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's OKC. Our NBA 2026 winner prediction: OKC champions!

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NBA Futures

• Oklahoma City Thunder +230
• Cleveland Cavaliers +600
• Denver Nuggets +750
• New York Knicks +1000
• Los Angeles Lakers +1400
• Minnesota Timberwolves +1700
• Houston Rockets +1700
• Los Angeles Clippers +1800
• Orlando Magic +1900
• Atlanta Hawks +2700
• Golden State Warriors +2700
• Boston Celtics +3500
• Detroit Pistons +3500
• Philadelphia 76ers +3500
• Dallas Mavericks +4000
• Milwaukee Bucks +6000
• San Antonio Spurs +6500
• Indiana Pacers +10000
• Memphis Grizzlies +15000
• Toronto Raptors +17500
• Miami Heat +17500
• New Orleans Pelicans +35000
• Phoenix Suns +60000
• Portland Trail Blazers +75000
• Charlotte Hornets +75000
• Sacramento Kings +75000
• Chicago Bulls +100000
• Brooklyn Nets +100000
• Utah Jazz +100000
• Washington Wizards +100000

Odds provided by FanDuel.

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Who are the top teams in both conferences?

Eastern Conference:

The New York Knicks, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Orlando Magic, and the Atlanta Hawks are expected to be the top-4 teams in the Eastern Conference for the 2025-26 season. The Knicks are bringing back their starting five from last season, while adding more firepower off the bench in Jordan Clarkson and a new direction under new head coach Mike Brown. The Cavaliers will continue to be a force in the East with Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley looking to take the Cavs back to the promised land. The Magic are also expected to be serious contenders in the conference with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner forming a formidable duo, while the Hawks will be parading a more well-rounded lineup that features Kristaps Porzingis, Dyson Daniels, Jalen Johnson, and Trae Young.

Other East teams that are expected to make a lot of noise this coming season are the Detroit Pistons, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Milwaukee Bucks, the Indiana Pacers, and the Miami Heat. Perennial contenders, the Boston Celtics, will be taking a step down from contention this year, with superstar Jayson Tatum expected to miss the rest of the year with an Achilles Heel injury. The Toronto Raptors, the Chicago Bulls, the Charlotte Hornets, the Washington Wizards, and the Brooklyn Nets haven’t generated a lot of buzz heading into the season, but any of these teams can pull off a surprise and shake up the pecking order in the Eastern Conference.

Western Conference:

The Western Conference will continue to be wild this season, with the defending NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, emerging as the top betting favorite. Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets are still viewed as legit title contenders in the west, while the reloaded Houston Rockets will try to take a big leap into title contention this season following their acquisition of Kevin Durant in an offseason trade with the Phoenix Suns. The Los Angeles Clippers, a team that consists of multiple future Hall of Famers (Chris Paul, James Harden, and Kawhi Leonard) and young talents (John Collins and Ivica Zubac), are expected to complete the top-4 contenders in the West this year.

Bettors are also high on the Los Angeles Lakers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Golden State Warriors, and the Dallas Mavericks to win a lot of games this season. Luka Doncic will be starting the season with the Lakers for the first time in his career, while the T-Wolves will be pinning their hopes on the continuous improvement of their superstar, Anthony Edwards. The Warriors will still be a force to be reckoned with in the West as long as Stephen Curry plays for them, while the Mavericks have the potential to emerge as a dark-horse title contender with 2025 No.1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, and Kyrie Irving looking to form a fearsome Big 3.

The Spurs with their young core of Victor Wembenyama, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper, could also join the fray, especially if this trio develops into juggernauts this season. The Memphis Grizzlies, the Portland Trail Blazers, the New Orleans Pelicans, the Phoenix Suns, the Sacramento Kings, and the Utah Jazz are sleeper teams that might not be rated highly by NBA experts, but they certainly possess the personnel to stage a prolific run this season.

NBA Top 6 Picks: Who will qualify for the playoffs?

Betting on the NBA isn't just about betting on the future champion and the NBA title. As you know, in the NBA, before you know who the future champion will be, there are a few very important steps to go through. First of all, qualifying for the playoffs is mandatory at the end of the regular season; otherwise, the holidays begin in April.

To obtain this coveted postseason ticket, NBA teams must be in the top 6 of both conferences. Alternatively, they can still make the playoffs through the play-in, a mini-tournament which we will explain in detail in the paragraph below.

And we can already say that the battle for these coveted spots will be fierce... Indeed, we are in for quite a fight this season to advance to the next round of the competition, with franchises overflowing with talent.

Our prediction for the top six in the West: OKC, the Denver Nuggets, the Houston Rockets, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Clippers, and the Lakers qualify for the playoffs!

Our prediction for the top six in the East: the Cleveland Cavaliers, the New York Knicks, the Orlando Magic, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Detroit Pistons qualify for the playoffs!

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NBA Cup Betting Guide

NBA Cup Betting Tips: What's at stake?

It's time for the real battle between the teams in the middle of the table. Introduced by Adam Silver in 2021, the Play-In Tournament is a superb initiative that gives other teams a chance to reach the playoffs. It's quite simple to understand: franchises finishing between 7th and 10th place compete in a tournament to determine the last two qualifiers for the playoffs, by conference of course.

