NBA Picks & Predictions
NBA 2026 Final betting picks - expert basketball betting predictions
The 2026 NBA Playoffs have delivered no shortage of drama, compelling matchups, and high-level basketball. Now the season is down to the last two teams that have survived three rounds of playoffs in their respective conferences. The San Antonio Spurs will represent the Western Conference against the New York Knicks of the Eastern Conference.
The NBA Finals are the perfect time to bet on basketball. Just sign up with Stake Sportsbook, and you’ll be ready to go. You can also keep reading to get insight and predictions for the 2026 NBA Finals.
Who is the pick to win the 2026 NBA Finals?
In a poetic twist of fate, this matchup between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs mirrors the 1999 Finals - the last time the Knicks made it this far. While New York brings an 11-game winning streak and plenty of momentum, Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs' depth and resilience will prove too much for the Knicks, which gives them a strong chance to deny the Knicks their first title in over half a century.
New York Knicks
The Knicks had some issues to work through at the beginning of the playoffs. They fell behind 2-1 in their first-round series against the Hawks. But after a comfortable win in Game 4 of that series, they got into a groove. They blew out the Hawks in every other game of that series and then swept the 76ers in the conference semifinals. In the Eastern Conference Finals, a 22-point comeback win in Game 1 was New York’s springboard to eliminating the Cavaliers and getting back to the NBA Finals.
San Antonio Spurs
San Antonio's road to the Finals was anything but straightforward. After dispatching their early-round opponents, the Spurs ran into the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals - and found themselves in a hole. Down 3-2 in the series, the Spurs responded with back-to-back wins to force and ultimately win a Game 7 on the road. Victor Wembanyama was the catalyst throughout, delivering a jaw-dropping 41-point, 24-rebound performance in Game 1 and then anchoring the team's collective closing effort in Games 6 and 7. The result is a Spurs team that arrives at the Finals battle-tested and led by one of the most gifted players the game has seen in years.
What is the NBA?
The NBA is the world’s top professional basketball league. It dates back to 1946 and comprises 30 teams across the United States and Canada. The best basketball players in the world play in the NBA, making it one of the most competitive and popular pro sports leagues in the world.
History and Past Winners of the NBA
In the decades since the league was founded, over 20 different franchises have won an NBA title. Historically, the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are the most successful teams in league history, winning 18 and 17 NBA Championships, respectively.
When and where are the NBA Finals played in 2026?
The NBA Finals begin on June 3, 2026. Both teams will have a chance to host games, with the Spurs hosting Games 1 and 2, as well as Games 5 and 7 if necessary. Meanwhile, the Knicks will host games 3 and 4, as well as Game 6 if necessary. The series will run until at least Game 4, which is scheduled for June 10. However, the series could last until June 19, which will be the day of Game 7.
How to bet on the 2026 NBA Finals at Stake?
To bet on the NBA at Stake Sportsbook, read our sports betting guide if you’re new to betting on sports, and then follow the steps below.
First, sign up for a Stake account.
Then deposit funds into that account. This can be done using one of several accepted cryptocurrencies at Stake or a wide selection of local currencies.
Thereafter, click on the NBA button to view your betting options for the NBA Finals.
At stake, there is a wide selection of betting markets available for the NBA Finals. If you are a beginner, familiarise yourself with how to bet on basketball before you place a wager. When you’re ready, choose from the following types of bets at Stake:
Point Spread (Spread) - Betting against the spread is among the most popular bet types for NBA fans and requires the favoured team to win by a certain margin. If the Spurs are favoured by 4.5 points over the Knicks, they must win by at least 5 points. Otherwise, the Knicks will win the bet just by keeping it close, even if they lose the game.
Moneyline (Outright) - Making moneyline picks is betting against the spread. This bet only requires betting on the outright winner of the game. The catch is that the odds and payout won’t be the same for each team. If the Spurs is favoured, the payout will be smaller with a moneyline bet than it will be if you bet on the underdog Knicks to win the game.
Total (Over/Under) - Rather than betting on winners and losers, a total bet is concerned with the combined points of both teams. There is an over/under for every game, with bettors placing a wager on whether the total points in that game will be higher or lower than that total.
Parlays & Multibets - A parlay is a great way to increase the payout of a bet. It ties multiple bets into a larger bet, increasing the payout more than a series of single bets. However, if just 1 bet loses, the entire parlay loses, so it’s the ultimate example of a high-risk, high-reward bet.
Proposition Bets (Player Props) - Player props are hugely popular among NBA fans. These prop bets are typically based on the number of points, rebounds, or assists a player has in a game. There are also prop bets that are based on certain events in a game, including whether a team will lead at halftime and win the game.
Live Betting (In Play) - Even after a game begins, there are betting lines available, allowing fans to make live bets in the middle of a game. This allows fans to watch the start of an NBA game and then make a bet on how the game will end. Just keep in mind that live betting is a little different from pre-game betting. The spread, over/under, and moneyline odds all change throughout the game, so you can’t get on the pre-game odds once the game begins.
Basketball promotions you can enjoy when betting at Stake
One of the reasons why Stake is a great platform for betting on the NBA Finals is our wide array of bonus opportunities and promotions. These can include a welcome bonus for new users, odds boosts, free bets, and a weekly raffle to win a share of $75,000.
For our loyal and active users, we have a VIP club. Members are privy to rewards and benefits such as a reload or rakeback bonus and a VIP host!
Free NBA final live streaming and betting at Stake
At Stake, you can watch a live stream of games during the NBA Finals. As soon as a finals game begins, you can start streaming it right on the Stake platform. Not only will you be able to track your pre-game bets, but watching a live stream will help you understand the flow of the game and place live bets.
