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 betterJust 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 playoffsBut 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 SpursApr 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 ImagesIn 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 titleJan 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 ImagesPretty 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):San Antonio Spurs (16)Apr 10, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs fans during there second half against the Dallas Mavericks at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn ImagesFans 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, VirginiaOklahoma City Thunder (12)Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) and center Chet Holmgren (7) celebrate after a three point basket during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Arena.

Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn ImagesStates picking the Thunder: Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, WashingtonThey’ll be smiling again in Oklahoma City this offseason after winning a second straight title.Boston Celtics (9)Feb 22, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts after scoring three point basket against the Los Angeles Lakers during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn ImagesStates picking the Celtics: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, VermontBoston 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)Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic reacts against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J.

Rebilas-Imagn ImagesStates picking the Nuggets: Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, WyomingDenver’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.Cleveland Cavaliers (3)Apr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) reacts in the third quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn ImagesStates picking the Cavs: Indiana, Ohio, West VirginiaIf 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.Minnesota Timberwolves (3)Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn ImagesStates picking the Timberwolves: Minnesota, North Dakota, South DakotaAnthony Edwards is so good while gaining confidence by the game, he could power Minnesota to a series upset.Detroit Pistons (2)Detroit Pistons gu