Here's how it works: the 7th seed faces the 8th seed, with a ticket to the playoffs at stake, while the loser must play the winner of the match between the 9th and 10th seeds. Needless to say, the duels are exciting, as no one wants to stop just one step away from this important goal. Once again, the battle to finish above 10th place will be fierce, and the outcome is obviously not easy to predict.

Apart from the bragging rights, players of the playoff teams are entitled to the following incentives:

• Reaching the quarterfinals: $51,497 each
• Reaching the semifinals: $102,994 each
• Runners up will get $205,988 each
• Overall winners: $514,971 each.

Our prediction for the teams that will qualify for the play-in in the West: the Golden State Warriors, the Dallas Mavericks, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Memphis Grizzlies will qualify for the play-in!

Our prediction for the teams that will qualify for the play-in in the East: the Boston Celtics, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Miami Heat, and the Indiana Pacers will qualify for the play-in!

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2025-26 NBA Regular-Season Player Awards

Many analysts think this will be the year Luka Doncic will finally capture his first regular-season MVP award. The Slovenian wunderkind has been an All-NBA First Team performer since his second season in the league and it’s just a matter of time for him to etch his name in history by winning the league’s top individual award.

But then there's Shai. Last season's MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will he achieve back-to-back wins or focus on achieving OKC's goal: winning the title again after the franchise's second championship in 2025?

Speaking of all-around performers, Nikola Jokic will continue to be a staple in NBA MVP conversation as long as he keeps stuffing the stat sheet. The Nuggets star is a triple-double machine who can effectively lead his team to victory without scoring 30+ points. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander make out the top five contenders for the 2025-26 NBA regular season MVP. Remember, their odds of being named MVP are usually determined by their team's performance this season. The more games their respective teams win, the better their chances of winning the Michael Jordan MVP award at the end of the season.

- MVP:

• Nikola Jokic 
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• Giannis Antetokounmpo 
• Luka Doncic 
• Anthony Edwards

- DPOY:

• Victor Wembanyama
• Chet Holmgren
• Evan Mobley
• Dyson Daniels
• Jaren Jackson Jr.

- ROY: 

• Cooper Flagg
• Tre Johnson
• Ace Bailey
• Dylan Harper
• V.J. Edgecombe

- COY:

• Jamahl Mosley
• Ime Udoka
• David Adelman
• JB Bickerstaff
• Mitch Johnson

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Beginner Bettors: How do the NBA season and the 2025-2026 NBA playoffs work?

Located in the United States, the NBA is by far the largest and most spectacular basketball championship in the world. The league consists of 30 teams in a closed league format (no relegation), divided into two Conferences: East and West. There are 82 games played from late October to mid-April, followed by the playoffs involving the top 16 teams in the league (8 from each Conference). The goal is to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy after four rounds in the postseason (the best of seven games qualifies).

At the end of the regular season, several standings have an impact on the continuation of the competition:

• Teams finishing between 1st and 6th place qualify for the playoffs.
• Teams finishing between 7th and 10th place qualify for the play-in.
• Teams finishing beyond 10th place are on vacation.

Regarding the NBA playoffs, here is a summary of how they operate:

• First round of the playoffs (quarterfinals)
• Second round (semifinals)
• Conference Finals
• NBA Finals (between the winners of the conference finals)

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Things to Consider for NBA Picks

Thanks to the sheer number of matches in a regular NBA season means that sports bettors can find value in just about every game.

Unlike soccer, which is growing in the US in its own right, the NBA always ensures a winner through regular or overtime. This keeps the betting experience interesting and the betting options easier to understand for newer bettors.

Sportsbooks commonly include phrases such as “will be extra time” rather than placing odds on a match ending in a tie for this reason. With games frequently passing the 200 total point mark, it’s no surprise that one of the most popular NBA bets is the number of baskets scored in a match.

Point spreads are equally as common, where sportsbooks will set a handicap to give an advantage or disadvantage to one of the teams based on their current form. For instance, if the Warriors have a handicap of -4.5 against the Magic, this impacts the odds and potential payouts for the match.

Besides these, sportsbooks will offer bets on the total points scored each quarter, which team will lead at various points in the match, top scorers, total number of free throws, three-pointers, rebounds, and lots more.

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NBA Betting Tips for Beginner Bettors

Due to the sheer length of the NBA season, which now features the immensely popular in-season tournament, there are loads of betting opportunities each year. Our NBA betting experts at SportyTrader go to extra lengths to make sure you’re armed with the best possible NBA predictions as well as a healthy supply of betting strategies to follow. Here are five key tips to consider when betting on the NBA:

• Checking the collective status of NBA teams
• Analyzing the latest NBA stats
• Taking stock of the current form of players
• Keeping track of injuries and suspensions
• Taking account of current stars

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Tip 1: Checking the collective status of NBA teams

Collective power is fundamental in the functioning of NBA teams since shoddy defensive work could harm everything achieved on offense. Taking this detail into account, it is necessary to verify how the performance of each franchise has been on both sides of the ball in a given season.

