2025-2026 NBA Championship Betting
The NBA playoff bubble refers to the teams ranked 5th through 10th in each conference. These squads qualify for the play-in tournament (which determines the final two playoff spots per conference), and they're typically within striking distance of the top 6 (direct playoff qualifiers) or chasing each other closely.
As of mid-February 2026 (around 50-60 games into the 2025-26 regular season), here are the current standings and bubble/play-in picture:
NBA Betting Lines
Madison Square Garden in New York will host the New York Knicks vs. Houston Rockets matchup on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Tipoff time is at 8:30 p.m. ET with television coverage on ABC.
Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA, will host the Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers matchup on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Tipoff time is at 6:30 p.m. ET with television coverage on NBC.
Eastern Conference Standings
- Detroit Pistons – 40-13
- Boston Celtics – 35-19
- New York Knicks – 35-20
- Cleveland Cavaliers – 34-21
- Toronto Raptors – 32-23
- Philadelphia 76ers – 30-24
Bubble / Play-In Contenders (7-10): 7. Orlando Magic – 28-25 8. Miami Heat – 29-27 9. Charlotte Hornets – 26-29 10. Atlanta Hawks – 26-30
The Heat have more wins than the Magic, but rank 8th due to their win percentage and games played. Charlotte and Atlanta are hot/cold but within reach with strong finishes. Teams like the Bulls and Bucks are falling out of contention.
Western Conference Standings
- Oklahoma City Thunder – 42-14
- San Antonio Spurs – 38-16
- Denver Nuggets – 35-20
- Houston Rockets – 33-20
- Los Angeles Lakers – 33-21
- Minnesota Timberwolves – 34-22
Bubble / Play-In Contenders (7-10): 7. Phoenix Suns – 32-23 8. Golden State Warriors – 29-26 9. Portland Trail Blazers – 27-29 10. LA Clippers – 26-28
The West bubble is tighter below the Suns; Golden State, Portland, and the Clippers are all within a few games and could shift with streaks or injuries. Teams like Memphis are effectively out.
These races can shift quickly—trade deadline moves, injuries, and the post-All-Star stretch often decide who sneaks in.
For the absolute latest, check Bookmaker for updated odds and betting options as games happen daily.
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NBA Future Market Update and Teams to Watch
Raptors and Magic Bubble Up in Eastern Conference
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors have significantly improved from the previous season, where they missed the playoffs. They currently lead the Atlantic Division, rival the 76ers, and trail only the Pistons, Celtics, Knicks, and Cavaliers in the conference. The roster is led by a core featuring Scottie Barnes and mid-season acquisition Brandon Ingram, both of whom were selected as 2026 All-Stars.
The pairing of Scottie Barnes and Brandon Ingram provides versatile scoring and playmaking. Barnes is the defensive anchor (1.6 BPG, 1.3 SPG), while Ingram leads the team in scoring at 21.8 PPG.
Toronto has transformed into a top-tier defensive unit, currently ranking 6th in the NBA in Defensive Rating (113.2). Their identity has shifted from an offense-first team to a defensive juggernaut that excels in high-pressure situations.
Outside of Immanuel Quickley (38.0% 3PT), the team lacks elite perimeter spacing. Scottie Barnes (30.1%) and RJ Barrett (34.2%) struggle to be consistent from deep, contributing to the team's 23rd-ranked scoring.
Without a traditional center for long stretches, the Raptors are often undersized. This leads to struggles in defensive rebounding (ranking 19th in opponent offensive rebound %) and giving up easy points in the paint.
Orlando Magic
As of February 15, 2026, the Orlando Magic are currently the 7th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 28–25 record. Positioned at the top of the NBA Play-In Tournament bracket, they are fighting to move into the top six to secure a guaranteed playoff spot. Orlando relies on an identity of elite perimeter defense and physical transition play. At the same time, they are a powerhouse when healthy, but offensive inconsistency and ball security remain significant hurdles.
The roster is anchored by a young core, bolstered by the high-profile offseason acquisition of Desmond Bane.
The trio of Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Desmond Bane provides a unique blend of size and skill. Banchero leads the team in points (21.3 PPG) and rebounds (8.4 RPG), while Bane adds elite spacing (19.6 PPG).
Orlando ranks 1st in the NBA in limiting opponent 3-point attempts (31.6 per game) and 4th in contesting 3-pointers. They effectively force teams off the line and into their physical half-court defense.
The team’s biggest offensive flaw is its pull-up jump shooting, which ranks last in the NBA at 30% field goal percentage. Their overall 3-point percentage of 34.4% ranks 24th, which often stalls their half-court offense.
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