2026 NBA Playoffs Odds: Eastern Conference Second Round Betting Preview
We are now down to eight teams in the hunt for the Larry O’Brien Trophy, as the second round of the NBA Playoffs gets underway. The OKC Thunder (-150) and the San Antonio Spurs (+330) are the favorites to win it all, while the 76ers (+4000) and Timberwolves (+8000) have the longest odds to capture the crown at the moment. Here is a betting preview for each series.
Philadelphia 76ers vs. New York Knicks
Both teams arrive in the second round on a hot streak, with the Sixers rallying from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Celtics, and the Knicks routing the Hawks in Game 6 by 140-89. Philly and New York split their regular-season series at 2-2, with the Knicks taking the two most recent meetings. Interestingly, the road team won each game during the regular season. Both teams also proved they could win on the road in the first round, as the 76ers won three of four in Boston and the Knicks took two of three in Atlanta. The Sixers went 5-2-0 against the spread in the first round, while the Knicks went 4-2-0. Including the regular season, Philly is 49-41-0 against the spread in 2025-26, while New York is 48-41-0. In the Sixers’ seven-game series with the Celtics, two games went Over the total, while five games went Under. In the regular season, 40 Philly games went Over the total, while 42 went Under. Thirty-seven Knicks games went Over the number in the regular season, while 45 went Under. The Knicks are -260 to win the series over the Sixers at Fanatics Sportsbook. Game 1 (8 p.m., NBC/Peacock) is Monday at Madison Square Garden.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons
Both the Cavs and Pistons endured grueling first-round series as it took seven games for Cleveland to dispatch Toronto, and seven for Detroit to defeat Orlando. The division rivals split their season series, 2-2, with the Cavs taking the most recent meeting. Kenny Atkinson’s Cavs were 3-4-0 against the spread in the first round, while JB Bickerstaff’s Pistons were also 3-4-0 ATS in Round 1. Cleveland was the worst team in the NBA against the spread in the regular season, posting a 33-49-0 mark. Detroit went 44-38-0 ATS in the regular season. In the first round, the Cavs and Raptors went Over the total five times and Under two times. The Pistons and Magic went Over the set number three times, and Under four times. In the regular season, Cavs games went Over 40 times and Under 42 times. Detroit games went Over 38 times in the regular season, Under 43 times, and hit the number on the nose once. The Pistons are -120 favorites at Fanatics to win the series over the Cavaliers. Game 1 is Tuesday at 7 p.m. (NBCSN/Peacock) at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
