2026 NBA playoffs are here!

It’s the playoffs, baby! Where legacies are born and where dreams get shattered on the NBA hardwood. Join the full-court press with Wildz Sports and discover the best postseason storylines and betting markets.

The NBA play-in tournament

Before the “playoffs” it’s the “play-in” from April 14-17th. Long story short, this mini competition is the last chance saloon for eight franchises (four from each conference). Currently, those teams* are the Phoenix Suns, LA Clippers, Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors in the West, and Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat out East.

In each conference bracket, four will become two and join the playoffs as 7th and 8th seeds.

*The Atlanta Hawks (5th seed) and Toronto Raptors (6th) are currently in guaranteed playoff spots but are not yet mathematically safe from falling into the play-in.

Salute the reigning Champs

The hunters have now become the hunted. Led by Hamilton-native Shai Gilgeous-Alexander a.k.a., “SGA”, the Oklahoma City Thunder (+120) are most bookies’ favorites to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy. But with the target firmly on their backs and primed for everyone’s best shot, can “Shai Butter” and co. do what only five other franchises have achieved and repeat as champions?

The best of the rest

Will it be a case of “to the victor go the spoils” for Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs (+500)? Truth be told, “Wemby”/“The Alien”, has been better than advertised this season. His game-changing presence offensively and defensively are why he’s an MVP contender and why the Spurs are second favorites behind the Thunder.

Back in October last year, Wildz Sports had the beaten up Boston Celtics at a whooping +5900 to win it all. Fast forward to today and the now-healthy Celtics (+550) are reborn. That’s mainly due to the MVP-level form of Jalen Brown and the timely return of injured forward Jayson Tatum. Can the 2024 champions turn back time?

Last (of the top dogs) but not least, it’s the Denver Nuggets (+900). The 2023 champions still possess that title-winning nucleus featuring the best player in the world Nikola Jokic. If the Nuggets are to be golden, Aaron Gordon and Kitchener-born Jamal Murray will need to step up and show out.

A Wildz Sports wildcard wager

Don’t rule out the Detroit Pistons (+2000). In the spirit of the 1980s “Bad Boys” Pistons, this 2026 iteration are tough, mentality and physically, and back down to no one. Buoyed by guard “Motor” Cade Cunningham and enforcer Isaiah “Beef Stew” Stewart, many teams might want to avoid this Bad Boys 2.0.

Visit our NBA hub for more betting markets, incl. 6th Man of the Year, Coach of the Year and Rookie of the Year.

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