The Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs enter the 2026/27 NBA season as the top favorites, clearly standing out from the competition according to OlyBet odds. In this article, we take a look at the favorites, potential dark horses, NBA season bets, and key dates.
When does the 2026/27 NBA season start?
The 2026/27 NBA regular season begins on October 20 and concludes on April 11. All 30 teams will play 82 games during the regular season.
Key dates for the 2026/27 NBA season
| Event | Date |
| Start of the regular season | 20.10.2026 |
| Start of the NBA Cup group stage | 30.10.2026 |
| NBA Cup Final | 11.12.2026 |
| NBA All-Star break | 19.–21.02.2027 |
| End of the regular season | 11.04.2027 |
| Start of the playoffs | 17.04.2027 |
NBA Cup group stage games begin on October 30, the knockout rounds will take place in December, and the final will be held on December 11 in Indianapolis.
Top favorites for the 2026/27 NBA season
Oklahoma City Thunder
According to both analytical models and OlyBet odds, the Oklahoma City Thunder enter the season as the top favorites to win the NBA title.
ESPN’s Basketball Power Index gives the Thunder a 28% chance of winning the championship. Their model identifies the Thunder as the best defensive team in the NBA and projects them to secure 61 wins during the regular season.
At OlyBet, the odds for the Oklahoma City Thunder to win the NBA championship are 3.60.
San Antonio Spurs
While the Thunder are the number one favorites, the San Antonio Spurs are right on their heels. Built around Victor Wembanyama, the roster combines strong defense with an increasingly high-quality offense. ESPN projects them to secure 59 wins in the regular season.
The Spurs’ title odds of 3.70 at OlyBet also illustrate just how narrow the gap is between the two top favorites in the Western Conference.
Philadelphia 76ers
The addition of LeBron James has turned the Philadelphia 76ers into one of the most intriguing teams. At full strength, the Sixers are considered one of the strongest teams in the Eastern Conference, though Joel Embiid’s health remains a major question mark.
ESPN projects them to reach 47 wins in the regular season, and the 76ers’ title odds at OlyBet stand at 9.50.
New York Knicks
The defending champions, the New York Knicks, finished the previous regular season with one of the most potent offenses in the NBA, and they are once again projected to have the league’s best offense this year. A key factor will be the role of Karl-Anthony Towns within New York’s offensive scheme.
The Knicks’ title odds at OlyBet are 10.00.
Top NBA Title Favorites According to OlyBet Odds
| Team | Odds at OlyBet |
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 3.60 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 3.70 |
| Philadelphia 76ers | 9.50 |
| New York Knicks | 10.00 |
| Boston Celtics | 15.00 |
| Detroit Pistons | 26.00 |
| Denver Nuggets | 26.00 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 26.00 |
| Cleveland Cavaliers | 26.00 |
| Toronto Raptors | 26.00 |
Potential dark horses
Boston Celtics
With odds of 15.00, Boston could prove to be an interesting alternative to the clear favorites.
ESPN gives the Celtics a 7% chance of winning the championship and estimates the probability of the team reaching the playoffs at over 97%. Boston remains among the elite of the Eastern Conference, even if there are questions surrounding the roster and player health.
Detroit Pistons
Detroit is no longer just a young, developing team. ESPN projects nearly 50 wins for the Pistons and a greater than 93% chance of making the playoffs. OlyBet’s odds for an NBA title are 26.00, making Detroit one of the most intriguing long-shot contenders.
Denver Nuggets
The presence of Nikola Jokić means the Nuggets can never be ruled out of title contention.
Denver finished the previous regular season with the NBA’s best offense, and ESPN projects them to win around 49 games. OlyBet’s odds of 26.00 are high compared to Oklahoma City and San Antonio, but Jokić still makes the Nuggets a dangerous playoff team.
What to bet on in the NBA?
The long NBA regular season and the playoff system offer plenty of opportunities for both single-game and season-long bets.
Before the season starts, it is worth keeping an eye on:
- NBA Champion
- Conference Winner
- Division Winner
- Regular Season Win Total
- Playoff Qualification
- Individual Awards
- Player Season Statistics
Additionally, during the regular season, you can bet on game winners, point handicaps, point totals, and player statistics.
Which other teams are worth keeping an eye on?
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers’ game revolves around Luka Dončić, and their offense is ranked as the third-best in the NBA heading into the season. Questions primarily concern their defense and the roster they manage to assemble around Dončić.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Led by Anthony Edwards, Minnesota is considered a solid playoff contender in the Western Conference, according to ESPN. Statistical models suggest the Timberwolves have a greater than 95% chance of reaching the playoffs, though their true potential will depend on how the new roster gels over the course of the season.
Miami Heat
A major talking point for Miami is Giannis Antetokounmpo. Integrating this new superstar alongside Bam Adebayo and the rest of the squad could make the Heat one of the most unpredictable teams in the Eastern Conference.
Who might be the biggest stars of the 2026/27 NBA season?
Among individual players, it is worth keeping a close watch on Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Dončić, and Victor Wembanyama.
Jokić continues to lead one of the NBA’s most efficient offenses, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is at the heart of the Thunder’s championship ambitions, and Wembanyama’s development could directly determine whether the Spurs can become NBA champions this year.
The Lakers, led by Luka Dončić, should also rank among the NBA’s most dangerous offensive teams—making it well worth keeping a close eye on Dončić’s statistics throughout the season.
How to bet on the NBA responsibly?
- Play responsibly. 18+
- Set a strict budget for yourself
- Do not try to chase losses
- Keep track of injury reports and roster updates
- Do not place bets based solely on your favorite team
- Only wager amounts you can afford to lose
- Read more about responsible betting
Ahead of the 2026/27 NBA season, two teams have clearly pulled ahead of the pack: the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs. At the same time, Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Denver, and other contenders ensure that the road to the NBA Finals will be anything but easy.
FAQ about the 2026/27 NBA season
When does the 2026/27 NBA season begin?
The NBA regular season begins on October 20 and concludes on April 11.
Who are the top favorites for the 2026/27 NBA season?
According to OlyBet’s odds, the top favorites are the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs, followed by the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks.
Who won the NBA championship last season?
The New York Knicks became the 2025/26 NBA champions—their first title since the 1972/73 season.
How many games does each NBA team play in the regular season?
Each NBA team plays 82 games during the regular season.
When does the NBA Cup take place?
The NBA Cup group stage matches begin on October 30, and the final will be played on December 11, 2026.
