Thunder open NBA playoffs as heavy favorites to repeat

Field Level Media
18 Apr 2026, 23:35 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images)

The Oklahoma City Thunder are overwhelming favorites to repeat as NBA champions.

Led by reigning NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder are listed at +110 to win the NBA Finals per DraftKings and +115 per BetMGM.

Oklahoma City finished the regular season with an NBA-best 64-18 record.

The Victor Wembanyama-led San Antonio Spurs (DraftKings: +500; BetMGM: +450) are second favorite followed by the Boston Celtics (DK: +550; B: +550) and Denver Nuggets (DK: +900; B: +1100).

The Spurs remained on the heels of the Thunder as the regular season came to a close before finishing with a 62-20 record.

The Celtics (56-26) benefited from the return of star Jayson Tatum from a ruptured Achilles in last year's playoffs, while three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic powered the Nuggets to a 54-28 mark.

The Cleveland Cavaliers (DK: +1700; B: +1600), Detroit Pistons (DK: +2200; B: +1700) and New York Knicks (DK: +1800; B: +2200) round out the next tier of odds.

The odds for the remaining teams: Houston Rockets (DK: +8000; B: +6600); Minnesota Timberwolves (DK: +10000; B: +8000); Atlanta Hawks (DK: +13000; B: +10000); Los Angeles Lakers (DK: +15000; B: +20000); Philadelphia 76ers (DK: +15000; B: +25000); Toronto Raptors (DK: +35000; B: +30000); Orlando Magic (DK: +45000; B: +75000); Portland Trail Blazers (DK: +70000; B: +75000) and Phoenix Suns (DK: +70000; B: +50000)

--Field Level Media

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Calgary Monitor.

More Information

North America

Section

7-Eleven plans 645 store closures as consumer spending slows

NEW YORK CITY, New York: 7-Eleven is set to significantly shrink its North American footprint this year, planning to close far more...

Trump warns Iran, says Tehran cannot "blackmail" US over Strait of Hormuz

Washington DC [US], April 18 (ANI): Hours after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in less than 24 hours of opening it, US President...

Iran says to control traffic through Hormuz until war definitively ended

TEHRAN, April 18 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) said on Saturday the country is determined to exercise...

India conveys deep concern to Iran over shooting incident involving two Indian-flagged ships in Strait of Hormuz; MEA calls Iranian envoy

New Delhi [India], April 18 (ANI): India on Saturday called Iran's Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Fathali and conveyed 'deep concern' at the...

India conveys deep concern with Iran over shooting incident involving two Indian-flagged ships in Strait of Hormuz; MEA calls Iranian envoy

New Delhi [India], April 18 (ANI): India on Saturday called Iran's Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Fathali and conveyed 'deep concern' at the...

India lodges protest with Iran over firing incident on Indian vessel; Iranian envoy called to MEA

New Delhi [India], April 18 (ANI): India on Saturday lodged a protest with the Iran's Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Fathali over the incident...

Canada

Section