NBA Finals map shows each state’s pick to win 2026 title

Sports Illustrated experts like the Nuggets and Celtics better

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Just over half of the league’s 30 teams made the playoffs, leaving 14 sitting at home during the postseason and looking ahead to the next NBA Draft Lottery drawing on May 10.

MORE: 5 Bold First-Round Predictions for the 2026 NBA Playoffs

But fans from those states not represented in this year’s playoffs still have a strong interest in someone… but who?

Well, once again, the good people at BetOnline have compiled 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 information was collected by tracking tweets, hashtags, and direct keyword phrases about who fans believe will win the 2026 NBA title.

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NBA fans in Texas support the Spurs

In fact, more states believe the Spurs will win the title than the Thunder.

However, bettors disagree. Oklahoma City (+110) is the big betting favorite, followed by San Antonio (+500), Boston (+550) and Denver (+900).

70% of states believe a team from the West will win the NBA title

Quite a safe and correct decision on the part of basketball fans. Talent-wise, the best teams in the East (Pistons, T-Wolves) simply aren’t as good as the best in the West.

So if the Thunder don’t repeat, it will probably be the Spurs or the Nuggets who win it all.

That’s the same call from me to you.

Now, the selections by state (map below):

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San Antonio Spurs (16)

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

I say it’s a year away. Saint Anthony: You 2027 NBA Champions!

States that choose 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 that choose 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.

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Boston Celtics (9)

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

Boston will try to increase its record of NBA championships by getting number 19.

I think the Celtics will beat either the Pistons or the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Then, however, they will face one of the three fantastic teams in the West: Oklahoma City, San Antonio and Denver. Either of those teams will beat Boston in the NBA Finals.

Denver Nuggets (4)

Nuggets pick states: Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Wyoming

Denver’s peak is no matter how high Nikola Jokic can lead them. He’s the league MVP and should be solid in the playoffs, but the road to the Finals is so difficult that most signs point to a second-round exit against San Antonio.

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Cleveland Knights (3)

States that choose the Cavs: Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia

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

States that choose the Timberwolves: Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota

Anthony Edwards is so good as he gains confidence with the game that he could propel Minnesota to an upset in the series.

Detroit Pistons (2)

States that choose the Pistons: Michigan, Wisconsin

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

State that supports the Knicks: New York

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

To finish…

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