Paying attention to this imbalance can be key to choosing a winning bet. The composition of the squad, absent or injured athletes, the coach's strategy, and shot accuracy are vital in this area. You need to study this point before all basketball picks you make.

Tip 2: Analyzing the latest NBA stats

Likewise, it is worth considering the individual level of the stars of each team. Given that a good performance could be enough to achieve a victory.

For example, the relevance of Jayson Tatum in the Boston Celtics or Jimmy Butler in the Miami Heat, when it comes to scoring and managing the game, always weighs in the outcome of a confrontation, whether positively (high score) or negatively (minimum participation or errors).

Long absences due to injuries sometimes mean a problem. However, the supporting actors must also be taken into account, who help exploit the best qualities of their teammates: Kevin Durant and Devin Booker in the Phoenix Suns or Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokić in the Nuggets are clear evidence.

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Tip 3: Know the list of absent players in the NBA

Precisely, it is always essential to analyze the roster of available players, since physical problems, due to the tight schedule, are common in the NBA. As an example, facing the Lakers with Luka Doncic as a leader on the field will not be the same as without his presence.

With up to four games a week, the talented athletes are usually left on the sidelines for several days and that unbalances the balance, as happened with the Golden State Warriors in the previous campaign. By not having Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson for a long period, the Warriors struggled at the bottom of the table during this time. 

Tip 4: Take stock of the mental state of NBA players

Another value that is weighed during an NBA match is the mental state of the players. Bad streaks are difficult for any team to deal with and if things are not resolved, the pressure begins to generate errors among athletes.

Likewise, difficulties off the court or a lack of personal care also cause a decrease in general performance. For example, Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies) was out of action for a long time for appearing with a gun at a party; while Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets) was suspended due to messages with anti-Semitic comments and ended up changing sides (Mavericks).

Tip 5: Analyze the latest NBA statistics

Last, but not least, it is a requirement to study the previous stats of each NBA team before making a prediction. Under this context, the number of points scored in previous games, points against, field goals, free throws, threes and rebounds, the effectiveness of the home team, the strength of the visitors, etc. must be analyzed.

For example, last season, the Warriors raised their level little by little and consolidated themselves at home, but they constantly failed on the road: just as they could beat the Dallas Mavericks, they could then lose to the Portland Trail Blazers. In addition, you should always check recent head-to-heads.

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What Not to Do for NBA Predictions

To be a successful sports bettor, especially with your NBA bets, it’s essential to develop and refine your betting strategy. A key part of refining your strategy involves evolving with trends. However, there are common pitfalls that bettors should avoid in order to maintain a successful trajectory. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when betting on the NBA:

• Forgetting to follow the notably dense NBA schedule, which often includes games on consecutive days
• Making predictions without being informed about the current form of the teams involved
• Failing to compare odds across multiple sportsbooks to ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck
• Betting a bunch of money on a team without considering key factors such as form or absences
• Choosing rare or complex parlays solely for the lure of higher odds
• Overlooking the home-court advantage or away strengths of any given team
• Hastily placing bets on teams you’re not familiar enough with, in an attempt to break a losing streak

A losing streak in betting happens to everyone; by avoiding the mistakes listed above, you’ll be well on your way out of a rut. Be sure to continue to refine your betting strategy and not just stick to betting on your favorite teams. Get out there, inform yourself and start placing better bets! 

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Stats You Should Consider for NBA Predictions

Every NBA expert would agree: succeeding in sports betting on the NBA also requires a thorough knowledge of the main statistics from the world's premier basketball league. Here are some new figures to remember for your NBA picks, recorded during the latest edition of the competition:

• Home wins: 54.5%
• Away wins: 45.5%
• Average points: 227.3 points per game
• 3-point shooting success over the season: 35.97%
• Free throw success over the season: 77.95 per franchise 
• Number of rebounds per game: 44.02 average rebounds per franchise
• Number of offensive rebounds per game: 11.11 average offensive rebounds per team
• Number of defensive rebounds per game: 32.91 average defensive rebounds per team

For sports betting on NBA games, you may find that certain types of bets are preferable when making your predictions, such as betting on the home team to win or betting on the “Under/Over.” Indeed, the American basketball league is obviously one of the most spectacular in the world, and bets such as “Over 220.5” are often validated.

Of course, this is not the case for all teams, so you will need to study each case individually. If the odds are good, this could allow you to earn a few euros on your account. Even if it's not guaranteed in advance, of course!

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Conclusion: How to get Your NBA Predictions Right Today?

Success in sports betting comes down to a careful analysis of the multitude of aspects that can influence a match: absent players, injuries, bad form, home/away deficits, head-to-head matchups, shot percentages, etc. Similarly, it is crucial to know how the season is progressing, keeping tabs on current trends. 

Obviously, this process requires precious time, so it is always advisable to carefully select the matches you’re going to bet on in advance. If you have difficulties analyzing each matchup, we’ve got you covered with free predictions for every matchup throughout the season. Our predictions, made by our vetted NBA experts, will help you multiply your bankroll from the first whistle-blow. 

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Our current NBA predictions

NBA: Best Odds

Odds are not yet available for this competition.