BetOnline Odds: 2026-27 NBA No. 1 Seed & Conference Favorites
Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez
Published: Wed Aug 26, 2026, 10:00 am ET
Read Time: 7 minutes
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BetOnline has released its early NBA odds for the 2026-27 regular season. The lines highlight several teams with strong No. 1 seed and conference championship chances.
The New York Knicks lead the Eastern Conference No. 1 seed market at 11/4 (+275). Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder are the clear Western Conference favorites at 20/21 (-105).
BetOnline also lists the Philadelphia 76ers and San Antonio Spurs as conference championship favorites. Those markets provide a different picture of the NBA title race.
As the season approaches, bettors can compare these NBA picks across US online sportsbooks. The latest NBA odds also reflect major offseason moves that reshaped both conferences.
BetOnline Odds for the Teams Favored to Hold the No. 1 Seed
BetOnline's No. 1 seed markets reveal a competitive Eastern Conference and a top-heavy Western Conference.
The Knicks lead four prominent Eastern contenders, followed by Philadelphia, Boston and Detroit. In the West, Oklahoma City leads San Antonio by a narrow margin.
The conference championship markets add another layer to these NBA odds. Philadelphia leads the East at 13/4 (+325), while San Antonio leads the West at 7/5 (+140).
Eastern Conference No. 1 Seed Favorites
New York Knicks: 11/4 (+275) | BetOnline
The Knicks enter the season as BetOnline's Eastern Conference No. 1 seed favorites. Their 11/4 price reflects their status as defending NBA champions.
Jalen Brunson remains the centerpiece after leading New York to its first title since 1973. He also earned Finals MVP honors following the championship victory.
Karl-Anthony Towns adds interior scoring, rebounding and playmaking beside Brunson. OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges also give New York elite two-way options.
The Knicks retained their championship core during the offseason. They also re-signed Jose Alvarado, Jordan Clarkson and Landry Shamet.
New York did lose Mitchell Robinson to Boston in free agency. The team must offset that frontcourt loss through its remaining depth.
Philadelphia 76ers: 7/2 (+350) | BetOnline
Philadelphia owns the second-shortest odds for the Eastern Conference's top seed. The 76ers also lead BetOnline's conference championship market at 13/4 (+325).
Their offseason explains that optimism. Philadelphia acquired five-time All-Star Jaylen Brown from Boston for Paul George and draft assets.
Brown now joins Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in a formidable core. The move also gives Philadelphia another proven two-way star.
The 76ers then added another major name by signing LeBron James. James joins Embiid for his 24th NBA season.
Philadelphia also added Anfernee Simons, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Dean Wade. Those additions strengthen the team's scoring, shooting and perimeter depth.
Boston Celtics: 5/1 | BetOnline
The Celtics rank third in BetOnline's No. 1 seed market at 5/1. They also carry 6/1 odds to win the Eastern Conference.
Boston made one of the offseason's biggest trades by sending Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia. The Celtics received Paul George and multiple future draft picks in return.
George brings veteran scoring, shooting and two-way experience to the Celtics. Jayson Tatum remains the franchise centerpiece despite missing the previous season's championship run.
Boston also added Mitchell Robinson after his departure from New York. Mike Conley provides additional veteran experience in the backcourt.
Those changes give Boston a different roster around Tatum. The Celtics remain among the strongest contenders despite losing Brown.
Detroit Pistons: 11/2 (+550) | BetOnline
Detroit has the fourth-shortest Eastern Conference No. 1 seed odds at 11/2. The Pistons also sit at 9/1 to win the conference.
Cade Cunningham remains the key reason behind Detroit's bullish outlook. The 24-year-old guard leads a young core that includes Jalen Duren and Ausar Thompson.
Detroit strengthened its roster during the offseason. The Pistons acquired sharpshooter Isaiah Joe from Oklahoma City for future second-round picks.
They also added John Collins through a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. Kevin Huerter and Taurean Prince provide additional shooting and veteran depth.
Those additions complement Cunningham's playmaking. They also give Detroit more offensive spacing around its young stars.
Western Conference No. 1 Seed Favorites
Oklahoma City Thunder: 20/21 (-105) | BetOnline
The Thunder are BetOnline's strongest No. 1 seed favorite across either conference. Their 20/21 price translates to a slight odds-on position.
Oklahoma City enters the season with an established young core led by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The reigning Western powerhouse also has Chet Holmgren and Jalen Williams.
The Thunder made several roster changes this offseason. They re-signed Isaiah Hartenstein and Kenrich Williams while moving Luguentz Dort and Aaron Wiggins.
Oklahoma City also drafted Aday Mara, Ebuka Okorie and Ryan Conwell. Its continued depth gives the team a strong foundation for another dominant regular season.
Interestingly, BetOnline makes Oklahoma City only the second choice to win the West. The Thunder carry 3/2 (+150) odds behind San Antonio's 7/5 (+140).
San Antonio Spurs: 11/10 (+110) | BetOnline
The Spurs rank second for the Western Conference No. 1 seed at 11/10. They are also BetOnline's favorite to win the conference at 7/5 (+140).
Victor Wembanyama remains the central figure in San Antonio's championship push. De'Aaron Fox also gives the Spurs an established lead guard alongside their young superstar.
San Antonio strengthened its roster during free agency. The Spurs signed veteran forward Tobias Harris and retained Harrison Barnes.
They also secured Wembanyama on a rookie-scale extension. That move keeps their franchise cornerstone in place for the long term.
The Spurs reached the 2026 NBA Finals before losing to New York. Their postseason experience could make them even more dangerous this season.
Denver Nuggets: 16/1 | BetOnline
Denver sits third in BetOnline's Western Conference No. 1 seed market at 16/1. The Nuggets also have 12/1 odds to win the West.
Nikola Jokic remains the biggest reason for Denver's presence among the contenders. Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon continue to provide crucial support around the three-time MVP.
The Nuggets also added six-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan. He signed a one-year contract after Sacramento waived him.
DeRozan averaged 18.4 points and 4.1 assists across 77 games last season. His scoring should strengthen Denver's second unit.
Denver did lose Peyton Watson in a sign-and-trade with Cleveland. The Nuggets received a future first-round pick and other assets.
Minnesota Timberwolves: 20/1 | BetOnline
The Timberwolves have 20/1 odds to claim the Western Conference's No. 1 seed. They are also 14/1 to win the conference.
Anthony Edwards remains Minnesota's primary offensive weapon. The team dramatically upgraded its backcourt by acquiring LaMelo Ball from Charlotte.
Ball averaged 20.1 points and 7.1 assists last season. His playmaking should reduce the burden on Edwards throughout the regular season.
The blockbuster deal also brought Josh Green to Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Wolves retained Ayo Dosunmu on a four-year agreement.
Ball and Edwards now form one of the league's most explosive backcourts. Rudy Gobert and Jaden McDaniels also provide defensive stability.
That combination gives Minnesota a credible path toward challenging Oklahoma City and San Antonio.
BetOnline's NBA No. 1 Seed and Conference Championship Outlook
BetOnline's early NBA odds establish clear favorites for both conference races. The Knicks lead the East's No. 1 seed market, while Oklahoma City dominates the West.
Philadelphia and San Antonio, meanwhile, lead their respective conference championship markets. Those differences could create intriguing NBA picks as the 2026-27 season approaches.
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Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.
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