NBA Finals map shows every state’s pick to win 2026 title
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.
NBA fans in Texas are backing the Spurs 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 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.
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