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

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

NBA fans in Texas are backing the Spurs

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

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.

Now, the picks by state (map below):

Advertisement

San Antonio Spurs (16)

Fans of all ages believe the young Spurs have the talent to take down the reigning champion Thunder.

I say they are a year away. San Antonio: Your 2027 NBA champions!

States picking the Spurs: Alaska, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia

Oklahoma City Thunder (12)

States picking the Thunder: Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Washington

They’ll be smiling again in Oklahoma City this offseason after winning a second straight title.

Advertisement

Boston Celtics (9)

States picking the Celtics: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont

Boston will try to add to its NBA record of championships by claiming its 19th.

I think the Celtics get past the Pistons or Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Then, though, they’ll face one of the West’s three terrific teams: Oklahoma City, San Antonio, and Denver. Any one of those teams will beat Boston in the NBA Finals.

Denver Nuggets (4)

States picking the Nuggets: Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming

Denver’s peak is however high Nikola Jokic can lead them. He’s the league MVP and should be solid in the playoffs, but the path to the Finals is so tough that most signs point to a second-round exit against San Antonio.

Advertisement

Cleveland Cavaliers (3)

States picking the Cavs: Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia

If Cleveland star Donovan Mitchell can get hot and stay that way throughout the postseason, the preseason favorite to win the East could make the Finals.

States picking the Timberwolves: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota

Anthony Edwards is so good while gaining confidence by the game, he could power Minnesota to a series upset.

Detroit Pistons (2)

States picking the Pistons: Michigan, Wisconsin

You think the top-seeded Pistons can stay healthy in their first-round series against the physical, defensive-minded Magic? I doubt it.

State rooting for the Knicks: New York

Well, it’s you alone against the rest of the country, Knicks fans.

In closing …

The cool, color-coded map to show you that the black and silver