If the first round of matches are anything to go by, basketball fans are in for a wild ride during the 2026 NBA play-offs, with the Boston Celtics and the Denver Nuggets suffering surprise early exits.
Here, we take a look at how the Conference semi-finals will now line-up and provide our best NBA bets on these clashes.
NBA Conference Semi-Finals Predictions
OKC vs Lakers
Oklahoma City Thunder vs Los Angeles Lakers
The Thunder went into the play-offs as hot favourites to retain their title after finishing strongly for a 64-18 regular-season record and cemented that position as the team to beat by sweeping aside the Phoenix Suns 4-0.
Canadian superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged 33.75 points per game as he top-scored in all of those matches and this well-oiled machine simply purred into the next round.
At 41, LeBron James continued to defy Father Time by steering the Lakers to a 4-2 success versus the Houston Rockets but this is a stiffer test and injury issues involving Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves make it even more daunting.
Prediction: The Thunder are fancied to ease through at 1/50 to win the series with BOYLE Sports.
Spurs vs Timberwolves
San Antonio Spurs vs Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota are bidding to reach the Western Conference finals for a third straight year and did well to keep Nikola Jokic in check as they upset Denver 4-2.
However, the Timberwolves have been fighting against injury problems for some time and whether they can patch up Jaden McDaniels , Anthony Edwards , Donte DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosunmu is a major worry.
The Spurs will have been relieved to see 7ft 4in talisman Victor Wembanyama shrug off a rib problem in a relatively straightforward 4-1 triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers and this young, energetic outfit just looks too lively in this match-up as well.
Prediction: San Antonio to prevail at 1/3 to win the series with BOYLE Sports.
Knicks vs 76ers
New York Knicks vs Philadelphia 76ers
The 76ers exceeded all expectations by rallying from 3-1 down to stun Boston 4-3, with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey leading the way.
If Philadelphia's big guns keep firing, this is far from a foregone conclusion, but it is hard to argue with the view that the Knicks have far greater strength in depth.
Mike Brown's team got off to a shaky start against the Atlanta Hawks but were impressive in the final two matches of that 4-2 triumph, prevailing by 29 and 51 points, with London-born OG Anunoby top-scoring in that last rout.
Prediction: Back New York to win the series at 1/10 with BOYLE Sports.
Pistons vs Cavaliers
Detroit Pistons vs Cleveland Cavaliers
The Pistons have spent all season proving people wrong and again belied big odds of going all the way by battling back from 3-1 down to edge out Orlando Magic in a seven-game thriller.
It was no surprise to see star point guard Cade Cunningham orchestrate that rally and he will be pivotal to Detroit's hopes of justifying their position as top seeds in the East.
Cleveland also had to come through a deciding game to get the better of the Toronto Raptors 4-3 and that is just the kind of scenario they traded to get 36-year-old great James Harden for.
Prediction: This one is too close to call and could easily go to seven games.
Semi-Finals Tips
NBA Conference Semi-Finals Tips
Oklahoma City Thunder to win the series @ 1/50
San Antonio Spurs to win the series @ 1/3
New York Knicks to win the series @ 1/10
Simply click/tap on the above betting tips to add to your betslip.
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