2026 NBA Playoffs Second Round Predictions and Odds

Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Lakers Series Odds and Prediction

The defending champion and #1 West seed Thunder try to take down the #4 Lakers, who lost all four meetings with OKC in the regular season. The average margin of victory for the Thunder in those four wins was 29.2 points, and they held the Lakers to 96 points or less in three of the games.

Western Conference semis coming 🔜

Game 1 tips off Tuesday, May 5 at 7:30PM CT on @NBAonNBC ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/0iME1OpspU

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) May 2, 2026

OKC has been off since April 27, when they completed a four-game sweep of Phoenix. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was brilliant, averaging 33.8 points and 8.0 assists, shooting 55.1% from the field. Jalen Williams averaged 20.5 points in the two games he played as he battled a hamstring injury. But the Thunder defense swarmed Phoenix all series, holding them to 44.6% from the field.

The Lakers upset Houston in six games as LeBron James continues to amaze. At 41 years old, James led the Lakers with 23.2 points, 8.3 assists, and 7.2 rebounds as Luka Dončić didn’t play in the series, and Austin Reaves returned to the lineup in Game 5. But the Lakers also got contributions from Marcus Smart at both ends, while Smart and Luke Kennard were red-hot from long range. The defense was also surprisingly good.

However, I think they’re well overmatched in this series against OKC. Even if Dončić returns at some point, he’s been out for a month with a hamstring injury. That doesn’t bode well against the Thunder defense, which didn’t even play its best against Phoenix. James is great, but if the Thunder make him a scorer and cut off his passing options, the Lakers are in big trouble.

At -1400, I wouldn’t bet on these NBA playoffs odds. But the +120 odds for a 4-0 OKC sweep look like solid value, so that’s my prediction for this series. It’s really hard to see the Lakers winning here, they simply don’t have enough offense and depth to compete with the champions.

Detroit Pistons vs. Cleveland Cavaliers Series Odds and Prediction

The Pistons are the #1 seed in the East, and survived a brutal first-round matchup with Orlando. The #4 Cavaliers, like Detroit, also went to seven games against Toronto. The two teams split four regular-season meetings, with the home teams going 1-1.

ROUND 2 STARTS TUESDAY.

🔗 FULL FAN GUIDE HERE: https://t.co/O6FLqSL87b@SeatGeek | #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/6b7eez9w5P

— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) May 4, 2026

Detroit had to battle back from a 3-1 deficit against Orlando, and Cade Cunningham was terrific, averaging 32.4 points, 7.1 assists, and 5.7 rebounds. Jalen Duren struggled offensively, but Tobias Harris stepped up as the veteran averaged 21.6 points and 8.1 rebounds. The Pistons also have the top-rated defense in the postseason, although Cleveland will be a much tougher task on that end than the Magic.

The Cavaliers needed seven games to beat Toronto in a series where the home team won all seven games. Donovan Mitchell (23.1 points) and James Harden (20.6 points) led the way offensively, but they weren’t efficient, shooting 44.5% between the two of them. Evan Mobley had a fine series (18.1 points, 8.6 rebounds), but he wasn’t the dominant force many expect him to be. Jarrett

Allen carried the Cavs in Game 7 with 22 points, 19 boards, and three blocks. He’ll likely see a lot of Duren in this series.

The Cavaliers match up well with the Pistons, although they don’t have anyone that can guard Cunningham. However, Mobley and Allen can contain Harris and Duren. Detroit will want to make this a physical series, but Cleveland can handle a matchup like that.

The Pistons could get away with their Orlando matchup as the Magic offense was abysmal. Cleveland has a lot more to offer on that end, and I like their NBA playoff second-round odds of +105 as a live underdog here!

New York Knicks vs. Philadelphia 76ers Series Odds and Prediction

The #3 East seed Knicks will face the #7 76ers, who pulled off a 3-1 comeback against #2 Boston. The two split four meetings in the regular season, with the visiting team winning all four matchups!

next stop: eastern semifinals pic.twitter.com/qbhhwusWcg

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 3, 2026

The Knicks looked to be in trouble against Atlanta, going down 2-1. New York then won the last three games by an average of 31 points. That includes a historic 51-point thrashing of the Hawks in Atlanta, when the Knicks were up 83-36 at halftime.

Jalen Brunson averaged 26.3 points, while OG Anunoby was excellent with 21.5 points, shooting 56.7% from three-point land and providing lockdown defense. Karl-Anthony Towns averaged 18.7 points and 11.3 rebounds, and with 6.0 assists, impacting the game as a playmaker out of the high post.

The 76ers defeated the Celtics by winning the last three games in the series, and they won three of four in Boston. Joel Embiid returned from appendicitis in Game 4, and averaged 28.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 7.0 assists, which allowed more space for Tyrese Maxey.

Paul George had a vintage performance, while VJ Edgecombe didn’t play like a rookie. The matchup to watch in this series will be Embiid against Towns, who don’t like each other and have fought before in a game.

If Embiid’s health holds up over the series, the Sixers should have the upper hand close to the rim. But will it hold up? Can Philadelphia get another good series out of George? And for the Knicks, can Towns be better than Embiid? Will Anunoby be this good again?

I lean towards the Knicks to win the Series, but I’m taking the OVER 5.5 Games props at -130 for my NBA playoff second-round prediction. I don’t see any team winning comfortably, so this should go to at least six games.

San Antonio Spurs vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Series Odds and Prediction

The West second-seeded Spurs are well-rested after beating Portland in five games, while the #6 Timberwolves beat Denver in six games. Minnesota won two of three against San Antonio this season, and this could be the most fascinating matchup of the second round.

Our second round series schedule is set 🗓️#PorVida | @HEB | @Ledger pic.twitter.com/WCTS5OZYe7

— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) May 2, 2026

The Spurs used a balanced attack to take down Portland as Victor Wembanyama’s 21.0 points led six players averaging 10.2 points or more. “Wemby”, who missed Game 2 because of a concussion, also averaged 4.0 blocks after winning the NBA DPOY award.

De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle were excellent on both ends, while rookie Dylan Harper came off the bench to put pressure on the Trail Blazers. The Spurs are still young, however, and they’re going up against a Minnesota team with plenty of experience.

The Timberwolves will also have Anthony Edwards back, potentially even for game 1, after their star missed the last two games of the Denver series with a knee injury. But Minnesota battled, led by Jaden McDaniels, who averaged 17.8 points and got under the Nuggets’ skin at every turn.

Rudy Gobert also played Nikola Jokić as well as you could, and Denver couldn’t get anyone outside of their superstar to step up consistently.

Unfortunately, losing Donte DiVincenzo to a torn Achilles hurts the Timberwolves. But if Edwards is 100%, the Timberwolves, who are aiming for their third straight Western Conference final, can absolutely upset the apple cart in this series.

This is another one in which I’ll take the a prop bet, and that’s Over 5.5 Games at +185. The Spurs may be more talented, but the Timberwolves are battle-hardened over the last two-plus years of basketball. If nothing else, Minnesota will make San Antonio work for it, and that’s what I’m betting on at this price.